Tenor Horn Section
Click on name for full profile Band Website Amy Boyd
(Read Anne's letter from America HERE)
Philadelphia-area french hornist Amy Boyd has played 1st tenor with the Atlantic Brass Band (NABBA Championship Division) since 2006, when a 4 bars rest reviewer found the Atlantic tenors "All-Stars" in that division at contest. In spring 2008 she joined the New Amsterdam Brass Band performing with members of the New York Salvation Army Staff Band and West Point Band in the greater New York City area. That summer she contacted Maggie Betts and Jane NIchols of Boobs and Brass and was thrilled to be invited as their guest and soloist in the Boobs' Whit Friday 2009 marches and concerts. Amy thanks the Boobs, the Breast Cancer Campaign, and researchers seeking a cure, on behalf of her mother and all other breast cancer combatants. Save the tatas!
Atlantic Brass USA
New Amsterdam Brass Band, Montclair, NJ
Sue Boyles
I have been playing for nearly 35 years, mainly on tenor horn but with periods on both Baritone and cornet.I started playing the electronic organ when I was 8yrs, but started playing horn at around 11yrs with the former South Midlands Welfare Band. I have played in several other bands including Barlestone Victoria, Unity Brass and most recently Enderby.I have been back with Leicestershire Co-operative (south mids) for around 4yrs on Solo Horn and my partner of 9 years (now husband!) Steve, plays Eb Bass.
Leicestershire Co-operative Caroline Damore Suzy Dawson![]()
I started on horn at the age of 12 whilst having a piano lesson with the conductor of the Gold and Silver Band. At fifteen I joined the County Youth Band and went on to principal horn after 1 year. At 17 I was asked to join Nassington band where I had the privilege of playing under Stan Boddington. I met my husband, Martin in the Youth Band. I later went on to join William Davis Band on solo horn, I stayed for 3 years and this was some of my most challenging playing. I then had 3 wonderful years at Towcester under Pete Wain, unfortunately having to leave to go abroad for the first time. I have lived overseas in 4 different countries over a period of 21 years but have now returned to the UK and playing fulltime for Boobs & also Solo Horn for Rushden Town Band.
Rushden Town Jane Edmonds
I started playing at the age of ten with the Laira Youth Band in Plymouth, playing horn, then baritone then Euphonium. I then gave it all up for about 15 years until I joined a friend to listen to her husband play in the Cubbington Silver Band in the park. After identifying Hootenany my secret was out and the next thing I knew there was a baritone sitting on my doorstep. I have played with the Cubbington Silver band for the last 12 years, mostly on horn but with a stint on baritone now and then.
Cubbington Silver Gill English
Gill starting playing tenor horn at the age of 12 through brass lessons at school in Stockport,Cheshire. Her banding life started with Poynton Youth Brass Band and the Stockport Schools Brass Bands and she joined City of Manchester Brass Band where she played until going to university in 1992. Having not played at all whilst at university she rejoined the banding world when she moved south and joined Mole Valley Silver Band where she played for about 8 years mostly on horn with one brief (and never to be repeated) departure to play sop. During this time she also spent about 4 years with Regent Brass in Willesden, North London. She joined Horsham Borough Band in West Sussex in 2006 and is a relative newcomer to Boobs & Brass. She joined the band playing at the Whits in 2009 and then never really went away. She's already had some amazing banding experiences with the Boobies and hopes her car holds together long enough to keep making rehearsals and concerts with the girls.
Horsham Borough Helen Garton
Helen started playing the cornet when she was ten years old. She then progressed to French horn on which she gained all her music grades. At the age of 15 she moved on to tenor horn and got the brass band bug to the dismay of her father whose favourite instrument was the French horn!Her brass band career started with the Kidderminster brass band after which she moved to the Staffordshire Band and played solo horn there for twelve years. Helen played Solo Horn with Sovereign Brass for two years before moving to the Flowers Band in November 1998 where she played Solo Horn for five years.
Currently Helen is enjoying playing with the Desford Band where she has been for over four years but plans on staying for a lot longer!
