Wantage Silver Band

Even from the early days of the WSB we have had a very promising A Band. From first contests in the Oxford & District Brass Band Association, they registered as a 4th section Band, and have worked through the sections 4th, 3rd, 2nd, 1st to the dizzy height of the Championship Section.

Players have come and gone – but some have remained to become the backbone of the A Band.
The present mix of youngsters and experienced players works well, bonded together by the enjoyment of playing good music to a high standard.

Practice nights (and locations) vary; the present conductor, Phil Bailey, has been with the Band for 3 years and has taken the Band into the Championship section for the first time.
 

Conductor

Phillip Bailey

Phillip Bailey was ‘Young Conductor of the Year’ in 1998; on moving to the Yeovil Band, they gained promotion into the Championship Section for the first time in the band’s history. Phil has also conducted Brighouse & Rastrick, Sovereign Brass and other leading bands.

Moving to Wantage in 2006 he has now taken the Wantage ‘A’ band into the Championship section. A first-rate cornet player himself (having played with many top bands including the legendary Black Dyke Mills), Phil is head of music at a large School in Milton Keynes. 

Besides working with the ‘A’ band, Phil is very interested in developing the musical talents of youngsters in the Band and has recently instigated the formation of the Advanced Youth Band, a collection of the best young players from throughout the Wantage Band.