Roger Webster
Encyclopedia
Roger Webster is an English
cornetist and psychologist
. He has been acclaimed as one of the world's best ever cornetists. He also teaches performance at the Royal Northern College of Music
as well as a weekly lecture
on psychology
(specialising in Cognitive Intervention Therapy a version of CBT). Webster has played with some of the world's best brass bands and was until recently the principal cornet with Grimethorpe Colliery Band
. He is also the joint owner, with his wife, of Webster's Eco-Lube, a firm that manufactures musical instrument lubricants.
, England
. He was raised in Brierley
. His first instrument was piano
which he began playing at the age of 6. Four years later he began playing his current instrument the cornet
. The piano was gradually pushed aside as he progressed with the cornet
at Grimethorpe Colliery Junior Band
. Before becoming a professional musician, he worked down the coal mines and prior to that as a Laboratory technician. However, it wasn't until 1988 that he began to turn his hobby
into a job. In this year he was invited to join Black Dyke
, one of the world's greatest brass band
s, as principal cornet. He stayed here for 5 years before deciding to pursue a solo career. He did however contest during his solo period with CWS Glasgow band, arguably the top band in Scotland
. Webster continues to play on occasions with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra
. In 2000 he was once again invited to join Black Dyke Band
, and accepted saying it felt as though he had "seven years off for personal development". It was during this time that he received a Master's Degree
in Music at the University of Leeds, and went on to complete his PhD in psychology
The stay once again lasted five years with him leaving rather suddenly in December 2005. Within days he joined Grimethorpe Colliery Band
after the band manager, invited him to join, as the principal cornet had left only as few days previously. In his first contest for Grimethorpe
they came first beating his former band by one point whilst also picking up the best soloist award Roger left Grimethorpe in December 2008 along with several colleagues and is currently busy performing as a soloist and orchestral trumpeter (receiving great critical acclaim for his flugal playing in Mahler 3 and trumpet work in Gregson's Dream Song.). Webster worked for Besson
whilst they were situated near London, and continues to work for them following their take-over by Buffet Crampon
.
Webster owns a very old Besson cornet
, one that was originally presented to Alexander Owen in 1875 by Queen Victoria
. It is specially engraved, and has the Royal crest on the bell. The reason why the Queen presented such a gift is unknown; however, it was presented during the time when Brass music was the pop music of the day. Alexander's daughter gave it to a friend who in turn presented it to Derek Garside after a charity concert in 1961. Roger received the cornet from Garside in 2002, after Garside decided it was time to pass it on to "the present day cornet king". Webster still has it to this day.
Websters Eco-Lube was set up in 2004 after Webster was becoming increasingly worried about the amount of lubricants with toxic labels on them. After four years of research, Webster and Dawn (the co-owner) found oil that was refined so it was good enough to be a lubricant, but also non-toxic. They are said to last longer than others, notably by Steven Mead, one of the world's finest euphonium
players. The range of lubricants covers all brass instrument
s, as well as key oil and cork grease for woodwind instrument
s. The sister company, Alliance Products produces and sells a large range of mouthpieces and cases for brass instruments. On its launch, the range was met with wide critical acclaim and continues to be one of the leading brands with an ever increasing demand. The mouthpieces are included in the professional range of instruments by Besson.
His personal solo CDs are:
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
cornetist and psychologist
Psychologist
Psychologist is a professional or academic title used by individuals who are either:* Clinical professionals who work with patients in a variety of therapeutic contexts .* Scientists conducting psychological research or teaching psychology in a college...
. He has been acclaimed as one of the world's best ever cornetists. He also teaches performance at the Royal Northern College of Music
Royal Northern College of Music
The Royal Northern College of Music is a music school in Manchester, England. It is located on Oxford Road in Chorlton on Medlock, at the western edge of the campus of the University of Manchester and is one of four conservatories associated with the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music...
as well as a weekly lecture
Lecture
thumb|A lecture on [[linear algebra]] at the [[Helsinki University of Technology]]A lecture is an oral presentation intended to present information or teach people about a particular subject, for example by a university or college teacher. Lectures are used to convey critical information, history,...
on psychology
Psychology
Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. Its immediate goal is to understand individuals and groups by both establishing general principles and researching specific cases. For many, the ultimate goal of psychology is to benefit society...
