Cornets
Tracey Bennett
Principal Cornet
Tracey, a graduate of the London College of Music and Media, learnt to play cornet aged seven and achieved grade eight at 13. She was principal cornet with Ocean Brass for several years and currently occupies the principal chair at Gosport Solent Brass, helping them towards four lower section national finals appearances in recent years.
Michael Brook
Soprano Cornet
Michael runs a dog grooming business on the island. He started playing trumpet aged 8 and played in local youth orchestras in Huddersfield. He moved into brass bands aged 14 where he played Soprano cornet in bands throughout Yorkshire and the North West.
David Finnerty
Assistant Principal Cornet
David is currently composing his mini biography .... coming very soon!
Peter McMurtry
Solo Cornet
Peter is fairly new to brass bands and has been playing cornet since 2010, shortly after coming to the island from Australia. He also plays sax in a couple of other bands on the island. Any little, spare time is spent walking, cycling, playing snooker and darts.
Caitlin Birtwistle
Solo Cornet
Caitlin started learning to play the cornet six years ago. As well as playing for Abbey Brass, she also plays in a number of groups at school. In her spare time she likes reading, running and swimming.
Julie Littlemore
Repiano Cornet
Julie runs her own structural engineering firm with offices on the Isle of Wight and in Hertfordshire. She has been playing cornet since secondary school and as well as playing in Abbey Brass she also plays with the Island Concert Band and Vectis Corp of Drums.
Andrew Dean
Second Cornet
Andrew is currently composing his mini biography .... coming very soon!
Helen Ralfs
Second Cornet
Helen grew up on the Island and began cornet lessons aged 7, taught by her Dad. She played in brass bands on the mainland before moving back in 2021 to join her old friends in banding once again. Helen works in the NHS. She loves the fun and camaraderie that playing music together brings.
Vacant
Third Cornet
Vacant
Third Cornet
Horns
Andy Croucher
Flugel Horn
Andy is one of the three founding members of the Band and also Chairman. He learned to play the Cornet at the age of 7 in the Salvation Army. After a brief time in the Band of The Blues and Royals, Andy has has a varied career in executive roles in the Imaging, IT and Electronics Industry. He is now happily retired!
Glynis Marsh
Solo Horn
Glynis moved to the island from Lancashire in 2001. Her father inspired her to play when she was 7 years old, as did his father before him. Glynis is a social worker and therapist and helps distressed children with their mental health. She is also the band's safeguarding officer.
Glenis Croucher
First Horn
Glenis worked as an SEO in the Home Office in London and, more recently, she had an ice cream business on Cowes beach. Her favourite job is being a grandma. Glenis loves banding, singing, cruises and retired life.
Sue Birtwistle
Second Horn
Sue learnt to play the trumpet at school and then played cornet in The Salvation Army before moving to the tenor horn. She gave up banding for over 30 years, but thankfully returned to playing about 6 years ago.
Baritones & Euphoniums
Sam Heath
First Baritone
Hi, I'm Sam married to Gray, Baritone is the instrument that I like to play. Also a Mother and Grammy to two, I drive a Bus, have a cat and a Cockerpoo. Not much else to really say, think I'll save it for another day.
Emily Somerville
Second Baritone
Emily is currently composing her mini biography .... coming very soon!
Will Doyle
Solo Euphonium
Will started on cornet, aged 7, before moving to euphonium. He studied both euphonium and trombone at the Royal Welsh College of Music, when he also joined Tredegar Town Band. Will teaches at a local school where he continues to champion the role of the arts in education. He is also a member of the Isle of Wight Symphony Orchestra.
Tony Hebditch
Second Euphonium
Tony began playing cornet at 7. He had a career in hospital management, with a new hospital he commissioned and ran being a highlight. In retirement he established Abbey Brass and was its first Chairman. His other interests are DIY, snooker and golf (once getting a hole-in-one!). His family,
3 children and 10 grandchildren, figure prominently in his life.
Trombones
Mark Chittenden
First Trombone
Mark hails from London and while at college played for the erstwhile Hanwell Band. For several years he was Principal Trombone with the Isle of Wight Symphony Orchestra. Although he no longer plays in the orchestra full time he is a member of Symphony Brass, a brass group drawn from players past and present with the orchestra.
Simon Smith
Second Trombone
Simon started playing in brass bands at the age of six, moving to trombone at thirteen. He works as a civil servant in a comms role and in his spare time, as well as banding, he enjoys watching non-league football and cheering on his son, who plays for Brading Youth FC.
Terry Patrick
Bass Trombone
Terry started playing at 11. Seeing a bass trombone he knew that was what he wanted to play! He was in various brass and wind bands before joining the Army and attending the Army Junior School of Music. He is a Senior Clinical Effectiveness Advisor in the NHS.
Basses
Alison Pearce
Alison started playing the tuba at the age of 12. It has taken her to some interesting places including on the Somme, up a hill in Italy, at the Whit Friday marches and more recently in the pit for A Sound of Music in Shanklin Theatre.
Colin Hendry
Learning to play cornet at eight years old with The Salvation Army, Colin later moved to E flat Bass, which he has played for over 40 years. He was an IT Professional before retiring. He has four children and eight grandchildren, all of which keep him busy. Colin moved to the island in 2021.
Paul Savill
Paul started out on euphonium, learning at school and soon joined the IW Youth Concert Band. He joined the RAF as a tuba player and enjoyed a successful career performing throughout the world. He also plays with the Band of the Hampshire and IW Constabulary and is heavily involved with IW Scouts, holding the post of Assistant Commissioner.
Sàndor Sztankovics
Sàndor hails from Hungary and is a graduate of the University of Szeged. He has a Bachelor degree in tuba teaching and brass ensemble performance. As well as brass bands he has played in wind bands, symphony orchestras, Dixieland and jazz bands. Sàndor is also a talented drummer.
Percussion
Anna Dubicki
Percussion
Anna is currently composing her mini biography .... coming very soon!
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