Players

Scott started his playing career from a young age with the Stanley Common and District Silver Band on Baritone. When he reached senior school he was taken under the wing of the now late Stephen Shimwell (best remembered for his work as a brass tutor in Derbyshire and for his creation of the South East Derbyshire Music Centre, which eventually became Orion Airways Brass, Britannia Airways Brass and Thorntons).

Stephen immediately saw the potential for Scott as an EEb Tuba player who made the instrument change without delay, allowing him the opportunity to join the Derbyshire County Wind Band with highlights including a Schools Prom performance, multiple tours abroad and achieving runner-up at the European Wind Band Festival.

Scott later joined the South East Derbyshire Music Centre and was a cornerstone member as the band progressed from 4th to Championship Section over 7 years and through its various title changes. To this day Scott regularly plays with the Sir Richard Arkwright's Masson Mills Band, the last incarnation of the band's history which enjoys a non-contesting calendar.

A move saw Scott join the highly successful Rhodian Brass and during his tenure twice qualified for the National Finals at the Royal Albert Hall. Between balancing family life and busy work commitments Scott has played both EEb and BBb Tuba with the likes of Newstead Brass and Thoresby Colliery, including multiple National Finals appearances and has guested with several bands across the Midlands.

Following a sabbatical due to work and the covid pandemic, Scott restarted playing in 2021 initially with the Long Eaton Silver Prize Band before later joining Derwent Brass in 2022 as Principal EEb Tuba.

Resume to follow

Rob began playing the Euphonium at the early age of 8 in his local village band, Bulkington Silver in Warwickshire. Early teachings came from Albert Chappell, Trevor Groom and Burt Sullivan.

He has played at every level, most notably with Jones & Crossland and was a founder member of the Heart of England Band. Following the demise of these bands Rob was asked to take the Solo Euphonium seat at the famous 'William Davis Construction Band' under the baton of Dr. Keith Wilkinson. In addition to Euphonium, Rob's versatility at Davis' saw him covering the Solo Baritone, Trombone and Tuba seats.

After a 10 year sabbatical from playing, the band enticed Rob to help to play at a Christmas Concert in 2005 and having enjoyed both the playing great camaraderie, agreed to join on Euphonium where he stayed until March 2013. Rob has always enjoyed sessions on Tuba so when the opportunity arose to move over to the 'dark side' on EEb Tuba he jumped at the chance of a new challenge where he has stayed ever since.

Neil began playing the Euphonium at age of ten whilst living in Cornwall. A move to Surrey saw a brief flirtation with the French horn in the local school orchestra before sensibly moving onto the tuba and migration to the local town band in Godalming.

At the age of sixteen the option of continuing a musical education was shelved to purse a career in Forestry. The musical bug has remained though and Neil has been a member of a number of brass bands in both Cumbria and the Midlands whilst moving around the country following a number of management postings in the Forestry Commission. Three consecutive trips to Malta with English Festival Brass were a musical and social highlight whilst studying Forestry in Cumbria.

Neil spent an impressive 18 years with Derwent Brass, predominantly on EEb Tuba, enjoying performing with both the full band and ensemble before taking a break from the band due to heavy work committments. We were delighted to welcome Neil back in 2017 on BBb Tuba.

Steve is a well known Tuba player in Midland's banding circles having played for several bands in the area including Newark Town Band, Clipstone Colliery, Foss Dyke, NSK (Newark) Ransomes, Blidworth Welfare, Thoresby Colliery and most recently Newstead Brass.

Included in his wealth of banding experience is being part of the inaugural NSK (Newark) Ransome trip to Germany for Newark's twinning association with Emmendingen with Musical Director David James.