Roche Brass

Solo Euphonium - Gregory Graves

Gregory began his playing career at the age of seven with Callington Town Band. Initially learning the cornet, he later made the switch to euphonium in order to fill a vacancy within the band.

In 2011, Gregory joined the Cornwall Youth Brass Band — a fond and pivotal moment in his musical journey. After progressing through the ranks, he eventually held the solo euphonium seat for three years. During this time, Gregory enjoyed many highlights, including two concerts at the Hall for Cornwall, winning both Most Improved Player and Players’ Player in 2014, performing for King Charles III during a visit to Cornwall, and appearing as the featured soloist in Philip Harper’s 60th anniversary composition for the band, The Mermaid of Zennor. The work has since been used as a test piece in band competitions around the world.

Gregory went on to study and gain a BA (Hons) in Music at the University of Southampton, where he was awarded a performance scholarship for highly promising and technically gifted musicians. He remained actively involved in banding throughout his time in Southampton, deputising for bands across the UK, including a happy three-contest stint with Roche Brass in 2018. Although Gregory greatly enjoyed his studies, he made the difficult decision to transition and pursue a career in law, taking an extended break from playing while attending law school.

Gregory was eventually tempted back to the band by Rich to deputise on 1^st baritone in October 2024. Having had such an enjoyable time, he accepted an offer to come back into the section on a permanent basis on 2^nd euphonium. Since June 2025, Gregory has had the privilege of sitting on the solo euphonium seat — a position that means a great deal to him, given the legacy of players who have come before.

Gregory is proud to have contributed to one of the most successful years in the band’s history in 2025, including two First Section titles and a sixth-place finish at the National Finals. His own commitment and hard work were recognised by the band as he was awarded Roche Brass Player of the Year in 2025.

2nd Euphonium - Gavin Knowles

Gavin began his playing career in 1993 with Camborne Youth Band and returned to his roots at Camborne Town Band after a few years playing for Bodmin Town.

In 1996 he was awarded the Albert Chappell Memorial Shield for his talents, becoming the first and only baritone player to have won it.

Gavin spent many successful years at Camborne before first joining Roche Brass in 2016 on Solo Baritone. After taking a 4 year break from playing in 2017, Gav was eventually persuaded to make a return on Euphonium in 2021. 

Solo Baritone - Rachel Hawkey

Rachel started playing at the age of 5 with St Pinnock Youth Band on cornet and soon moved into the senior band.

After only a couple of years, she moved onto bass where she stayed for another few years and played with St Dennis Youth Band until she herniated a disc in her spine from sporting activities. For this reason she moved to a smaller instrument, the euphonium, where she held the principal euphonium seat for St Pinnock until 2013.

Whilst at St Pinnock, Rachel helped them to achieve promotions from the 3rd section up to the 1st section. From the age of 16 to 19 Rachel also played with the Mount Charles Youth Band and won various solo prizes at local contests.

Rachel left St Pinnock at the beginning of 2013 to concentrate on her studies, and joined Roche Brass where the commitment suits her and her busy lifestyle well, and is now a qualified Midwife.

2nd Baritone - Katie Wenmouth

Katie started learning the baritone at age 7 with Mount Charles Junior Band and later, a short period with Lostwithiel Junior Band alongside this. Eventually, she progressed into the youth band at Mount Charles where she stayed until she was 16.

At the age of 10, Katie began playing with Bugle Band in addition to the youth band to broaden her experience, and enjoyed 3 years there. During this time, she joined the Cornwall Youth Band at age 11, and auditioned and played for the national children’s band in 2012.

At 13, Katie started sitting in on Mount Charles senior band rehearsals and played her first contest with them on second baritone at Yeovil in 2014. Over the next year she gained lots of championship contesting experience and progressed onto 1st baritone in 2015 where she stayed for the next year.

Following this, at 16 Katie joined Bodmin town band where she stayed for an enjoyable 3 years before taking a break from playing whilst she was at university completing her teacher training.

After 3 years out, she finally got back into banding again when she joined Roche in 2022.