Karen began her banding career at the age of 7, when she had the choice of going to Brownies or band.  Her first band was Pangbourne Silver Band in Berkshire, where she played ditto 3^rd cornet until they decided a soprano player was needed and she gained a dramatic promotion (totally unearned).  When her family moved to Norfolk she first played with the Watton Silver Band before joining Dereham in 1977.