I was born in Lae, Papua New Guinea.  My father, an airline pilot  was an enthusiastic bandsman and my mother was the ultimate organiser.

I grew up in Australia and played violin for 10 years, changing to brass at the age of 18.  I have played with Brisbane Excelsior, Sola Brass Band in Norway and with The Ransome Band in Newark, England.

I have conducted in Australia and Norway but this is my first appointment in Britain.  I’m enjoying working with the Eccles Borough Band and I love that the first test piece is Labour and Love.

Claire’s musical career began back in 1995 playing Cornet with York Street Band. After a few years on the back row with York Street, she was appointed to Principal Cornet by the age of 13, a position she held for a year before being offered Principal Cornet with the Rainford Silver Band.

Two years later Claire was granted the opportunity to study at Chetham’s School of Music, Manchester, where she studied for the next two years whilst holding the position of Repiano Cornet with the Haydock band. On graduation from Chetham’s, Claire went on to Study at the Royal Northern College of Music.

Claire then spent a year playing Principal Cornet with Parr Richardson Ltd Band, later moving to Greenall’s Brewery Band as Assistant Principal Cornet. During this time she became a tutor to younger pupils from both within and outside of the bands, and also undertook some freelance orchestral work with London based orchestras, TORSO and LGSO.

More recently Claire has moved back to Manchester to pursue a career in Film & Media, and plays Principal Cornet with the Eccles Borough Band.

Position in Band: Solo Trombone

Years in Eccles Borough Band: 2008 – Present

Other Bands Played For: Greenfield Band, Hebden Bridge Band, Uppermill Band

Occupation: Musical Instrument Technician / Piano Tuner

Commitee Member: Band Sergeant

I started playing the Trombone when I was about 7 and gave up when i went to Newark Technician college in Nottinghamshire. After returning back home to the Northwest in 1989 I picked up a spare Trombone from my mothers school and so my hobby/obsession started again. I joined Uppermill Band on 2nd Trombone and moved my way quickly to Solo Trombone at Greenfield Band where I stayed for a while and I had my 1st experience of being a committee member. I then went over the border to Yorkshire to join Hebden Bridge Band on Solo Trombone where I was also asked to be the chairman of the band. After a good stint with them I moved back to Uppermill this time on Solo Trombone to join the same band as my girlfriend Ruth (Wife now). In 2008 we both felt it was time to leave Uppermill and join Eccles Borough Band and here we hope to stay through many successes.

Position in Band: Eb Bass

Years in Eccles Borough Band: 2006 – Present

Other Bands Played For: Wythenshawe Band, Beswick Band / Moston & Beswick Band, Westwood Over 50’s Band

Occupation: Part Time tutor/Marker for MANCAT

Started playing in 1956 in school band, in 1957 joined Wythenshawe Band. Moved to Alkrington so I joined Beswick Band just so I could get in the football matches free! I stayed with Beswick which became Moston and Beswick in 1966. I have played in 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th section. Was chairman of Moston and Beswick until it was closed in January 2006. I have also played for Westwood over 50’s band. I worked in local government as a surveyor for 37 years before taking early retirement in 1999. Since then I worked for a small builders company as a surveyor and then building manager. Since then I have worked part time as a passport checker and now doing some tutoring and marking for the City Guilds at MANCAT.

Position in Band: Solo Euphonium

Years in Eccles Borough Band: 2008 – Present

Other Bands Played For: Castletown Metropolitan Silver Band

Occupation: Student

I’m from the Isle of Man where I started learning tenor horn age 5, I played with Castletown Metropolitan Silver Band from the age of 8 and started playing Euphonium with them in 2005, I came to the RNCM to gain a BMus and am in my third year. I joined eccles in 2008 when Ben Millest dragged me along to help out in a contest, we finished 16th but somehow they decided to keep me. I like beer!

Position in Band: Flugel Horn

Other Bands Played For: Urmston & Davyhulme, Berhampstead & Boxmoor

Occupation: Nursing Sister

Commitee Member: General Committee Member

Started playing at age 5. Played at Urmston and Davyhulme moved to Berkhampstead and Boxmoor. Returned to Urmston and rejoined Urmston which became Trafford. Moved to Eccles after having children, Sam, Katie and Bex. Can play cornet but love to play flugel.

Position in Band: 2ndTrombone

Years in Eccles Borough Band: 2005 – Present

Other Bands Played For: Manchester University Wind Orchestra

Occupation: Information Officer, Christie Hospital

Commitee Member: Treasurer

I began playing the trombone when I was 9 and have played in a number of wind bands, orchestras and jazz bands. I joined Eccles Borough Band in April 05, the first brass band that I have played with.

Position in Band: BBb Bass

Years in Eccles Borough Band: 1987 – Present

Other Bands Played For: Urmston & Davyhulme Silver Band, Berkhampstead & Boxmoor Band

Occupation: Retired Engineer

Commitee Member: Property Manager

Started playing with Urmston and Davyhulme in 1966. Moved to Buckinghamshire and played with Berkhampstead and Boxmoor band. Returned to Urmston and rejoined Urmston and Davyhulme. Joined Eccles Borough Band in 1987.

Position in Band: 2nd Euphonium

Years in Eccles Borough Band: 2005 – Present

Other Bands Played For: Laira Youth Band

Occupation: Musician

I started on the tenor horn when I was 6 and ended up on the euphonium in the Laira Youth Band Plymouth. After 6 years at the Royal Northern College of Music doing a BMus and 2 performing diplomas on the piano I was missing the euphonium, so joined the Eccles Borough Band in July 2005. I am a professional pianist and teacher at the Junior RNCM and Leeds College of Music (Yorkshire Young Musicians), and I accompany choirs in Haydock and Bolton.