By the time we go to National Finals in September 2018, Vix will have been playing with HSB for only a year, having previously played repinique drum for a samba band in Cornwall a few years before. Not only was this of a completely different style, but played without sheet music. It has also been quite a challenge because before that Vix had only played the drum kit and timpani at school some 27 years previous. She has had to relearn reading music as well as playing lots of new percussion instruments, and very quickly, to get in step with this award winning band.

Somewhat of a baptism of fire, Vix’ first time at band was playing bass drum (having never played one before) and marching on the Sunday school parade, then straight into working on the contest piece, for their win a few weeks later at the South West Brass Band Association in Torquay. It has been quite some first year, then going onto to win the section at the regional contest, and rounded off with the national finals in Cheltemham, and very much enjoying being part of a strong percussion section.