Archived Extracts

AN interesting sketch of the musical career of Mr. Charles. A. Cooper, conductor of the Huthwaite Silver Prize Band, appears in an article contributed by "C.M." in Wright and Round's Brass Band News, which we publish below.
  Mr. Charles A. Cooper was born in Huthwaite, and it is only natural that very early he was identified with musical work. At eight years of age he joined the Free Church Choir; the lad had a fine alto voice which changed to a rich tenor after the "break" and, as a tenor soloist, Mr. Cooper gained many admirers at different concerts and oratorio performances where he appeared.
  As well as vocal work his father encouraged his son's partiality for brass instruments, particularly the cornet, and Charles became a member of the Huthwaite Band, then known as Hucknall Huthwaite. Starting on the second cornet he soon climbed to take possession of the soloist's chair, and at the first contest which he attended with the band (Crystal Palace, 1900) had the satisfaction of helping them win first prize. The late Mr. Edwin Swift was the band's professional teacher at that time.

Being enthusiastic and ambitious young Cooper spent a lot of his time studying harmony and kindred subjects, and in 1911 he was duly rewarded by being appointed bandmaster of Huthwaite Band. He is still their leader and during his long connection with them this combination has had numberous successes. In 1912 he widened his sphere of activities by becoming the conductor of the Huthwaite Symphonic Orchestral Society. He held this position for nine years and greatly benefitted by the experience.
  As a cornet soloist Mr. Cooper played with the Notts. Sherwood Ranges Military Band; with this regiment he served during the war, but, being discharged after a short time, he services were in great demand for theatre, music hall and trumpet oratorio work.
  During the war period he also seriously set to work studying advanced harmony, counter point, etc., under the tuition of the late Mr. J.G. Jubb, and in 1918 he was successful in winning the Associate Diploma of the Victoria College of Music. Later on he further studied under Lt. Adkin, a Kneller Hall professor of music, orchestrating, arranging, etc.
  As a teacher, apart from the many victories with his own band, he has been engaged by, and successful with, many others, particularly in the Bristol area, where his abilities are well known and appreciated. Lister's Works, Bristol N.U.R., Fishpond's Argyle, Midsomer Norton Town, are some of the bands he has taught. Several Midland bands have also engaged him.

He commenced adjudicating in 1920, and since that time over 3,000 performances have passed his jurisdiction at different contests in all parts of England and Wales. Last summer in the South of England, Sir Dan Godfrey, who was the chairman of the contest, remarked in his speech that "Bandsmen can rely on Mr. Cooper's sound judgement for he is a musician who knows his business from A to Z."
  In 1927 the authorities of the Nottingham University College engaged Mr. Cooper to give a series of lectures in their area on various musical subjects: "Brass Instruments, Brass Band Music, The Orchestra," etc. The series proved a decided success and were continued during the following session.
  One of Mr. Cooper's most cherished possessions is an organ, and he is seldom away from the instrument when at home; he is an organist of no mean ability and he uses this instrument a great deal when trying over his band scores and for analysis work.
  A good deal of Mr. Cooper's time is taken up with scoring and arranging for orchestras and military and brass bands. He does quite a lot of this work for overseas' bands as well as for clients in this country.
  The writer thinks that very few band teachers have had a more interesting and varied musical experience than Mr. Cooper. Mr. Cooper is modest and unassuming, but his past record should commend him to all who need a reliable teacher or adjudicator. That long life, good health and continued success be his are the sincere desires of his numerous friends.

Mr. Herbert Littlewood, of Shirebrook, was re-elected President of the Nation Association of Colliery Deputies, when the annual meeting of that organisation was held in the Albert Hall Institue, Nottingham on Saturday.
Other officers elected for 1935 were Vice-President, Mr. F.W. Burrows (Loscoe) ; Auditors, Mr. E. Williams (Pinxton) and Mr. R.W. Lambert (Nottingham) ; Delegates to Federation, Mr Rowlan Price (Nottingham) and Mr. H. Asher (Ripley) ; Executive Committee, Mr S. E. Baxter (Pinxton), Mr. C. Roper (Ilkeston), Mr. J. Percival (Swadlincote) and Mt. T. Hammersley (Coventry), representing Notts. Derbyshire, South Derbyshire and Warwickshire respectively.

Mr. Rowlan Price, the Compensation Agent of the Association, in his annual report, stated that the year 1934 had held more pleasing features both financially and in regard to membership than any year for the past two or three. Whilst some branches had declined in membership owing to closing down of sections of mines in the area which they cover, others had developed and increased membership has resulted, two new branches having been formed. Financially the Association was sound, a pleasing feature being the reduction of out-of-work pay. Death claimed ten members.
  In the near future, stated the report, many things would be introduced which would affect the deputy and shotfirer, and increase his responsibility. The Board of Trade proposed to make general regulations to apply to all mines to which the Coal Mines Act, 1911, applies for the compulsory use of gas detectors, which may be an automatic detector or flame safety lamp, in proportion to the number of men employed at the working faces. It will certainly increase the responsibility of the deputy and aim at preventing such disasters which occurred during 1934.

"The deputy and shotfirer is the custodian of safety in the mine. Let nothing deter him from his duty of safeguarding the lives of those placed under his charge. One life lost in the mines brings pain and suffering to many which nothing can alleviate, leave alone the meagre pittance as provided for by the Compensation Act."