Under the leadership of Musical Director Adrian Harvey, Sidmouth Town Band is a committed, friendly, ambitious team of players, who work hard for concert and contest preparations, whilst never losing the enjoyment of making music. We currently have a vacancies for a euphonium and second trombone player. Please contact us for more information.
Musical Director
Adrian Harvey
Adrian began to play the cornet at an early age when he joined the St. Dennis Band, under the baton of E J Williams in his native Cornwall. He progressed through the ranks and gained much success with both the youth and senior bands before joining the Bodmin Town Band on solo cornet in the mid- 80’s. There, he and the Band enjoyed some of its most successful years, with European Tours, various recording projects and many contest victories. In 1996 he left Cornwall and moved to East Devon, thinking that his banding days were over. Fortunately, it was not long before he found himself playing principal cornet with the Stoke Sub Hamdon Band in Somerset. Following a season with the band, a chance conversation began his conducting career. The Ottery St. Mary Band were in urgent need of a MD as theirs had retired due to ill health. He was given an audition and offered the position immediately, even though he had no previous conducting experience.
In March 1998 he accepted his present post with the Sidmouth Town Band. With Adrian, the band has become one of the leading bands in Devon, with a growing reputation of giving varied and enjoyable concerts throughout the year. During the time he has been with the band they have progressed from the Fourth Section to its present position in the First section, a reflection of how much the band has improved under his direction.
As well as conducting the Sidmouth Town Band, Adrian is also in demand as a guest conductor, taking other bands for concerts and rehearsals and adjudicating at various solo and quartet contests.
The image shows Adrian (on the left) being presented with a special award celebrating 25 years as MD, by Jeremy Vine, at the Proms Concert in August 2023.
Cornets
Fiona Harvey
Joined in 2000
Previous bands: Helston
Favourite piece: Fraternity (though we have never played it!)
We are so lucky to play in the best band stand in the country. I love Sunday evenings, playing at the Connaught Gardens. Some other concerts stand out for me, including Chris Hoban’s brilliant“Untold Stories”, and of course the contest successes have been magical moments too.
Greg Morgan
Joined in 2011
Previously played with a number of bands in Devon and Cornwall
Favourite Piece: Le Roi D’ys by Stanshawe (British Open 1990), “Judges of the Secret Court”, “Paganini Variations”. But what about everyday pieces – well there is nothing better on a Sunday evening at the Gardens as the temperature begins to drop and the light fades than a good old hymn tune to hit the spot.
Favourite memory: Hmmmm! Well, it just has to be the moment I turned around in the street in Bath one evening to find the whole of Sidmouth Band was right there following me!!! I still have no idea what they were all doing in Bath but it was lovely to see them all! (This was at the Nationals in Cheltenham, after a few celebratory drinks!)
Mark Durham
Joined in 2021
Previous Bands: Shepherd Group Brass Band, Brighouse and Rastrick, Carlton Main Colliery Band
Favourite Piece: MacArthur Park
Chris Lee
Joined in 2016
Previous bands: Colne Borough Band, Earby Brass Band, Fulham Brass Band
Favourite piece: I don’t really have a favourite piece as such, but enjoy playing the ‘crowd pleasers’ such as Peter Gunn Theme, Game of Thrones Etc.
I particularly enjoy the Summer Concerts and Christmas Carolling.
Matt Sherwood
Profile coming soon
Amy Chapman
Profile coming soon
Sarah Usher
Joined in 2015
Favourite piece: Saga of Haakon the Good
Although playing takes me out of my comfort zone by some considerable margin, I enjoy being part of the STB “family”. The band is a fantastic eclectic mix of people and getting the chance to play music with such a wonderful group is a real privilege.
Claire Morgan
Joined in 2011
Previous bands: Hatherleigh Silver Band
Favourite piece is: Dynasty – it was amazing to watch the best band in the world perform this in 2019 and win the greatest trophy in the banding world.
What I love about being part of a band is being part of a group of musicians making music together, improving our skills, and the sense of achievement that brings.
Emily Harper
Joined in 2022
Emily Wilson-Manfield
Joined in 2022
Favourite piece: ‘Walking in the Air’ because I love Christmas
Favourite moment: playing with my dad in the main band.
Dylan Travers
Joined in 2022
Favourite piece: Tancredi
Favourite thing is playing in the gardens and the brass band workshop.
James Reynolds
Joined the training band in 2018 and the senior band in 2022
Favourite piece: Fire in the Blood, Paul Lovett-Cooper
I am a third cornet player, but I also play flugelhorn in the training band. I’ve just finished my GCSE’s and am continuing on to A levels after the summer.
Horns
Josie Sherwood
Joined summer 2007
Previous bands: Ottery Saint Mary Brass Class
Favourite piece: There is such variety of genres arranged for Brass Band and that is one of my favourite things about them, and you’ve got me hooked at the mention of film music or disco.
I came along to a few Connaught Gardens concerts with my mum as a teenager, playing cornet, and joined the band come the end of that season. I progressed through the ranks on back row until I left (but barely) to study music at Plymouth University. The band has kindly performed any composition or arrangement I had written during that time. Shortly after graduating in 2015, the flugelhorn seat became available, I leapt at the opportunity and have held the seat ever since.
Banding highlights include many antics and successes at contests, any street march that I don’t faint in, beautiful evenings at Connaught Gardens, and playing ‘Gloria’ in a local production of ‘Brassed Off.’
Esther Harbour
Joined in 1983
Other bands: played with Brighton & Hove City Brass for a few years.
Favourite piece(s): I’ve really enjoyed playing some (but not all) of our test pieces over the years. The ones that spring to mind are Dark Side of the Moon, Willow Pattern and Saint-Saens Variations. Away from the contesting stage, I enjoy playing jazzy/ big band pieces, some classical music and the occasional cheesy number such as Copacabana.
