2013 sees Dai Roberts, the popular soprano player of the Derwent Band in the Midlands celebrate 50 years of banding life

Friends

The Welshman started playing in his native country with a 13 year stint with the Rogerstone Band. During that time he was also fortunate enough to play soprano on the National Youth Band of Great Britain where he met many life-long banding friends.

Dai eventually moved the Midlands where he enjoyed a 20 year tenure on the soprano seat of the William Davis Band, before he took a short break and resuming his playing with Derwent Brass, where he made an immediate impression by winning the first of many ‘Best Instrumentalist’ prizes at his debut contest!

Great

Over the years, Dai has been recognised and regularly featured as a soloist in concerts, recordings and radio broadcasts. And he is still playing as well as ever, as close friend Alan Wycherley said when judging him in recent contest: "I hate old soprano cornet players, especially when they are still sounding so great!"

New players

Meanwhile, the band has announced that work related departures has meant that stalwart player, Rob Stew has moved from euphonium to tuba, with the band welcoming Ash Hewson on 2nd euphonium and Nic Bracegirdle joining on Bb tuba. The percussion team is also added to with the arrival of Ross Alexander.

It’s been a huge privilege to have him in the band – and he has plenty of years ahead of him yetMD, Keith Leonard.

Huge privilege

MD Keith Leonard told 4BR: "Dai has been a remarkable player and musician – and such a great guy too. It’s been a huge privilege to have him in the band – and he has plenty of years ahead of him yet.

It’s also very pleasing to be able to find such able additions to bolster the ranks in such a short period too. Perhaps we are doing things right and the image reputation and camaraderie of Derwent Brass stands us in good stead."