Meet the Band
Get to know our players
Oddfellows Brass is a dynamic and talented brass band based in Leicestershire, UK. Our team is made up of dedicated musicians who specialise in creating beautiful and captivating music. We are a close-knit group, brought together by our shared love for brass music. Each member of our team brings their own unique skills and musical abilities to the table, creating a harmonious blend of sound.
Principal Cornet
Ian Dickman
Ian Dickman, Principal Cornet of Oddfellows Brass, has been playing since the age of 11 and has performed with top UK bands including Foden's, Brighouse and Rastrick, GUS, and Desford Colliery. He won the North of England Solo Championship at just 14 and joined Leyland Vehicles Band on soprano cornet at 16 under Richard Evans.
A featured soloist on BBC 2's Best of Brass in 1985 and Champion Brass in 1987, Ian joined Oddfellows in 1999, where he met his wife, Elaine. With a wealth of experience and a deep passion for brass band music, Ian remains a driving force in the band's success.
Solo Cornet
Andy Platts
Solo Cornet
John Hill
Solo Cornet
Laura Springthorpe
Soprano Cornet
Chris Massingham
Chris began playing trumpet at the age of 13 while attending Ryde High School on the Isle of Wight. During her early years, she performed with the Isle of Wight Youth Concert Band, Youth Orchestra, and Ryde Brass Band. After leaving school, she joined the Royal Air Force, stepping away from playing for a number of years due to work commitments.
In 2005, while posted to Lincolnshire, Chris returned to playing, this time on Bb Cornet, and in 2009 she moved to Soprano Cornet. She went on to play with the City of Lincoln Band, the Hospital's Band, and Newark Town Band - all non-contesting bands at the time.
Chris was later invited to join the all-female band Boobs and Brass on Soprano Cornet, where a highlight was performing in a joint concert with Brighouse and Rastrick at Huddersfield Town Hall. She gained her first contesting experience with Harborough Band, where she played for several years. After the COVID-19 pandemic, Chris returned to Newark Town Band under the direction of Gary Wyatt.
Chri joined Oddfellows Brass in March 2025 and is looking forward to the exciting challenges ahead.
Repiano Cornet
Jo Reed
Second Cornet
Paul Spence
Second Cornet
Elaine Dickman
Elaine began her musical journey at the age of 10, playing cornet with the Paddock Youth Band in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. Her love for brass banding quickly grew, and by the age of 16 she had joined the Meltham and Meltham Mills Band, performing in the highly competitive Yorkshire First Section.
At 19, Elaine moved to Leicestershire for university and continued her brass banding with Croft Silver Band, where a highlight was competing in the National Finals in London. Since then, she has played with several respected bands including Ibstock Brick Brass and the Enderby Band.
Elaine now proudly plays with Oddfellows Brass Band, where she continues to enjoy every moment of her banding life.
Third Cornet
Dean Sargent
Third Cornet
Olivia Middlebrook
Flugel Horn
Rob Boulter
Solo Horn
Emma Davis
You could say Emma was born into banding, attending her first rehearsal at just 3 days old! She began playing the cornet at 7, later switching to horn at 18, and never looked back since. Emma's most notable tenure was 8 years with Carlton Main Frickley.
Over the years, Emma has had the privilege of performing in some of the UK's finest musical venues, including Birmingham Symphony Hall and the Royal Albert Hall, under the baton of some of the brass band world's legendary conductors. After an 18 month break to focus on family Emma was lured back to the banding world when she agreed to dep "just once" under the direction of the biggest legend of them all...her dad.
First Horn
Carole Atkinson
Second Horn
Diane Boulter
Diane began playing at the age of 11 with the Foresters Youth Band, starting out on back row cornet. After a break during university, she returned to banding in 1984 when she joined Unity Brass – now known as Oddfellows Brass. She has played Tenor Horn with the band ever since, marking over 40 years of continuous membership.
Two highlights of Diane's banding career include coming 2nd at the National Finals at Wembley in 1986, and performing at the Royal Albert Hall in 1995 – both unforgettable milestones. It's been an incredible journey, and Diane is proud to still be part of the band's story after all these years.
Solo Euphonium
Paul Speed
Second Euphonium
Vacancy
Solo Baritone
Bethan Brown
Second Baritone
Laura Brown
Solo Trombone.
John Weston
Second Trombone
Shelley Platts
Bass Trombone
Kev Bexley
Eb Bass
Martin John
Martin John's banding journey began at the age of 7 in Holmfirth, and he's since played for several top bands including Hepworth, Oddfellows, GUS, and Ratby. With a true passion for banding, Martin's ambition is to play every position in a band, all he needs to master now is the trombone... how hard can that be!?
Principal Eb Bass
Sally Julian
Sally first picked up an Eb Bass at 11 and has been laying down the low notes ever since! Her early banding days saw her playing with Daventry & District Silver and Rushden Windmill, while also touring Europe with the Northamptonshire County Youth Brass Band — highlights included a silver medal at the World Youth Music Festival and a show-stopping performance at the Royal Albert Hall with famed percussionist Evelyn Glennie.
She's filled in for countless Midlands bands over the years, proving herself a reliable dep and a solid section player in both brass and orchestral settings. After a short break to raise her family, she dusted off the bass and joined Heart of England Co-operative Orchestra, before joining Newhall and helping them to victory at the 4th Section National Finals.
Sally joined Oddfellows Brass in 2023, and took over the Principal Eb Bass seat in 2024. She also keeps everything ticking over behind the scenes as our General Secretary. When she's not holding down the bottom end, she's raising funds (and the roof) with the all-female "Boobs and Brass," who've raised over £250,000 for charity since their inception in 2006.
Bb Bass
Andy Nutting
Andy began his brass band journey at the age of 13 with the Foresters Youth Band, starting out on Baritone and Euphonium. At 16, he switched to Bb Bass and has played it ever since. He has been a proud member of the Oddfellows Brass Band for over 45 years. A highlight of his time with the band was reaching the National Finals in 1995. One of his proudest moments has been seeing his daughter continue the banding tradition. Being part of this musical family continues to be a huge part of his life.
Bb Bass
Brian Slee
Percussion - Kit
Adam Hawkins
Adam took up percussion at 16 with his local community group, Tutbury Band, and quickly discovered a love for all things rhythmic and loud. He got his first taste of brass banding at 19 when he joined Newhall Band, and stuck around for 12 years, helping them rise through the 4th, 3rd, and 2nd sections.
His brass band debut was a winner too, literally! Taking first place at the West Midlands contest in 2009 with Music for a Festival. Since then, he's picked up a string of "Most Entertaining Band" awards at Bolsover, and Beer & Brass on the Grass, racked up promotions, and even made it to the National Finals.
In 2021 Adam made the leap to the 1st section with Oddfellows Brass, and has been loving the challenge ever since. Behind the kit is where he's happiest, keeping the beat, driving the band, and occasionally stealing the show.
Tuned Percussion
Milly Nutting
Milly joined the brass band world at the age of 15, starting out on Baritone before finding her true place in the percussion section, where she's stayed ever since. She has been a member of Oddfellows Brass for the past seven years and brings energy and enthusiasm to every performance.
One of Milly's favourite parts of banding is seeing the audience smile – especially when she's dancing at the back during concerts! For her, bringing joy through music is what it's all about. Sharing the experience with her dad, also a long-standing member of the band, has made the journey even more meaningful.
Tuned Percussion