THE BAND

Musical Director - Lee Woodward

Born in Manchester, Lee started playing the trombone at age eleven. After playing for several bands including Blackburn & Darwen Junior & TDS Bands and Eccleston & Warburton's Bolton; Lee was appointed principal trombone of Blackburn & Darwen Band. During his time with the band, notable highlights included a 6th place at the National Brass Band Championship finals and winning the Pontin's National Championships in the first section.

In 1992 Lee joined the Army as a musician, serving with the Band of The King's Regiment before auditioning for the Band of The Irish Guards who he joined in 1994. Lee had his first taste conducting with the Guards, working with small ensembles before moving on to larger groups. In 2010, he joined the Band of The Royal Logistic Corps as principal trombone, retiring from the service in 2014.

Whilst in the Army, Lee played for several local brass bands including Staines Brass and Yiewsley & West Drayton.

In 2007, Lee was appointed Musical Director of the Almac Bisley Band before joining the Saint Sebastian Wokingham Band as MD in 2009. Under his leadership the band achieved their first ever first prize at the Regional Area Contest (3rd Section), earning promotion to the 2nd Section and an appearance at the National Finals, a landmark in the band’s history. In 2015 the band qualified for the National Finals in the 2nd Section, another first for the band.

In 2014 Lee also became MD of Staines Lammas Band where he has built on solid foundations to improve the band and build a loyal following at concerts. Under Lee's direction "The Lammas" have won the annual "Challenging Brass" competition held in Addlestone for six consecutive years.

In 2017 Lee was appointed MD of Alder Valley brass, a 1st Section band based in Farnham.

Lee moved to Coventry in 2022 and was appointed as our MD in June 2023.

Soprano Cornet - David Anker

David joined the band following in his father, Steve Anker's (Bass Trombone) footsteps.

David is the father of two young daughters so hopefully in a few years time we may have three generations playing in the band.

Solo Cornet - Julie Knight

Julie learnt to play trumpet at junior school when she was 8 years old and moved onto cornet when she joined her local village brass band when she was 9. She has played in a few brass bands over the years either on cornet or flugel from 4th Section to Championship Section. Her first brass band was Daw Mill Colliery Band where she met her husband Melvin. She has also played in Rolls Royce Coventry, Bedworth Brass and Bilton Silver Band. Julie joined City of Coventry in July 2026.

Principal Cornet - Alice Buist

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Alice started learning the bugle in a marching band aged 9. After learning trumpet for a few years at school, she joined Hook Norton Training Band in 2019 and switched to cornet when she joined their main band, 3 years later. She joined City of Coventry Brass in 2024 at the end of her first year of University, “just for the summer”, but after that decided she was having too much fun to leave!

Solo Cornet - Ffion Johnson

Ffion started playing the cornet aged 8 and joined the local youth band a few years later. She joined her first senior band in 2017, Abergavenny Borough Band in South Wales, on 3rd cornet, progressing to 2nd, rep and then front row, until leaving to move to Coventry in summer 2023.

Ffion is very happy to be playing in a band again after a short break!

Solo Cornet - Emma Davey

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Emma began playing cornet in her local brass band where she grew up in Cornwall. Since then, she has spent 8 years studying at the University of Warwick where she has enjoyed her time on cornet and flugel in the university brass band. Emma is excited to now develop her playing further through playing with City of Coventry!

Solo Cornet - Hannah Hateley

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Hannah has been playing brass instruments since she was 9, but only joined her first brass band just before starting university. Whilst completing her degree, she played flugelhorn in the university brass band, before joining Pilling Jubilee Silver Band on solo cornet. She has now moved to Coventry and is enjoying being back in a brass band family.

Repiano Cornet - Liz Slack

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Liz Slack has played in brass bands on and off for 30 years! She still gets told off for talking when she shouldn't be, but she isn't a terrible cornet player so we put up with her.

Second Cornet - James Franklin

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James joined City of Coventry Brass from The Egham Band, Surrey in 2023, when he moved to Warwickshire. He has been part of a number of different bands over the years including South West Surrey Concert Band as a Junior, working through to Principal trumpet of the Senior Band, and Runnymede Jazz Orchestra, along with many school bands and pit orchestras.

