Members of the band.
Please Click on the instrument to see more detailed information on the band member or just hover over the instrument to see a picture.
The bandmembers
Musical Director
Peter Cornford
Peter’s banding career began in 1975 (age 10) in Sussex with Heathfield Silver Band where his cornet teacher was Tom Kelly, formerly of Wingates. His formative years were spent with Heathfield Silver and in a jazz band which he formed with Steve Baker, who went on to be one of the country’s brightest young trumpeters before his tragic early death. At that time Peter was a frequent accompanist on the piano for young brass musicians competing in competitions and festivals in Kent and Sussex and taking their examinations. A move to the West Country in 1983 saw Peter join the Lympstone Band where he began to develop his composing and arranging skills. On moving to Bristol in 1989, Peter became involved first with the Portishead Town Band and then with Bendix Kingswood band (1st Section) before his spell at Wotton-under-Edge(1998-2003). Before joining Marshfield Peter played and conducted Bristol East band until 2005.
Q&A
What do you enjoy about Marshfieldband? "Friendly atmosphere and characters within the band"
What are your favourite brass band pieces? "A Severn Suite, A Moorside Suite"
The Cornet Section
Sarah Rigden
Principal Cornet
Sarah's Information is so long it has its own page!
To view Sarah Bio Click Here.
Norman Shanks
Solo Cornet
Norman has been playing in brass bands since 1952 in the salvation army and Royal Air force, voluntary band. He later played for City of Bristol band. His banding highlights include the National Finals at London & Manchestesr, while his favourite music piece is "Year of the dragon". He says he enjoys Marshfield for its good company and warm and friendly atmosphere.
Margaret Exley
Solo Cornet
Information to appear shortly.
Neil Allen - Cornet
Neil started playing the cornet at the age of 8 while at junior school. Originally on trumpet and taught by David Thomas,a well known trumpet player and former member of the Stanshawe sun-life band. Early brass achievements including taking part in the 'Take Note' Brass festival in the Colston Hall in 1987 (age 10). During his secondary school years he played in the school concert band which saw a number of overseas 'band tours' to France, Italy and Spain. In his early teens Neil joined the City Of Bristol brass band and then many other bands in the area including playing for Marshfield at 16. During this time Neil had lessons with Kevin Robbins a former principal cornet player with the Sun-life band and more recently the flowers band (now Polysteel). Currently Playing for both Marshfield and Polysteel band, Neil is a highly sought after player and well regarded as one of the top cornet players in the area.
Robin Furstenheim
Eb Soprano Cornet
Robin started banding in 1970 and has played in various bands including most recently Bristol East band. His banding highlights include playing with Frome town band supporting Don Lusher for a trombone solo. Another highlight was attending the national finals in the Royal Albert hall in 1977 and hearing Black Dyke playing Connotations.
Favourite brass music pieces include: Connotations (Edward Gregson), St Magnus (Kenneth Downie), Flowerdale (Philip Spark), Where eagles sing & Walking with heroes (Paul Lovatt Cooper)
Alex Dunn
Alex Plays Repiano Cornet
Info to appear shortly.
Roy Muggleton
2nd Cornet
Roy is a retired engineer who started banding in 1990, previously with B.A.E Filton and Filton concert band. He says he enjoys Marshfield because of the 'nice people' & 'being allowed to play with some talented musicians'. His favourite banding moments include playing to a packed Colston hall with Bristol veterans and Sunday afternoon concerts in Bath Parade gardens. His favourite music pieces are : Bizet's Sacred Temple (Euph duet) and Faure's 'Pavane'.
Comment "I'm Devastatingly handsome - but I don't photograph well!"
Lisa Coomes
Lisa plays 2nd Cornet
Info to appear shortly.
Josh Gammie
Josh plays 2nd Cornet
Info to appear shortly.
Robert Ted
3rd Cornet
Ted Joined the band in 2009.
3rd Cornet
3rd Cornet Vacant position
The Horn Section
Rebecca Williams
Rebbeca Plays Solo Tenor Horn
Rebbeca is the bands long time Solo Horn player. Favourite music pieces include: Doyen and Over the Rainbow.
Jeannie Byham
1st Tenor Horn
What do you enjoy about Marshfield band?
"The people are friendly and welcoming and the conductor gives good tips and advice. I also liked playing Christmas Carols on Xmas eve and boxing day in Marshfield"
Lily Byham
2nd Tenor Horn
Lily has been playing brass since the age of 8 in primary school and enjoys Marshfield's friendly atmosphere and fantastic uniform. Lily enjoys playing summer fete music so long as there is plenty of Horn solos!
Will Snell
Will plays 2nd horn
Info to appear shortly.
Laurence Gilliam
(On leave)
Currently a student, lawrence plays the Tenor Horn as well as violin and piano!. He has been playing with Marshfield since the age of 7, starting in the now defunct Marshfield Junior band. He is going to study Music (specializing in music technology) at the Royal Welsh College of music in September 2006. He says he has enjoyed the friendly atmosphere and playing in a variety of events from competitions to summer jobs. One recent favourite piece of music has been the test piece 'Dimensions' by Peter Graham.
Bev Williams
Bev Plays Flugel horn .
Euphoniums
Steve Ruddell (Barney)
Barney Plays Euphonium
Barney has played in various positions in the band, including Soprano Cornet! But now has settled on Euphonium. He is also the bands Chairman.
Louise Wall
Louise plays Euphonium
Info to appear shortly.
Baritones
Mark Chapman
Mark plays Euphonium and Baritone.
Vacant
Second Baritone
Info to appear shortly.
Trombones
Vacant
1st Trombone
Derrick Ruddell
Derek plays 2nd Trombone
The Most senior member of the band is Derek who has played with the band for over 60 years! He says he really enjoys being part of the band and enjoys the company of fellow band members.
Clive Rickards
Clive Plays Bass Trombone
Info to appear shortly.
The Bass Section
Dave Tuck
Dave plays EEb Bass
On EEb bass we have painter and decorator Dave Tuck, who says he 'enjoys the friendly atmosphere and playing a good selection of music!.' Dave is also a committee member and has been playing with the band for a number of years. He started banding in 1973 at the age of 17 and has previously played for Bendix and the City of Bristol Bands. His banding highlights were at the Royal Albert Hall with Bendix Kingswood band (National finals) and Wembley with City of Bristol (Finals). Favourite music pieces include: Three Musketeers , Suite Gothique, The Shipbuilders and Journey into Freedom
Vacant
Eb Bass
Info to appear shortly.
Alan Coomes
Alan Plays BBb Bass
Alan started playing trombone in the early 70’s, but changed instrument to BBь bass in 1979. Playing bass he has contested in all 4 sections, playing in the Royal Albert Hall on 3 occasions.
He first joined Marshfield Band in 1985 leaving in 1993, whilst his family were young and was not playing regularly until his recent return with his youngest daughter, who plays cornet.
In the past, with his previous band he had played several tours abroad.
North America: Toronto, Canada; Pennsylvania & New Jersey USA.
Europe: Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Austria, Switzerland, and Malta.
He also toured with Marshfield when they visited the Netherlands.
His most memorable experience is playing a lunch time concert in the plaza directly beneath the Twin Towers of the World Trade Centre New York, followed by a guided tour to the top to view the New York skyline.
Although he has no overall favourite piece of music, he does prefer the more traditional he also likes the better arrangements of more recent contemporary pieces
Eb Bass
Vacant position
Percussion
Barbera Jefferies
Plays Percussion