Reg Vardy Band Euphoniums and Baritones

Reg Vardy Band Euphoniums and Baritones National Finals 2007 :

(left to right)

Colin Dye

Laura Boyle

Paul Robinson

 

Paul Robinson - Solo Euphonium

Paul started playing cornet at the age of six with the local Salvation Army Band in Middlesbrough , where, his father was the conductor and guided much of Paul’s early years.

He remained with the Salvation Army until he was 15 and then joined Marske Silver Band. In 1967 he moved further East to North Skelton where, in 1969, he helped his father re-form the North Skelton Mining Band.
The band were in need of a Euphonium player at one particular rehearsal, Paul stepped in and has never looked back. In 1972 he was invited to join The Hammonds Sauce Works Band as Principal Euphonium and also played with Black Dyke Mills Band at concerts, recordings and TV appearances.

In 1974 he returned to Cleveland and continued to help North Skelton’s progress becoming National 4 th Section Champions in 1975 and achieving Championship section status in 1980. The band gained sponsorship in 1983 and became known as British Steel Teesside where he remained until his move to the Ever Ready Band in January 2001. Since then he has appeared as guest soloist with many North East bands, appeared on National/Local Radio and TV with British Steel as a Soloist. He teaches at many master classes and continues to teach young people brass playing.

In 2005 Paul was awarded the 4Barsrest.com Best Instrumentalist at the Cambridge Masters.

 

Jeremy Belton - Euphonium

Jeremy hails from Sunderland and started playing on cornet at the tender age of 8 for Sunderland Monkwearmotuh Salvation Army Band. By the age of 13 he was playing Euphonuim and in 1995 joined the Marple Band, under the baton of Garry Cutt, whilst at Salford University studying music.

Jeremy quickly made a big impression and was part of the Marple band that won the British Open in 1996. He was then asked to join Fodens Band in November 1996. Jeremy gained further contesting honours with Fodens until moving to the BT Band and then Yorkshire Imperial Metals band.

On finishing his degree Jeremy moved back to his native North East and joined the BHK Horden Band playing a major part in their rise from the first section to the Championship. In Septmeber 2006 Jeremy joined the Reg Vardy Band on 2nd Euphonium forging a strong partnership with Paul Robinson, long may it continue!

 

Laura Boyle - Solo Baritone

Laura was born in Fife, Scotland making her the bands only International player! She started playing trumpet at High School finding Haggis Hurling difficult! She moved on to her beloved Baritone after finding the trumpet mouthpiece wasn't suited to her embouchure. She joined Buckhaven and Methil in 1992 playing Eric Ball's 'Impromptu' at the Mineworkers Contest in Blackpool. In 1996 she moved to Tayport Band before heading South to Salford to study music with new found friend Jeremy Belton.

She was asked to join Stalybridge Band on 2nd Baritone and quickly being promoted to 1st Baritone. She then followed Jeremy to the BT Band in 1999 where she spent five happy years. In 2000 she had finished university and became a teacher in Ormskirk. She decided to move to the North Of England to take up a new post In Durham. Sheplayed for Yorkshire Imperial Metals, Gateshead Brass, BHK Horden and Whtburn Band before joing the Reg Vardy Band in January 2007.

Laura is proud to have succeeded Reg Vardy Band Legend Jim Thompson and hopes her partnership with band stalwart Colin Dye will be as great succes. Already Laura confesses that Colin is the best 2nd Baritone she has ever sat next to and the loudest!

 

 

Colin Dye - Second Baritone

Colin was born in West Hartlepool into musical family, his grandfather having run and played saxophone in his own dance band, known as the Jimmy Howard Band, and in late life he became a renowned pianist and organist. Colin's own musical career started with piano lessons at the age of 6 until Colin started playing brass at the age of 10, becoming a founder member of the Hartlepool Old Operatic Prize Junior Band Colin played Cornet in the junior band and after about a year found himself playing soprano cornet in the senior band. Tthe 1st euphonium player was Colin Cranson, who was just about to leave and make his name with the famous Fodens Motor Works Band. A few years later in 1969 when he became a founder member of Hartlepool Youth Band. The youth band played a very large part in forging his interest in playing in brass bands.

In 1971 Colin joined the Head Wrightson Works Band. During this time Colin also joined the Durham County Youth Band on euphonium, which is where he first met up with his long time baritone playing colleague Jim Thompson. In 1973 Colin joined the Ever Ready Band on 2nd horn October 1973. Colin played tenor horn for about 12 or 13 years before eventually moving back onto baritone.

Since joining The Ever Ready Band Colin has played in several hundred concerts, radio and television broadcasts and over a hundred contests, including 20 British Open Championships and 27 National Finals appearances, and played under many of the biggest names in conducting. From 1990 to 1993 he was band secretary, a period during which he found himself having to steer the band through its most difficult period. Colin feels considerable pride that he played a large part in keeping the band alive during a very difficult period, but then see it grow again to regain its status as the premier band in the North East.

Colin says he has been priviledged to have been a member of the Reg Vardy (Ever Ready) Band for over 30 years, and now he is looking forward to the next 30 - but don’t tell his wife!