Cornet Conflab: Hannah Plumridge, Cory Band

It is often said that the best cornet sections are the ones where the Repiano player is as good as, and consistent as, your Principal Cornet. Hannah Plumridge has held the rep seat at Cory for seven years now and has established herself as one of the finest cornet players around, leading the back row during a period of great success for the Welsh band. 

In this interview, we chat with Hannah about her earliest playing memories with her local band in a small fishing town in South Devon, support from a musical family, her time at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, how she came to join Cory, and her progression to her position today as one of the band’s key players. She shares the ups and downs, the unforgettable gigs, and how she juggles her band commitments and an active social life.

The Early Days

Hannah hails from the small fishing town of Brixham, in Torbay, South Devon and at a young age, began playing in the town band. “I began playing the cornet following my dad who played, and still currently plays, trombone in the Brixham Town Band. He was my biggest influence in music”, Hannah explains. “My Nan was also a big support in my early life. She would look after me whilst my parents worked which included sitting me in the sink whilst she played brass band cassettes (or so I've been told)!” Devon though, is not the easiest place to grow up for someone with aspirations of making an impact in the world of brass bands. “Looking back now it was actually more challenging than it ever felt at the time”, Hannah admits. “I guess when you are growing up you don't actually realise what you are missing out on until you become wiser to the world outside of the bubble you live in. I never struggled for opportunities to play as my parents were always supportive with making sure I had private lessons and plenty to keep myself busy with, My secondary school didn't really have a big music department, the brass section in our school 'orchestra' only ever really consisted of maybe one or two of us but we still had fun and that was all that really mattered to me. I just used to love performing, and any opportunity my school gave me to play a solo I would take it”.

Growing up in a comparatively isolated banding community, experience of the different facets of the
movement can be hard to come by. “It wasn't until my teens that I realised how big banding was”, Hannah admits. “Being in Devon I never had the exposure to the 'top banding' world and honestly my brass banding knowledge was limited to my local town band (who didn't contest!) and the film Brassed Off”. But living in South Devon was not without it’s opportunities as “the area I was in also had a large Royal Marine music presence and this was the avenue I had originally planned to go down!” Hannah remembers. “I think growing up I was fortunate that I had enough people around me that spotted I had a talent in playing brass instruments and showed me all the avenues which helped me to be where I am today”. And eventually, this talent began to present opportunities. “Brixham Town Band was always my 'home' band as it were”, she explains. “Because they didn't contest, I was able to play with other bands once I wanted to get into the competitive side of playing more. This allowed me to play in multiple organisations and I did a lot of banding in Cornwall, with bands including Mount Charles and the Cornwall Youth Brass Band (CYBB). I was also a member of the Grimethorpe Besson Youth Band which opened up a lot of opportunities for me as I met some great people. The late, great, Richard Evans first introduced me to this following a CYBB course, and it is what really propelled my early banding career”.

Move to Wales

In September 2015, Hannah left Devon to study at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama (RWCMD) in Cardiff, Wales. “As mentioned, going to music college was never really my first choice. I thought I would always go down the military route and join the Royal Marines”. Hannah explains. “However, I did a week's work experience when I was 16 and decided I didn't enjoy being told what to do all the time, so I looked into other avenues! My music teacher at the time, Colin Waller, introduced me to the possibility of going to a conservatoire which was something I wasn’t familiar with. I auditioned for both the Royal Northern College of Music, due to having lots of connections with northern players in the Grimethorpe Youth band, and the RWCMD. I was successful in both and then had to choose where I wanted to be. Ultimately, the decision came down to location. I loved my visit to Cardiff, the people were friendly, it was a nice city to spend time in and it wasn't too far away from Devon! The pull of Cory and excellent teachers they had did help my decision, but equally this was the same for both colleges”. 

At the RWCMD, doors really began to open for Hannah, in part thanks to the brass course the college offers. “The brass course at RWCMD is very good”, Hannah says. “You get a lot of opportunities to develop as a soloist, performer, band member and anything else you put your mind to! The College ensembles are varied and of a high standard. My time at college gave me some great playing opportunities and I was lucky to have a brilliant network of support around me from staff and my peers. Probably the highlight was performing for HRH Prince (now King!) Charles at his Welsh house.

The Cory Band

Moving to Wales then, proved to be the catalyst for Hannah’s career in brass banding. As well as playing opportunities within the RWCMD, being at college helped to open doors. The story of how Hannah came to join Cory is, in her words, an interesting one which comes up quite often. “Because I didn't have a huge interest in banding outside of the bubble I lived in I didn't really know what the Cory Band was prior to me deciding to audition for the Welsh College”, she admits. “My audition for the RWCMD was taken by Kevin Price and Bob Childs, and after my interview Bob had said he would be passing my name on to the conductor of the Cory Band as he thought he would be interested to hear me play. Fast forward a few weeks to the Easter Residential Course with the Cornwall Youth Brass Band and our guest conductor turned out to be Philip Harper, although I was totally oblivious to who that was at the time. During our weekend I remember walking along a corridor in the school we rehearsed in and I heard a voice behind me comment on my 'tuneful whistling'. I turned around and looked up petrified at a very tall Philip who then proceeded to tell me he knew exactly who I was and had been watching me throughout the rehearsals and wanted to invite me to Cory to meet the players, sit in on a few rehearsals and concert. The rest is history really! I attended a couple of rehearsals with Cory in the following month before depping on Tom Hutchinson's first CD recording and a concert in the RWCMD where I also had an audition in which I played 2 solo's (from memory as I forgot my music...) and did some sight reading. Once a place was available in the band Phil called me up and offered me a seat!”

