Paula Russell, Principal Cornet of Brisbane Excelsior, the four time National Champion Band of Australia, has touched down in the UK to lead Desford’s assault on the All England Masters in Cambridge on the weekend.

Opportunity

Speaking to 4BR, Paula showed no hint of fatigue from the eleven thousand mile journey:

"Desford Colliery Band was inspirational to me in during their period of dominance in the late eighties. I met a couple of Desford’s players whilst competing at the New Zealand Nationals last year (which Brisbane Excelsior won), we discussed the opportunity of me being drafted in to Desford when the opportunity arose. I wasn’t actually expecting the call!"

Paula has a great reputation and we’re extremely pleased to have her in the band which happened as all three of our in house principal cornets were unavailable for this contestBand Manager Pete Smith

Brisbane move

Whilst Paula sounds like a born and bred Aussie, she grew up on the South coast of England and studied with David King at Salford. She played repiano with YBS at the height of its power, before moving to Brisbane only four years ago. Paula does not have any plans to return to the UK full time but she’s obviously relishing her very public homecoming.

Great reputation

Desford Band Manager Pete Smith told 4BR: "Paula has a great reputation and we’re extremely pleased to have her in the band which happened as all three of our in house principal cornets were unavailable for this contest. Paula has already shown her pedigree in rehearsal and we’re very much looking forward to the weekend."

Desford will be recording on Saturday and again for 'Listen to the Band' on the following Wednesday, after which Paula should have no problem sleeping on the plane home to Oz.