Cornet virtuoso Roger Webster is preparing to take the first steps on a nationwide tour that he hopes will bring long term benefits to as many bands as possible.

Roger intends to meet organisations on their doorstep, taking time to visit them at their bandrooms and at their convenience: And all they have to do is get in touch.

Wanting to do

"It's been something I've wanted to do for some time,"he told 4BR. "I've enjoyed a wonderful career in banding, and now I've got the time and opportunity to put something back and hopefully help hard working bands along the way."

Over the coming year Roger will travel the length and breadth of the country to meet up with bands at their rehearsal facilities — day or night. He will listen to their aims and aspirations as well as their ongoing concerns and problems before offering his advice on how they can consider taking progressive steps to improve as an organisation.

Listen, long and hard

He added: "I want to find out more how different bands work and how they plan for the future. Each band at every level is different, so I will be there to listen, long and hard, before offering advice to help them meet their ambitions.

Over the years I've found that there is no single blueprint for success so I hope I can offer them my experience and insight to what may help them further — from individual player practice regimes to rehearsal techniques, musical planning and how to find out more about funding streams."

No sales pitch

The Besson artist is also clear that this is not a sales pitch either. "Not at all. I'm being very clear about this.

This is about putting something back. I'm there to help — and if I don't know something I will make sure bands will be put in touch with the right experts who do.

Besson are assisting me in every way to make this happen, but they also are quite insistent that this is not a sales tour."

Thank you

Giancarlo Isoldi from Buffet Crampon told 4BR: "Together with Roger we just want to help the band's throughout the UK to remain healthy and thrive.

The UK is the world centre for brass bands and we as a company owe those bands much. This is our small way of saying thank you."

Roger continued by saying: "I'm really looking forward to meeting new bands and the people who are as passionate as me about making them succeed."

Each band at every level is different, so I will be there to listen, long and hard, before offering advice to help them meet their ambitionsRoger Webster

First ports of call

Roger's first ports of call during January and February will be in the regional areas of Yorkshire and the North of England — and he hopes that youth bands, non-contesting bands and those from Sections 4, 3 and 2 will get in touch.

"These are the bands I want to meet first of all, so please get in touch. After this I will move further afield taking in bands from other parts of the country."

Get in touch

Roger can be contact at: roger@rogerwebster.co.uk or on 07973 157907