The Baritones and Euphoniums

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

These instruments could be described as bigger horns or smaller basses but they are a class all of their own.

One distinguishing difference between a Baritone and a Euphonium is the addition of a fourth valve (Cornets, Horns and Baritones all have three valves) on a Euphonium which allows it to go down and play with the big beasts in the Bass section.

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, so is soon to celebrate her 1 year anniversary at Rockingham! 

Lauren began her musical journey at 9 years of age in Scotland. Now living in South Yorkshire, she works for a theatre company called Chol who bring theatre and drama to areas that lack arts provisions. Lauren has also performed at Edinburgh Fringe on a number of occasions.

Eddie Norton - 2nd Baritone

His first experience playing a brass instrument was at 8 years old, when his father passed him his old, battered trumpet. From there he had peripatetic lessons at primary and secondary school, 

Due to a chance encounter with, Richard Marshall, in the waiting room of an exam hall in Barnsley, he was invited to join Grimethorpe and District Brass, where Richard was tutoring at the time. He was 14, and grade 3, so he gave it a go. It was a great experience, and he felt fortunate to have joined when he did. Eddie still plays with the band to this day, 22 years later. 

From Grimethorpe Eddie has joined other bands and got a thirst for competing. These include, Frickley South Elmsall, Hatfield, Worsbrough, Rockingham, Old Silkstone and more recently Barnsley Brass. 

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.