James now works as a trainee organ builder, tuning and fixing organs around the country.

Second Cornet - Sheryl Borton

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Sheryl grew up in Kent and her introduction to Brass Bands came via the Salvation Army in Ramsgate. She played Tenor horn in the Youth and Senior Band along with playing in London Ladies Brass under the musical direction of Maisie Wiggins.

At 15 Sheryl took up playing the French horn after successful selection she played in both Kent Schools Youth Orchestra and Wind Bands.

In 1984 Sheryl joined the Royal Air Force as an aircraft engineer serving for 22 years during this time she continued to play French horn or Tenor horn in either RAF voluntary bands or local Brass Bands.

Prior to moving to Rugby in 2022 Sheryl played French horn in the Inverurie Orchestra.

Joining the City of Coventry Brass Sheryl has moved onto Cornet and joined the back-row team ready for the new challenge of playing in a competing band.

Third Cornet - Phil Wroe

Phil started playing trumpet at senior school way back in the 60’s and first played with the original Jaguar Cars Band when they were one of the top bands in the Midlands. He was taught at school by Len Pepper who formed the Coventry School of Music Band from his pupils in 1965. Phil moved onto flugel horn as a founder member. Phil has been with the band ever since playing either flugel or along the cornet line. He played flugel when the band won the Grand Shield in 1975 and at the Open in 1975 (Fireworks) and 1976 (Epic Symphony) at the Kings Hall, Belle Vue. He has subsequently played in the Grand Shield at the Free Trades Hall, Manchester and more recently in the Senior Trophy at Blackpool. He has seen many players come and go and come back again and the band's name change twice. Phil also enjoys playing trumpet and Flugel in Tarrington Brass ensemble.

He manages City of Coventry Brass for his sins!

Third Cornet - Marcus Teagles

Marcus joined the band in 2014 just in time to be part of the ‘best back row section playing on the day’ at Butlins, according to then MD Stephen Cooper. He is a local boy, born in Nuneaton, where he still lives with wife Lisa. He has two grown up children, Rebecca and Adam.

Marcus has worked in the motor industry for over 25 years.

Is it 3rd time lucky?

Elaine first joined the band in the early 1980's on Solo Horn, under the baton of Len Pepper, while the band was still amidst the Championship section. After around 10 years, Elaine left the band to pursue her conducting career, taking bands such as Bedworth, Wigston & Alcester through their paces, achieving places at the national finals with 2 of the bands.

Just before her daughter was born in 200, Elaine swapped the baton for motherhood, which was short lived as four months into this, she rejoined the band on 1st horn, this time under the baton of Phil Bailey. The band was promoted to Championship section again and after a 4 year stint, Elaine left to pursue another hobby, forming a big band, with some old brass band friends and a few new woodwind ones.

After the demise of this band in 2018, Elaine concentrated her efforts onto smaller groups, a brass quintet and a quartet.

Following a few calls to dep, from old friend Val, Elaine decided (or was it cohersed) into re-joining the band in March 2024 on flugel. She's now moved back to Solo Horn. Let's hope this is third time lucky!!

Flugel Horn - Stephen McDonald

Stephen grew up in the North East and started playing with Horden Colliery Band aged 9. He moved to the Broughtons/ Durham Miners' Association Brass Band, who he played with for 15 years having some fantastic experiences including playing at the Menin Gate, Cologne Cathedral and Abbey Road studios. He joined City of Coventry Brass in the summer of 2019 after moving to Coventry because his wife (see Trombones) insisted they live in the same house. He loves marching and has spent about a month of his life at the Durham Miners' Gala. With two young children and work commitments he decided to step down from Principal cornet in 2023. He has now moved to Flugel and now has three young children.

First Horn - Claire Pilkington

Claire started playing at the age of 12 after answering an ad in her local paper asking for people to come & learn a brass instrument (it was around then when she discovered that the saxophone was not a brass instrument and settled on the tenor horn).

