The tuba team from the Shirley Band is celebrating the remarkable achievement of playing together as a section for the West Midlands band for the past 30 years.
1984
Sally Middleton, Richard Hart and Ian Birchall joined the Solihull outfit in 1984 to link up with Lawrence Tew, who by then had been a member for three years. They have been an unbreakable section ever since.
Sally, from Solihull, plays solo Eb tuba alongside her partner, Lawrence, whilst Richard teams up with Ian, who at the age of 75 is the oldest member of the quartet.
Highs and lows
Over the years the four players have seen many coming and goings (including playing at contests under close to 20 different conductors!), highlights and disappointments, but have always maintained their remarkable commitment and dedication to the Midlanders, who currently play in the First Section.
Successes have included being part of the Midland Area Second Section winning band on two occasions and helping Shirley to podium finishes at the Second Section National Finals in 1987 under Alwyn Green and again in 2002 under Dave Lea. Memorable tours, concerts and a first CD recording in 2013 have also set the seal on 30 years of banding enjoyment.
Very proud
Richard told 4BR: "We're very proud to be members of the Shirley Band and believe that the four of us may be the longest serving members of the same tuba section in any band in the UK."
He then chuckled: "Whether we'll still be members in another 30 years time is another story though!"
It’s a simply fantastic show of dedication to the band. We are very lucky to have such committed members and fine playersBand Secretary Brian Johnson
Remarkable
Band Secretary Brian Johnson, told 4BR that such commitment and dedication to a single band in this day and age was simply remarkable.
"There are not many brass bands that have four members, let along an entire section that has played together for so long.
It’s a simply fantastic show of dedication to the band. We are very lucky to have such committed members and fine players."
