Steve played his first concert with Derventio in September 2001, just hours after David Beckham’s last-gasp free-kick had sent England through to the 2002 World Cup.
The rest is history (for Beckham at least).
In a similar style to Derventio colleague Steve Levitt, Steve initially wanted to play trombone but was instead handed a euphonium and enjoyed playing it in the Burton Youth (Wind) Band, Staffordshire Youth Wind Orchestra and Abbot Beyne School bands until, aged 14, he took a trombone home for the weekend and taught himself the basics.
After further expert tuition from Alan Booth and Peter Lacey, he played both instruments until the age of 21, when he focused solely on trombone (tenor and bass). Steve has been a journalist for the last 19 years (but sometimes secretly wishes he had taken up a place at music college when he had the chance, to see what might have happened).
He is married to multi-talented multi-instrumentalist Jo and their two children are already taking their first musical steps (cello, singing and keyboard).
Steve played first trombone in Derby Concert Orchestra for 13 years and still dabbles occasionally when required. He also plays bass trombone with Nottingham Symphony Orchestra, Charnwood Orchestra, Buxton Musical Society Orchestra and tenor and bass trombone with Loughborough Orchestra. In addition, he has played in the band/orchestra for many, many, many shows with societies across the area. Favourites have included The Hot Mikado, Disco Inferno, Annie, Jesus Christ Superstar and West Side Story.
Highlights from Steve’s time with Derventio Brass have included Elgar Howarth’s brilliant and very challenging arrangement of Pictures At An Exhibition and two performances of John Rutter’s Gloria in the space of three weeks.
Hobbies include sport, having his surname spelled and pronounced incorrectly, music, music and more music.