Meet the Band

Join Rayleigh Brass!

We have Cornets & Bb Bass vacancies.

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

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

Isabelle Wilson Cornet

What is your favourite Brass Band piece? Floral dance

Tea or coffee? Coffee with a bit of caramel in it

Cats or dogs? Dogs

How long have you been playing? 14 Years

Best gig attended? Taylor Swift Eras

Member of Rayleigh Brass since? 2024

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

Toby Byrne 2nd Cornet

What is your favourite Brass Band piece? Tall Ships

Pineapple on pizza – the more the merrier or not a chance? Immoral but could be persuaded

How long have you been playing? 10 years

Favourite holiday destination? Australia

Favourite soap? The cheap one they do in Aldi

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 Crawt 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!

Clive Abel 1st Horn

What is your favourite Brass Band piece ? Best of Bond (D. Barry)

Pineapple on pizza - the more the merrier or not a chance? Not a chance!

How long have you been playing? Since I was 11

Vinyl, CD, download or streaming? Vinyl

Favourite James Bond villain? Jaws

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? Bohemian Rhapsody

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

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

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

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

John Parker 2nd Trombone

What is your favourite Brass Band piece? Best of Bond

Oldest appliance in your house? My cornet

Musical Idol? Clarence Adoo

Favourite movie genre ? Action

Pineapple on pizza – the more the merrier or not a chance?? Absolutely!

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