Josie Miell

From a very early age my grandfather sat me at the piano and tried to teach me to read music but I was more interested in the workings of the hammers and how the sound was produced than trying to understand musical hieroglyphics. My interest was eventually ignited once I attended secondary education and was given so many wonderful opportunities in music, which lead to my gaining scholarships in violin, piano and tenor horn. As a result I was invited to play violin for Lewisham Philharmonic Orchestra and Lloyds Symphony Orchestra, London and tenor horn in the National Schools’ Brass Band until entering college in 1966. Whilst at college I decided to further my brass playing by joining Sussex Brass where I had the privilege of playing under the baton of Harry Mortimer CBE. On moving to Romsey I played with Albion Band.

In 1970 I joined Michelmersh Silver Prize Band as the second woman member ever to be allowed to pass through into what was then a very male domain and to this day am the longest serving female member. My gratitude goes to former members Wilf Parsons and Stan Topp for making me feel so very welcome and teaching me to be the dedicated player that I am today.

Contests and music courses are often a time for meeting with some of my past pupils and enjoying their successes. Four of my former pupils still play with Michelmersh. Kelly (trombone), Clair (repiano cornet), Carrie(solo horn) and Jo (solo cornet). In June 2000 I was invited to form a youth band in a neighbouring village and am now Musical Director of Downton Youth Brass Band, which gives me the opportunity to arrange and compose for my young players and to encourage them to be professional musicians in both their performance and musicianship.

As a teacher for twenty-two years I have encouraged hundreds of children to play in orchestras, brass bands, wind bands and choirs and I have entered various groups into festivals and musical proms with successful outcomes. I also had seven happy years as Choir Mistress in my local church with the occasional ad hoc orchestra formed from the congregation and parishioners for those “special” occasions!

My support for the banding movement goes beyond Michelmersh. I am Registration Secretary for the Wessex Brass Band Association and annually give a week to the Wessex Band Courses held at Sturminster Newton, where I have tutored and conducted the Junior Band since 1983 along with Dennis Chalk B.E.M. of Wilton & District Youth Band and Angela Lowe of Midsomer Norton and Radstock Band.

If music be the food of love………..