Rob Richards has played trombone in the Band for a whopping 150 months (that’s 12-and-a-half years to me and you!). He is also currently our Social Secretary and ensures that there is a social event at least once a week – and sometimes more often than that.
“I started learning the trombone towards the end of junior school so I’ve probably been playing for bang on 30 years, ‘banding’, one way or another, the whole time. I don’t really play any other instruments (unless you count the kazoo), although I do like playing around with computers to create a horrendous, yet oddly musical, noise. My favourite instrument has got to be the electric guitar really. Almost everything I listen to has one in there somewhere.
“My wife joined the Band before me because she moved to the area a few months in advance. My first experience with was a karaoke night in the public hall (back when the person responsible for such things actually organised social evenings). My second experience was joining in for a carolling session in Aylesbury and after that I finally moved across and joined the Band.
“What I like about the Band is that it’s friendly and easy-going. The social life is comfortably the fullest I’ve come across since leaving Uni bands, what with regular pub trips and meals out as well as irregular other trips. [Yes, he is blowing his own trumpet – or should I say trombone?!- Editor’s note]
“My favourite piece is probably ‘When The Saints’. Or ‘St Louis Blues’. Or ‘Bare Necessities’. Those three are all kind of the same. They’re in a dixie style and all have a mini-ensemble interlude featuring a fun trombone part. It’s a break from the long notes or rhythm chords we’re usually given, although maybe not so much for the second trombone part.
“I work as an Accountant at a waste management company. Although I describe this as ‘living the dream’, I do try to escape from time to time. I enjoy writing, although nowadays that usually manifests itself in brief film reviews and less brief committee reports. I have a fairly large record collection and I watch films as often as I can get away with, preferably bad ones. I take a very refined approach to drinking ales, fully appreciating and savouring the craftiest and beeriest beers that come in my vicinity.
“Did you know that there is enough water in Lake Superior to flood the entire landmass of North and South America to a depth of 30cm? Well you did ask for something interesting and I am an Accountant…”