(specialising in Cognitive Intervention Therapy a version of CBT). Webster has played with some of the world's best brass bands and was until recently the principal cornet with Grimethorpe Colliery Band
Grimethorpe Colliery Band
The Grimethorpe Colliery Band is a brass band, based in Grimethorpe, South Yorkshire, England. It was formed in 1917, as a leisure activity for the workers at the colliery, by members of the disbanded Cudworth Colliery Band...
. He is also the joint owner, with his wife, of Webster's Eco-Lube, a firm that manufactures musical instrument lubricants.
Biography
Webster was born in 1960 in DoncasterDoncaster
Doncaster is a town in South Yorkshire, England, and the principal settlement of the Metropolitan Borough of Doncaster. The town is about from Sheffield and is popularly referred to as "Donny"...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. He was raised in Brierley
Brierley
Brierley is a town and civil parish in the Metropolitan Borough of Barnsley in South Yorkshire, England), close to the border with West Yorkshire. It lies to the south-west of Hemsworth, off the A628 road, and is located at approximately 53° 35' 40" North, 1° 23' West, at an elevation of around...
. His first instrument was piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
which he began playing at the age of 6. Four years later he began playing his current instrument the cornet
Cornet
The cornet is a brass instrument very similar to the trumpet, distinguished by its conical bore, compact shape, and mellower tone quality. The most common cornet is a transposing instrument in B. It is not related to the renaissance and early baroque cornett or cornetto.-History:The cornet was...
. The piano was gradually pushed aside as he progressed with the cornet
Cornet
The cornet is a brass instrument very similar to the trumpet, distinguished by its conical bore, compact shape, and mellower tone quality. The most common cornet is a transposing instrument in B. It is not related to the renaissance and early baroque cornett or cornetto.-History:The cornet was...
at Grimethorpe Colliery Junior Band
Grimethorpe Colliery Band
The Grimethorpe Colliery Band is a brass band, based in Grimethorpe, South Yorkshire, England. It was formed in 1917, as a leisure activity for the workers at the colliery, by members of the disbanded Cudworth Colliery Band...
. Before becoming a professional musician, he worked down the coal mines and prior to that as a Laboratory technician. However, it wasn't until 1988 that he began to turn his hobby
Hobby
A hobby is a regular activity or interest that is undertaken for pleasure, typically done during one's leisure time.- Etymology :A hobby horse is a wooden or wickerwork toy made to be ridden just like a real horse...
into a job. In this year he was invited to join Black Dyke
Black Dyke Band
The Black Dyke Band, formerly the Black Dyke Mills Band, is one of the oldest and best-known brass bands in the world. The band has won many prizes and competitions over the years...
, one of the world's greatest brass band
Brass band
A brass band is a musical ensemble generally consisting entirely of brass instruments, most often with a percussion section. Ensembles that include brass and woodwind instruments can in certain traditions also be termed brass bands , but are usually more correctly termed military bands, concert...
s, as principal cornet. He stayed here for 5 years before deciding to pursue a solo career. He did however contest during his solo period with CWS Glasgow band, arguably the top band in Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
. Webster continues to play on occasions with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra
BBC Philharmonic
The BBC Philharmonic is a British broadcasting symphony orchestra based at Media City UK, Salford, England. It is one of five radio orchestras maintained by the British Broadcasting Corporation. The orchestra's primary concert venue is the Bridgewater Hall....
. In 2000 he was once again invited to join Black Dyke Band
Black Dyke Band
The Black Dyke Band, formerly the Black Dyke Mills Band, is one of the oldest and best-known brass bands in the world. The band has won many prizes and competitions over the years...
, and accepted saying it felt as though he had "seven years off for personal development". It was during this time that he received a Master's Degree
Master's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
in Music at the University of Leeds, and went on to complete his PhD in psychology
Psychology
Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. Its immediate goal is to understand individuals and groups by both establishing general principles and researching specific cases. For many, the ultimate goal of psychology is to benefit society...
