Fendall Hill
Fendall Hill is a New Zealand/Australian dual citizen based on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia. He has played cornet since the age of seven, and was taught by his father, legendary trombone player Tom Hill. Fendall moved to soprano cornet at age 18, a baptism of fire into the New Zealand A Grade in 1984.
As a soloist, he has been New Zealand national soprano cornet champion four times and the Australian soprano cornet champion twice (including 2019, and current, champion), as well as gaining Auckland Region Open Champion brass solo titles. On many occasions, his works have been selected at New Zealand and Australian national contests as set pieces for the Open Soprano Cornet.
Fendall is often called upon to assist bands across Australasia contests and special events. Over the years, he has belonged to, or contested with:
• Waitakere Auckland Brass (originally New Lynn Citizens Band)
• NZ National Youth Band
• New Brighton Silver Band
• Addington Workshops Band
• Dalewool Auckland Brass
• K&N Brass, Adelaide
• South Brisbane Federal Brass
• Glenorchy Brass, Tasmania
• Sunshine Brass, Queensland
• Ascot Hotel Brass, Invercargill
Since 2016, Fendall has reignited his passion for composition, and has produced a number of brass band works, including commissions for special occasions. He is also an Associate Composer with the Blidworth Welfare Band in Nottingham, England.