Hi I’m Dave Rees, Cornet player.

I was born in 1944 and right from my earliest days I have been inspired and delighted by Brass Band and Dixie Jazz music.

While at Christchurch Tech I had the opportunity to be taught the cornet by the brilliant Ralph Simpson. I often wondered why he left at the end of our sessions with tears in his eyes! Eventually I improved enough to join the school band, playing at assemblies and and the monthly Military Cadet exercises.

When I was 15 I was invited to join the Christchurch Metropolitan Fire Brigade Band, also conducted by Ralph Simpson. It was a pretty big effort on my part, cycling from home in Islington to Tech, then to band practice in Richmond, then home again around 11pm. A round trip I reckon was 60 kilometres - I wouldn’t do it now!

During my time with the Fire Brigade band we played for marching girl competitions and other community events, and we rose from D grade to B grade. I was in the band for about 10 years until girls, sport and travel got in the way of music.

When I was around 50 years old I was talking with Graeme Aldridge and he offered me a spare cornet which I started to blow at home. Family and friends were telling me I needed more practice, and after Colin Lyons contacted me I suddenly found myself in the Sumner Silver Band. We are like a family now, making and enjoying music under the wing of our ‘mother hen’ Vickie who has given me so much encouragement and knowledge. I also play the cornet in the Over 50s Brass Band, who are another great group, and I have another string to my bow as their Father Christmas at the end of year concerts.

With much of my time taken up with vintage car restoration and events, travel and DIY projects I find it a challenge to get time for home practice but I always intend to get around to it!