Cornets

Ryan Ashley

I started playing at the age of 9, first on cornet before then moving onto flugelhorn, and ultimately back to cornet. The first band I played for back in 2013 was the Boarshurst Training Band, whose Musical Director was Linda Finan. After 2 years with the Training Band, I moved up to Boarshurst Silver Band on 2nd cornet, where after 2 years, I was promoted a front row seat.

I have been influenced by brass band music since I was little, which made me love the march ORB and the test piece Journey to Freedom.

The reason why brass bands have had such a big influence on me is because I have so many family members who have either played in a brass band or at Boarshurst Silver Band. My grandad (Geoff), dad (Steven Ashley), mother (Linda Finan), sisters (Leanne Ashley, Vicky Ashley and Emma Ashley), cousin (Lauren Armitage), and uncle (Phil Hurst) have all played at Boarshurst Band. My uncle, Steven Armitage, has helped Boarshurst out on many different occasions, he plays Bb Bass. As I am one of the youngest in the band, I try my best (outside of the band room) to keep the whole band young!

Rebecca Maxwell-Warrior

I started playing the cornet at school when I was 6 years old, and after a few months I joined Dobcross Youth Band. I started in the training band, worked my way through the intermediate band, and at the age of 16 was appointed Principal Cornet of the Youth Band. In 2004, I also began teaching the beginners group and training band as part of my Duke of Edinburgh volunteer experience, which continued until I left the band in 2010 to head to Bangor University.

During my time at Bangor, I enjoyed playing the flugelhorn with the university brass band, which was newly formed and originally only had 14 members, and a Bavarian band called Oompah-fessional Brass. Between the two, I made lots of musical memories, including competing at UniBrass and playing an Oompah gig in a packed beer garden in November (we were all freezing, but the atmosphere was amazing)!

After leaving University, I headed back home to Delph, and quickly joined Uppermill Brass Band as Principal Cornet. During my time with Uppermill, I met my now wife, and left the band to move with her to Harrogate, North Yorkshire. Here I joined The Harrogate Band, where I stayed for 4 years. I started on Repriano Cornet, followed by 2nd Solo Cornet, and for my final year and a half I played Principal Cornet. Highlights with Harrogate included Durham Miners Gala; winning the 1st section area and being promoted to the Championship section; and having the band play on our wedding day, including a flash mob to surprise my wife that I planned and joined in with!

A move closer to Saddleworth has meant I could join a band where my love of banding started, and I am very much looking forward to working hard with Boarshurst.

I have many favourite pieces or brass music, but a top three would be The Spirit Within by Ben Hollins (a beautiful and emotive piece, which I walked down the aisle to), The Dark Side of The Moon by Paul Lovatt-Cooper (a clever piece with lots of contrast – it was also my first test piece played as Principal Cornet of Dobcross Youth Band), and Death or Glory by Robert Browne Hall (a march I associate with my favourite day of the year, Whit Friday).

Cornets

Principal Cornet

2nd Solo Cornet

3rd Solo Cornet

4th Solo Cornet

Soprano Cornet

Repiano Cornet

Principal 2nd Cornet

Assistant 2nd Cornet

Principal 3rd Cornet

Assistant 3rd Cornet