Musical Director - Mr. Les Webb

Details to follow. Watch this space...

Jim Murray – Principal Cornet

I started learning the cornet in Feb 1947 age 6 with Besses Boys. I won 1st prize in my first slow melody contest in Feb 1949 age 8. Johnny Greenwood being the adjudicator. Awarded a scholarship to study Trumpet at the R.M.C.M. (now known as the R.N.C.M.) after an audition at the BBC with Prof. Cecil Kidd 1954 age 13. I was the youngest player at the British Open 1955 age 14. In 1957 I started work as an apprentice Photo Litho Camera Operator on £2.75 a week (46 hours!) plus 3 nights evening classes at UMIST.

Left Besses due to work commitments and joined Blackley Band on Principal Cornet. WInning many prizes in over 40 contests with Blackley Band before returning to Besses for the British Open in 1961. Also the same year Pat and I got married and bought our first house in February. Celebrated my 21st in October and our first daughter was born in December. I spent the next 9 years on the front row at Besses mainly as bumper up to the master cornetist Brian Mather before work intervened again.

During the next 22 years I again played for Blackley and also Marple, Thornsett, City of Manchester (The Manchester CWS Band) before once again being invited back at Besses in 1992. I left again on 2 occasions the first in 1997 whilst working in London, returning in 2001 after playing with Blackley in the National Finals at the Royal Albert Hall and the second time when I was sacked by the conductor in 2003! The band asked me to become Hon. Vice President in 2004 and I returned by invitation to the ranks at Christmas that year having spent an enjoyable year at Glossop Old Band.

Meanwhile having kept in touch with Marple over the years I was asked to fill the top chair for the Forces concert in 2008, 25 years after leaving the band. I was offered the job and I’m enjoying my Friday evening rehearsals and the occasional concert with this friendly band.

I have been a guest player with the following bands:-
The Ferryhill Miners Band; St. Austell Band; St. Dennis Band; The Salford Police Band; City of Coventry Band; The Fairey Band; Harry Mortimers Men O’ Brass; New Mills Band; Whaley Bridge Band; Hazel Grove Band; The Halle Orchestra (2nd Trumpet) and The Moscow State Circus (3rd Trumpet). I also played 2nd Trumpet two nights a week with the ‘Wally Mackenzie Dance Orchestra’ held at the Elizabethan Ballroom, Belle Vue in the 1970’s.




Jayne Turner – Solo Cornet
Details soon



Ian Moffett – Solo Cornet

Started at the age of 8, (1979) playing in the schools band. I progressed to Principal for the East Area Schools Band, conducted by Mike Fredricks, also my tutor. I joined Burnage Junior Band, then the Senior Band in 1982. I was also playing with Werneth Concert Band at the same time on Trumpet. After leaving Burnage I joined Marple B as Principal staying for a year. After which I gave it all up.

Picked the cornet back up after 15 years of letting it gather dust. Thoroughly enjoying it again. I'm married with 3 children (2 girls, 1 boy) and 2 cats (1 male, 1 female) and run my own Graphic Design business.

Previous Bands:
Burnage Manchester Band, 1982-86
Marple 'B' Band, 1986-87
Hazel Grove, 2001-02
Hawk Green (Marple) Band, 2002-03
Vernon Building Society Poynton Band, May 2003 - April 2009
The Marple Band, joined 31st July 2009 - present


VACANCY – Solo Cornet

Tommy Jobson – Eb Soprano Cornet

I have always been surrounded by music, my Father being a Bachelor of Music, and Church Organist. I started to learn the piano when I was about 5 or 6, and have played it ever since. I got the bug for brass instruments in my first year of secondary school when the film Brassed Off was released. I fell in love with the brass band sound and world, and begged my parents to take me along to our local band Porthywaen Silver Band. Here I was initially given an Eb Bass to learn on, however this was short lived and I was soon playing cornet in the beginner’s band. I moved up through the ranks whilst in school, moving into the Youth Band and for a time playing Flugel, then moving into the senior band. I moved onto Soprano cornet with Porthywaen when the need arose and have not looked back since.

After playing with Porthywaen for 12 years, I made the move to Wem Jubilee band again on Soprano, and competed with them in the second section. During my time with Wem and Porthywaen I have had the privilege to play in the Theatre Severn in Shrewsbury, the Symphony Hall, and in the Royal Albert Hall for the National Finals.

