Name: Helen LucasName: Helen Lucas
Position: Percussion
Nickname: Hooch
Age: 28
How you started banding:
My brother played flugle horn for Ringwood and Burley band and when they started the training band in 1991 I joined to play the drums. I had a few basic drum lessons by various people in the band and was then told to just busk along with the music! It seemed to work and I was soon helping out in the main band, and in 1994 I joined as their kit percussionist. I stayed with Ringwood and Burley band until the end of 2002, when I joined Shrewton Silver band because of a certain bass player who I later married! J
Best ever moment:
Playing Paganini Variations with the band in the championship section of the Wessex in Weymouth in 2007, coming second and winning the Best Percussion Section in the Contest overall, with Katy and Colin. A truly amazing day!J
Going to the national fnals in Harrogate in 2004 and 2005 and qualifying for the nationals finals again at Torquay in 2008
Also when the band played on me and Steve’s wedding day!
Worst ever moment:
In 2003 when the band were at the west of England contest in Torquay, I was told just before the final rehearsal at the hotel that something had gone wrong with my registration and they wouldn't let me play! So the band had to call for our other percussionist at the time who wasn't with us at Torquay to get there ASAP and I went and got changed out of band uniform and watched the band play the test piece 'Northern Landscapes' in the audience L
Another was when we were at Torquay again, this time in 2005, playing ‘Tam O’Shanter’s Ride’. I was told that all percussion would be provided on stage, Unfortunately this wasn’t the case and I discovered in the dressing room just before we played that there was practically no percussion on stage! Mike had to give some kid £5 to lend us his drum kit!
When did you join:
End of 2002
Favourite band pieces
Music, Pirates of the Caribbean, Gladiator, Les Miserables, Titanic, Paganini Variations, Aces High, Music, The Mission and most marches.
Least favourite piece:
Amarillo, Rock around the clock, Final Countdown and anything with scary drum solos that I can’t do!!