Meet the Band
Join Rayleigh Brass!
We have vacancies for front and back row cornets, tenor horn, Bb bass.
Did you learn a brass instrument at school, but have never experienced the joy of playing in a brass band?
Maybe you played years ago, and are interested in a return to brass banding in a relaxed and fun environment.
Perhaps you currently play in a contesting band, and are becoming tired of the pressure and test pieces.
We are a friendly and inclusive band who aim to play a varied programme to a high standard whilst maintaining a fun and family friendly atmosphere. See our previous concerts page for examples of our repertoire, and contact us if you would like to attend a rehearsal.
Musical Director
Bob Bearman
What is your favourite Brass Band piece? Bohemian Rhapsody (D. Barry)
Do you play any other musical instruments (other than at RB)? Piano and Kazoo
What’s your preferred radio station? Radio Caroline
Favourite TV programme? QI
Member of Rayleigh Brass since? 1991
Front Row
Jordan Carpenter Principal Cornet
What is your favourite Brass Band piece? MacArthur Park
Have you ever met anyone famous? Colin Firth - elbowed him in the stomach
Favourite holiday destination? Mauritius
Your dream job is? Astronaut
Member of Rayleigh Brass since? 1998
John Jones Cornet
What is your favourite Brass Band piece? Piper in the Meadow
Best gig attended? Jimmy Hendrix
What other hobbies do you have? DIY & making things in my workshop
Clotted cream first or second? Second
Favourite James Bond villain? Pussy Galore
Chris Aries Cornet
What is your favourite Brass Band piece? Deep Harmony
How long have you been playing? Haven’t started yet!
Best gig attended? Berlin Phil in Berlin
Favourite film? Casino Royale
Favourite food? Fish Curry
Soprano & Repiano Cornets
Andy Pearson Soprano Cornet
What is your favourite Brass Band piece ? Land of the Mountain and the Flood
How long have you been playing ? 50 years
Best gig attended? War of the Worlds live
Do you play any other musical instruments (other than at Rayleigh Brass)? Trumpet
Musical Idol? Mike Lovatt
Angela Kenyon Repiano Cornet
What is your favourite Brass Band piece? MacArthur Park
Favourite food? Seafood
Best gig attended? Stevie Wonder
What other hobbies do you have? Rugby League
How long have you been playing ? 39 years
Back Row Cornets
Dave Smith 2nd Cornet
What is your favourite Brass Band piece? National Anthem
Favourite soap? Emmerdale
What types of music do you like to listen to? Quiet
Have you ever met anyone famous? Yes - Queen Mother
Favourite food? Fish & Chips
Cathy Hall 3rd Cornet
What is your favourite Brass Band piece? Benedictus
If I could play any instrument what would it be? Drums
Favourite TV programme? Neighbours
Favourite movie genre? Generational films
How long have you been playing? 42 years
Linda Todd 3rd Cornet
What is your favourite Brass Band piece? Band out of Hell
Do you play any other musical instruments (other than at RB): Trumpet and Piano
Favourite holiday destination ? Canary Islands
Your dream job is? Any job with high pay that's easy!
Favourite James Bond: Roger Moore
Horns
Emma Owen Flugel Horn
What is your favourite Brass Band piece? Lincolnshire Poacher
Favourite tv programme? Neighbours
Musical idol? Phil Collins
iphone or Android? Android
Tea or coffee? Coffee
Megan Hall Solo Horn
What is your favourite Brass Band piece? Santas Socks
Best gig attended? George Ezra
How many musical instruments do you own? Five
Musical idol? Dave Swift
Favourite James Bond? I prefer Johnny English!
Val Mountford 2nd Horn
What is your favourite Brass Band piece ? Memory from Cats
iphone or Android ? Android
How long have you played in Rayleigh Brass? A long time!
What other hobbies do you have? Athletics and Antiques
Favourite James Bond? Daniel Craig
Euphoniums & Baritones
Jan Clements Solo Euphonium
What is your favourite Brass Band piece? Resurgam
Favourite movie genre ? Sci Fi
Favourite soap? Emmerdale if forced!
Cats or dogs: Cats
Clotted cream first or second? First
Mark Sargent 1st Baritone
What is your favourite Brass Band piece? Bohemian Rhapsody
Favourite food ? Rare steak with smelly melted blue cheese
Best gig attended? Erasure @ Hammersmith Odeon, 1992
Favourite James Bond: Roger Moore
Member of Rayleigh Brass since? January 2022
Norma Bradley 2nd Baritone
What is your favourite Brass Band piece? Highland Cathedral
Favourite James Bond: Roger Moore
Tea or Coffee ? Tea
Pineapple on pizza – the more the merrier or not a chance?? No thanks!
Favourite Movie? Sound of Music
Emily Clements 2nd Baritone
What is your favourite Brass Band piece? Roll Tide
iPhone or Android? Android
How long have you been playing? 12 years but gap of 4 years
Favourite soap? Pears
If I could play any instrument what would it be? Saxophone
Trombones
Paul Dunt Solo Trombone
What is your favourite Brass Band piece? Soul Bossa Nova
Favourite RB concert you played in? Blues Brothers
Best gig attended? Genesis, NEC Birmingham Mama Tour 1982
Oldest appliance in your house? My MGB - 59 this year
Favourite James Bond villain? Goldfinger
Ryan Hayes 2nd Trombone
What is your favourite Brass Band piece? Blue Moon Trombone Trio
How long have you been playing? 10 years
Pineapple on pizza – the more the merrier or not a chance? Not a chance
Favourite RB concert you played in? Blues Brothers
Musical idol? J S Bach
Kevin Hall Bass Trombone
What is your favourite Brass Band piece? Askokan Farewell
Do you play any other musical instruments (other than at RB)? Valved instruments (badly)
Favourite Food? Mexican
How long have you been playing? 48 years
If I could play any instrument what would it be? Tenor sax or piano
Basses
Peter Scott E♭ Bass
What is your favourite Brass Band piece? Great Escape
Clotted cream first or second? First
Red or white wine? Red
Musical idol? Freddie Mercury
Favourite James Bond villain? Jaws
Sam Hall E♭ Bass
What is your favourite Brass Band piece? The Last Call
How many musical instruments do you own? Six
Favourite TV program? Dr Who
Pineapple on pizza – the more the merrier or not a chance? Not a chance!
Member of Rayleigh Brass since? 1991
Tom Marshall B♭ Bass
What is your favourite Brass Band piece? The Irish Blessing
Favourite James Bond villain? Goldfinger
Vinyl, CD, download or streaming? Vinyl
Do you play any other musical instruments (other than at RB): Double Bass, Bass guitar, Ukele, Banjo, Violin
Clotted cream first or second? Second
Percussion
Toby Hall Percussion
What is your favourite Brass Band piece? Thunderbirds
Favourite Food? Sausage Rolls
Oldest appliance in your house? Dad's 1950's Ransomes lawnmower
Pineapple on pizza – the more the merrier or not a chance? If its there I'll eat it but won't go out of my way to get it!
Member of Rayleigh Brass since? Ever since I was in a push chair waving a stick about