Stuart Chappell began his musical career at the tender age of 6, learning cornet with Lanner & District Silver Band. Over the next 10 years he progressed to play principal cornet with Lanner Youth, Falmouth Town (4th Section) and Lanner Silver (3rd Section) respectively.

In 1985 he was asked to join Camborne Town (Championship) on 2nd Cornet and 3 years later took up the principal cornet chair. He held this position for five years before moving to Flugel Horn and held this position for a further 8 years. During this time Stuart was fortunate enough to perform at the Royal Albert Hall on 9 occasions and played under some excellent conductors.

In 2001 Stuart took up the baton with a depleted Lanner Silver (2nd Section) and the success continued. Following a rebuilding process, he directed the band to a 2nd Section Regional title in 2003 and a subsequent 3rd place at the National Finals later that year.

The band was promoted to the 1st Section in 2004, gaining a 2nd place at the Regional Championships, another appearance at the National Finals and promotion to the Championship Section.

2005 was the bands’ first venture into the Championship Section, when they gained a respectable 8th at the Regional Championships, a 6th at the Wychavon Entertainment Contest and a 1st Place at the SWBBA contest.

In May 2006 Stuart was appointed Musical Director of St. Keverne Silver Band.