John Roe

John brings much needed maturity to Brunel Brass, or at least his presence probably doubles the average age of the band! John started playing at the age of eleven, having the opportunity to learn at school, which even had its own brass band. He started on tenor horn, but moved on to cornet three years later, joining Swindon’s British Rail Junior Band, and progressing to the senior band the following year at the age of 15. He was fortunate enough to play with them on second cornet at the 1973 Championship Section National Finals at the Royal Albert Hall, the band coming a creditable 9th place. University was to follow and a place in London Collegiate Brass under the baton of a youthful Edward Gregson. John returned to Swindon after University and rejoined his local band, then named Swindon Concert Brass (subsequently named Swindon Pegasus Brass)

John moved firstly on to tenor horn, then found his true musical home on baritone, playing 1st baritone for the next 6 years or so, until family and work commitments meant that regular playing with bands was not possible. But after a 25 years ‘sabbatical’, John was lured back into the fold of Swindon Pegasus Brass, then for the past 6 years or so with the wonderful Brunel Brass, settling into the position of specialist second baritone 😁. John plays a Yamaha Neo, which he ranks as the second love of his life (after his wife, of course!).