"Music is a joy": Meet amazing 95-year-old brass band player

Tom Street, a 95-year-old trombone player from Heage, Derbyshire, is officially the longest serving member of a brass band ever. 

Following his passion for music “ever since the day he was born,” as he proudly confirms, Tom has pursued his love for playing the trombone since he was 13 years old. 

When his record was recognized, in March 2023, Tom had been a member of the Heage Silver Band for 82 years and 332 days - and counting.

The remarkable achievement was celebrated by Tom’s family, friends and band members during a surprise celebration held in the rehearsal room of Tom's beloved band in April 2023. 

The recognition was made possible by Tom’s grandson, Louis Street, who submitted the application in his grandfather’s name and, later, surprised him with a Guinness World Records certificate.

To properly celebrate such an impressive achievement, saluting nine decades of music, it's important to understand the origins of Tom’s journey with the band: how he fell in love with the trombone, how playing has been a link connecting him to his father Francis and his five brothers, and how being part of a band shaped the course of his life forever.

When asked about when his passion for music sparked, Tom has no doubts: “From the day I was born!”

His longstanding service at the Heage Silver Band is, in fact, a family heritage. 

“My father was a musician, as well as my two elder brothers who were in the Heage Band before me.”

“When my brothers were sent away for the war the Heage Silver Band needed extra members to play,” he explains. 

“That was when I first started in the band, at the age of 13.” 

And, from that moment, he never looked back. 

Tom's career spans several decades and goes on to this day: not only he rarely ever misses practice, but he is also passing on his fondness for playing to his grandson Louis. 

Just like his father Francis did for him, music will be bequeathed to another generation of Streets.

Although he’s now known for playing the trombone and has perfected the instrument since he joined the band in 1940, Tom used to play the tenor horn and the euphonium when he first started. 

He then took an interest in playing the trombone in 1949. 

“I never really decided,” he explains. “It was something that was in our family, so I didn’t have a choice.” 

“It was always such a joy to play with my brothers, so it never felt like I made a decision. I just naturally fell into the brass banding world!” - Tom Street

“Playing with my five brothers always brings back the best memories. It just came naturally for us,” he recalls.

He looks back fondly at the time he spent with his five brothers, and at the music that united them and cemented their family bond. 

“Even if we just had an argument, we’d still be able to sit down and harmonize.”

Thus, music didn’t change Tom’s life: it was a big part of it from the very beginning. 

It permeated it, an ever-present melody that followed Tom and shaped his everyday life. 

Now, he attends band rehearsals twice a week on Friday and Sunday evenings. The band also performs regular concerts throughout the year, mostly around the local area.

“Music was always something that was there for me, it was just part of my normal life,” he explains.  

"It just brings me so much joy, to be able to perform and entertain the public with pieces that move me, the band and the audience members. Music allows you to express things in ways that words can’t, and that is something that brings me so much freedom."

During a record-breaking career, Tom has racked up many memorable performances, such as playing at Queen Elizabeth II's coronation on June 1953.

He said to FoxNews: "I just remember it rained all day and it was cold — and we had to play all around the villages, stopping at various places and then moving on."

Despite the cold day, Tom recalls, all the musicians that took part in the celebration gave their absolute best during that very special day.

However, another performance holds a special place in his heart. 

“My favourite performance," Tom says, "was when I played solo trombone in George Hespe’s piece ‘Melody and Caprice’ in a local band contest in Derby. It was around 1968.”

Another performance that stands out for Tom dates back to 1955, when he and the Heage Silver Band were invited to play on the Wilfred Pickles' Ask Pickles BBC show. 

“We were on the same show as Vera Lynn, and it is a privilege to say I played on the show with my brothers.”

When he’s not rehearsing with the band or playing the trombone, Tom can often be found in his beloved garden: there, he enjoys gardening and woodwork. 

“I still help with some building and landscaping projects for my family every now and then,” he says.

Tom was already familiar with Guinness World Records before, and holding the certificate has been a moment filled with joy and pride for Tom and his loved ones. 

The surprise was orchestrated by Louis, Tom’s grandson.

Louis and the rest of the family were the first to find out and kept the record as a “massive secret” from Tom for two weeks: enough time to throw a big party and salute Tom’s achievement with his close circle. 

“They were all very happy and relieved,” Tom recalls. “They were happy that all their hard work had paid off and they could finally tell me! It was a great surprise.” 

“I didn’t know what was going on. I was told I was going to the pub, so at first, I didn’t want to go into the band room when I was taken there. That’s when I realized what was going on, and was given the certificate.

“It was amazing and so nice to see all my friends there.”

Looking back to his lifelong love story with music, Tom affirms that he cherished every moment and doesn’t plan to hang up his trombone anytime soon - and we can’t wait to see his upcoming performances and, perhaps, new records!

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