Erik first learned to play a brass instrument in the Salvation Army Band at Northwich in Cheshire then at the age of 17 joined the Staffordshire Regimental Band on cornet.

After about 3 years he made the change to trombone and studied for one year at Kneller Hall, The Royal Military School of Music, with Bill Teskey.

After leaving the Army Erik taught brass for Kent Music School based in Canterbury travelling to schools all over East Kent.  Then followed a move to Pinner in Middlesex where he lived for 30 years playing with the Wealdstone S.A. Band and then Kodak Band which became The Harrow Concert Band.  He also played with the Central Band of The Royal British Legion for 10 years from 1985 to 1995.

Erik was the conductor of The Harrow Concert Band for 2 years before moving to  Norwich.

He joined The Dereham Band in January 2005