The recent debut appearance of Oldham Band (Lees) in the Championship Section National Final at the Royal Albert Hall, was certainly one that made a memorable mark.

The band's excellent eighth place finish was thoroughly deserved and was the culmination, although not the end of a journey that also started at the same venue 15 years previously under MD, John Collins.

Father and daughter

What made it even more memorable for him though was that sharing the stage both then and last weekend was his daughter Emily, who was part of the Bare Trees Community Band that performed at iconic venue in 2007 as part of a special Schools Prom.

The nucleus of that band went on to become the core of Oldham Band (Lees), and with John at the helm and Emily and friends in the ranks, progressed through the senior ranks — not only making it through to the Blue Riband National Championship Final, but now also finding themselves on the cusp of the British Open too.

Lucky

Speaking to 4BR, Emily said: "From 2007 to 2022 has been an incredible journey and I've been so lucky to have shared so many wonderful experiences with the best people along the way.

Topping them all has been my Dad, who has been pushing me and supporting me all the time. And to be able to have a photo back on the very spot where it all started all those years ago with my sister Phoebe was amazing."

She added: "We both played under Dad there in 2007 and again in 2011, and although Phoebe now takes control of the farm when we are away, she always supports us and still helps out for Christmas carolling.

Our youngest sister, Elsie, is only 12, and she's gone down the sports route more than anything else, but she is proud of us all too."

Love playing

Emily has played flugel, euphonium, trombone and now baritone with the band and has played at every contest since 2013 (although her Dad gave her special permission to miss a contest when she was on a school trip in China).

She added: "I think I've found the instrument that I love playing on and having been to University I've also found the job I love as a peripatetic music teacher too. It has meant I can play literally all day."

Following the Albert Hall success Emily will soon move south to take up a job with Hampshire County Council where she will be looking for a band to play with.

"That would be great,"she said. "But I look back now and realise that I wouldn't want it any other way though, because I wouldn't be where I am now, and wouldn't have played at the Royal Albert Hall in the top section if it hadn't been for that first appearance in that Schools Prom with my Dad and my sister."