One of my favourite memories is the National Finals in 2010 when my husband was ‘persuaded’ to play percussion and only mastered the clash cymbals the evening before the contest. Another favourite memory is the camaraderie and brilliant result at the 2019 National Finals. 2019 was a great year, as supporting both Steve Knightley and Chris Hoban at Sidmouth Folk Festival was another highlight.
Alan Usher
Joined in 2015
Favourite piece: Saga of Haakon the Good.
Favourite part of being in the band: I think the acceptance of people whose playing is in a different league to mine, and the opportunity to play with such people. Also the eclectic mix of the pieces we play, and the particular challenge of preparing for contests (a bit of a love-hate relationship there). The social aspect of band is also very special.
Charlie Travers
Joined in 2022
Favourite piece: I enjoy all of them
Other bands: I still enjoy playing in the Sidmouth Youth and Training Band which I joined in 2017 at the age of 6. I also play with Lympstone Academy Brass and the National Children's Band of Great Britain.
I love being part of the band. Everyone is friendly and makes me feel welcome. I look forward to band every time. My favourite parts are the concerts in Connaught Gardens and rehearsals.
Baritones and Euphoniums
Chris Sweetapple
Joined in 2004
Favourite piece: No idea…it’d be something different every day
One particular special memory I have is of visiting Ypres with a group from the band in 2013 and playing at the Menin Gate Last Post Ceremony. Other favourites include various Folk Week events and Proms concerts (when it didn’t rain!). Aside from the music, what I love most about the being a part of the Sidmouth Town Band is the comradery, and how we have such a brilliant ‘band family’.
Vacant Position
Anita Jackson
Joined in 2019
Bands I have played for: Avon school of Music who changed their name to Filton Concert Brass, City of Bristol
After returning to playing after a very long break I am thoroughly enjoying being part of Sidmouth Town Band, I am very lucky to have joined such a friendly and welcoming Band & was fortunate to play with them at the Nationals 2019 which was such an enjoyable weekend. I am looking forward to making lots of happy memories with them.
Millie Carlill
Joined in 2022
Bands I have played for: Lympstone Training Band, Ottery St. Mary Silver Band, Devon Youth Wind Orchestra, Exeter Railway Band
Favourite piece: Either Dynasty (Peter Graham) or The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea (Derek Bourgeios)
I’ve enjoyed being part of a band that challenges me and can develop me as a player. I always look forward to band, and it’s great to be around such friendly people who are supportive and make me laugh! The puffin incident is probably my favourite memory from my time here (it is waiting for its next appearance!)
Trombones
Christopher Holland
Joined in 1986
Favourite piece: Judex (from Mors et Vita) or Suite Gothique
Making music for the public and seeing them enjoy it has always been a big part of my enjoyment from the band. We are so lucky to have such a friendly band tied closely into our lovely town. Our Annual events such as Last Night of the Proms, Christmas Eve Carolling and our Summer Concerts are what makes the band so special for players and our supporters.
Vacant Position
David Bell
Joined in 2023
Basses
Adrian Harris
Joined in 2013
Favourite Piece: Amporita Roca (We never play this but I’m trying to wear Adrian down to include it in a summer program)
Other bands: Hayle, Lanner, Chalgrove, Watchet.
Being part of the STB is a joy more than a band, more like a large extended family.
Graham Pollard
Joined in 2006
Previous bands: Carharrack & St Day, Illogan, Redruth, Bideford, Lympstone, Totnes
Favourite piece: Judges of the Secret Court
I enjoy the comradery, and overall commitment of my fellow players. The band is always well organised for what ever they do whether social, contest or concerts. A highlight would be the concert with Steve Knightley in Folk Week 2019.
Peter Manfield
Joined in
I trained to be a Queen’s Life Guard which meant playing the tuba on horseback! I have been involved in many State occasions including Trooping the Colour (the Queen’s birthday). I have also performed many times in front of royalty, either on double bass, bass guitar or tuba. I went to Pirbright for Guards training as a boy soldier, and then to Kneller Hall Riding School (the Royal Military School of Music) before joining the Queen’s Life Guards. I then joined the Sandhurst Band, Devon & Dorsets before becoming a Band Sergeant Major of the Rifles Band in Exeter. I now play in the theatres for shows, in swing bands, and a brass quintet. I absolutely love playing in Sidmouth Town Band with my daughter Emily. A more friendly, accommodating band you won’t find.
Lee Harris
Joined in
Percussion
Tom Clemo
Joined in 2001 (Youth and Training Band); 2003 (Senior Band)
Other bands: University of Exeter Concert Band (2009-2016); Isca Ensemble (when extra percussionists are needed!)
Favourite piece: Highland Cathedral
I really enjoy the wide variety of music we play at the summer concerts, particularly the Hot Cross Buns on Good Friday which kicks the season off. It has also been great fun taking part in both runs of Sidmouth Amateur Dramatic Society’s production of Brassed Off.
Jamie Myers
Profile coming soon
President
Val Howels
PRESIDENT of Sidmouth Town Band:
Privileged … to be President of Sidmouth Town Band.
Respecting … the professionalism, musicianship and camaraderie of the STB family.
Enthusiastic … about Friends of STB ‘Coffee Concerts‘ & ‘Events’.
Savouring … Sunday evenings in Connaught Gardens, listening to the brilliant STB.
Interested … in singing, classical music, walking, reading, writing, art and chatting.
Dancing … my socks off in Zumba, with my maracas … oh! and lockdown Drumming!
Excited … about Sidmouth Town Band’s future and the Brass Youth Academy.
Narrowboating … relaxing with Col and just pootling along the UK canal system.
Tons … of tea and an occasional G&T!