Craig Kidd

At aged 13 I achieved the Yorkshire best soloist award whilst playing with the Kellingley Colliery band, I attained my Grade 8 cornet at aged 16, on joining the army I became a class A rated Military Musician, Principle Cornet of a Guards Band and during my career performed and played on 14 Cd’s and one 45 (Remember them), I was the Colonels Trumpeter at the Army School of Music and for the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards. I have toured America and played for the then President Ronald Regan, In front of Pope John Paul II, toured Canada and virtually every country in Europe, I also played a trumpet Solo accompanied by the organist at West Minster Abbey for Earl Spencers memorial service in front of the whole Royal family, the Spencer family and the then government in office.

My first brass instrument was a flugel horn, when in 1978 Mr Graham Dean who was my first real music teacher handed it to me and said "here learn that" (No cornets left in the band stores). My mum and dad bought me a cornet that Christmas and I joined the Knottingley Schools Band. I was taught how to play the cornet by Mr Dennis Wilby and Mr Graham Dean with extra help from Mr Louis Bedford, these where the three that made me the musician I am today and I am eternally grateful.

In the 1980’s I became a member of the Kellingley Colliery Brass Band in which I played principle cornet until I joined the Army in 1986, I also played solo cornet in Knottingley Sliver prize band for a short period and helped out with the other local bands such as Sth Milford, Acton hall and the Yorkshire Schools Band.

When I joined the Army I became the Principle Cornet player of the Montgomery Band at the Army school of music, the regimental trumpet major and the colonels trumpeter, on posting to Tidworth and then Germany I joined the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards as their principle cornet player and once again was appointed the Colonels trumpeter, eventually moving to the Royal Dragoon Guards and then the Dragoon guards band from 1993. In 1997 I left the army to become and entertainer and the managing director of Tricks of the Trade (UK) Ltd which was an entertainment employment agency. This restricted my cornet playing as free time was now in short supply so my passion was put on hold, only keeping an interest by performing with a colleague who plays the cathedral organ. My other interests in music are piano and classical guitar which I practice on a daily basis but it does help having a guitar in every room in the house.

Special thanks must go to Robbie Beechey, a good friend and neighbour for relighting my interest in the band which really has given me a new lease of life regarding Brass band music.

I now enjoy playing the Eb Soprano cornet as my main brass instrument as it is a challenge I have yet to fully master, especially after such a long break in playing. KCB is a friendly bunch of talented musicians and because it is also non contesting band this really suits me as a player as I like to play to perform, not to compete in contests. The relaxed but professional atmosphere at rehearsals and in concerts is credited to the band members continued support and enthusiasm and I would urge any player who as an interest in Brass band music no matter what standard to consider coming for a blow or a bash with the band.