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 Barnsley in 1989 and I’m still here.
Summarise your musical career to date in no more than twenty words!
Aged 5 no, maybe 6… no, maybe 7… I started learning the Piano. This went exceedingly well, until I left secondary school. I passed my Grade 7 – but when I left school I had this tiny 5-octave keyboard – obviously disheartened I kinda gave it up as a bad job! Now I’m trying to pick where I left off, but for pleasure most certainly NOT exams. I felt abandoned when Scott left me at home for you lot at band! Therefore I made up my mind to learn to play something ‘windy’, and after some trial and error I landed myself an Alto Sax and never looked back since.
Ok so, maybe a few words over – Did I say I could count? (Jude could answer that one!)
When did you join Shepley Band – and more importantly, why on earth did you join?!
I have been a member of Shepley Band since Jan 2011. So, I suppose you could say I’m still a newbie. Scott Hesford and Gayle Smith who both play clarinet badgered me until I came along. (Although, it must be said that I had full intentions of joining one day but not quite as soon as this!)
What do you enjoy about being part of Shepley Band? We assume you enjoy the band of course!
I enjoy being part of a diverse group of people, and by diverse I mean weird and wonderful! I always come home with a smile on my face.
What has been your favourite moment with Shepley Band?
As I said previously, I’m still a bit of a newbie to Shepley… but knowing the band as they are, I’m sure I will conjure up a plethora of wonderful memories.
What’s your favourite piece of music of all time?
I was born in Barnsley in 1989 and I’m still here.
Summarise your musical career to date in no more than twenty words!
Aged 5 no, maybe 6… no, maybe 7… I started learning the Piano. This went exceedingly well, until I left secondary school. I passed my Grade 7 – but when I left school I had this tiny 5-
Ok so, maybe a few words over – Did I say I could count? (Jude could answer that one!)
When did you join Shepley Band – and more importantly, why on earth did you join?!
I have been a member of Shepley Band since Jan 2011. So, I suppose you could say I’m still a newbie. Scott Hesford and Gayle Smith who both play clarinet badgered me until I came along. (Although, it must be said that I had full intentions of joining one day but not quite as soon as this!)
What do you enjoy about being part of Shepley Band? We assume you enjoy the band of course!
I enjoy being part of a diverse group of people, and by diverse I mean weird and wonderful! I always come home with a smile on my face.
What has been your favourite moment with Shepley Band?
As I said previously, I’m still a bit of a newbie to Shepley… but knowing the band as they are, I’m sure I will conjure up a plethora of wonderful memories.
What’s your favourite piece of music of all time?
Well this one is a bit of a toughie… But, if I had to choose just one I’d say Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2 – An outstanding piece of music!
Who’s your favourite composer? Those still living don’t count by the way – it’s all noise with them!
I have many which I enjoy listening to. I particularly enjoy Rachmaninoff, some Mozart pieces and Finzi.
Apart from all the hours you put in every day practising (obviously) what else do you get up to in the real world?
I work for a major telecommunications company. But I’d much rather be at band!
Fantasy Dinner Table – imagine you’re having dinner – who would you want on either side of you – and why?
Oooo this is another toughie… I would invite Lady Gaga, she is one extreme individual and I’m certain the conversation would be no less than interesting – to balance things out I would also invite Paul O’Grady. When Gaga gets a bit heavy, I’m sure Paul would be able to lighten the mood.
Oh, and what’s your favourite food – after Sheila’s World Famous Ginger Biscuits?
I love Salad Cream, and it has to be Heinz!
Your private plane is sitting on the runway at Shepley Aerodrome. Where would you like to go today – and why?
I would take off, do a big circle and land again! – Cos’ there’s nowt bet’er than Yorkshire! (Also all the fun is in the take-
You’re a very modest individual, shy and retiring (like everyone in Shepley Band) – but what’s been your greatest achievement to date?
Only being a young’un I’d like to think I haven’t peaked yet! But I am rather proud that I’m learning my way around an Alto Sax. It’s slightly different to a piano.
We seem to be living in a celebrity culture today – so if you could be a celebrity who would you be and why?
One of the Royals, just so I could practise my posh wave…
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)?
TV does not interest me, if it was up to me I would sell our TV. But it’s not up to me.
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. To have a good life filled with health, joy, fulfilment and success.
2.To have joined Shepley Band earlier!
3.I think I will ‘bank’ this 3rd wish, just in case there comes a time I really need it!
Who are you and what instrument do you play?
My name is Rich Litherland – Alto Sax
My name is Rich Litherland – Alto Sax
The Shepley Band Interview
