Band History
St Keverne Band was founded in 1886, mainly from the workforce of the two local stone quarries of Porthoustock and Dean Point. At this time many neighbouring villages also had their own bands. However, in subsequent years and due to the effects of two world wars, St Keverne was the only band to remain. Rehearsals took place in the various community halls in the village, with the band having no permanent headquarters. This changed in 1971, with land generously donated by Mr R G Lory and the hard work of band members and supporters, when a newly built rehearsal room was opened, complete with all facilities and panoramic views over Falmouth Bay. This building was extended in 1995 to include a licensed social club and extra parking.
On the contest platform, the band's first qualification for a National Final was in 1970 at the WD & HO Wills competition in London. Six years later in 1976, the band won the National 3rd section title at Fulham Town Hall. A second National title followed several years later in 2005 when the band became the 2nd section Champion Band of Great Britain. Promotion to the Championship section soon followed and a notable 4th place at the West of England championships in Torquay.
Under the present MD, Karl Long, the Senior Band are currently graded in the 2nd section Nationally and gained a 2nd place at the West of England Regional Championships in March 2020, earning them qualification to the National Championships. There are at present around 30 children of varying abilities within the organisation, competing and performing in the South West. The band has always been proud to offer anyone the opportunity to learn brass or percussion instruments completely free of charge. This is only possible through the hard work and dedication of band members, their families and supporters, raising the funds needed throughout the year. The band's main fundraiser is the annual Ox Roast held in the village square in August each year.
Geographically, St Keverne is the most southerly brass band on the British mainland and its remoteness has always emphasised the need to train young players. This has brought the band great success, with our Youth Band winning numerous National titles and invitations to tour Europe and Canada, performing in front of large audiences. Both Senior and Youth Bands have performed at the Royal Albert Hall and other prestigious venues.
On the contest platform, the band's first qualification for a National Final was in 1970 at the WD & HO Wills competition in London. Six years later in 1976, the band won the National 3rd section title at Fulham Town Hall. A second National title followed several years later in 2005 when the band became the 2nd section Champion Band of Great Britain. Promotion to the Championship section soon followed and a notable 4th place at the West of England championships in Torquay.
Under the present MD, Karl Long, the Senior Band are currently graded in the 2nd section Nationally and gained a 2nd place at the West of England Regional Championships in March 2020, earning them qualification to the National Championships. There are at present around 30 children of varying abilities within the organisation, competing and performing in the South West. The band has always been proud to offer anyone the opportunity to learn brass or percussion instruments completely free of charge. This is only possible through the hard work and dedication of band members, their families and supporters, raising the funds needed throughout the year. The band's main fundraiser is the annual Ox Roast held in the village square in August each year.
Geographically, St Keverne is the most southerly brass band on the British mainland and its remoteness has always emphasised the need to train young players. This has brought the band great success, with our Youth Band winning numerous National titles and invitations to tour Europe and Canada, performing in front of large audiences. Both Senior and Youth Bands have performed at the Royal Albert Hall and other prestigious venues.
About the MD
Karl Long
BMus (Hons), ARCM, DipABRSM, CTABRSM
Karl hails from the North West of England and began his musical journey with the Salvation Army at the tender age of 8, taking lessons with Malcolm Brownbill. During his early years Karl played with a number of local brass bands as well as becoming a member of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain, where he worked his way up through the section to become Principal Horn.
At the age of 14, Karl auditioned for and won a place at the prestigious Chetham’s School of Music in Manchester where he studied Tenor Horn and French Horn with Lizzie Davis. During this time Karl played with the world famous Besses o’th’ Barn Band, competing in some of the biggest competitions of the Brass Band calendar.
In 1995 Karl joined the Royal Marines Band Service as a French Horn player. Serving with a number of the Royal Marines Bands he has travelled the world providing the finest musical performances as well as non-musical deployments to Kosovo and Iraq. Notable venues that Karl has had the privilege of performing at include the Tchaikovsky Hall in Russia, Washington DC, New York, Wellington - New Zealand and of course annually at our very own Royal Albert Hall. Karl rose through the ranks and eventually held the position of Warrant Officer, Bandmaster for both the Royal Marines Band, Plymouth and latterly for the Commando Training Centre in Exmouth. It was from this final position that Karl retired from the Royal Marines in 2018 after 23 years service.
Karl currently resides in St. Keverne with his wife Lisa - a local girl with a long running family connection to St. Keverne Band - and son Oliver. Karl now teaches instrumental brass in some of the local schools through the Cornwall Music Service Trust. A role which is challenging yet rewarding in equal measure.
Having guided the St. Keverne Youth Band from 2018, Karl was appointed Musical Director of St. Keverne Senior Band following the summer season of 2019.
“My aim for the Youth Band is to provide our young musicians with structure, guidance and direction. Both musically and through building an ethos of teamwork and commitment to each other, we can develop important life skills together.
That same ethos of teamwork and commitment carries forward to the Senior Band where we will strive to achieve the best possible musical experience for our musicians and audiences alike.
This next chapter in my musical life is set to bring the greatest musical rewards. I am very much looking forward to continuing my work with St. Keverne Youth Band whilst embracing the role of Musical Director of the Senior Band, working with some really talented local musicians to help develop the band as a whole.”
BMus (Hons), ARCM, DipABRSM, CTABRSM
Karl hails from the North West of England and began his musical journey with the Salvation Army at the tender age of 8, taking lessons with Malcolm Brownbill. During his early years Karl played with a number of local brass bands as well as becoming a member of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain, where he worked his way up through the section to become Principal Horn.
At the age of 14, Karl auditioned for and won a place at the prestigious Chetham’s School of Music in Manchester where he studied Tenor Horn and French Horn with Lizzie Davis. During this time Karl played with the world famous Besses o’th’ Barn Band, competing in some of the biggest competitions of the Brass Band calendar.
In 1995 Karl joined the Royal Marines Band Service as a French Horn player. Serving with a number of the Royal Marines Bands he has travelled the world providing the finest musical performances as well as non-musical deployments to Kosovo and Iraq. Notable venues that Karl has had the privilege of performing at include the Tchaikovsky Hall in Russia, Washington DC, New York, Wellington - New Zealand and of course annually at our very own Royal Albert Hall. Karl rose through the ranks and eventually held the position of Warrant Officer, Bandmaster for both the Royal Marines Band, Plymouth and latterly for the Commando Training Centre in Exmouth. It was from this final position that Karl retired from the Royal Marines in 2018 after 23 years service.
Karl currently resides in St. Keverne with his wife Lisa - a local girl with a long running family connection to St. Keverne Band - and son Oliver. Karl now teaches instrumental brass in some of the local schools through the Cornwall Music Service Trust. A role which is challenging yet rewarding in equal measure.
Having guided the St. Keverne Youth Band from 2018, Karl was appointed Musical Director of St. Keverne Senior Band following the summer season of 2019.
“My aim for the Youth Band is to provide our young musicians with structure, guidance and direction. Both musically and through building an ethos of teamwork and commitment to each other, we can develop important life skills together.
That same ethos of teamwork and commitment carries forward to the Senior Band where we will strive to achieve the best possible musical experience for our musicians and audiences alike.
This next chapter in my musical life is set to bring the greatest musical rewards. I am very much looking forward to continuing my work with St. Keverne Youth Band whilst embracing the role of Musical Director of the Senior Band, working with some really talented local musicians to help develop the band as a whole.”
