Ocean Brass Band

Shawn Blaker (Trombone)

Feels like I was born with an instrument in my hand as granddad was co-founder of Portishead Town Band, dad was bandmaster, mum played baritone, sister played back row cornet, uncle played BBb bass and grandma was librarian. Blew my first note on cornet at 6 and enjoyed playing ever since.
Moved to Torquay at 18 and had a great time with Torbay Brass for 13 years, even winning the 2nd section national finals in 1993. Played with several bands over the years:-Carlsberg Tetley, City of Winchester, Test Valley, SWT Woodfalls, Woodfalls concert (sadly no more), but achieved on principal Euph a creditable performance of Belmont Variations at the 2005 nationals and came 3rd.

Joined Ocean Brass in 2001, left to have a baby in 2005 (the wife, not me...) and reappeared again in 2008 on 2nd euph next to "Ollie".
After having no Top Trom for 2 years finally bit the bullet and now teaching myself Trombone after a certain conductor said "don't worry, the test piece for Weymouth is mostly long notes!". Not easy after 40 years on a valved instrument.

Outside of band I enjoy spending time with my young family, DIY, reading, rugby and blowing my eardrums in the car listening to brass CD's.

Cathy Chinn (Cornet)

Cathy started playing trumpet at age 14, because it was the only instrument left in the school cupboard. Two years later she joined the 1st Old Boys in Belfast on back row but played percussion in her first contest as they were short of players. She played cornet and horn with them for 8 happy years and her best memory is doing a TV recording called Star Brass.

Cathy moved to Southampton in 1988 to do a Ph.D. and joined Southampton Central Band on rep. After a couple of years she moved to Solent Brass and then came full circle when the two bands merged to form Ocean Brass. Her favourite part to play is third cornet although she has played 1st horn and percussion over the years.

Best banding moments:	Playing in the Albert Hall in the 2000 finals; playing at the Galway Oyster Festival, the band trip to Paris; 10 piece trips to France and Germany , and going to brass band summer school.
Favourite Brass Bands:	Cory and Dyke
Favourite brass musicians:	Owen Farr, Hans Gansch and Roger Webster
Likes listening to:	Lauren practising
Likes playing:	Anything written post 1990.

Lauren Chinn (Solo cornet)

I have been a lifelong supporter and player in Ocean Brass since I was born, as my Mum has been a long-serving player of the Band too. After many years of attending practices and concerts I started to play the cornet aged 8, finally joining the Band as a player in 2007 on 3rd cornet. Since then I have moved steadily up the line and I am now currently playing "second person down" on the front row.
I am also the Band's facebook Adminstrator.

Banding takes up most of my time as I am currently involved with 12 music groups, which includes brass bands, jazz bands, and playing in the pit orchestra for musicals and shows.
I am currently studing for 5 'A' Levels at Tauntons College, and next year I am hoping to audition for entry into a music college.
I was also a member of the NCBBGB for 5 years, and the courses I attended have been some of the most enjoyable events in my life so far. In 2010 I auditioned for the NYBBGB, and was successful - belonging to this organisation has given me some fantastic experiences, performing in amazing venues and being taught by world renound music tutors. I'm looking forward to my 3rd course in Easter.

Other instruments:	Play tenor horn, drums, guitar (sort of), piano (badly).
Wierd talents:	I can stand of the top of my toes. And I can recite the whole of the Sound Of Music
Favourite brass band piece:	Too hard to choose. But, Breath of Souls, Year Of The Dragon, Shine Of The Light, Magnum Mysterium, Moorside Suite, to name but a few...
Outside banding:	Barely any time, but I enjoy walking or running, taking photos, socialising with my friends, badminton.

David Holmes (Bb bass)

Travelling down south from a post-industrial wasteland/God's Own County, David joined Ocean Brass in June 2008 and subsequently transferred from Clifton and Lightcliffe Brass Band.

David first began playing the Eb bass in school, and due to his poor social skills and even worse personal hygiene, he spent many hours alone with his tuba. Alas, practice didn't make perfect and he now finds himself on BBb bass.

Outside of banding, David often disappears into the hills and is a world-ranked player of Mornington Crescent, having discovered the Royal Oak-Wood Green Inverse Feign.
His name has also two syllables...

