First Baritone - June Wright

My main claims to fame in the Brass Band World are made because I am Gordon Langford's fan club and also Auntie June to Lynda Nicholson, the well-known cornet player and conductor. I started to play a brass instrument soon after I married Maurice, who was conducting Haslemere and also playing baritone for Liss Band. He was always out, so I asked if he would help me to play so that I could join a Band. He said 'No fear, you'll just be disruptive.' I took a 'Tune A Day' and a trombone that was lying about and taught myself the rudiments. ( Rudiments. What a lovely word. It sounds quite vulgar actually.) I played in the Training Band for a bit and then was allowed into both Liss and Haslemere Bands. (I often ask myself 'Have I ever been disruptive?' 'Certainly not.' I reply.) Having heard Robert Childs playing I fell in love with the euphonium which is derived from the word euphony, which means 'beautiful sounding' and bought a cheap second-hand instrument. I was allowed to change sections. Being with the euphoniums was bliss and playing the baritone is second best. I love all kinds of music and enjoy the complete range of pieces written expressly for brass. It is difficult to narrow down my favourite but I love 'Sinfonietta' by Gordon Langford and 'Stantonbury Festival' by Ray Steadman- Allen.