She joined Coleshill Town Band (formerly Ansells Coleshill Band). Highlights of her time there have been tours to France, Germany & Sweden. After a brief spell with RBL Crownhill Band in Plymouth, Claire returned to Coleshill.

Both her children play brass instruments, and she is chair of Coleshill Town Band. The fact that Coleshill is more of a community band that does not contest allows her to enjoy also being a member of City of Coventry Brass.

Solo Horn - Elaine Rees

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Is it 3rd time lucky?

After the demise of this band in 2018, Elaine concentrated her efforts onto smaller groups, a brass quintet and a quartet.

Second Horn - Sylvia Cooper

Sylvia originally started playing for Wycombe Band and then moved up to the Midlands in 1985 joining Dunchurch Band. After a few years she came to City of Coventry Brass as 2nd Horn player. It was going to be “just temporary” but love blossomed over the music stand and she ended up as another victim of the” brass band romance” and married Stephen Cooper the then MD in 1993. Sylvia had several attempts at leaving when she had her two children but always ended up back in the 1st or 2nd Horn chair. She has now given up trying to leave as she does not plan to have any more children.

Solo Trombone - Melvin Knight

Melvin started playing by chance at school when he was 14 years old. It was announced at morning assembly if anyone wanted to learn to play an instrument to go to the music room at lunch break. He knew from a couple of friends, if he was chosen that his lunch ticket would be signed every day to allow first sitting for lunch. This was his main reason for attending! He was successful and promptly handed an old battered trombone to take home. He was hooked from that day. Shortly after this he joined Arley Welfare Band and progressed to Solo Trombone. In 1984 he joined Jaguar Cars City of Coventry Band. He then rejoined Arley Band in 1992 which then became Daw Mill Colliery Band and remained there until the band folded in the late 90’s. He briefly joined Rolls Royce Coventry Band for 18 months and then joined Bedworth Brass on Solo Trombone from 2000 - 2016. He took a year out of banding and was approached to join Bilton Silver Band where he played from 2017 - 2026. He had a short break from playing before joining City of Coventry Brass in July 2026.

2nd Trombone - Rebecca McDonald

Rebecca first picked up a trombone at the age of 11, and played with youth bands and orchestras including Jaz Vehicle and the Lincolnshire Youth Symphony Orchestra. She took a break from music during university but decided to find a new orchestral group when she began her PhD. Stephen McDonald (cornet) persuaded her that a brass band would be a much better idea, and she hasnt looked back since! She joined the Durham Miners Association brass band and has since played for brass bands, jazz groups and even an oompah band! Rebecca and Stephen joined City of Coventry Brass in 2019. She is currently spending time with her three young children.

2nd Trombone - Mark Dutton

Mark started on Trumpet aged 11 and changed to Cornet 1 year later. 1st ever band job (5 weeks later) and the area Championship section contest with Bedworth playing Concert Overture. Two years later following a lesson with Stanley Boddington and his straight talking and I quote “you will never make a cornet player” I started wandering around the bottom end instruments, a bit of a Nomad/Jack of all trades, I have made 9 recordings on 9 different instruments, Baritone, Euphonium, 1st Trom, 2nd Trom, Bass Trom, Eb Bass, Bb Bass, Percussion and one as Musical Director but enjoying every minute and still Banding 50 years later. Mark moved to trombone to cover Rebecca's first maternity leave.

Bass Trombone - Steve Anker

Steve learnt to play in the Salvation Army on tenor horn achieving the dizzy heights of Grade V (Pass, No Merit, No Distinction). He tried pretty much every instrument in the band, including percussion, in the search for something that suited his technical ability and playing style......

BASS TROMBONE it is then, the black note/white note ratio is in my favour and the style required.......

EEb Bass - Jack Oram

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Jack is a student at the University of Warwick studying for a PhD in chemistry where he researches materials for biomedical applications. He started playing baritone in the Cheltenham Silver Band at 13 and moved to the euphonium before starting his undergraduate degree. After playing euphonium with the University of Warwick Brass band for 4 years, he joined the City of Coventry Brass band on EEb bass in 2025.

