Tag: New Player

on by GUS Editor

Welcome, Rhys!

Ready to start off the GUS Band’s season is Rhys who joins our ranks on Flugelhorn. Rhys began playing at the age of five and comes from a banding family with his mum, two sisters and brother also players. With a wealth of experience, Rhys spent five years at the Junior Guildhall School of Music first as flugel player and then as principal cornet. He was also principal cornet at the Tilbury Youth Band for over ten years. His other playing experience has been gained as a member of the Tilbury Band, Thundersley Brass and Aveley and Newham Band as well as depping for many others. He rates his proudest moment as qualifying for the Championship Section Finals at the Royal Albert Hall with Thundersley Brass. We hope he will see many more appearances at the Finals with GUS.

Outside of the Bandroom, Rhys is a keen runner and is working on bringing down his 5k time. He’s also a season ticket holder at the ‘mighty’ West Ham, (Rhys’s description and very much up for debate!).

We would also like to take this opportunity to thank Della Pearce, the band’s former flugelhorn player for her contributions to the band, both on and off the stage, and wish her all the best in her future endeavours.

on by GUS Editor

New Duo at GUS!

The GUS Band are delighted to welcome two new players into its ranks. The percussion section is joined by the young but already vastly experienced Evie Elliott.  Having begun playing at the age of ten and purchasing her first drum kit in the first week of picking up her sticks, Evie began her musical experience in orchestras.  Coming from a musical family, (her grandfather having played cornet in the Carlton Main Frickley Colliery Band) she progressed through the Northamptonshire Music Service, (NMPAT) and was introduced to brass bands through her teacher at that time, John Bickerdike.  Evie continues to do orchestral work and is now mentored by top drummer Craig Blundel but she still finds time to enjoy her other favourite hobby, baking.

Meanwhile, the GUS Band cornet section greets Sam McCoy, a highly talented player and another person to come through the ranks of the Northamptonshire Music Service.  A Salvationist, Sam attends the famous Kettering Citadel Corps and joins the band after a long spell playing for the Kibworth Band.  Although a fine cornet player, he harbours a wish to play the Mongolian Nose Flute.  The band may well be looking for a nose flute concerto accompanied by brass band for our next concert; watch this space!

We look forward to them both contributing to the band’s continued success

on by GUS Editor

Jake Joins GUS!

The GUS Band are delighted to announce that Jake Humphrey has joined the band on assistant principal cornet.

Jake is no stranger to the band; from an early age he has regularly attended GUS concerts and in more recent years has deputised on both flugel horn and cornet.

Speaking of the appointment, Artistic Director Chris Jeans said “Jake is a fine young player and a brilliant addition to the GUS cornet section, it’s been a pleasure to see him develop as a musician and I’m looking forward to working with him”.

As well as playing with GUS, Jake is the flugel horn player for National Youth Champions, Youth Brass 2000, principal cornet for the Northamptonshire County Youth Brass Band, and a proud member of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain.

At just 16-years old, Jake becomes one of the youngest members of the GUS Band, but plays with maturity well beyond his years, having had experience at the senior level with the Harborough Band and most recently, the Jaguar Land Rover band.

Jake’s first performance with GUS will be alongside the Northamptonshire County Brass Bands on Saturday 26th March at the Spinney Theatre,  Northampton where he will be performing Peter Graham’s “Quicksilver” duet with James Screaton.

You can find out more about Jake in his bio here.