Brain Topping
Started playing: I was 8 years old when I started playing cornet at the Salvation Army, Barrhead in Scotland. It wasn't until my family moved to Bo'ness and I joined the SA junior band under the leadership of Jack Spowart, that the banding bug really took a grip.
Previous bands: Salvation Army bands at Bo'ness, Staines, and Manchester Citadel (now Sale). Contesting bands at Haslingden and Helmshore, and BMP Goodshaw. In addition to Besses, I'm currently playing with Radcliffe Brass Band (concert band).
Memorable banding moments: Having been in banding for nearly 50 years, there are numerable memories. Playing soprano cornet with Bo'ness and Staines SA bands.
As a very young bandsman, playing with Bo'ness band alongside the International Staff Band in the Usher Hall, Edinburgh, and meeting my boyhood hero Ron Harrison (ISB sop). Playing with Staines SA band at the Royal Albert Hall as a solo band. We played "Day of the Spiritual" composed by our bandmaster, Brian Bowen. (Former players will remember the additional 8:30am Saturday rehearsals!!!!) Touring Europe; making recordings; and marching down the Mall, all with Staines SA band Touring USA with Manchester Citadel band, on solo horn
Numerous wins and high contest placings with Haslingden and Helmshore on soprano cornet
Unusual banding moments; Providing an impromptu concert on a ferry between Scotland and Northern Ireland (Bo'ness SA band) Playing Christmas carols in a Manchester shop window, broadcast live on BBC Radio Manchester (Manchester Citadel / Sale band) Playing at Wembley - marching on the hallowed (old) Wembley turf (Staines Band)Playing as the brass band in a theatre production of Brassed Off ( Haslingden and Helmshore)
Favourite piece: Impossible to keep this down to one piece but I will keep this to band pieces.SA pieces include:
March: Celebration; and The Present Age (Leslie Condon)
My Strength My Tower (Dean Goffin)
My Master's Will (Wilf Heaton)
None Other Name (Erik Leidzen)
Other pieces;
Contest Music (Wilf Heaton)
Resurgam (Eric Ball)
Dove Descending (Phil Wilby)
More about myself: I love to listen to live music, particularly classical music. I'm a huge fan of the BBC Proms I keep fit with road running and mountain biking I love eating "posh nosh" particularly at 3 Chimneys (Isle of Skye) and Cinnamon Club (London).
I take this opportunity to pay tribute to Robert Spowart (late Retired B/M Bo'ness SA Band). He was a huge influence not only in me having a deep love for brass banding ( he gave me my first break on soprano cornet) but as a role model to me and many of my teenage peers.
