The Baritones and Euphoniums

Two instruments that some people may not be familiar with are the Baritone and the Euphonium.

A Baritone (also known as a baritone horn) is in fact part of the horn section and a Euphonium is also known as a tenor tuba.

One distinguishing feature, of the Euphonium is the addition of a fourth valve (Cornets, Horns and Baritones all have three valves) which mirrors the Eb and Bb basses, allowing it to go down and play with the big rumbling beasts.

Traditionally brass bands will have two Baritones (1st and 2nd) and two Euphoniums (1st and 2nd).

Lauren Ash - Solo Baritone

Lauren joined the band in April 2019 and has now been with Rockingham for over six years.

She began her brass band journey at the age of 9 in Scotland playing with Moray Concert Brass. After a ten-year break from banding, she started playing again in 2011. Now based in South Yorkshire, Lauren is a drama facilitator, performer, and theatre practitioner, passionate about making the arts accessible to all. She has worked with organisations such as Chol, Grimm & Co, Darts and Fusion.

Elspeth Holmes - 2nd Baritone

Elspeth began piano at age 5 and cornet at 7, supported by Hampshire Music Service. She played in BAYWTO and BAYWO before joining the Hampshire County Youth Band system at 13, progressing to the Senior Band by 17.

At the University of Hull, she joined HUMS Brass Ensemble and Wind Band, conducting the Brass Ensemble in her second year. While on placement in Leeds (2019/20), she played with LUUMS Brass Band until COVID interrupted.

After a brief break, she returned to music in 2023, joining Leeds Conservatoire SU Concert Band and Chorus. She joined Rockingham Band on 3rd Cornet in March 2024, later moving to Euphonium and now plays 2nd Baritone.

Keith Taylor

Our longest serving members but also our Sponsor, Life President and Principal Euphonium.

Keith joined the band in its original form of the Wharncliffe Silkstone Colliery Band in the 1970s. Then a championship band, he lead the euphonium section as he does to this day. He did take a break from playing to pursue other hobbies such as sailing and scuba diving but he couldn’t stay away from his love of banding forever.

In his professional life, Keith owns a forge with his wife Pat. They built their business, KT Forge, from scratch and are now our sponsors, having purchased a new uniform for the band in 2019. We honoured Keith’s commitment and input in December 2019 by making him Life President of our organisation.

Alan Braithwaite - 2nd Euphonium player

Alan started out on the Tenor Horn at the tender age of 8 with the Stalybridge Band. Later moving to several bands including Mossley, Hollingsworth and Bury, with 3 guest appearances with Brighouse and Rastrick. Unfortunately, Alan’s initial playing career lasted just 10 years before he ‘packed it all in’ at 18.

Having retired from banding, Alan focussed his time and effort on his career. Starting out as a toolmaker for 11 years before joining South Yorkshire Police in 1981. After a huge 30 years service, Alan retired at 55 years of age and was soon to restart his musical career.

Alan rejoined the banding world in 2014 as 2nd Horn for Worsbrough brass, moving to Solo Baritone within 12 months.

He took the decision to join the Rockingham Band in 2016 on Principal Baritone before moving to 2nd Euphonium in 2017.

Outside of the band Alan enjoys his Caravan, Golf and DIY.