Karen started playing cornet at 8 years old with the Mansfield Salvation Army taught by her Uncle Dennis White who was Bandmaster at the time. In 1979, aged 16 Karen joined Kirkby Colliery Band, moving to Baritone after a couple of years, as she thought it would be easier to get the high notes!

In 1983 Karen moved to Shirebrook Welfare Band, there was no empty baritone chair so Karen went back on cornet initially then moved onto horn. Karen worked her way to the Solo Horn Chair where she stayed until 1997, when she left and took some time out of banding.

 

Karen was then asked to help Blidworth Welfare Band at a contest at the Winding Wheel in Chesterfield in 1998 and she has been with the band ever since! Karen played flugel for a time, then moved back onto horn and played Solo Horn for a few years moving down the bench over the years to make way for new players.

Karen is now on cornet and part of Team Back Row.

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