Where were you born (you don’t have to share the date with us if you don’t want to!) and where do you live now?
I was born in Clifton, Brighouse, Yorkshire in 1938. In August 1960 I was married to Michael, Shepley’s tuba player and we moved into our new house in Meltham. I think Michael and I must hold the record for living the longest on the same spot, or perhaps being the most tenacious stick-in-the-muds!
Summarise your musical career to date in no more than twenty words!
Impossible. Always sang; piano seriously from 11; dabbled with trumpet then clarinet at 16; sang through school and college and solos; joined Huddersfield Choral Society in 1964 and sang with them for forty-six years, making it to the semi-chorus once; learned drums and tuned percussion and electric bass guitar. Joined Thurlstone Band on tuned percussion many moons ago, then moved to kit; played for Meltham and Meltham Mills Band for over 3 years, doing 18 contests with them and, having started the Area weekend in Bradford as we were drawn 1 st., as we played the National Anthem, I played the drum roll which starts it. Then of course Shepley.
When did you join Shepley Band – and more importantly, why on earth did you join?!
Very recently. I have a memory of it being suggested that it might be nice to have someone playing the timps (borrowed?) As I was going to be there, would I mind putting the words in for a couple of songs? (The Lost Chord and Rule Britannia, park job, pre microphone!) Whatever possessed me? I seem to remember singing Jerusalem in Sweden. The start of 2010 sealed my fate when it was pointed out that the usual kit kit player couldn’t go on the Italy tour. I would be going in any case to help make up the numbers.
What do you enjoy about being part of Shepley Band? We assume you enjoy the band of course!
The music and the nice people.
What has been your favourite moment with Shepley Band?
It’s got to be in a concert and the conductor’s reaction to my stick breaking and the end of it whizzing through the air.
What’s your favourite piece of music of all time?
Once in a While, heard when I was about eight. It’s still as good as I thought it was then and it awakened me to what is now called pop music. Following this is a shoal from trad jazz to classical.
Who’s your favourite composer? Those still living don’t count by the way – it’s all noise with them!
Usually the one I’m studying. Safely under the belt then gets stored in a pantheon of My Favourite Composer, this one, this one and this one, etc.
Apart from all the hours you put in every day practising (obviously) what else do you get up to in the real world?
A tremendous amount of baby-sitting, with two of my three little people, and when not doing that, caravanning, pursuing the family tree, looking at churches, gardening, building walls, visiting archaeological sites, being on beaches, sea swimming when I get the chance.
Fantasy Dinner Table – imagine you’re having dinner – who would you want on either side of you – and why?
I shall have to think about that.
Oh, and what’s your favourite food – after Sheila’s World Famous Ginger Biscuits?
Nothing compares with good mashed potatoes. I am partial to the odd vanilla slice.
Your private plane is sitting on the runway at Shepley Aerodrome. Where would you like to go today – and why?
To an illusory tropical beach (real ones don’t live up to their image), with a wonderful view over pale green sea and the noise of gently lapping water and a hinterland to match the plane which included everything beyond the bounds of “idleness is nothing if it’s not carried out” And why? Why ever not?
You’re a very modest individual, shy and retiring (like everyone in Shepley Band) – but what’s been your greatest achievement to date?
Musically. I entered the Mrs. Sunderland competition one year and won three categories: - the instrumental composition; the operatic solo; and the original poetry.
My photograph appeared in the paper as “Mother of two wins” etc. in the days when mothers weren’t expected to be capable of doing anything outside the domestic inevitabilities.
Academically. Achieving a BA Hons whilst holding down a 60 hours a week job.
Family. Well, without our efforts, the name of the conductor wouldn’t be Beatty.
We seem to be living in a celebrity culture today – so if you could be a celebrity who would you be and why?
Bob Geldof. He’s gone on the own choice music direction and he’s shown himself to be a visionary making a difference.
You’ve managed to get the TV remote control all to yourself. If you could have an evening of your favourite telly programmes what would you watch (after you’d finished daily practise of course)?
We saw the first Coronation Street in 1960 and are still avid fans despite some silly stories; Lovejoy (not on at the moment) Morse, Lewis, Hercule Poirot; Midsomer Murders (just how dishy was Detective Inspector Barnaby when he was Bergerac!!!), Sherlock Holmes (in his many manifestations); Time Team, all things archaeological, geological, astronomical; nature programmes; good costume dramas; and very importantly good comedians and good daft sit-coms.
