With the recent passing of their President, W E A “Micky” Hunt at the age of 79, the Association and the Cornish Brass Band movement has lost one of its most devoted servants.

His contribution as a player, conductor, teacher and administrator was in the very best traditions of the brass band movement.

He gave a lifetime of service to this Association and the wider brass band movement and was, as his Bardic name tells us, truly a Man of Brass Band Music4BR

Love of teaching

Born in Bodmin in 1928, he joined St Breward Silver Band to learn the cornet after the family moved to the village in 1937.

Thus began a connection to the band that lasted sixty two years as player, Secretary and Musical Director before circumstances meant that he moved on to St Minver Silver Band, where he continued, until quite recently, his first love of teaching young people the joys and satisfaction of playing a brass instrument.

Diploma of Honour

His work in this field was recognised when in 1999 he was awarded a Diploma of Honour by the Worshipful Company of Musicians and in 2001 when he was invested as a Bard of the Cornish Gorsedd, with the Bardic name, Den Menestrouthy Brest, 'Man of Brass Band Music'.

The majority of brass band musicians tend to concentrate on their playing and are happy to leave the administration of the movement to others.

Not so Micky, who first became involved in the Cornwall Brass Band Association when he attended their second meeting in 1955. Actively involved from then on he became Vice Chairman, followed by sixteen years as Chairman until 2003, before assuming the office of President in 2005.

He was generous in giving his time to attending many of the member band’s concerts and events and representing the Association at numerous official functions throughout the County.

Pleasure

It was always a particular pleasure for him to present the valued 50 Year Service Certificates and Badges, a badge he himself wore with pride.

He was also President of the Cornwall Youth Brass Band, with whom he had been associated as a Tutor and Committee member since 1959, when the CBBA took over the management of the Band for many years.

He spent countless hours representing the Association at meetings of the Council of West of England Brass Band Associations and the South West Brass Band Association.

Lifetime of service

With his passing the local brass band movement loses the last contact with their founders and the benefit of his immeasurable knowledge and experience of the Association throughout its entire history.

He gave a lifetime of service to this Association and the wider brass band movement and was, as his Bardic name tells us, truly a Man of Brass Band Music.