The Leicestershire co-op Band
Musical Director
The Leicestershire Co-op Band is delighted to announce the appointment of their new musical director, Ben Hewlett-Davies.
Ben has a wealth of musical experience having started at a very young age learning the Piano, Trumpet and later the French Horn and teaching himself to play the drums.
His banding career started Bestwood Black Diamonds Band on Percussion and then trombone. Ben was awarded a scholarship to study music at Birmingham Conservatoire. There he studied Bass Trombone, Bass Sackbut and Contrabass Trombone under the instruction of Bob Hughes, David Vines, Chris Houlding and Sue Addison. He graduated in 2015 with a Bachelor’s Degree with Honours in Music.
Ben has become well known to brass bands all over the Midlands, as a player, conductor and arranger. He has several published works to date. He has held several assistant conducting posts as well as being the Musical Director of the City of Birmingham Band and following that, Shirebrook Miners Welfare Band. A location change has presented Ben with the opportunity to work with Leicestershire Co-op Band and we are really excited for the future. Welcome to #teamleicscoop.
Members
Cornet Section
Principal Cornet
Sophie Cruse
I joined Leics Co-Op in 2021 and have played cornet since I was 10 years old. I am 100% band addicted; I love everything about being a brass bander. My favourite piece is Jurassic Park as it was one of the first pieces I played in senior band when I was 12 and I’ve loved it ever since, both for the music and the memories of growing up banding. I am a huge Cory fan, and as a player I love a challenge and pushing myself to see what I can do. Best thing for me about banding is the team spirit: the
Cornet Section
Front Row
Richard Capstack
Tutti cornet
I first started playing aged 13, and I've been playing with this band for 23 years. I enjoy making music with friends and I get a lot of pleasure from helping out in our training band. It is wonderful seeing young players progress into the senior band.
Sarah Hinsley
Tutti cornet
The floral dance got me into brass banding: number 2 in the charts when I was 5 and is still my favourite brass band piece. Learnt & played with a brass band in Doncaster for 10 years, then took a 30 year(!) break. I like rehearsals because I have to concentrate so hard that I have no brain space to think about stressful stuff in my life, like work.
Thomas Barham - Tutti Cornet
I started playing when I was 7, and have been playing with Leicester co-op for 14 years, 9 years in the adult band. My favourite brass piece is Cambridge Variations. My favourite aspect of brass banding is Christmas carolling.
Cornet Section
Back Row
John Randle
Soprano
Georgie
Repiano
Andre
2nd cornet
I've been playing cornet since I was 8 and also play trumpet & guitar. I've played in the Leicester Co-op junior band for 6 years and the senior band for about 2 years. My favourite brass banding piece so far is The Pilgrim's Progress. My favourite thing about brass banding is being part of a bigger team.
Vacant
2nd cornet
Iain McDonald
third cornet
I started playing when I was 5 years old. I have also played horn, baritone and Bb bass. I joined the Leicestershire Co-op band shortly after moving to Leicestershire in 2002. I have a number of favourite brass pieces depending on the situation: concert: Mr Jums, test piece: Resurgam, March: Montreal Citadel, Christmas: Who is he. For me, brass banding is a distraction from my work, a way to make good friends and playing as part of a group to make great music for our audiences.
Louisa
3rd cornet
Horn Section
Flugel and Tenor Horns
Rebecca Hewlett-Davies - Flugel Horn
Robert Foulds - Solo Horn
I first learned to play aged 12 and I've only ever played the tenor horn. My favourite pieces are Rhapsody in Brass and Tournament for Brass. I've been banding for 50 years and love contesting. It's always great to see and meet new players.
Sharon Capstack - First Horn
I've been playing tenor horn for 23 years, since the age of 11. My favourite brass band piece is the cornet solo 'Song to the Moon' by Rusalka. The thing I like most about brass banding is playing alongside like minded people and the social side of playing in a brass band.
Sarah Jacklin - Second Horn
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Euphonium and Baritone Section
The Best Section
Steve Barham - Principal Euphonium
I have been playing Euphonium for 45 years, since I was 8 years old and can also play baritone. I play on a bespoke Sterling Virtuoso Euphonium with heavy bell. My favourite brass band piece is Resurgam by Eric Ball. I enjoy making music with a group of like minded people and my greatest achievement with Leicester Co-op is taking the band from the fourth section to the championship section.
Vacancy - Second Euphonium
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Jane Green - Principal Baritone
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Von - Second Baritone
I Played in a bugle and drum marching band for 9 years before joining a brass band. I also play flugelhorn as well as baritone. My favourite brass banding pieces are Bohemian Rhapsody and 'Orange Juice'(!) I particularly like the community and friendships in brass banding.
Trombone Section
The ones with slides
Liz Barham - Principal Trombone
I've been playing for 33 years since I was 13, always trombone. I have played bass trombone in the past ( not very well!). My favourite brass band piece is Resurgam and my favourite thing about brass banding is being part of a friendly community. I’ve had some wonderful experiences with my friends and family, what else would I do on a Tuesday and Thursday evening?!
Louise Culpin - Second Trombone
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Ted Rae
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Bass Section
The foundation
Toby Woods - Eb Bass
Started playing at the age of 7, and have played all brass band instruments apart from the trombone. I've been playing with Leicester Co-op for 29 years. I can also play guitar and a bit of piano. My favourite brass band piece is the Out of Africa theme by John Barry. Brass banding helps me to switch off from a busy day and I feel very lucky and privileged to be part of a great bunch of people . It was an amazing experience to go from 4th section to championship section with the same band.
Peter Nitti - Eb Bass
Started playing 1965 aged 13. Played cornet for 6 weeks but was told my mouth was too big so put on Eb bass. Truth be known I was the only one strong enough to carry it. I've played with this band for two years having moved to Leicestershire from Somerset. I enjoy playing with like minded friends and I've been fortunate to play in all sections,played under the great Eric Ball. My love of brass bands was inspired by watching the then famous CWS Manchester conducted by the late great Alex Mortimer
Chris - Bb Bass
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Colin Allen - Bb Bass
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Percussion Section
The Rhythm Section
Vacancy - Percussionist
Stewart Wareing - Percussionist
I started learning the trombone about 14 but soon after decided on drums. My favourite brass band piece is Riverdance. My favourite thing about brass banding is the challenge of contesting