Finally, you found an old oil lamp on your way out of our Christmas Concert. You rubbed it and Jude the Shepley Band Genie appeared and granted you three wishes. What did you wish for?
I was born in Clifton, Brighouse, Yorkshire in 1938. In August 1960 I was married to Michael, Shepley’s tuba player and we moved into our new house in Meltham. I think Michael and I must hold the record for living the longest on the same spot, or perhaps being the most tenacious stick-
Summarise your musical career to date in no more than twenty words!
Impossible. Always sang; piano seriously from 11; dabbled with trumpet then clarinet at 16; sang through school and college and solos; joined Huddersfield Choral Society in 1964 and sang with them for forty-
When did you join Shepley Band – and more importantly, why on earth did you join?!
Very recently. I have a memory of it being suggested that it might be nice to have someone playing the timps (borrowed?) As I was going to be there, would I mind putting the words in for a couple of songs? (The Lost Chord and Rule Britannia, park job, pre microphone!) Whatever possessed me? I seem to remember singing Jerusalem in Sweden. The start of 2010 sealed my fate when it was pointed out that the usual kit kit player couldn’t go on the Italy tour. I would be going in any case to help make up the numbers.
What do you enjoy about being part of Shepley Band? We assume you enjoy the band of course!
The music and the nice people.
What has been your favourite moment with Shepley Band?
It’s got to be in a concert and the conductor’s reaction to my stick breaking and the end of it whizzing through the air.
What’s your favourite piece of music of all time?
Once in a While, heard when I was about eight. It’s still as good as I thought it was then and it awakened me to what is now called pop music. Following this is a shoal from trad jazz to classical.
Who’s your favourite composer? Those still living don’t count by the way – it’s all noise with them!
Usually the one I’m studying. Safely under the belt then gets stored in a pantheon of My Favourite Composer, this one, this one and this one, etc.
Apart from all the hours you put in every day practising (obviously) what else do you get up to in the real world?
A tremendous amount of baby-
Fantasy Dinner Table – imagine you’re having dinner – who would you want on either side of you – and why?
I shall have to think about that.
Oh, and what’s your favourite food – after Sheila’s World Famous Ginger Biscuits?
Nothing compares with good mashed potatoes. I am partial to the odd vanilla slice.
Your private plane is sitting on the runway at Shepley Aerodrome. Where would you like to go today – and why?
To an illusory tropical beach (real ones don’t live up to their image), with a wonderful view over pale green sea and the noise of gently lapping water and a hinterland to match the plane which included everything beyond the bounds of “idleness is nothing if it’s not carried out” And why? Why ever not?
You’re a very modest individual, shy and retiring (like everyone in Shepley Band) – but what’s been your greatest achievement to date?
Musically. I entered the Mrs. Sunderland competition one year and won three categories: -
My photograph appeared in the paper as “Mother of two wins” etc. in the days when mothers weren’t expected to be capable of doing anything outside the domestic inevitabilities.
Academically. Achieving a BA Hons whilst holding down a 60 hours a week job.
Family. Well, without our efforts, the name of the conductor wouldn’t be Beatty.
We seem to be living in a celebrity culture today – so if you could be a celebrity who would you be and why?
Bob Geldof. He’s gone on the own choice music direction and he’s shown himself to be a visionary making a difference.
You’ve managed to get the TV remote control all to yourself. If you could have an evening of your favourite telly programmes what would you watch (after you’d finished daily practise of course)?
We saw the first Coronation Street in 1960 and are still avid fans despite some silly stories; Lovejoy (not on at the moment) Morse, Lewis, Hercule Poirot; Midsomer Murders (just how dishy was Detective Inspector Barnaby when he was Bergerac!!!), Sherlock Holmes (in his many manifestations); Time Team, all things archaeological, geological, astronomical; nature programmes; good costume dramas; and very importantly good comedians and good daft sit-
Finally, you found an old oil lamp on your way out of our Christmas Concert. You rubbed it and Jude the Shepley Band Genie appeared and granted you three wishes. What did you wish for?
1. Better weather.
2. Less crowded roads.
3. More hours in the day
2. Less crowded roads.
3. More hours in the day
Who are you and what instrument do you play?
I am Susan Beatty, Mrs., aka Sue, Mum or Grandma, and I play drum kit.
I am Susan Beatty, Mrs., aka Sue, Mum or Grandma, and I play drum kit.
The Shepley Band Interview
