Hi, I'm Peter Thorby!

I started banding with Woolston Juniors back in 2009 at aged 55! I was an adult learner, having never played any “windy” instrument before. I couldn’t read music, let alone count! So it took me a while to get up to speed.

I went to my first National Championships in Invercargill in 2014 with Sumner Silver Band, having been dragged in by Kate Sanders! It was a scary and frightening experience…. I remember having to blow a “G” as my first note in the Hymn and somehow got so mentally tied up in the moment…it was a very poor “G”.

I completely understand Ed Sheeran forgetting his words! If he can do that and nobody seemed to worry, then anyone can get started playing in a band and not worry about their “fluffs”.

Getting started is the challenge, but once you are started it sort of gets a bit easier and easier. But, you have to stick at it.

Sticking at it, gets easier and easier because of the people around you. Having great leadership and camaraderie in the band that makes this process enjoying. At Sumner, we have this in spadefuls.

I play cornet and I play the Repiano parts. I just sort of ended up here! I get a lot of the tune, whereas, the 2nd/3rd cornet parts get the off beats and fill in. This makes it really hard to be a 2nd/3rd part player as it is hard to figure out where you fit in with the others and practicing without the tune around you is an upgrade of hardness!

I am on The Canterbury Provincial Brass Bands Inc committee and this is where I give back to banding. I organise our Youth Band Camp in May each year and it gives me a lot of pleasure seeing 10 - 18 year olds grow in banding and become fine musicians. And some of them are more than just fine musicians…they are outstanding!

Come along and give it a go! It sure beats starring at the telly!