How did your position with the Quarry Band come about? And are there auditions or just appointments?

Certainly.

Well, I finished university after having four years with Black Dyke.

And I was going to plan to stay on with them.

the conductor at the time and still the conductor, Dr Nicholas Childs, his brother conducted the Corey Band and I'd met him the year before I'd done a summer school course with him.

And he sort of hinted at the idea that the principal at the time, Ian Williams, was looking to step down for work commitments.

He was getting quite high up in the local fire service and he was just simply too busy.

So can you tell us about a time you overcame an obstacle in your career, particularly related to self-doubt?