The band are really pleased to announce the signing of Karen Socci on Flugel.
Karen grew up being involved with the Shirley Silver Brass band, where her Grandfather, Father, Uncle and brother were all playing members. It was therefore inevitable when a brass teacher gave Karen a cornet at junior school, she was able to play a note.
Karen progressed quickly from Shirley”B” Band for juniors to the Shirley band spending one week on third cornet then instant promotion to the front row. Apart from a time covering flugel, Karen remained either Principal or 2nd man down until her late teens when she moved to Jaguar Cars (City of Coventry) band, under the direction of Ray Farr, competing in many Entertainment contests and National finals at Championship level. She remembers a massed band concert with Brighouse before women were eventually allowed in. From what was a very male dominated environment and certainly not very welcoming to woman it was inevitable traditional brass bands would have to change. Thankfully since then most of the traditional bands have moved on from their origins. Change was a little slower for some, especially those playing at top level. It wasn’t until 2010 that the famous Brighouse and Rastrick Brass Band admitted their first female player, 27 years old Laura Hirst
Karen returned to Shirley Band before her husband, Steve Socci’s work brought them to the South East. Karen started playing in this area approx. 8 years ago with Snowdown Colliery Welfare Band as well as Simon Langton Brass Band on front row cornet.
Karen is now playing Flugel at Betteshanger Colliery Welfare Band
Betteshanger Colliery Welfare Band 