Helen’s career is not in music but in the Hotel industry where she is National Sales Manager for hotelshopUK which is an agent which specialises in booking accommodation and conferences for corporate clients. The directors are very supportive by coming to concerts and letting her take holidays to prepare for major competitions and concerts.
Helen first saw Boobs & Brass at The All England Masters at Cambridge and instantly wanted to be a part of such a fantastic organisation. She was honoured when asked to help out and play with the band and her debut was making the current CD – ‘Whatever It Takes’ and is now very proud to be a member of the band!
Desford Kathryn Hill
I started playing cornet age 10 with the Rushden Town Juniors but 18 months later changed to tenor horn which I love. By this time, I also played with Rushden Town Band. A year later, I auditioned for the County Training Brass Band with whom I played for one year. I now play for the County Youth Brass Band as well as the Bishop Stopford Brass Band. I enjoy singing too and sing with the County Senior Girls Choir. In October 2010, I was delighted to be asked to play for Boobs and Brass, aged 14 and love the experience of an all girls band!Rushden Town Laura HillProfile to follow Trish Lentonprofile to follow Sarah Mason
One of our original members! Stephanie Morris
I started playing at around about the age of 7 after recieving a Tenor Horn for my 6th birthday! After playing with several youth/junior bands, I joined Amington Band in 2006 on 2nd horn progressing through 1st horn and now currently playing solo horn and still with my 6th birthday present!
Amington Band Jenny Mussell
Began playing trombone with Kingsway Printers Cleethorpes Band as an absolute beginner in her thirties. After a couple of years was moved onto 2nd baritone where I stayed for quite some time, then as part of my tour of the band I was asked to play horn to help out and I've been there 2 years.
I found Boobs and Brass on the internet while looking for a band to go to the Whit Friday contest with fellow band members Jenny Cobley(horn) and Suzanne Smith(flugel) as our band couln't go. We had an amazing time. The rest is history.
Cleethorpes Band Paula Nicholson
Paula was born in Northampton in to a Salvation Army household, so the sound of a Brass Band was probably one of the first things she heard. With the support and encouragement of her father she started playing Euphonium at the age of 8 and at 15, joined the Northamptonshire County Youth Band.Paula took a break from playing to complete her nurse training, marry and have a family, but in 1988 picked up her instrument once more and joined Towcester studio band. After some years, circumstances in the band changed and Paula found herself helping out on Tenor Horn, which became a permanent position! In 2006 she joined Rushden Windmill Band as Solo Horn, where she met one of the 2 founder members of Boobs & Brass Jane Nicols. She now sees herself as a committed member of Boobs and very proud to be part of it
Rushden Windmill Sandra Prestonprofile to followCorby Silver
Gretton Beverley Sanders
I started playing the cornet at the age of 11 years old, and joined the Rushden Mission Band and after a few years progressed onto tenor horn, where I now play solo horn. I have been playing with the Mission Band for 33 years. I am also proud of my daughter and son who have both followed me in playing tenor horn for the Mission bandRushden Mission Marion Vine
Marion started playing in 1966 in her local town band, Shaftesbury, Dorset. She joined the WRAF Central Band in September 1971 until it was disbanded in December 1972. She then served a further 7 years in the WRAF as a telegraphist. Marion met her husband, Peter, whilst playing in Kibworth Band & they married in 1979. They played for Harborough Band from 1981 until 2003 . They then intended to retire from playing but in 2004 Peter became MD of Rushden Town Band where Marion now plays 1st horn. Marion took early retirement after working for Leicestershire Constabulary for 21 years & is now taking life easy - except for running the websites for
Rushden Town Band & Boobs and Brass!
Diagnosed & successfully treated for breast cancer in 2011 (one of 5 players in the band who have personal experience of this disease) Marion is now on a mission to spread the message to all women to attend their regular mammogram screening - it really does save lives!
(Peter has now formed "Friends of Boobs & Brass" - more details HERE)
Rushden Town
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