I played with the school concert band on Trumpet and took Trumpet lessons. Me and my Father also struck up a bit of a double act for weddings, with Church organ and Trumpet, playing all the usual repertoire.

I am very excited to be joining Marple band playing my favourite instrument of the band.

Vacancy – REPIANO




Katherine Rattigan – 2nd Cornet

I started playing the cornet aged 8 at primary school and progressed into the school band. I was taught by Mr Peter Gray who was conducting Stockport Schools Brass Band at the time. I joined Stockport schools aged 10 and stayed there till I was 18, starting in the intermediate and working my way up to the senior band. During this time I also played with Hazel Grove Brass Band, for a year in 2005.

In 2007 I left Stockport and went to Bangor to attend university. Whilst studying I joined a local band, Menai Bridge where I stayed for 18 months. After a year of not playing I joined Marple Band in November 2010.


Dennis Langley – 2nd Cornet

I commenced learning the cornet at Ancoats Lad`s Club. I took private lesson under Gilbert White, conductor of Newton Heath Band, eventually joining Newton Heath Band, I then moved to Gorton and Openshaw Band. I had to stop playing, for three years, due to illness.
 
Other Bands I`ve played for: Eccles Borough Band, Beswick Band, Poynton Band, Mirrlees Band and Marple Band.
 
I stopped playing for thirty plus years due to working away from home, re-joined Marple Band November 2009.

Laura Holland – 3rd Cornet

I started playing the cornet aged 7 (2000) in Romiley Primary School band where I was the principle cornet/trumpet player. Whilst still in the school band I was also playing for Stockport Schools Brass Band joining the junior band in 2002 and moving up to the Intermediate band and senior band. I also played in my secondary schools swing band (Kings swing band) before joining The Marple Band in 2007 where I thoroughly enjoy both the music and the playing.

Sue Emery – 3rd Cornet

Having entered the world of brass bands rather late in life, my main contributions have been to encourage my children into the movement and to help with administration, while pottering along at the bottom of the cornet back row in both Hawk Green and Marple Bands.

My aim now is to do what I can to see The Brass Bands of Marple settled in their own bandroom and a junior band established, while continuing to play as long as my competence permits!!

Rachael Ward – Flugel

Having played the trumpet from the age of 9, I am a relative newcomer to the world of brass banding. I started playing flugel for Marple Band in December 2009 after completing an MA in Music and Drama at The University of Manchester. As well as being involved in various university and school ensembles, I have played for a number of local music groups including Stockport Youth Orchestra, Stockport Schools’ Senior Wind Band and Hazel Grove Orchestra. I have played in a number of prestigious venues across the North West such as The Bridgewater Hall, The Lowry and the RNCM…as well as a cruck barn at Tatton Park and McDonalds in Stockport’s Grand Central!! I have really enjoyed my time with Marple Band so far and look forward to continuing to play with them in the future.


David Caine – Solo Horn

I began my playing career aged 12 with New Mills and Hayfield Bands playing Tenor Horn.

At age 15 I enlisted into the army as a Band Boy transferring to French Horn, firstly with the Cheshire Regiment moving to Kneller Hall then finally to the Grenadier Guards Band under Major Peter Parkes.

After sixteen years service travelling throughout Europe, the Middle East and North America I took up full time employment with Manchester Music Service as a Brass Instrumental Tutor. During this time I undertook conducting of both Brass and Wind Bands and also tutored at the R.N.C.M.  I was the Band Sgt. Major of a North West Territorial Army Band for a number of years.  Since retiring from Education after thirty years service I have now returned to my roots taking up the Tenor Horn once more.


1st Horn – Vacancy






Peter Hargreaves – 2nd Horn

My interest in brass bands stems from my childhood when my family were involved with the Hammonds Sauce Works Company, Shipley, Yorkshire. As a young soprano cornet player, I qualified to be a member of the Yorkshire Schools Brass Band (conductor Arthur Butterworth) and played at their inaugural concert at Carlton Grammar School, Bradford. I was also a member of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain which gave me the privilege of being conducted by some fine musicians including "Tom" Atkinson, Eric Ball and Dr. Denis Wright. 

For many years, due to my work in civil aviation, I was away from banding but, in 2002, having retired from work, I was fortunate to be able to make a small return to banding with Hawk Green (Marple) Band 2002-5; then with Tintwistle Band (2005-7) and, since summer 2007, with The Marple Band where I am also Secretary.  I have a particular interest in composition and arranging and have some brass band music published by MMI Music as well as various pieces on the Sibelius Music website.

