Instrument: King 3B

Position: Solo Trombone Player

Previous Bands: Mount Charles Youth; Mount Charles; St. Dennis; Kernow; Bodmin; Cornwall Youth; Cornwall Youth Jazz Orchestra; Restormel Concert Band.

Profile:
At the age of thirteen, Helen was asked to play tubular bells for Mount Charles Youth Band by her Dad, who at the time was their conductor (they were short of a percussionist). Her debut on percussion was playing "Ceramic City Festival" at Paignton for the SWBBA contest.  

After the contest, she was "pushed" onto E Flat Bass without any lessons on how to play!  She had a slight advantage as she had learnt to play the recorder at Primary School.  A few months later, she escaped onto trombone and managed to stay there.  She stayed with Mount Charles Youth and progressed to the senior band on Second and eventually Solo Trombone which she played for a few years.  She also played for Cornwall Youth Band, Cornwall Youth Jazz Orchestra and Restormel Concert Band.

Helen was lucky at the time to also be playing in the orchestras for pantomimes and Operas in Redruth, Newquay, Bodmin and St. Austell.

After getting married, she played for St. Dennis and helped-out Kernow and Bodmin for a couple of recordings.  Due to family commitments, she stopped playing "full-time", but when she did play she came back to Bugle - twice!  Helen returned to Bugle in 2004 and has held the position of Solo Trombone ever since.

Memorable banding moment:
1. Her Dad bought her a second-hand trombone when she was 15 from a tradestand at Bugle Band contest.  It cost a lot of money and she knew then that he had great faith in her and her future in banding.  She plays the same trombone now, and is very proud of her Dad's investment in her.
2. Ripping her tights before going on stage at the Colston Hall, and her Dad running down to the shops only to return with a pair of stockings!
3. Playing "Life Divine" under Harry Mortimer  and "The Wayfarer" under Major Peter Parkes in Cornwall Youth Band.

Why she likes playing in Bugle Silver Band:
Helen says:
"There's no hidden agenda or pressure.  We do our best and enjoy ourselves.  Bugle is undoubtedly the happiest band I've ever played in."