Name: Andrew Carter

Position: Cornet

Nickname: Andy

Age: 50

How you started banding:

I started playing at the age of 10 with Avonbank Brass in Evesham. When we moved back to Amesbury in '69 my dad was instrumental in reforming the Amesbury Town Band and I then played with them. Shortly after I joined Shrewton in order to get some more blowing in.

Best ever moment:

I remember being at rehearsal one night when George Withers was Bandmaster and we were playing Overture Napoleon, the finale was annotated "Allegro con fuoco," well, it was a bit scrappy so George say's "stop, let's take it from Allegro con fiasco!" He didn't mean it, it was just a slip of the tongue. Cracked me up I couldn't play a note for the rest of the evening.

Worst ever moment:

I wasn't actually with the band, as I was in Leeds at the time, but I remember the shock when I heard a car had ploughed into the band when it was on the March and took out Steve Gelpin and Jean Jackson. Fortunately Steve recovered and is still a regularly visitor at Amesbury, although he plays with Clifton and Lightfoot these days.

When did you join:

First joined the Band in 1969 and played solo cornet until I went to Uni' in 1976. Rejoined in 2005 from Test Valley Brass where I played for a couple of years after returning from living abroad for 25 years.

Favourite band pieces

I like a good March such as Simoraine, Valdrez or the Contestor, big contest pieces such as Benvenuto Cellini and Paganini Variations but also sweet solo's such as Panis Angelicus or Demelza.

Least favourite piece:

Corny pop arrangements and medleys such as Congratulations or Abba.

Any other details:

Banding is all about the music. Put the music first then everything else will assume the correct priority.

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