Favourite Test Pieces: Festival Music (E. Ball), Resurgam (E. Ball) and The Torchbearer (Symphonic Variations on a Theme by Eric Ball) (Peter Graham).
Favourite Solo: Clear Skies (E. Ball)
Favourite Composers: Purcell, Mozart and Elgar

Linda Bryan – Solo Baritone

I started playing at 8 years old with The Poynton Band on baritone and played for about 27 years until I had my daughter. I had a break for about 12 years and returned to Poynton to play for their senior band 'Concert Brass'. I played for the Poynton School Band and at the age of 12 joined the North West Area youth band and played for approx 4 years (one venue was playing in Holland for a week), also on a regular basis I played with the Cheshire Police Band. 

Recently I joined The Marple Band in 2008. So to date I play for The Marple Band and Concert Brass Poynton and still enjoy both the playing, comradery and fun I have always had from playing in a band.

Mike Jackson – 1st Baritone

I started my banding career with the Romiley band in 1952. Later I moved to St. Chads Band playing my 1st solo at the local church playing the Lost Chord on a viking trumpet. I later changed instruments to the Euphonium. St Chads Band disbanded which gave me the opportunity to join the Marple Band when they reformed in the late 60s.



Matthew Hill – Solo Euphonium

I began playing the euphonium at St Mary's Primary School, Marple Bridge and quickly became involved with the Stockport Schools' Brass Band under the baton of Bob Wyatt. I later joined Marple B Band (now Hawk Green Band) rising through the ranks and becoming principal euphonium.

In 2001 I was accepted to study at the R.N.C.M. under euphonium virtuoso Steven Mead. Alongside my studies I competed in brass competitions all over Europe and was a semi-finalist in the ITEC (2004) in Hungary, Lieksa Brass Week in Finland (2004) and the Phillip Jones Brass Competition in France (2003). I was also principal euphonium with Wingates Brass Band, qualifying for the National Finals in 2004.

Upon graduation from the R.N.C.M. I was offered a job playing euphonium with the world famous Central Band of the Royal Air Force where I spent 5 enjoyable years fulfilling prestigious engagements both in the UK and abroad. Highlights of my time with the band include recording the 'Reach for the Skies' CD which 'reached' number 4 in the UK album charts and my now infamous Youtube video (click here). In 2010 I left the band as principal euphonium to pursue a career in teaching and to spend more time with my wife and two children.

I am delighted to be back involved with The Marple Band.



Peter Gill – 1st Euphonium

I started playing cornet in 1958 (aged13) as a founder member of West Hill School band, Stalybridge. (One of the first school bands in the area). On leaving school in 1960 I joined Tintwistle band, switching from cornet to euphonium a short time later.

In 1963 I joined the CWS (Manchester) Band serving for approximately 5 years on 2nd. euphonium and 5 years on 1st baritone. During this time we won the British Open with 'A Downland Suite' in 1966 and enjoyed 3 tours of Switzerland; 1969, 1970 & 1971. In 1972 we visited Niagara Falls along with Black Dyke, Faireys and GUS Footwear.

I 'retired' from banding in 1973 to go into business and didn`t play again until 2004 when I joined Hawk Green on baritone. In 2009 I switched to euphonium, and started playing with both Marple and Hawk Green.

Mark SIngleton – Solo Trombone

I was Marple Bands First mascot in 1967, age 5. Started playing cornet at the age of 8, in Marple Junior Band. Age 12 went onto Trombone in The Willows School Band and 2nd Trombone with Marple. First Contest with Marple was at Oldham in 1975 playing Partita. Made Solo Trombone in 1977. First Contest Win 1983 with Marple at Buxton playing Egmount off Band No.1, conducted by Garry Cutt.

Most memorial contest win, 2nd section national 1988. Ambition to see Marple Band Win the British Open Again

Previous Bands:
Thornsett, Matlock,Darley Dale,Shirland Miners,Kirkby Colleiry ,Rodian Brass, Hawk Green(marple), Helped out ,CWS Manchester,Glossop, Poynton, New Mills,Bollington.

Best Piece: Journey into Freedom.
Favourite Trom solo's: Romanza and Winter Dreams.

Dave Jones – 1st Trombone

Started learning Cornet at the age of 9 with Tideswell Band with my grandad Bill Lawrence who was Bandmaster and also responsible for training a conveyor belt of young Brass players over a 30 year period.  Went onto trombone at the age of 15 under conductors Alan Jackson and more latterly, Tony Cresswell.

