Marie Honoured by The Worshipful Company of Musicians

Marie Smith, MD of Shirland Welfare Training Band and banding stalwart, has been awarded a top musical Diploma for her services to brass music.

The Diploma of Honour of the Worshipful Company of Musicians was presented to Marie at the Midlands Regional Championships by Philip Biggs, in recognition of her contribution to the brass band scene, particularly in the training and tuition of young musicians.

Marie, who started playing the cornet at the age of five, has been a leading light in British brass banding for many years. She became a professional player in her teens and toured the world with the famous Ivy Benson Band.

A lifelong player and conductor at the Shirland Band, for many years she has dedicated her life to teaching children to play brass.

"I am extremely proud to be awarded this Diploma, which is one of only five awarded each year, but the real joy is in seeing the children I teach develop into such accomplished musicians", says Marie, who is now teaching her third generation of players.

With her help, many pupils have gone on to become professional players and champion musicians in their own right. In the last six years Marie has guided Shirland from the Fourth to the First Section and within the last three years, eight of her young players have played in the National Youth and Children's Bands of Great Britain, whilst two have played trumpet in the National Children's Orchestra.

On top of that, Shirland junior quartets have won the UK Junior Brass Quartet Championships three times and the Shirland youth band won competitions in 2006.

In an age where people seem to make less time for others, Marie is an outstanding individual with an extraordinary talent for turning school children into expert musicians and this Diploma is just reward for her dedication.