Hannah joined at the start of, what became, a period of great success for the Cory Band and has provided many highlights and experiences. “There have been so many”, she says. “The trips abroad are always a highlight for me and the tour in particular which stands out above the rest was our trip to South Korea in 2022, without a doubt the most incredible experience the band has had (whilst I've been a member). Another personal highlight for me was the European Gala Concert in Birmingham's Symphony Hall where we performed alongside Louis Dowdeswell and his big band, this was probably my best ever on stage experience” Hannah remembers. “The other performance which I remember fondly is my first ever National Finals, it wasn't long after I had joined the band and we played amazingly - leading to a winning result. I think it was that performance which took my breath away that I could be involved in such an incredible ensemble of musicians and playing in the Royal Albert Hall for the first time was epic”. The last ten years have proved extremely fruitful for Cory, with multiple contest wins. “I've counted myself so lucky to be part of the band's successes these past 10 years” Hannah explains. “I realised very early on that I was part of something special which I will always be grateful for! It's taken a lot of hard work and sacrifice from everyone involved in the band and it really is worth every second”. Success at the highest level of banding requires significant commitment and hard work. “I think sometimes people don't fully appreciate the amount of time and dedication being in a band like Cory takes,” Hannah says. “From personal practice, to band rehearsals, concerts, recordings, traveling around the country (and abroad), competitions, organisation of events, it really is full on. Even though the band has a very professional outlook and performance level, it's still very much an amateur organisation. I'm not paid to be there and it is my hobby, but I often describe being in the band as a lifestyle choice the amount of time and energy it takes! You give up a lot, but what you gain musically can't be matched which is why I continue to do it and have done it for so long! Like anything in life there are ups and downs, but I love it and am so passionate about my band that I wouldn't change it for the world”.

Reflecting on her time in the band, Hannah describes the overall experience as overwhelmingly positive. “I wouldn’t say I’ve had any negative experiences, really,” she explains, although the COVID-19 pandemic stands out as the most significant challenge she and the band have faced. As with all bands across the UK, the sudden halt in performances and rehearsals posed a major disruption. “Building back up again on the return has been a challenge,” she admits, though the period wasn't without its silver linings. During the lockdowns Hannah was able to embrace the opportunity to expand her skill set, diving into digital and electronic tools. “I learnt lots of new skills during this time, which has really changed the direction of my career professionally—moving into a more digital and creative role,” turning a difficult period into a springboard for growth and reinvention.

A major turning point came in 2018 when she stepped into the Repiano Cornet seat following Steph Binns’ departure to Fairey’s. The shift came with new responsibilities and subtle changes in expectation. “When you are a member of the Cory Band, you are always expected to be brilliant and give your all,” she explains. “Where the expectation changed was that I had more responsibility—looking after the back row team and ensuring we are all on the same page and playing the best we can.” The new role required stepping up as a leader, but their personal standards remained just as high as ever.

Beyond the weekly demands of the rep seat, she’s also been fortunate to step into the Principal Cornet seat when needed. “I always look forward to deputising for Tom”, she says. “I’ve been very lucky to have had so much support throughout my time in Cory,” she reflects. “Philip Harper is amazing and always so encouraging—he brings out the best in his players.” Hannah’s admiration also extends to Tom Hutchinson, the band’s Principal Cornet and her former teacher at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama saying “Tom has probably been one of the biggest influences on my playing through his brilliant guidance and encouragement.”

Balancing Brass, Work, and Creativity

Life in Cory may be demanding, but for Hannah, it’s just one part of a vibrant and varied professional life. By day, she works at a secondary school in Newport as part of the Business Support team. “I basically jump between every department in the school supporting where needed, from covering lessons, receptions, various student support desks, behaviour Support, and data support” she explains. “Most recently I have been working more closely with the Post 16 students, running the office”. Although Cory isn’t her full-time profession, “it does provide me with amazing opportunities which pop up such as providing workshops, masterclasses and invitations to adjudicate” Hannah explains. Whilst playing for Cory isn’t her main job, it has helped shape Hannah’s career, opening doors beyond performance. “I support with the band's admin and social media accounts, creating graphics and posting regular content” she explains. “This is something that has developed for me and I now support other companies in this area. I teach brass privately and I also have regular work with various function bands on the trumpet when I can fit it in around an already very busy playing schedule!” 

Outside of music, life remains just as energetic. “I’m very sporty and competitive,” Hannah explains. I play golf, do a lot of water sports play football and generally try to keep fit as much as I can. I love going to live music performances and I'm a big fan of musicals. My two biggest loves away from music are my cats, Clive and Pebble".

Looking ahead, Hannah’s goals are a blend of ambition and balance. “I want to keep playing at the top level for as long as I’m able,” she admits. “I would love to start doing more solo gigs and carry on giving workshops and masterclasses. I'm very lucky to be a Besson artist so I have a lot of support in this regard”. Her dreams, though, are not limited to music. “As I get older I'm looking forward to the next stage in my life, progressing in my career and hopefully starting a family one day”.

A Bit of Fun

If you could play any non-brass instrument, what would it be and why?

Percussion. My brother is a professional percussionist in London, and he's just a really cool guy which I have always been jealous of. I think the versatility and variety of the instruments you can play opens up so many avenues for performance opportunities!

Which would you choose to fight - one Philip Harper sized duck, or 10 duck sized Philip Harpers?

One Philip Harper sized duck, mainly just to see what that would look like.