Wantage Silver Band

The Wantage Silver Band is an amateur brass band organisation, based in the small market town of Wantage, Oxfordshire.

Entertainment

We provide entertainment to local audiences through concerts and open-air events such as summer fetes, and compete in county and national/area contests. Occasionally we travel further afield for contests of particular interest, or for holidays combined with scheduled concert performances.

We also support local Civic events and lead parades for organisations such as Scouts/Guides and the Royal British Legion, for example. On other occasions you may see us involved in carnival processions, while local Churches may call on us to provide accompaniment for hymn singing at special events. We are also available for engagement at private parties and weddings, for example. Wantage Silver Band is a member of the Oxford and District Brass Band Association.

Training

The organisation is very active in providing musical training to the young population of the area (and to adult beginners too!), offering a worthwhile pastime, sometimes leading to a lifetime involvement with music. As new trainees grow in experience, they ensure the future life and resource of the entire Band. We also provide tuition for absolute beginners, young and old.

Contesting

Currently, two of Wantage Silver Band's sections are active on the contesting scene, competing in the London and Southern Counties region. The 'A' Band graduated to the Championship section in 2007, while in 2009 the 'B' Band gained promotion to the 3rd Section, as from January 2010.

History

WSB started as a junior band in 1972 with a few second-hand instruments, following the demise of an earlier organisation. An old photograph, taken in March 1973, shows the growing number of youngsters, some still without instruments, outside Charlton Church Schoolroom. Thankfully the band is now well supplied with good quality instruments, after obtaining a National Lottery award.