Cove Brass Principal Cornet

Chris Mayle

Also known as “Ironchops” for his prodigious endurance – he says!

Chris took up the trumpet at aged 10 to follow a long family tradition of brass players – his father and grandfather were both cornet players and his great-grandfather was a horn player.

He was invited to join the Hampshire County Youth Band at the age of 11, where he stayed until old age forced his resignation at the grand old age of 19!

Chris has played for a number of bands on cornet, soprano or flugel including Hampshire Concert Brass (now Otterborne by way of City of Winchester), Marchwood Brass (now New Forest Brass), New Forest Brass, Gosport Silver Band (now Gosport Solent), Alder Valley Brass, Basingstoke Silver Band, The Tadley Band and, of course, Cove Brass.  He has enjoyed playing under some exceptional Musical Directors including John Knight, Keith Whitmore, Gordon Saunders, Gordon Leask to name but a few (oh, and Claudio of course!).  Chris also provides brass instrument tuition in his spare time (what little there is of it!).

Both Chris’ daughters are brass players, carrying on the family tradition.