The stay once again lasted five years with him leaving rather suddenly in December 2005. Within days he joined Grimethorpe Colliery Band
Grimethorpe Colliery Band
The Grimethorpe Colliery Band is a brass band, based in Grimethorpe, South Yorkshire, England. It was formed in 1917, as a leisure activity for the workers at the colliery, by members of the disbanded Cudworth Colliery Band...
after the band manager, invited him to join, as the principal cornet had left only as few days previously. In his first contest for Grimethorpe
Grimethorpe Colliery Band
The Grimethorpe Colliery Band is a brass band, based in Grimethorpe, South Yorkshire, England. It was formed in 1917, as a leisure activity for the workers at the colliery, by members of the disbanded Cudworth Colliery Band...
they came first beating his former band by one point whilst also picking up the best soloist award Roger left Grimethorpe in December 2008 along with several colleagues and is currently busy performing as a soloist and orchestral trumpeter (receiving great critical acclaim for his flugal playing in Mahler 3 and trumpet work in Gregson's Dream Song.). Webster worked for Besson
Besson (company)
Besson is a manufacturer of brass musical instrument. It is owned by Buffet Crampon, which bought Besson in 2006 from The Music Group.The company was formed in 1837 by Gustave Auguste Besson, who at the age of 18 produced a revolutionary design of cornet which surpassed all contemporary models. His...
whilst they were situated near London, and continues to work for them following their take-over by Buffet Crampon
Buffet Crampon
Buffet Crampon et Compagnie is a French manufacturer of woodwind musical instruments, including oboes, flutes, saxophones, and bassoons; however, the company is perhaps most famous for their clarinets, as Buffet is the brand of choice for many professionals....
.
Queen Victoria cornet
Cornet
The cornet is a brass instrument very similar to the trumpet, distinguished by its conical bore, compact shape, and mellower tone quality. The most common cornet is a transposing instrument in B. It is not related to the renaissance and early baroque cornett or cornetto.-History:The cornet was...
, one that was originally presented to Alexander Owen in 1875 by Queen Victoria
Victoria of the United Kingdom
Victoria was the monarch of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 20 June 1837 until her death. From 1 May 1876, she used the additional title of Empress of India....
. It is specially engraved, and has the Royal crest on the bell. The reason why the Queen presented such a gift is unknown; however, it was presented during the time when Brass music was the pop music of the day. Alexander's daughter gave it to a friend who in turn presented it to Derek Garside after a charity concert in 1961. Roger received the cornet from Garside in 2002, after Garside decided it was time to pass it on to "the present day cornet king". Webster still has it to this day.
Websters Eco-Lube
Euphonium
The euphonium is a conical-bore, tenor-voiced brass instrument. It derives its name from the Greek word euphonos, meaning "well-sounding" or "sweet-voiced"...
players. The range of lubricants covers all brass instrument
Brass instrument
A brass instrument is a musical instrument whose sound is produced by sympathetic vibration of air in a tubular resonator in sympathy with the vibration of the player's lips...
s, as well as key oil and cork grease for woodwind instrument
Woodwind instrument
A woodwind instrument is a musical instrument which produces sound when the player blows air against a sharp edge or through a reed, causing the air within its resonator to vibrate...
s. The sister company, Alliance Products produces and sells a large range of mouthpieces and cases for brass instruments. On its launch, the range was met with wide critical acclaim and continues to be one of the leading brands with an ever increasing demand. The mouthpieces are included in the professional range of instruments by Besson.
Discography
Webster has appeared as soloist on well over 20 CDs, excluding his own.His personal solo CDs are:
| Date of Release | Title | Label |
| 1994 | Twilight Dreams | Polyphonic |
| 1995 | Pieces | Polyphonic |
| 1997 | Bandsman's Choice | Polyphonic |
| 1999 | Webster's Choice | Polyphonic |
| 2004 | Passport - A Musical Journey | Doyen |