11th May 2020

Verwood Concert Brass are delighted to announce that they have awarded Lifetime Memberships to Mike and Nigel Tiller in recognition of their service to the band over the past 45 years.

Helen Dunnings, Chair of Verwood Concert Brass said “It was a great pleasure and honour to be able to give the very well-deserved award of Lifetime Membership of Verwood Concert Brass to both Mike and Nigel. Brass bands don’t run by themselves but need dedicated and reliable players and members who will step up to the plate to help support the running of the band. Without question Mike and Nigel have shown this over their amazing unbroken 45 year membership of Verwood Concert Brass and I, and I’m sure all players past and present, thank them for their outstanding dedication and service”.

Brothers Mike and Nigel Tiller both learned how to play brass at Oakmead School in Bournemouth, which became legendary for producing a lot of local brass players via the school brass band led by Mr Courtney Bosanko, who was well renowned in the brass band world. Mike’s travels with the band playing to the King of Norway and the Pope in Italy gave Nigel the inspiration to start playing. Nigel was privileged to play when the school band became World Champions at the World Music Festival in Kerkrade, Holland.

It was in 1975 when the Tiller brothers joined Verwood Concert Brass. This was thanks to the persistence of Verwood cornet player Steve Rowland who was also an ex pupil of Oakmead School and its brass band, so knew Nigel and encouraged him to come along. Mike was also looking for a band so joined up too. John Grinnell also a teacher at Oakmead was Musical Director at this time, trying to rebuild the Verwood band.

Originally they both started in the band on 2nd cornet but in time Mike moved to baritone, which he still continues to play today. Nigel had an early move on to euphonium and had a stint on horn but ultimately took up playing Bb bass. Over the years both Mike and Nigel have been there supporting the band through the ups and downs of banding, keeping things going when player numbers were low and contest results could have been better, through to the highs of seeing the organisation grow and flourish with both contributing to successes of band promotions, contest wins and enjoying the delights of playing at national finals.

Both Mike and Nigel have been members of the band committee, with Nigel having held the positions of secretary and chairman. He was also instrumental in getting the grant to enable the band to have its very own, purpose built, band hall, which opened in January 1995.

Huge congratulations Mike and Nigel on your award and a huge thank you for all that you have done for Verwood Concert Brass and being part of the banding family.

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