Due to business commitments I've been in and out of banding all my life. Joined Chapel Band in 1997 under Peter Christian, qualified for National Finals at the Royal Albert Hall in 2000. Always loved contesting and would still like to contest at some point. Played at many first class venues all over the country over the years. Helped numerous bands out on many occasions including a couple of spells with Marple's sister Band, Hawk Green. 

Boxed up in 2002 again due to heavy work commitments with my company at the the time, Leisurewear Direct Ltd. Just got it out of its case again due to Colin Inghams' incessant mythering, but have to say I'm really enjoying it and will do even more I hope once I get my lip back in.

Founder member and player and more recently Front Man with Bier Keller Band 'The Bavarian Heidelburgers'. Other musical love is my Guitar. Pick it up at some point every day without fail. Just finished recently with Rock/Pop Band 'All or Nothing'. Nice to get back blowing again, but I've got to say the money is rubbish!

Colin Ingham – Bass Trombone

I started playing the tenor trombone at the age of twelve with the Willows school band (known by the pupils as Taffys Tin Band). During the next three years I also played with the Romiley St. Chads junior band. During 1963 I spent a short time with The Beswick Prize Band which gave me the opportunity to play with the band at Man Utd and Man City football matches.

I became, along with most of the other members of the school band, a founder member of the reformed Marple Band. Having been involved with the Marple Junior band for some time I became involved with plans to form the Marple B Band. In 1987 I became a full time member of this band. This band became the Hawk Green (Marple) Band and had many contest successes, at one time playing in the 1st section.

In 2008 I rejoined the Marple Band. Contesting has been an important part of my playing career and I have contested with many other bands including:- Glossop Old, Bollington, Eagley, Chapel-en-le-frith  Hazel Grove and Valley brass.

As well as playing with brass bands I have been playing with Hazel Grove orchestra for over 25 years and am also currently playing with Werneth Concert Band.

Paul Beetham – Eb Bass

Started playing 1968 in the Marple Band. Although not having continuous service with Marple, I have been fortunate to play at every level with them from draughty early morning 4th section contest's to fantastic performances at the British open.
 
Played in The Marple Band, Mirrlees Works Band, Cheshire County Youth Band and Thornsett Band. For Garry Cutt, Dennis Carr, Derek Broadbent, Walter Hargreaves, Geoffrey Brand, Roy Newsome, Jim Scott, Jack Atherton, Maurice McLean Arnold Hall.

5 British Open appearances. (3 x 4th Prize)
4th, 3rd, 2nd and Championship National Finals in London.
Cambridge Masters.
Grand Shield (Qualified for Open) 
6 Consecutive wins at Buxton
 
At: The Royal Albert Hall. Free Trade Hall Manchester. Winter Gardens Blackpool. Hammersmith Town Hall, Kings Hall Belle Vue. Royal Gardens Edinburgh Festival. The Corn Exchange Cambridge. Guild Hall Preston. BBC Radio 2 Studio 7 Manchester, Villa Marina Isle of Man, Germany Tour with Cheshire Youth.

Best Banding moment: Starting Cloudcatcher at the British Open in the Free Trade Hall Manchester, as part of a fantastic Horn Section.

Worst Decision:  Retiring from top class banding at Marple two years before they won the British open! (But I was there in the audience when they won it, a heart stopping moment).

Started to lead a group of core players to reform Marple Band in January 2004, after a two year break in regular rehearsals. Elected Chairman in 2007 and been suffering ever since!  Moved to Tuba to fill a gap at Marple in 2006, wow – what a move, I love it!

Started Festival Brass Quintet in 2010.

John Richardson – Eb Bass

I started playing the trumpet at school back in 1965. I chose the trumpet because as an 11 year old my logic told me I could play in an orchestra, jazz band or brass band. I have managed two out of 3 thus far. I joined Marple band pretty much straight away and was encouraged by Charlie Ingham and many many others. When other distractions came along Charlie would pick me up on a Sunday morning in Strines in his builders truck. I owe that man a great deal. His vision still lives today. Marple had connections with The Fairy Band and I had lessons from the legendary Norman Ashcroft. This involved travelling alone from Strines to Heaton Moor in the evening as a 14 year old . Times were different then. My peripatetic brass teach Mr Phil Micklejohn encouraged me to join Stockport Youth Orchestra on third trumpet and at the age of 14(I was the second youngest in the orchestra) we went on tour to Northern Germany and played in Bremen Rathaus (and visited the kellar and drank some stuff called Becks!)

