Euphonium
- Verity Baker
- Gerry Curtis:
- I originate from Sidmouth where my family have strong brass band connections. My father ‘Jack’ played G Trombone for 50 years with the Town Band where I learnt the basics from the age of 8. My brother ‘Harold’ has now completed 70 years with them on Eb Bass. Whilst at college in Surrey, I went on to play the tenor horn with the Egham Town Band at the same time as our soprano player Malcolm Lee. My first teaching post was at Yateley and so I joined Sandhurst Silver Band and moved on to Euphonium where I sat opposite Malcolm again. A promotion saw me move to Hereford and I joined the City of Hereford Band and subsequently became a founder member of Millennium Brass the phoenix ensemble resulting in the demise of the City band in 1999. I also played euphonium for the Hereford Concert Band and was principal euphonium for Ross Town Band. When I retired from teaching I secured a technician post at the City of London Freeman’s School in Ashstead and after a brief spell with Mole Valley Silver Band I joined the Cobham Band playing at such venues as the London Parks, Westminster Abbey Gardens, The Menuhin Hall and numerous regattas along the Thames. Now fully retired I have found myself joining Ottery St Mary Silver Band on Euphonium and facing Malcolm yet again!