Ben Bennett
| Position | Euphonium |
| Nickname | |
| When/How I started banding | Woodfalls Junior Band (1986?) on Flugel. Moved on to Woodfalls 'B' (subsequently Woodfalls Concert Brass) 2nd/rep cornet; changed to baritone and ended up on solo euph. Went away and had a break, then got the bug again and ended up with Downton asking me to play BBb for the nationals at Harrogate to help out at the Nationals (2009). Played solo euph last year (2010) when we qualified again, but quite happy here on 2nd. |
| Best-ever banding moment | Performing at the Royal Albert Hall (not as many times as Martin!), Nominated "Star Player" at the National Finals - chiefly cos I got a few beers bought :P |
| Worst-ever/most embarrassing banding moment | Having a Red Bull before playing Euph in a contest with Epsom & Ewell. It dries your mouth out - I could hardly form a note - it was awful, especially after all that time spent rehearsing!!! Lesson learned: never do anything on a contest day that hasn't been rehearsed... (before you play of course, afterwards you should try anything & everything!!) |
| When I joined Downton Band | 2009 (asked for the National Finals, standing in on BBb Bass) |
| Favourite band piece | Nimrod |
| Least favourite band piece | All pop arrangements for brass - quite a common hate in the BB world methinks. Also the Calypso carol and pretty much any afro-carribean music attempted in brass bands. Even at the top level it doesn't really work does it?! |
| Anything else... | Bums on seats are worth more than quality players - in Downton it's nice to have both! |