Ray Munday
Cornet
The position of Solo Cornet is supported by I & W Fowler
What instrument did you start learning on?
Cornet – I wanted to play drums. I joined the Clacton-on-Sea Band (not sure if they were a “Coop” band back then) in 1972 and came away with an old Hawkes and Son Class A Excelsior cornet.
What was your first contest and with what band?
My first contest was not a band contest but a solo contest in ’72, I think.
I played “The Lost Chord,” but it was too much for the old cornet, and the bell fell off halfway through. I picked up the bell and finished the solo in tears, holding it in place. (I will never forget that gig!) I went from there to grade 8 in three years.
My first band contest was with Cranleigh Youth Band, though (Norman Every). Was it ’75 or ’75? Petit Suite?
Playing Experience
Originally, I was a bander through and through. I took up the trumpet on the suggestion of the band conductor of Colchester Silver, Steve Kenna, who also lent me his beautiful Olds Opera trumpet. I had my first-ever trumpet lesson with Gerry Ruddock (RPO) in Colchester and subsequently- thanks to his help- gained a place at Guildhall.
I studied under Rod Franks and Crispian Steele-Perkins (natural trumpet). During my course, I was fortunate enough to gain enough work to sustain a career. I did “dep” work for both Rod and Crispian, as well as playing with the Philip Jones Brass Ensemble (for Philip Jones on flugelhorn) and with London Brass for Rod (on piccolo trumpet, alongside Jimmy Watson, one of my piccolo heroes!!!!).
Moving to Scotland, I freelanced for 16 years with the RSNO, BBC, and Scottish Opera, as well as various recording, film, and TV work.
When did you join the Co?
My first stint was in the glorious 90s under Snell.
I re-joined in 2022.
What is your favourite test piece?
This is a tough one, so I will mention two:
Sand and Stars – What an astonishing piece of programmatic brass writing! Extremely challenging for everyone, yet still a wonderful piece for a band to perform and for an audience to listen to.
Connotations – I have played this at least five times in contests from ’77 through to the Europeans with the Co (under Snell). The writing is wonderful, and although it doesn’t seem that difficult nowadays, any band can “crash and burn” when underestimating it!
Where is your favourite venue for performing?
The Royal Albert Hall holds a special place in my heart, both in orchestras and in brass bands. It doesn’t matter if it’s Bartók or Bourgeois! I still get a buzz going through the Artists entrance.