Helen Minshall

Helen’s involvement in music began at the age of 12, when she started brass lessons at Ayr Academy, Ayrshire, Scotland, initially on French Horn, then Tuba. She joined the local Ayr Area Schools Brass Band, and then later progressed to adult bands in Ayrshire; Benquhat Band, and Dalmellington Band. In 1980 Helen was one of the first students to embark upon the brand new “Graduate Diploma in Band Musicianship” course at Salford College, at a time when it was very difficult for women to be accepted in the country’s finest bands.