Graham Jones (Euphonium)

Graham has been playing Euphonium since the age of 11, but started learning the Cornet at the age of 6 with his brother. Graham started his banding career with the Basingstoke Silver Band, starting on 3rd Cornet and eventually rising to Principle Euphonium at the age of 14. Graham had a 2 year break from banding when his youngest daughter was born in 1991 and started playing again after a chance meeting with his school brass teacher and was persuaded to play with the Hannington Silver Band. Once he was back in the swing of things he was invited to play 2nd Euphonium with the Tadley Band and within six months ended up in the hot seat again! During this time Graham & his wife joined the Beech Hill Concert Band. Graham joined Ocean Brass in January 2003 on 2nd Euphonium and history then repeated itself and he was catapulted on to Principle Euphonium within six months and has thoroughly enjoyed it (after the initial shock!) ever since. Graham still maintains his links with both the Hannington & Beech Hill Bands and thoroughly enjoys the various challenges that all 3 bands bring!

Favourite brass bands:	Black Dyke & Cory.
Favourite brass band composers:	Eric Ball, Peter Graham, Philip Sparke & Gilbert Vinter
Favourite pieces:	Resurgam & anything by Peter Graham, Philip Sparke & Gilbert Vinter.
Most embarrassing moment:	Collapsing with laughter when the MD of the Tadley Band decided to let the band sight read Barry Manilow's "One Voice" at a concert - this starts with a very corny euphonium solo! This is one arrangement that should be burnt!
Other banding moments:	Playing "Grandfathers Clock" live on Norwegian Radio with the British Airways Band. Playing the Euphonium Duet "Another Fine Mess" complete with stupid dance routine (I still can't believe I did it!). Playing on board the QEII with Ocean Brass and at the Oval Cricket ground with the Tadley Band.

Outside banding - there isn't a great deal of time, but Graham enjoys caravanning with his wife and likes nothing better than to combine caravanning with banding!

Lizzie Kennett (Euphonium)

Lizzie started the euphonium at the age of 12, when her music teacher walked into her Year 7 class with a very battered, dented euphonium and said "Who wants to play this?".
Thankfully, now that she has started a BA Music course at Southampton University, she has bought herself a shiny new one. And the new one has a case instead of a carrier bag! Lizzie started banding in Ware Brass as second baritone, and after 4 years of playing the same part, decided to learn the trombone in hope of another position.
She joined Ocean Brass after her move down to Uni, and joined on 2nd Trombone. Over the past year, Lizzie has played 2nd Trombone, 1st Trombone (unwillingly), 1st Baritone, and is looking forward to the challenge that will be 2nd Euphonium.
In her very rare spare time, Lizzie likes to read and play badminton (badly).

Wayne Landen (Flugel)

Raised in the Fens of Lincolnshire, Wayne began studying the trumpet and cornet when 13 at secondary school in Spalding and was able to play in the school band and another local group, Stamford Town Silver Prize band. Having studied A-levels at Boston College, Wayne studied Music at Kingston-Upon-Thames gaining a BA (Hons), LGSM and a PGCE teaching qualification. He began teaching Music in Barking, East London in 1983, before moving to Hampshire in 1987. In Hampshire he has been Head of Music at Noadswood, Testwood, Wildern and is currently Director of Music and Performing Arts at Swanmore College.

Outside of school, Wayne played principal trumpet for the Southampton Concert Orchestra for many years before adopting that position with Winchester Symphony Orchestra in 2008 where his wife, Anne, also plays clarinet.

He also plays soprano cornet, Bb cornet and flugelhorn. From 1988 - 2001 Wayne had a great time conducting the Waterside Area Youth Orchestras and then again from 2004 - 2011 conducting the Hampshire County Youth Training Band before relinquishing that post in the Summer to enjoy more leisure time at weekends. Wayne played cornet for New Forest Brass from 1983 - 1999 and is currently flugel player and Bandmaster for Ocean Brass where he has been a member since 1999. Wayne's musical children have now flown the nest to university land but it is always a thrill to be able to play alongside them whenever the opportunity arises.
In the rare moments away from music Wayne enjoys walking, photography and finding new places to visit in the UK.

