How long have you played with Reg Vardy Band?
Since 1999 with one or two short interludes with other local bands.

What’s the best thing about playing in a brass band?
It’s hard to explain; maybe it’s a feeling of belonging, maybe the buzz when things are going well. I think it’s the physical feeling of fitting into the music – when it just feels right. There’s the camaraderie and post playing social aspect too, of course.

What’s your highlight so far with Reg Vardy Band?
There have been so many! Competing at the World Championships in 2005 was incredible. We’ve produced some great performances in contests and concerts. The French Open weekend in Amboise in 2017 was an amazing team experience (and we won, which helped the atmosphere a bit!). Currently, we have a great playing and conducting team and there’s a positive feeling in the band. That’s a highlight after a day of teaching eight year olds!

How did you get involved with playing a brass instrument?
Our school was lucky enough to have a full set of brass band instruments. I passed my “Bentley test” aged seven and chose a trombone.

What was your earliest musical experience?
“Conducting” Fantasia in the cinema at probably age three?

Who has been your biggest influence?
That’s hard to say. There have been so many talented and inspiring individuals in my banding life I couldn’t possibly mention just one.

Do you enjoy practising or find it a chore?
It depends on the practice. Long notes – meh. Tunes and flowery stuff, great.

Were your parents musical?
My mam sings all day and loves Chopin and folk music. She doesn’t play an instrument but she’s a musician at heart. When I started playing a brass instrument, my great gran told us that her dad played cornet in Harton Colliery Band in the 1920s and conducted a local colliery band, (we didn’t know prior to this) so I suppose it must be in the blood!

What piece of music do you most enjoy playing?
From our programme probably Balkan Dance – lots of interesting bits for a second horn player (that’s unusual) and some singing too!

What’s the best and worst things about performing?
The best thing is the connection with the audience and knowing you’re bringing pleasure to so many. There isn’t a worst.

What can the audience expect from a performance by Reg Vardy Band?
Variety. We hope to bring the audience music they may know and some interesting lesser-known pieces.