A catch up with… Nick Hamlett
Nick Hamlett - Solo Cornet, Brighouse and Rastrick Band
I really enjoy talking to brass musicians of all different levels and with a wide array of bands. I’ve met Nick at several concerts over the years and now I’ve taken the opportunity to have a catch with him to find out more about life as a Brighouse and Rastrick musician.
As a member of the world famous Brighouse and Rastrick Band, a band know around the world, can tell me how it feels to be member?
It’s such an immense privilege to play for B&R, and something I try to never take for granted. I always feel a huge sense of pride whenever I put on my purple jacket for a concert or a contest. It’s particularly special for me personally as my uncle, Peter, has been a trustee and vice president of the band ever since I can remember. As a boy Brighouse was always the band I listened to and wanted to play for so to make it a reality was the dream of a 7 year old boy come true!
How long have you been playing the cornet and where did it first start for you?
I grew up in the Salvation Army at Halifax, so I would hear the band there playing every Sunday from being a baby. At the age of 7 I vividly remember opening the case of my first ever cornet (a Besson 600 that I still have!) and since then it’s been a passion that has never really gone away.
Can you tell me about when you first joined the band and how you felt walking into the band room for the first time?
I joined the band in 2022, although I had depped with the band a few times over the years when I was at University. If you’ve never been to West Ridings (the B&R band room) you’re struck as soon as you walk in by the incredible history and stature of the band. The banners of previous contest victories proudly hang on the far wall, and there are photographs of the bands of yesteryear framed around the edges of the room along with the framed records of ‘Floral Dance’. It’s impossible to walk into the band room without appreciating you’re walking into somewhere very special indeed.
Can you tell me about a memorable musical moment? What made it so special?
There are so many things I could talk about here but a couple of recent moments stand out; on a personal level playing principal cornet in the championship section at the Yorkshire Area was incredibly special. Knowing that during that day the players on the ‘end chair’ of the bands before and after me were some of the best in the world was quite humbling. Another would be my first Whit Friday with B&R. Having done the contest lots of times before with various different bands there is nothing quite like wearing the high collar purple tunic while the sun shines down and the streets are packed with people waiting to hear a top class performance. We also won the contest that year which was brilliant.
Who was your biggest musical influence growing up?
While I was learning to play I would listen to recordings of David Daws and Stuart Lingard, and try and play like they did. I had the privilege of studying with Phillip McCann at university who had a huge influence on me musically, and I still remind myself of things he would say in lessons and band even today! It’s been great to meet a lot of my heroes as I’ve grown up and I’ve been lucky enough to have lessons, play in sections with or be conducted by them as I was learning. They say you should never meet your heroes but I can say the likes of Roger Webster, Richard Marshall and Stuart Lingard have all been utter gentlemen, and have each taught me so much about playing and banding at the top level.
What do you enjoy most about performing?
For me, music is about communicating a message emotionally. That can come in many forms, as something deeply moving and beautiful or as a joke or bit of fun, but the opportunity to be able to connect with an audience through music is an amazing feeling.
How much practice do you do a week? Do you enjoy it or put it off as much as possible?
I usually do an hour most days. It is something I really enjoy so I have never really struggled to make time for it, although sometimes it means squeezing it in at the end of the day, late at night!
What advice would you give to younger players considering entering the world of brass banding?
I’d say to throw yourself into it and always give your best, and you’ll be amazed at the opportunities that are available to you. It seems that the world now is geared up for instant gratification but there is no substitute for hard work and doing your apprenticeship, starting down the line (for me on 3rd cornet back in 2005) and working your way up. As a previously mentioned teacher of mine always says ‘the only place that success comes before work is in the dictionary!’
What model of cornet and mouthpiece do you play? What do you like about them?
I play on a Denis Wick 2 on a (very old) Besson Prestige cornet. I love having a deeper mouthpiece for the extra control and volume it offers, although it takes a lot of physicality to play front row with a big mouthpiece. The cornet is the same as the model that I had a university and it just feels so comfortable and familiar!
Finally, i have to ask... What's your favourite march?
My favourite march is an old Salvation Army march called ‘The Canadian’. It would be classed as a ‘festival march’ similar to Wilfred Heaton’s ‘Praise’ or Leslie Condon’s ‘Celebration’ (two other favourites!) and features the Canadian national anthem.
Thanks for speaking to me Nick and congratulations on your 3rd place at the Yorkshire Areas!