Roche Brass

Roche Victory Hall Social Club
15 Victoria Road, Roche

St. Austell , Cornwall PL26 8JF

Phone: 01726 892848 01726 892848

Fax:

E-mail address: info@rochebrass.co.uk

Roche Brass

Solo Cornets

Principal Cornet - Rob Commons

Rob is a bit of a legend in the Cornish Brass Band scene (so he says), and started playing at a very early age with the St. Dennis Youth Band. He has moved around a bit, having also played with the St. Austell Youth Band, St. Austell, Camborne, Bodmin, and St. Dennis Bands and won many solo prizes in his younger days.

Having had a short break from brass band playing, Rob decided to pick up his cornet again at the beginning of 2013 to join Roche Brass.

Solo Cornet - Josie Cork

Profile coming soon

Solo Cornet - Steve Hawkey

Steve started playing at the age of 8 years with St.Dennis youth band, when they were national youth champions of Great Britain on 2 successive occasions, and then in the senior band on solo cornet.

Steve moved to St.Austell playing flugel under Freddie Roberts then on to bumper up conducted by Alan Jenkin. He then moved to Bodmin on principal cornet, playing at the masters, nationals, and grand shield on many occasions on either principal or soprano, having also played at the Albert Hall. He has played on TV on Best of Brass with Bodmin Band.

Steve has also played with Mount Charles and St. Dennis on Principal cornet, as well as short spells helping out Camborne, Redruth, and St. Pinnock.

Solo Cornet - Neil Armstrong

Neil first started out in brass bands aged 8, following in his Father’s footsteps. His dad played cornet in Harton & Westoe & Boldon Colliery Brass Bands in the late 1950’s, sitting alongside the great Maurice Murphy.

Neil wanted to pursue his music further and after achieving his grade 8 in performance at 16, joined the Army and enjoyed a fine 25 year military music career, in four of the Army’s prestigious bands, performing extensively around the world. Some notable highlights have been; playing for private events for the Queen Mother, Princess Diana and other key members of the royal household.

One unforgettable and hilarious occasion, was having to share the same tiny changing room with Bucks Fizz & Les Dennis, whilst trying to rehearse! Further highlights were - playing the opening fanfare for the final of the Brass Band Championships at The Royal Albert Hall and performing with the Army Air Corps Brass Quintet, at the British Embassy in Washington DC. Neil also undertook regular tours on his own in Syria, Beruit, Dubai, Saudi Arabia and Cyprus, performing for the United States Embassies- for many of the 9/11 memorial services.

Alongside Roche Brass, Neil plays trumpet and flugel with big bands, jazz ensembles and orchestra’s. His past ventures were playing principal cornet for Shrewton Silver Band whom played at the Brass Band National Finals in Harrogate twice, as well as running his own brass quintet and jazz septet, performing at weddings & events and jazz festivals.

Neil loves musical theatre, golf, Labrador’s & travelling. He relocated to Cornwall two years ago and Roche Brass has been a great musical offering, as his most local band, which he’s continuing to enjoy very much.

Solo Cornet - Mark Leigh

Having started with Carharrack & St Day at the age of seven, in 1983, Mark moved via Lanner and Bodmin Town to Camborne in 1993. After a couple of years back at Bodmin he returned to Camborne in 2001.

He has been Principal Cornet of Cornwall Youth Brass Band and narrowly missed becoming Principal Cornet of The National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain when a second audition placed him in second position.

Mark suffers from mild asthma which the breathing techniques required in playing a brass instrument helps him to control. Mark is a Senior Officer in the Health Service.

After many successful and enjoyable years at Camborne, Mark joined Roche Brass in 2013.

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