Kevin Massey, Soprano Cornet
Kevin started playing the trumpet when he was 11 years old, moving onto the cornet whilst playing with the Shirland Miners Welfare Band. At the age of 14 he was given a soprano cornet to play, which he played until he was 16. At 16 Kevin decided to go back to trumpet and as well as playing Bb cornet in the Loscoe Miners Welfare Band he also played trumpet for a dance band, light orchestra shows and big band, which he did for about 12 years. Kevin joined the Rolls Royce (Derby) Band in 1971 to play principle cornet which he did until 1981 when he had to leave because his second daughter was born both mentally and physically handicapped. Kevin gave up playing for about 11 years and his daughter (Karen) died at the age of 11.
Kevin asked if the Rolls Royce (Derby) Band had any vacancies and rejoined the band until 1999. He left to play for Ibstock Brick Brass where they won the second section areas and then went onto the finals at the Royal Albert Hall in London in the year 2000. Due to pressure of work he left Ibstock Brick Brass to go back to the Rolls Royce (Derby) Band to play Soprano cornet. After about 6 months Kevin went back onto principle cornet until 2005 when he again returned to Soprano Cornet were he is at present. As well as playing the Soprano cornet Kevin is also the Band Manager.
