Former President of scaba Kenneth (Ken) Dennison died in hospital on Tuesday 18th October at the age of 86 years, following a short illness.
Ken was a Yorkshireman who built a fine reputation in the brass band world as a trombonist, conductor and adjudicator. He won the Alexander Owen Memorial Fund Scholarship in 1946 and played with Rothwell Temperance, Brighouse and Rastrick and the RAF Central Band before joining Fairey Aviation Works Band on principal trombone in 1951. Ken was part of Faireys’ many successes both as a player and as conductor, a position he held from 1968 – 76, including 5 British Open wins and 4 National Champions of GB titles.
Following his tenure at Faireys, Ken enjoyed further success with a number of bands including City of Coventry, Brodsworth Colliery and St Austell. He also worked as an adjudicator at every level from local and youth contests to the finals of the National Championships of GB and the European Championships.
In 1978 Ken was awarded the Silver Medal of the Worshipful Company of Musicians of the City of London for services to Brass Bands.
Moving to the South East in the mid 1970s with his wife Barbara, Ken became involved with scaba through his work as an adjudicator and his role as Musical Director of the Uckfield band and later Betteshanger Colliery band. He played a leading role in inaugurating the scaba solo contests in 1982 in Folkestone which had become his home town, and the following year he became a Vice President of the Association. In 1992, following the death of our then President Harry Mortimer, Ken accepted the role of President and served the association in that role until 2006.
During his time with scaba Ken played a very active part in all of our activities and did all he could to promote the work of the association. He is fondly remembered as a fine musician, mentor and a gentleman and will be sadly missed.
Ken’s funeral will be held at Barham Crematorium near Canterbury, Kent, CT4 6QU at 4pm on Tuesday 15th November.