cornets

Mike Willett

Originally from Oxford, Mike started playing at the age of 7 with the Yarnton Band and enjoyed many European tours with them. During the early 80s he joined Brackley & District, appearing with them at the Royal Albert Hall for the National Finals. He moved to Perth in 1988 with his family and joined WA Brass (then known as the Channel Nine Brass Band) where he was principal cornet from 1990 to 2005. Mike works as a contract draftsman in the mining industry and was a member of Australian Brass when it re-formed in 1995. Playing highlights would include the Royal Albert Hall finals appearance and RASWA’s 2013 performance in the Australian Nationals. Mike has been a committee member of the band for over 30 years. He is a former Vice-President and President and currently hold the treasurers postition.

Nina Brotherton

My name is Nina Brotherton and I play Solo Cornet in the band. I began playing the cornet when I was only 7 and I’ve been a part of this band for almost 23 years!! I’ve seen many musicians come and go but I love the fact that the major core of this group remains the same. Aside from being in the band, I have 3 children and my diploma in Children Services. My two daughters are really into dancing and I’ve recently taken up tap myself. I also love running and regularly do the City to Surf. I’m looking forward to my next 23 years in the band 🙂

Tim Jewell

Tim started playing the trumpet when he was 8. After completing music studies throughout high school he enjoyed a very very short period at university before deciding to adopt the rock and roll lifestyle, during which time he hit a lot of drums and generally behaved like a member of Spinal Tap. Somehow through this time Tim stayed true to his brass heritage and has been a member of the band for over 20 years. Tim’s shy and withdrawn personality along with a delicate and tasteful playing style suits the soprano cornet perfectly and he vows to never try another instrument. Having now left the rock and roll life behind, Tim returned to university to study how to do things with motors, cogs, sensors and computers, and now has a semi respectable job making things whir and pop in an automatic fashion. When not performing with the band, Tim enjoys the company of his wife and daughters and dreaming of things he hopes to one day build with his late collection of timber and power tools.

Glenn Evans

I currently play Repiano cornet for  RASWA and have been playing with the band since 1991. All though my mum thought it would be good idea to play drums when I was 7 years old due to having severe  asthma.  I wanted to play the same instrument as my sister the cornet. I finally got my way and despite playing in various bands I have always played in the same bands as my sister Nina (Brotherton).

Glenn is a manager for an Energy company and have been kept busy with a teenage son who plays cornet/Trumpet as well.

What time I have left I love to goto the gym and running.

Laurie Trengrove

Laurie was born in Broken Hill (NSW) and grew up in Adelaide in the suburb of Largs Bay right in the heart of Port Power country. As a boy Laurie dreamed of playing football for Port Adelaide but had his footy career tragically cut short by a lack of ability. He attended Flinders University and headed to Tasmania when he completed his studies. Laurie worked as a Probation and Parole Officer supervising and counselling people on court orders. Laurie again tried resurrecting his football career but this was short lived as he found himself playing against people he was supervising on probation and parole, and decided that it was safer for his health to play squash. Whilst in Tasmania Laurie completed study at the University of Tasmania in music performance with plans to be a professional musician but again his plan were tragically cut short by a lack of musicality. He then changed direction and completed a Diploma of Teaching. Laurie has worked as teacher and educator since completing the diploma in Western Australia. He now spends his time dreaming of playing in a professional orchestra whilst playing 2nd trumpet in the junior concert band at his present school.