Instrument: Yamaha Cornet

Position: Assistant Principal

Profile:
David commenced playing the trombone in 1965 at the age of 11 at West Hill Secondary Modern School in St. Austell, as there were no cornets available at that time.  Some six months later after not an enjoyable time on the trombone his parents bought him a cornet costing thirteen pounds, which he still owns.

David joined Bugle Silver Band learners class and had lessons with the late Monty Spencer, while still continuing with West Hill School Band.  Progress on the cornet was swift and within six months he was brought into the senior band on third cornet, but due to the large number of second and third cornets the band had, he had to wait a further twelve months before playing at his first band contest which was at the SWBBA held in Barnstaple in 1967.  This contest was not only a milestone for David but also the band as it was the first time that they played in the Championship section. 

From the time he commenced at Bugle Band, the now late Mr Hugh Camps was the Musical Director and David considers he was the greatest influence on his playing career and will always be grateful for his guidance. 

In 1969 Bugle Band entered the area contest at Bristol for the first  time and won the third section by nine clear points from the band that came second.  A month before this contest, much to David's surprise due to the retirement of an elderly member he was moved from second 2nd Cornet to Assistant Principal and retained that position until 1971 when he took up the position of Principal Cornet, the position he holds today.

He has seen many of the highs and lows of the band playing between the Championship and Third Sections.  From a personal point one of the high points was in 1979 when David became the first player outside the Championship section at the West of England Bandsman's Festival (Bugle Band Contest) to win the Best Cornet Player at the Contest open to all sections.
David has been the Band Treasurer since 1984, trains the junior members of the band and is also the Band Manager/Bandmaster.

In addition to playing with Bugle, David was a player with the Cornwall Youth Brass Band, which he joined at the age of fourteen on 2nd Cornet and was a member until twenty-one ending his career on Principal Cornet

Memorable banding moment:
His most treasured moment has to be when he won the cup at Bugle Contest for the Best Cornet Player Of The Day in 1979.  He was the first player outside of the Championship Section to receive this award.

Why he likes playing in Bugle Silver Band:
David says:
"The friendly atmosphere in the band, where all the members are working in the same direction".