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 Preston a long time ago.
Summarise your musical career to date in no more than twenty words!
I had piano lessons for two or three years when I was young. Again piano at college, and also lessons on string bass. Having had one lesson on a tuba in my mid forties while teaching, I was put into the school junior band and later joined a local brass band where I discovered my tuba was called an E flat bass. My technique improved slightly, just enough to keep me from being kicked out of the band. The real reason was that they could not get another player at the time.
When did you join Shepley Band – and more importantly, why on earth did you join?!
I joined when our MD (who is my daughter-in-law) told me to.
What do you enjoy about being part of Shepley Band? We assume you enjoy the band of course!
Yes, I do enjoy the band for its very friendly atmosphere and social activities. Sometimes I enjoy playing, when I occasionally get it right, although I have a slight feeling the band would have difficulty in getting another bass player.
What has been your favourite moment with Shepley Band?
Seeing one of our clarinet players returning after a very serious illness to play again.
What’s your favourite piece of music of all time?
The Adagio from Mozart’s clarinet concerto in A and the other movements. Favourite band piece is Born Free.
Who’s your favourite composer? Those still living don’t count by the way – it’s all noise with them!
Chopin.
Apart from all the hours you put in every day practising (obviously) what else do you get up to in the real world?
Helping to look after the grand children and caravanning.
Fantasy Dinner Table – imagine you’re having dinner – who would you want on either side of you – and why?
I would want my wife because we’re still getting to know each other after more than fifty years. I don’t need one at the other side: two’s company, three’s a crowd.
Oh, and what’s your favourite food – after Sheila’s World Famous Ginger Biscuits?
Cottage pie.
Your private plane is sitting on the runway at Shepley Aerodrome. Where would you like to go today – and why?
Rio de Janeiro. The photos I’ve seen and the atmosphere seem to make it the most exciting place in the world.
You’re a very modest individual, shy and retiring (like everyone in Shepley Band) – but what’s been your greatest achievement to date?
Stopping smoking at about the age of 30. It was the most difficult also.
We seem to be living in a celebrity culture today – so if you could be a celebrity who would you be and why?
I would not want to be a celebrity, I would rather watch one.
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)?
Natural history, historical and good comedy programmes.
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 Preston a long time ago.
Summarise your musical career to date in no more than twenty words!
I had piano lessons for two or three years when I was young. Again piano at college, and also lessons on string bass. Having had one lesson on a tuba in my mid forties while teaching, I was put into the school junior band and later joined a local brass band where I discovered my tuba was called an E flat bass. My technique improved slightly, just enough to keep me from being kicked out of the band. The real reason was that they could not get another player at the time.
When did you join Shepley Band – and more importantly, why on earth did you join?!
I joined when our MD (who is my daughter-
What do you enjoy about being part of Shepley Band? We assume you enjoy the band of course!
Yes, I do enjoy the band for its very friendly atmosphere and social activities. Sometimes I enjoy playing, when I occasionally get it right, although I have a slight feeling the band would have difficulty in getting another bass player.
What has been your favourite moment with Shepley Band?
Seeing one of our clarinet players returning after a very serious illness to play again.
What’s your favourite piece of music of all time?
The Adagio from Mozart’s clarinet concerto in A and the other movements. Favourite band piece is Born Free.
Who’s your favourite composer? Those still living don’t count by the way – it’s all noise with them!
Chopin.
Apart from all the hours you put in every day practising (obviously) what else do you get up to in the real world?
Helping to look after the grand children and caravanning.
Fantasy Dinner Table – imagine you’re having dinner – who would you want on either side of you – and why?
I would want my wife because we’re still getting to know each other after more than fifty years. I don’t need one at the other side: two’s company, three’s a crowd.
Oh, and what’s your favourite food – after Sheila’s World Famous Ginger Biscuits?
Cottage pie.
Your private plane is sitting on the runway at Shepley Aerodrome. Where would you like to go today – and why?
Rio de Janeiro. The photos I’ve seen and the atmosphere seem to make it the most exciting place in the world.
You’re a very modest individual, shy and retiring (like everyone in Shepley Band) – but what’s been your greatest achievement to date?
Stopping smoking at about the age of 30. It was the most difficult also.
We seem to be living in a celebrity culture today – so if you could be a celebrity who would you be and why?
I would not want to be a celebrity, I would rather watch one.
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)?
Natural history, historical and good comedy programmes.
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. For the world to become a more settled place
2. For all my family and friends to live a long and healthy life.
2. For all my family and friends to live a long and healthy life.
3. For me to be cured of being a grumpy old man. I’m told I am.
Who are you and what instrument do you play?
I’m Michael Beatty and I play a tuba.
I’m Michael Beatty and I play a tuba.
The Shepley Band Interview
