Jackfield Band : Conductor

The Band - Principal Cornet

Jackfield Band’s Principal Cornet

James Roberts : Biography

I commenced playing the cornet when I was 8 years of age at John Fletcher Junior School, Madeley where I was encouraged to play the instrument under my class teacher Chris Lewis. I then attended Abraham Darby School where my instrumental teacher was Simon Platford – during my time there I then was invited to join the various Senior Bands – and when I was in my final year I was the Principal Trumpet/Cornet player of all the senior bands within the School. These opportunities resulted in me playing at many prestigious concert venues including Festival Hall, London, Royal Albert Hall and Birmingham Symphony Hall. I have also performed at the World Music Contest, Kerkrade, Holland on three occasions and also in the New York International Wind Band Festival in 2007 and 2010 in Carnegie Hall, New York.

I have recently finished my studies at the Birmingham Conservatoire where I studied for a Bachelor of Music (Honours) Degree and I am now currently studying for my PGCE at Birmingham City University. During my studies at the Conservatoire my instrumental tuition was received from both Ian Porthouse (Musical Director – Tredegar Town Brass Band) and Richard Marshall (Principal Cornet – Black Dyke Brass Band). I have played an active part in performing with the Conservatoire Brass Band, Symphony Orchestra and Jazz Band and have played numerous concerts during my four years at the Conservatoire. Whilst I was studying at the Conservatoire I joined Sovereign Brass Band where I had been promoted to the position of Solo Cornet after three and a half years.

I was delighted and honoured to be invited to the position of Principal Cornet with Jackfield Elcock-Reisen Brass Band my home town Brass Band and for continuing the long tradition of former players from Abraham Darby being associated with Jackfield, I hope I will be an active member of Jackfield Brass Band for many years ahead and I am very pleased to be under the musical direction of Simon Platford again in my musical career.