Behind the music with Lucy Cutt
After nearly seven years with the Brighouse & Rastrick Band earlier in her career, Lucy Cutt returned to the band in September 2025, taking up her place once again on flugel horn. With deep family roots in brass banding and a profound sense of pride in performing at the highest level, she reflects on what it means to be back playing with one of the world’s leading brass bands.
Lucy’s connection with Brighouse & Rastrick runs deep. Having previously spent a significant part of her banding life with the ensemble, returning felt both special and familiar. “Doing something you love with your friends, and having the opportunity to play in some fantastic venues” are what she values most about brass banding.
Among the highlights since returning are two major performances - appearing at the Royal Albert Hall in October and competing at the Yorkshire Regional Championships in March. “Both were fantastic performances to be part of,” each offering a powerful reminder of the musical standard and shared commitment within the band.
Lucy’s journey into brass banding was almost inevitable. “A number of my family before me played in brass bands, so it was a natural step for me to follow them.” Music surrounded her from an early age, her grandad was an accomplished opera singer, and her dad played piano before becoming an extremely talented guitarist, later taking up B-flat bass in their local band.
That family influence extended to Lucy and her brothers, all of whom also took up brass playing. Although her mum never played an instrument, her love of classical and ballet music also left a lasting impression.
One of Lucy’s earliest musical milestones was winning her first contest in the Fourth Section with Marple B Band, an achievement that helped shape her confidence and passion for competing and performing.
Lucy credits several key figures as influences on her playing. Her husband, Garry Cutt, conducted many of the bands she played for, and conductor Alan Lawton played a major role in shaping her approach to slow, lyrical melodies. Most recently Professor David King, the Musical Director of Brighouse & Rastrick Band, has been a profound musical influence.
Practising isn’t a chore for Lucy, but fitting it in alongside full‑time work, playing at this level, and family life can be a challenge. “The band room isn’t the place to learn your part,” she notes, “so a practice mute at home is a must!”
Lucy is drawn to melodic repertoire, favouring expressive lines and musical shaping over more overtly technical writing, a natural fit for the warmth and colour of the flugel horn.
The greatest reward of performing, Lucy says, is the “sense of achievement and pride following a good performance with your band.” The nerves beforehand can be difficult, driven by a desire not to let colleagues down, but the shared success that follows makes it all worthwhile.
Audiences at a Brighouse & Rastrick Band concert can expect a varied programme to suit all tastes, as well as the chance to hear outstanding soloists. Lucy says, “Brighouse & Rastrick is fortunate to boast some of the best young talent in brass banding at this time. To play amongst them is really an honour.”
Lucy Cutt performs with the Brighouse & Rastrick Band on Saturday 9 May at Pudsey Civic Hall.