The years seemed to pass so quickly and with my friends Keith Travis and Phil Woodhouse we had some good times. I briefly played for the then Post Office Engineering Union Band that became The BT Band but my home and heart were at Marple. For a number of years I took the Junior Band and handed over to Peter Christian of The Black Dyke Band.when it became Marple Brass. I played with Marple until they became National Second Section Winners in 1988. I could write much about the successful times leading up to that great result at Imperial College London but it is well documented and I would not want to lose the readers interest. I have played and conducted our other local band Hawk Green and it gives me great pleasure and satisfaction to see these bands collaborate so successfully. I could look back and reminisce but what I can say is that I have enjoyed and am enjoying my playing and will always consider it a privilege and a pleasure to make music with like minded individuals.


Kevin Murphy – Bb Bass

Began my playing with Marple Band and was a member during the wonderful period when the band, conducted by Garry Cutt, became Third Section National Champions in 1986, then with promotion went on to become Second Section National Champions in 1988, leading to further promotion to the Championship section, and playing in such famous venues as the Royal Albert Hall, Symphony Hall, Birmingham, the Free Trade Hall, Cambridge's Corn Exchange, and the Preston Guild Hall, with the band putting the name of Marple on the map by gaining concert engagements all over Britain, plus several radio appearances on the BBC's 'Listen to the Band' programme.

I also had two happy periods with the Poynton Band (later Vernon Building Society Band) at a time when the band enjoyed many contest and concert successes.

At one time there were five members of my immediate family involved with Marple Band – my wife Eileen was secretary for many years, sons Sean and Matthew played tenor horn and cornet respectively, and youngest daughter Lucy played flugel horn.

The obvious highlights of my banding career at Marple were reaching the pinnacle of brass banding when we became British Open Champions in 1996, and the prestigious concert with Elgar Howarth at the famous London concert venue, St John's Smith Square (on General Election day 1997!) when the band played to a sell-out audience Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet; the music from the opera Tristan and Isolde (almost 40 minutes in duration); Siegfried's Funeral March, and unbelievably the Shostakovich Second Piano Concerto with the celebrated pianist Joanna McGregor. The band received a standing ovation which went on for over quarter of an hour and was still continuing when we were back in the dressing rooms.

After several retirements and come-backs I find myself once again ''helping out'' in the bass section – for how long, at my age, I am not sure – but once again I am enjoying playing in a brass band.



VACANCY – Bb Bass

Jeremy Ireland – Tuned Percussionist

Following some reluctant years of advise that, “learning to play the piano was good for me”, I moved over to percussion at the age of eleven, back in 1975. Later that same year I joined the Whaley Bridge band under the leadership of MD Peter Cordey. I started with only a snare drum, bass drum and hi‑hat, but this soon grew into a full drum kit and general clutter of accessories.

Winning the percussion prize at the Buxton Entertainment Contest was an early highlight for me, but maybe the adjudicators took pity on the barely visible boy behind all the drums and cymbals.

Apart from a brief appearance with Lees & Glodwick Band, and some orchestral work, nearly all my banding was with Whaley Bridge as a kit drummer, but with some experience of tuned in the earlier years. Twenty-two years later, in 1997, I moved to Macclesfield to help establish the Silk Brass Band, under Ken Mackintosh.

In 2010, following a 12-year break from banding, I was persuaded out of retirement to join The Marple Band. This promises to offer the opportunity to develop my tuned percussion skills but still do some occasional kit drumming. I look forward to enjoying, once again, the unique experience that is ‘brass bands’.

And yes, I admit it… …learning to play the piano was good for me.

Mark Gregory – Kit Drummer

Profile to follow...

Committee for 2011-12

• President - Eileen Murphy
• Chairman - Paul Beetham
• Secretary - Peter Hargreaves
• Treasurer - Linda Bryan
• Welfare Officer - John Richardson
• Committee Member - Colin Ingham
• Committee Member - Mike Jackson
• Committee Member - Ian Moffett
• Committee Member - Rachael Ward

Trustees:
The Marple Band Trustees on the Brass Bands of Marple Charity are now:

• Mike Jackson - until 2014
• Peter Hargreaves - until 2013
• Paul Beetham - until 2012

Librarian:

• Vacancy

Occasional Players:

• Phil Woodhouse
• Duncan Stephenson