EEb Bass - Lesley Wroe

Lesley started playing tenor horn at school and joined Coventry School of Music Band in 1967. She had to wait until 1969 to get into the contest band and that was only because she agreed to move to BBb Bass - at least she subsequently got the chance to play the BBb solo in Fireworks at the British Open at the Kings Hall in 1975. She has played with the band ever since with a short maternity break .

Since the early 80’s she has been contest secretary of the band.

BBb Bass - Matthew Green

After being rejected by his cello teacher due to his small fingers Matthew headed straight to the brass section and picked up the only instrument left, the trombone. After many years honing his talent he realised it was a shocking instrument to play and he was shockingly average at playing it so he moved to the only instrument left in the band, the BBb bass. He blames this on the conductor at the time and still bears a grudge. After many years playing the bass he's finally worked out what the button type things are good for and now holds the much coveted position of solo BBb bass. If you tell him that this is one stop away from hitting things at the back of the band and therefore it's the lowest of the low he will laugh in your face and declare that you're just jealous of the bass's vast power. By the by he joined the band in 1987 after his teacher told him about it. He still bears a grudge about this as well

BBb Bass - Ilya Ruchiev

Ilya started playing the Euphonium in the University of Warwick Beginners' Band in 2023. After his mentor Jack (EEb Bass) showed him Sand and Stars he was instantly hooked on the sound of the brass band! Following a contest vacancy in the University band on EEb bass, he made the switch and discovered a passion for his newfound instrument. Now, he conducts the Beginner's Band with Alice (Principal Cornet) and enjoys sharing the joy of learning and playing brass music. He joined CoCB in 2025 on BBb bass, rumbling at the bottom of the band.

BBb Bass - James Franklin

James now works as a trainee organ builder, tuning and fixing organs around the country.

Baritone - Emma Knight

Emma has had a keen interest in music since she picked up a recorder at age 7. She quickly progressed to her main instrument, Flute and received a Diploma in Summer 2014. Her first experience on a brass instrument was when she received a Trumpet for her 18th Birthday, however, it spent several years in its case, until she joined Keele University Brass Band in 2013. She continued playing at the University of Warwick before moving to City of Coventry Brass on Tenor Horn in April 2014. After enjoying improving on horn, she moved to Ist Baritone .

Baritone - Charlotte Cooper

Charlotte was taught to play Cornet by her Dad, Stephen Cooper. She enjoyed playing with Enderby Youth Band, which included several tours.

While at Roehampton University, Charlotte played for Putney Brass Band and after graduating in 2017 she joined City Of Coventry Brass when she returned to the Midlands to be with her family.

She moved to baritone in 2023.

Solo Euphonium - Neil Kelsall

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Neil started playing trumpet at school at the age of 13, and shortly moved to cornet, joining Royal Leamington Spa Silver Band (as it was known back then) in 1977. During his time with the band playing Principle Cornet, Leamington developed close ties with the Coventry School of Music Band - the precursor to CoCB - and Neil has fond memories in his early playing years of the opportunities to play with what was then, one of the top bands in the Midlands area.

Neil moved to euphonium in the late 80's and has played Euph ever since (and never looked back - the backbone of the brass band in Neil's opinion !!). Babies arriving led Neil taking a break from banding for a few years, and he then picked up a Euph again in the late 90s, initially with Leamington. Neil had the opportunity to play with Black Dyke on the Symphony Hall stage as part of the Millennium celebrations - one to remember. During this time his children both had stints playing brass, but neither kept it up - other interests won the day!

Neil then spent a number of years with Bilton Silver band, enjoying some challenging playing as the band briefly reached the dizzy heights of the Championship section. Neil joined CoCB in early 2024 and looks forward to many more happy years blowing.

Euphonium - Samantha Edwards

Samantha hails from the Scottish border town of Langholm (the Muckle Toon) and learned to play at primary school and then joined Langholm Town Band. After marrying Mark (an Englishman) in 2000, she had a break from playing following moving to the Midlands. She joined Royal Spa Brass (Leamington) in 2003 and later ASVD (Alcester) and then played with Bilton Silver Band for 13 years. She joined City of Cov in January 2025.