ANDREW BANNISTER
SOPRANO CORNET
Andrew started playing the cornet at the age of 8 with the Haverton Hill Silver Band in Teesside being taught by Arthur Morrison, father of ex Grimethorpe principal cornet Alan. At age 13 Andrew joined North Skelton Band, who were then North of England Champions, on assistant principal cornet.
At 17 Andrew transferred to soprano cornet and after a brief spell with the Ever Ready Band 12 months later he left the north east to become soprano cornet at Brighouse & Rastrick. Between the age of 14 and 18, Andrew was a member of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain becoming principal soprano cornet in the band's 40th anniversary year and having the opportunity to play at the Henry Wood proms and to be conducted by such people as Harry Mortimer, Elgar Howarth, Sir Charles Groves, Vernon Handley, James Watson, Arthur Butterworth and Roy Newsome.
After 5 years at Brighouse & Rastrick in which Andrew was regularly featured as a soloist and in which the band won two Yorkshire titles and the All England Masters he left B&R to spend time with his young family. After a brief spell as principal cornet with Ransomes Band, Andrew returned to the soprano cornet chair with Rossington Colliery Band. The next 18 months at Rossington were very successful as the band qualified for the British Open for the first time in it's history and came runners up to Grimethorpe at the National Mineworker's Championships.
Following this period at Rossington Colliery, Andrew moved south and after doing the long commute from Suffolk to Brighouse & Rastrick again for nearly 12 months joined the Aveley & Newham Band again on soprano cornet. This again was a successful period for the band in which they won two London & Southern Counties Championships, became Yeovil entertainment champions (including Andrew picking up the best soloist award), won the Grand Shield and qualified for the British Open Championships and competed in the French Open Championships being featured as the guest band for the gala concert as well as being judged most entertaining band at the Butlins mineworkers championships.
In 2007, Andrew relocated to Lincolnshire and was delighted to join Grimethorpe Colliery Band. Having played on the solo cornet bench since then, Andrew returned to the soprano cornet chair in February 2012.
The highlights of playing for Grimethorpe Colliery Band are too numerous to list but particular highlights have been the tours of Switzerland and Australia.
In addition to playing duties, Andrew also serves as a band trustee and band Sergeant.
Away from the band, Andrew works as a Business Improvement Manager for Volkswagen Financial Services covering the whole of the UK and lives near Lincoln with his wife, 6 children, 3 dogs, 2 cats and a rat!
Tags: SOPRANO CORNET