Shepp speaks: Why do local musicians love music?

We asked members of the band what got them into music and why they love it.

Here’s what they had to say.

Jim Simpson: Tuba

I chose to play the tuba because I grew up playing it in brass bands in the United Kingdom. I love playing the euphonium and the tuba, as I can play the tuba in both the wind band and the orchestra.

At the moment, I play just the tuba in the Shepp Brass Band. I’ve been playing tuba since I was 10 years old, so nearly 40 years playing.

Valerie Murphy: French horn

I actually started by playing tenor horn, for years and years, and then I played the trumpet, which I didn’t like as much. But I like the French horn because it’s got the lower register, which is very pretty.

Mozart composed a lot of music for the French horn. I play three bands now. I started learning on the horn in my 50s actually, so about 15 to 20 years ago.

Beth Tivendale: Flute

I chose flute when I was in Year 5 because they handed it to me. But then I played it a bit more in school and in this band, and I started to like it.

I love it now because all the flute players I’ve met are super nice and, you know, they call it a community band for a reason, because it’s a community.

Katherine Cartwright: Trumpet

I chose my instruments back in Year 7. In high school we did testing of each mouthpiece to see what we had an ability for, and I had an ability for trumpet. I’ve been playing it ever since, which is about 30 years.

I love it because you get to play with a diverse range of people and you meet new people, as members join the band. Really, it’s my artistic release.

Steven Sargent: French horn

I ended up playing brass at secondary school and, really, that’s how I ended up on French horn. I like all brass instruments. I like how they look, how they work — the tradition and history is interesting as well.

French horn has a good repertoire. Also, you can throw them in a lake and pull them out and still play them — you can’t say that about a violin.