Katy Lush (Tenor horn)

Katy has been playing tenor horn since she was 7 years old, which back then meant the instrument was as big as herself!
Katy started her banding career with the Christchurch & Highcliffe Band, starting on 2nd horn and progressing to Solo horn during her 10 years with the band. She then joined the Hyde Band on 1st horn (for 8 years), and then was a member of the Bournemouth Concert Brass and Verwood Concert Brass bands (1st horn).
In December 2010 Katy found herself making her debut performance for Ocean Brass on percussion at the Weymouth Contest, and she has remained with the Band playing in her favourite position of 1st horn.

Favourite brass band:	Black Dyke
Favourite brass band composer:	Peter Graham
Favourite pieces:	Alderley Edge, Essence of Time, Extreme Makeover, Harrisons Dream, to name a few...

Other banding moments: trips to the Royal Albert Hall to listen to the Championship bands in the Finals, touring Europe to listen to the European Championships.

Outside banding Katy runs the family business (Lush Signs), and enjoys walking, running, jive dancing, photography and travelling in her bright orange VW camper van with her fiance.

Martyn Parsons (Baritone)

Martyn has been a member of Ocean Brass since Day 1, as well a being a member of Solent Brass (one of the two founding member bands), having joined in 1975 whilst still a fresh-faced schoolboy.
Martyn started playing brass at school, knowing that playing in the school band meant he had an excuse to miss some lessons.

For a good number of those intervening years he has sat behind an Eb Bass, although recently returned to the Baritone line.

For the 'day job' Martyn spends his time fixing computer application problems.

The best thing about 'banding'?:	The music and the people, especially those in Ocean.
Best banding moment:	Playing in the Albert Hall in the National Finals.
Non-banding activites:	Sunny days + my H.D. = perfection Football - still play (just), and supporting the best team, C'mon you Saints.

Robert Seymour (Trombone)

Robert started playing the Trombone at the tender young age of 7. He followed in his father's footsteps as he was also a Trombone player, having played in The British Army for 14 years.
He began his playing career with Golcar Junior Band in Huddersfield before moving to Linthwaite Junior Band shortly after. Again after a short spell with Linthwaite, he moved to Slaithwaite Brass Band moving through the junior band and into the senior band at the age of 12. He floated as a 2nd trombone player for a few years before his biggest musical opportunity came knocking. He was asked to take up the Bass Trombone and was from that moment hooked on his favourite dynamic, Riftissimo.
After a couple of years on Bass Trombone with Slaitwaite, he auditioned to join the Band and Bugles of The Light Division to become their Bass Trombonist, an audition that he passed. In November 2002 he joined the British Army as a Professional Musician. Whilst at the Royal Military School of Music Kneller Hall he passed his TEQ3 to enable him to join The Band of The Light Division in August 2004. It was in his time with this band and the later named (in 2007) The Band and Bugles of The Rifles he gained his most notable music qualifications. In 2006 he gained his ATCL in music performance before having the opportunity to undergo his Masters Degree (MA) with the University of Salford under the direction of Dr Robin Dewhurst and Dr Alan Williams. In June 2009 Robert was awarded with his MA in Music Performance with Merit.
After getting married to Katherine in 2010, he decided to leave the Army in April 2011, and is now pursuing a career teaching Maths and English. He joined Ocean Brass in November 2011 and is now sitting on 1st Trombone trying to get used to playing in tenor Clef again.

Favourite brass band music	Shine as the Light, Blitz, 1812 Overture, The Gael and Amazing Grace.
Favourite test piece	Music for a Festival, Cross Patonce, Shine as the Light and Year of the Dragon.
Favourite composers	Peter Graham and Phillip Sparke
Hobbies	Football (supports Huddersfield Town), Brass Banding, Running (Half Marathons, usually for Southampton PICU charity), Cricket, spending time with family and friends, Walking and Holidays.

Sarah Urch (Baritone)

Sarah started learning cornet at school aged 14 yrs purely to get out of maths lesson every Friday but then quite took to it!
Played cornet (principal and deputy) at Huthwaite Prize Band, and also the Notts Police Band during the 70's and 80's. Played cornet with Ireland Colliery Chesterfield band during the 90's then migrated south from Nottinghamshire in 1999 and joined Ocean Brass a few months after it's formation, on Repiano.
Over the following years Sarah has played front row cornet and covered on principle at times. Early in 2011 moved onto 1st Baritone when personnel problems required it. Very much enjoying it especially sitting next to her good mate (old) Martyn lol!