Darren Blake
Soprano Cornet
Joined: January 2006
Previous seats:
None
None
Favourite Piece:
Faure's Pavane
Faure's Pavane
Favourite Test Piece:
Dove Descending
Dove Descending
Memorable banding moment:
Playing a "blinder" with Moston at Buxton Contest on "Un Vie de Matelot"
Playing a "blinder" with Moston at Buxton Contest on "Un Vie de Matelot"
Favourite Drink:
Real Ale
Real Ale
Favourite Food:
Chinese closely followed by Indian, then mixed meat kebab (even when stone cold sober!)
Chinese closely followed by Indian, then mixed meat kebab (even when stone cold sober!)
Ambitions:
Continued success/improvement on the Soprano Cornet
Continued success/improvement on the Soprano Cornet
Banding History
I started playing at the age of twelve with Park High School Band in Colne, Lancashire.
I was asked to join the band because my neighbour had. When joining I was told a
trombone was available, but upon turning up to collect my instrument I was presented
with a soprano cornet and have never looked back since.
During my time with the school band I had the opportunity to get out of Maths once a week to have lessons with Peter Read (cornet playing legend), whom along with the school music teacher must take a lot of credit for my development as a soprano player. Peter also invited me to join the Lancashire Youth Brass set up of which I was a proud member for twelve years.
The other bands I have played for (some notably longer than others) since leaving school have been as follows: - Colne, Barnoldswick, Stacksteads, Freckleton, Lancashire Constabulary, Haslingden & Helmshore, Eatons Farnworth and Moston & Beswick.
The best period of my playing career so far has definitely been my time with Moston conducted by Rob Taylor. This was during a purple patch for the band when every contest entered seemed to result in a prize and quick progress into the first section.
I am now looking forward to more success during my time with Drighlington band.
Professional Details
During my time with the school band I had the opportunity to get out of Maths once a week to have lessons with Peter Read (cornet playing legend), whom along with the school music teacher must take a lot of credit for my development as a soprano player. Peter also invited me to join the Lancashire Youth Brass set up of which I was a proud member for twelve years.
The other bands I have played for (some notably longer than others) since leaving school have been as follows: - Colne, Barnoldswick, Stacksteads, Freckleton, Lancashire Constabulary, Haslingden & Helmshore, Eatons Farnworth and Moston & Beswick.
The best period of my playing career so far has definitely been my time with Moston conducted by Rob Taylor. This was during a purple patch for the band when every contest entered seemed to result in a prize and quick progress into the first section.
I am now looking forward to more success during my time with Drighlington band.
Professional Details
Darren works as a Contract Aerospace Designer.
His hobbies include
Cycling, messing about with his Lotus Seven replica.
Family
Single, no children (two cats though that think they're kids!)