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David Stanley - Musical Director Dave started the band almost 40 years ago as a Youth Band, which became Arrow Valley Brass in 1990. He has remained Musical Director for the whole of the band’s life. He was for 10 years Chairman of the British Federation of Brass Bands and is now its Vice-President. As Chairman, he oversaw the gaining of Arts Council Funding and the establishment of a National Office. In 2003 , he was awarded a Diploma of Honour by the Worshipful Company of Musicians. He also conducted the Alcester Victoria silver Band for eight years, the Bretforton Silver Band for eighteen and has recently retired as conductor of his first band, Blockley, where he played trombone and euphonium as a boy. |
| Principal Cornet | Norman |  |
Norman started playing the cornet at the age of just six, and played in the Haydock band, in St. Helens, with his father, who taught him to play. He later joined the Haydock & Ashton Youth band and was playing Solo Cornet at just 9 years old. Norman played Soprano cornet and then became Principal Cornet for Edge Hill (British Rail) band in Liverpool during his teenage years, and also played as Principal Cornet for two other Championship bands, namely Greenalls Brewery and Pemberton bands, based in Wigan, before moving away from the North West to further his work career. Whilst living in Norfolk, he became Principal Cornet for the Norwich Brewery band, and when in Scotland for the Alva band. Both Championship section bands at the time. He then moved to Kent and later to Redditch but gave up playing for 24 years due to work commitments. Having recently retired he has started to enjoy playing the cornet once again, and says “it’s just like riding a bike – you never forget, but you’re a bit wobbly at first !" |
| Soprano Cornet | Sarah |  |
The first time Dave Stanley met Sarah was at Bretforton Brass Band. When Dave returned to Blockley some years later Srah was playing there too. Dave persuaded Sarah to come and help Arrow Valley Brass as a dep for a concert in Stratford. She has been with us ever since. Sarah studied music at Cardiff University. |
| Solo Cornet | Amy | Amy joined the band when she was twelve, starting her banding career in the junior band under the baton of Dave Hodgetts. Since then she has played many different parts, working from third cornet to second to now being on the front row. Amy's favourite time of year is Christmas and she knows the carol books inside out. | |
| Solo Cornet | Laura | ||
| Solo Cornet | Dave |  |
David Hunt joined Arrow Valley Brass Junior Band aged 9. Having progressed up through the ranks of the cornet section to Soprano Cornet in the main band he left to attend Huddersfield University where he completed a Music Degree under the tuition of the world famous Cornet player Philip McCann. Having completed a PGCE (Secondary Music) at Huddersfield David taught in a secondary school in Manchester before returning to the Cotswolds in 2006. Whilst in Huddersfield David played Cornet for Carlton Main Frickley, Pennine Brass and Soprano Cornet for Boarshurst Silver Band. David is currently Head of Music and Head of House at a Secondary School in South Warwickshire.
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| Repiano Cornet | Sally |  |
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| 2nd Cornet | Dan | ||
| 2nd Cornet | Chris |  |
Chris joined Arrow Valley in 2012. He started his brass life playing Eb Bass at school with his friend Stephen Allen (now professor of music at Princeton USA). Began playing cornet with Redhill Corps of Drums after a drunken bet in a pub one night! (Cost him a round!). Principal of Crawley Town Band 1985-87. 3rd Cornet Handcross Brass 1987-1989. Various back and front seats at Horsham Borough Silver. 1989-96. Soprano and front row with Luton Band 1997. 3rd Trumpet Charlwood Big Band.
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| 3rd Cornet | Vicky |  |
Vicky is the daughter of our conductor Andy Culshaw. She has been coming to band for a couple of years now and has the cheekiest grin you'll ever see |
| 3rd Cornet | Ted | ||
| Flugel Horn | Simon |  |
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| Solo Horn | Helen |  |
Helen started her playing career at school. She then played for Bretforton Brass Band before coming to Arrow Valley. After a break of several years through living abroad Helen returned to Arrow Valley Brass and the only open seat was solo horn so Helen gave it a try and has been there for a number of years now. Helen is currently Chairman of the band and is very good at keeping people in order |
| 1st Horn |
Michael & Kerry |
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| 2nd Horn |
Jacob & Ben |
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| 1st Baritone | Adam | ||
| 2nd Baritone | Miriam | ||
| Solo Euphonium | Simon |  |
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| Euphonium | Sarah |  |
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| Solo Trombone | Pete |  |
Pete learned to play at Stourport High School and his first band was the Stourport High School Band. Pete then went on to play for many years in the City of Birmingham Brass Band before rejoining the renamed Stourport Brass Band. After a several year break Pete joined Arrow Valley Brass a few years ago and fitted in from his first rehearsal. |
| 2nd Trombone | Allison | ||
| Bass Trombone | Jim |  |
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| Eb Bass | Alistair | Alistair joined the band after reading about us in a local newspaper and has proved to be a great find although he has an aversion to having his photo displayed so before I put one live I shall get a disclaimer in triplicate from his solicitor | |
| Eb Bass | Callum | Callum is one of the students of Kate Williams and has been with us for just over a year or so - Callum this year was accepted into the National Youth Orchestra - he is a youngster of rare talent | |
| Bb Bass | Jay |  |
Jay was given a tuba to play by his brass teacher Martin Yates when he was 12 years old and joined the junior band whilst it was still Alcester Victoria Youth Band One day Dave Stanley came in and asked if anyone wanted to have a go on BBb Bass, and Jay volunteered. At the time Jay had to sit on 3 chairs and rest the tuba on another in order to reach the mouthpiece. Jay has been with the band for 35 years now. |
| Bb Bass | Stuart | ||
| Kit | Lee |  |
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| Tuned Percussion | Matt |  |