Wantage Silver Band

Trainer Band and Beginners Bands

Training has always been important at Wantage Silver Band. The current training structure caters for all ages and abilities.

We have a Trainer Band and Beginners groups. The Trainer Band is conducted by Brian Thomas, and meets from 9.00 a.m. on Saturday mornings at Stockham School. Beginners start either via our associations with local schools, or directly in beginners classes (for all ages) also held on Saturday mornings at Stockham School - (please contact Eileen Sykes on 01235 767541 or at: aesykes18@btinternet.com for details). Currently, absolute beginners attend at 10.00 a.m. and intermediate players at 9.00 a.m. Trainer Band participates in our Youth Concerts and the overall Band's Annual Concert.

From these Training groups, players of an appropriate standard can move on to either Youth Band, Concert Brass or 'B' Contest Band. Everyone must become subscription-paying members of the band and may then borrow instruments, free of charge. At all levels there are opportunities for private lessons offered by players or associates of WSB, often leading to Associated Board examinations at all levels up to Grade 8.

Adult Beginners

This group has been playing together for many years. The WSB has always encouraged parents to be involved in the Band and especially to learn to play!

This group has great fun and play for enjoyment – and to learn and improve as well. conducted by Eileen Sykes, we meet on Saturday mornings at Stockham School at 10.30am and welcome anyone who can play to join us.

Many of our members are in Concert Brass or the Training Bands but we welcome any stray A and 'B' Contest Band players who need some light relief.

Performances of note are the winning performance in the Entertainment Class at the Inner Band Contest in 2009, in costume performing ‘The Circus Suite’.

Conductors

Eileen Sykes has been Bandmaster of the Wantage Band for over a quarter of a century; a cornet player, she has played in every cornet position in the ‘A’ and ‘B’ bands, from soprano, principal, front row, flugel, repiano, 2nd and 3rd. She has taught countless people to play (both young and old) and is an experienced conductor. Presently she takes the beginners, and conducts the Adult Beginners Group.

Brian Thomas currently plays soprano cornet with 'A' Band and began conducting the Trainer Band in 2002. He was born in Solihull and started playing the trumpet aged 8.
Besides conducting the Trainer Band, Brian composes and arranges pieces for all standards of player and instrumentation. He also plays the piano, and helps organise the music at Grove Free Evangelical Church.