My inspiration to become a brass player comes from my
family’s involvement in brass banding, particularly my father, who was the principal euphonium at Grimethorpe for 20 years. I began my journey at my local learner band with Tom Greatorex, who initially gave me a cornet. However, after
about two months, it became clear that the cornet wasn’t the right fit for me. but Tom and my dad recognised that I would be better suited to a much larger instrument!

Since then, I’ve been playing the tuba. 

After around five years with the Horbury Victoria Youth Band, I had the opportunity to join the air cadets and became part of the National Air Cadets Concert Band. One of the highlights was performing in Lincoln Cathedral. I continued playing with Horbury youth band alongside my
cadet commitments. Since 2023 I have been playing with the Horbury Victoria Senior Band on Eb bass. My first competition with them was the 2024 Yorkshire area championship, where I was proud to be awarded the youngest player at age
15. In 2025, I was fortunate to be accepted into the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain, which broadened my tuba playing horizons as I moved onto Bb Bass!

Sam Dodd