The Women Who Made Me the Bander I Am Today

The Inspirational Women in my Banding Life

As it's International Women's day, I wanted to dedicate this blog to some of the most influential women who contributed to my musical life. Without these incredible women, I simply wouldn't be the musician or the person I am today without them.

So, I'm raising a glass and saying a huge thank you the wonderful women who made me the bander I am.

1. My Mum

The first woman I have to thank is my wonderful, inspirational, strong Mum, without whom I wouldn't be hear at all! She was the one who found me the hobby of brass banding in the first place - so literally none of this would have happened without her.

My Mum spent the years before I could drive on various car parks whilst I attended rehearsals of so many bands, including my full-time band, youth bands and dep jobs. Both her and my dad spent many an evening sat in the audience of our concerts and may days (even full weekends) supporting me at contest - dealing with my nerves, celebrating my wins and consoling me when contests (as they often do) didn't go to plan.

Although, I don't think she would consider herself a bander (even though she did spend a year or so learning and had a go playing backrow cornet in my youth band when I was younger) she has immersed herself in this world and took more than a casual interest in how it works. This meant I've always had someone to support me and offer advice when I've struggled and she's always understood how big a deal the wins and never made me feel silly for taking this hobby so seriously.

There will never be enough words in the English language that would begin to express my gratitude for my mum and her support of my banding. So, if you're reading this mum, I love you, thank you so much and I'll see you later, because you're coming to our concert tonight!

2. Natalie Shaw

Brass banding has a wonderful way of introducing those who become the most important people in your life. I was a teenager when I first met Natalie and twelve years later we've had many an adventure (if you're a regular visitor here, you'll have read about many of them), I was a bridesmaid at her wedding, she's Maid of Honour at my wedding this year, we've celebrated the best wins and helped each other through crushing lows and I honestly cannot remember life without her and don't know what I would do both in my musical and personal life without her.

She is the big sister I was lucky enough to choose, who's been my biggest cheerleader for our entire friendship, convincing me to go for opportunities, sharing my little blog and having confidence in me when I didn't have it in myself... and holding my hair back when I had overindulged in a beverage or two! She's the one that showed me to just be unapologetically yourself and you'll find your tribe. Without her and her husband, Matt (Daffodil, IYKUK) I would have dropped out of banding completely a few years ago and for that I will be forever grateful.

Natalie, I love you 3000, thank you for just being the best - I'll also see you tonight!

3. Mareika Gray

I'm one of many banders who look up to Mareika with the utmost respect. Her success within the banding world cannot be understated. Seeing her lead bands to success at big, national contests was inspirational as a young bander and seeing her having a prominent influence in banding from her work with the National Youth Brass Band to conducting Athena Brass Band earlier this year - she is still a source of inspiration.

It was Mareika that first gave me a shot on flugel and trusted me with the seat (in a time when I didn't even own a flugel or knew if I would be any good at it) and offered so much encouragement (and still does!), so without her I wouldn't have had the chance to fall in love with the flugel!

4. Val Davies

My time at Eccles Borough Band introduced me to one of banding's pioneer female players (and the banding world's best baker), Val Davies. Val has been a bander for over 70 years, starting in a time where women playing in brass bands were rare and has always had so many stories to share over a brew in the bandroom. As a young female bander, her tales of holding her own in an era were banding was far more male-dominated and misogynistic was so inspiring and she still is an absolute rockstar. Alongside being a banding badass (excuse the language, Val!) she bakes a cake for every member of the band's birthday and they are literally the BEST! Auntie Val, you are the kindest soul and an absolute legend!

5. Melanie McFarland

Despite a successful audition, when I won the flugel seat at Wingates in 2021, I didn't believe in myself at all. It was my first soloist seat in a Championship band and, although I was beyond excited and grateful for the opportunity, I felt that I had a lot to learn.

Mel is an incredible player and I was more than a little intimidated sitting next to her. I must stress, this was because of her playing ability not because she was an ogre to me or anything - she was so lovely to me from day one. She was something of a mentor to me when I joined, taking me under her wing, offering advice and help and her encouragement (alongside the guidance and encouragement of the MD at the time, Paul Andrews) made me feel worthy of the seat. I learned so much during my time sat next to her and this period was instrumental (pardon the pun) in my playing journey - I made so much progress very quickly.

These are just a small sample of so many incredible women I am so lucky to have supported me in my 20+ years in banding. I want to say another HUGE thank you to all women in banding I've met, watched and played alongside. If I ever have a daughter and she decides to be a bander, I hope she is lucky enough to meet as many wonderful women to support her in her banding journey.