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The Dereham Band are sad to report the death of our friend and fellow member Dawn Rollins, a dedicated and popular musician. Having taken Piano lessons since the age of six, Dawn began playing the cornet at the age of 15. Serving her apprenticeship in the Dereham junior band, she quickly progressed to the senior band, playing second cornet then repiano. During this period she also played solo cornet with the Dereham Neatherd High School Band. At the age of 18 Dawn moved to Hull University. Whilst there, she joined the Cottingham Band, playing with other brass ensembles as well as keeping up her connection with Dereham band during vacations. She was with the band on its first trip to Ruthen, Germany in 1982. After graduating from university Dawn moved back to Norwich to complete her training as a chartered accountant. The level of professional commitment required meant that banding had to be forgone for a few years. The temptation of a new “Sovereign” cornet in 1999 helped to entice Dawn back to her roots and she rejoined Dereham Band. On returning to the band, Dawn rediscovered the challenge and commitment that banding brings, and moved from the solo cornet line to the repiano cornet position which she enjoyed so much. In 2001 Dawn further demonstrated her commitment to the band by becoming our first female Chairman and served a 3 year term; seeing the band through good and not so good times with a strong and purposeful leadership. Dawn was always keen to widen her horizons learn new things and see new faces. She frequently travelled to brass master classes and to concerts played by the country’s top bands. Dawn saw a dream come true in 2003 when she was invited to join the Delph band at the Whit Friday contest. She first entered this contest with a scratch band (Wuss Brass) in 2002. Dawn contested with Delph at the Whit Friday contest from 2003 to 2006. Just weeks before her death Dawn played with United Co-op Yorkshire band at the Whit Friday contest and was really proud and excited when they got 3 first places. Dawn was well known in the banding world in her home county of Norfolk, and was always keen to help out other bands. She has played with Aylsham, Cromer and Sheringham, Kings Lynn, Matthews Norfolk Brass and Hellesdon and Sprowston amongst others. Dawn married her long time partner Colin in 2004, in a very private ceremony. Colin was understanding of Dawn’s love of brass bands and would often return home from working in London to find her out on a band engagement. Dawn and Colin both shared a love of cycling and frequently went on cycling holidays to far flung corners of the world. They were featured on the “Holiday” programme during a trip to Japan, and Dawn painted wonderful pictures of the filming and interviewing experience they had. It was whilst on a Cycling holiday to Malawi in Africa that Dawn and her husband Colin were tragically killed in a plane crash on 16th June 2007. The Dereham Band has lost a talented and dedicated friend. Our thoughts are with her family at this time.
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