Euphonium and Baritone Section

Euphonium David Clough

David has played with Fishburn since early 2019, formally joining in April 2019 He has quickly and skilfully adapted to the position of Solo Euphonium having been thrown into the 'deep end' due to the loss of our 2 Euphonium players in quick succession.

David originates from Bradford and started to learn the Cornet at the age of 10. He comes from a very musical family. His father, John, was Solo Euphonium with the famous Black Dyke Mills Band for 28 years, his mother, Rita, a former Tenor Horn player, met his father at the inaugural National Youth Brass Band. His brother Richard plays Percussion and has played with bands including; Black Dyke, Leyland/BNFL and Yorkshire Building Society, and his sister Janet plays the piano.

In his early years of playing, David received tuition from the legendary Phillip McCann and after a while moved onto Tenor horn. At the age of 15, David joined Hammonds Sauce Works Band on 2nd Horn under the direction of the late great Geoffrey Whitham and it was during this time that David moved onto Baritone.

David had spells with Lewington Yamaha Brass, helping them win the Grand Shield in 1986, Yorkshire Imperial Band, before moving to Leyland DAF in 1989 (later becoming BNFL before returning to Leyland Band), under the direction of Dick the Stick (Richard Evans).

During his time with Leyland/BNFL he won many of the top major honours including The British Open (1994), which was extra special as his father and brother were both in the same band, All England Masters, Brass in Concert 3 times, North West Area Champions on 4 occasions and regularly featured in the prizes at many other competitions including the National finals. With them he toured Japan and Korea, USA, Germany and Switzerland plus a variety of other Countries. During this time the band were ranked No 1 in the World.

David has travelled the length and breadth of the UK, played on many CD’s, radio and deputised for many bands including Fodens, Grimethorpe and Brighouse & Rastrick. He has played under some of the top conductors in the Country namely Harry Mortimer, Major Peter Parkes, Howard Snell and James Scott.

David moved to Cleveland in 1996 and played solo Euphonium for the Cleveland Police Band before taking a break for about 4 years and it was only the fact that his son Ben started to learn percussion that he returned to banding and played percussion alongside Ben at Lockwood Brass, where they were victorious in their first 2 contests winning the North East Area 1st section, winning the best percussion section to boot, and French Open 1st section.

He is married to Erica and his other son Joe plays the guitar.

Euphonium Keeley Brickle

Keeley joined Fishburn Band in 2014, joining her husband Paul who had joined a year earlier.

Keeley was self taught saying that while she was still at at school, she worked out what fingers to put down, but didn’t know what the notes were called. She subsequently started her banding life joining Seaham Town Band in 1986 on Euphonium and when asked to play a ‘C’, she didn’t know what it was so went home and learned the notes!. Well she’s progressed pretty well since then we’re sure you’ll agree!

After their wedding in 1989, Keeley and Paul both moved from Seaham Town Band to join Silksworth Colliery Band.

She then joined British Steel Band between 1997 and 1998 on Baritone, which included a highlight of playing in the Royal Albert Hall with ‘Between the Moon and Mexico’. Returning to Silksworth, Keeley played Euphonium for most of her time there, but whilst under the baton of Joe Armstrong, she also played Flugel Horn for two years. Unfortunately, Silksworth Band disbanded in 2006.

She then joined Easington Colliery Band and played Baritone and Euphonium until leaving in 2012. Keeley joined Murton Band and played Euphonium until joining Fishburn just over a year later.

Having had regular spells on Baritone, Keeley is currently playing Euphonium and is really enjoying it, and is often seen playing solo’s at concerts. She also had the distinct ‘honour’ of playing Cornet with the Band for a short period demonstrating her virtuosity.

A specialist piece of Keeley’s playing is the opening unaccompanied solo when we play ‘One Voice’ during our regular RMT engagements.

Outside of the Band, Keeley works as an Investigating Officer in Children’s Services in Sunderland.

Keeley and Paul are the very proud parents of two beautiful daughters, Ellis and Laurie, (New) Grandparents of a treasured Grandson Jesse and GrandDaughter Winter, and of course not forgetting their dog Dottie!

Baritone Laura Jackson

Laura joined Fishburn in October 2019 and is a very welcome addition to the band, bringing a great deal of experience and ability to the band.

Laura began playing the baritone at school, taught by the legendary Jimmy Miller and Bruce Fraser in Scotland before joining Buckhaven Miners Band where she experienced the joys of brass band contesting. After spells at Tullis Russell Mills Band and Tayport Instrumental Band she headed south to Manchester to study music with David King and had baritone tuition from Pete Christian whilst playing for Stalybridge Old Band and BT Band during her years in the North West.

Laura’s career brought her to the North East in 2004 and after short spells at Gateshead Brass, Whitburn and BHK Horden, she had 9 happy years at the Reg Vardy Band, enjoying many successes and playing in amazing venues all over Britain.

After she had her son Struan in 2012, she began playing again with Lockwood Brass, winning 2nd and 1st section areas in consecutive years before having another break from banding for a few years before answering a call from David Clough to come and play 2nd euphonium at Fishburn, eventually finding her way back to the baritone.

Baritone Neil Parkin

Neil re-joined the Band in 2022 have spent a few years playing with Cockerton Band, a band close to his heart.

Neil's first note was played on his Dad's Bb Bass when only two years old and for as long as he can remember attended concerts and contests with Cockerton Band.

After many self confessed failed attempts, Neil finally started playing at the age of 14 under the tuition of Steve Goodwin of Cockerton Band, eventually joining the band on 2nd Baritone in 1987. After a brief spell with Barnard Castle Band, Neil re-joined Cockerton in 1990 before the lure of the Championship Section led him to Northumbria Police Band in 1993.

It was in 1995 that Neil originally joined Fishburn Band, where he achieved his ambition of winning the Northern Area Contest and to play in the Royal Albert Hall.

Neil is a very proud Darlington FC Supporter, which is to be applauded!

Neil is married to Gillian and they have two daughters, Amy and Eve.