In the Spotlight
Peter Roberts

BBBC Soprano Cornetist Peter Roberts named Best Instrumentalist at the 2004 Besson National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain held at Royal Albert Hall, London, England on October 16, 2004.

THE Legend releases Legend CD

Born into a Grimethorpe coal mining family in June 1950, brass was in the blood of Peter Roberts from an early age. In ]anuaury 1960 Peter joined the newly re-formed Grimethorpe Junior Band and became their first principal cornet, making the somewhat prophetic move to soprano cornet three years later.

In 1965, Peter was promoted to the world famous Grimethorpe Colliery Band, playing in the British Open that year. This was to be a long association - lasting until Christlnas 1989. During that time Peter and lhe band enjoyed phenomenal success, winning three British Open titles, six Granada Band of the Year titles, six Rothmans Brass in Concert titles and one National Championship of Great Britain. Peter also enjoyed solo success as he regularly brought home the soloist prizes from Granada Band of the Year, Rothmans Brass in Concert, Mineworkers Championship and the British Open Solo Championship.

In 1991 Peter joined the Dodworth Band, winning the Grand Shield with the Champion of Champions title from New Zealand.

Peter's thirst for self improvement was best displayed when, as a response to the Government's pit closure programme in 1991, he enrolled on a Brass Band Studies course at Bamsley College under Major Peter Parkes, gaining a BA (Hons) degree and an LR.S.M (Bandmaster) Diploma. There followed a spell of 5 years which saw him playing with Stocksbridge, Sellers and Marple Bands, with further contesting success (French Open title and best soloist award at the Swiss Open), before in 1997 Peter joined the Yorkshire Building Society Band.

In spite of the many successes that had preceded it, this was the move that was to be the defining moment in the banding career of Peter Roberts. Teaming up with David KIng a partnership that was to become legendary in banding circles was formed. Success was immediate, winning the British Open in that same year and again in 1999, 2001 and 2003.

The All England Masters title was also captured in 1999 and 2000, but it was in the European Brass Band Championships that Peter’s legendary status was really confirmed - an unparalleled success which saw the band win five consecutive titles (from 1999 to 2003) featuring Peter as both a star player and lucky talisman as the "old man of the band."

With Peter adding the British Open Solo Championship title (again), this marked out1999 as a remarkable year both as bandsman (YBS winning three of four major contests) and soloist.

Peter has also been a member of the Virtuosi Band of Great Britainand, Kings of Brass, and today is still a member of the famous Brass Band of Battle Creek; situated in Michigan USA to which Peter travels twice a year.