Roger Webster facts for kids

Roger Webster (born in 1960) is a famous English cornet player and psychologist. Many people consider him one of the best cornet players ever. He also teaches music at the Royal Northern College of Music. Besides music, he gives talks about psychology, especially about how our thoughts affect our feelings (a type of therapy called CBT). Roger Webster has played with some of the world's top brass bands.

About Roger Webster

Roger Webster was born in 1960 in Doncaster, England. He grew up in a town called Brierley. Roger started playing the piano when he was six years old. Four years later, at age ten, he began playing the cornet. The cornet soon became his main instrument. He played with the Grimethorpe Colliery Junior Band.

Before becoming a full-time musician, Roger worked in coal mines. He also worked as a laboratory technician. In 1988, his hobby became his job. He was asked to join Black Dyke, one of the world's best brass bands. He played as the main cornet player for five years.

Roger's Solo Career

After five years, Roger decided to focus on his solo career. He still played in contests with the CWS (Glasgow) Band. This band was considered the top band in Scotland. Roger also sometimes played with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra.

In 2000, he rejoined the Black Dyke Band. He said it felt like he had "seven years off for personal development." During this time, he earned a master's degree in music. He also completed his PhD in psychology at the University of Leeds. He stayed with Black Dyke for another five years, leaving in December 2005.

Just a few days later, he joined the Grimethorpe Colliery Band. The band manager invited him after their main cornet player left. In his first contest with Grimethorpe, they won first place. They beat his old band by one point. Roger also won the award for best soloist.

Roger left Grimethorpe in December 2008. He then became busy performing as a solo artist. He also played trumpet in orchestras. People praised his playing of the flugelhorn and trumpet in various pieces. Roger worked for Besson, a musical instrument company. He continues to work for them today.

In 2015, Roger rejoined Grimethorpe as the main cornet player. He wanted to help the band become as successful as it was when he was last there. Roger has recently been given a special title: a professorship at the RNCM.

Music for Charity

In 2012, Roger released his first solo CD in eight years. This CD was special because it raised money for the charity Help For Heroes. He was joined by The Guards' Brass Band for this recording.

Queen Victoria's Cornet

Roger Webster owns a very old cornet made by Besson. This special cornet was given to Alexander Owen in 1875. It was a gift from Queen Victoria herself!

The cornet has special engravings. It also has the Royal crest on its bell. No one knows exactly why the Queen gave this gift. However, it was a time when brass music was very popular, like pop music today.

Alexander Owen's daughter later gave the cornet to a friend. In 1961, this friend gave it to Derek Garside after a charity concert. Roger received the cornet from Garside in 2002. Garside decided it was time to pass it to "the present day cornet king." Roger still has this historic cornet today.

Roger's Music Albums

Roger Webster has played as a solo artist on over 20 CDs. These are in addition to his own personal solo albums. Here are his solo CDs: