Wantage Silver Band

Wantage 'A' 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 5 years and has taken the Band into the Championship Section.

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.