Wantage Silver Band'Last Night of the Proms'
The Wantage Band, conducted by Phil Bailey, presented another of its popular 'Last Night of The Proms' concerts in the Wantage Civic Hall on Saturday 24th July. Guests were the Reading Scottish Pipe Band led by Pipe Major Ron Patterson, who in addition to performing their own sets of pipe music, joined with the Band in 'Jenny's Bawbee' and in the magical 'Highland Cathedral'.
CD Recording
The Wantage 'A' Band spent the weekend of 16-18 July in Graham Blyth's studio at Challow recording their new CD. This features solos by Ian Brown (euphonium), Brian Thomas (soprano cornet), Steve Chapman (cornet) and Nicola Morrell (flugel) and a nice mix of marches, overtures and popular numbers - plus a larger work, the magical 'Sorcerers Apprentice' . The format of the CD is not yet decided - but after editing, it should be available some time in the autumn.
Wantage Silver at Greenwich
A coach full of Wantage players and supporters journeyed to Greenwich Royal Park on Sunday 4th July, where the "A" Band played in the magnificent bandstand, conducted by Phil Bailey. This was our second visit, and the weather was perfect. As it was American Independence Day the band began their two and a half hour programme with 'The Stars and Stripes'. The coincidence of a huge Cancer Charity run on Blackheath just outside the Park made parking the coach an unexpected adventure due to the huge crowds, but ensured an especially large and appreciative audience.
New Big Band
We have recently formed the 'Wantage Big Band'! It is an 18-piece swing band, performing music from many legendary artists, including Count Basie, Glen Miller and Duke Ellington, to name but a few. The Band's programme can be tailored to suit individual requirements such as weddings, outdoor festivals, corporate events and parties of all descriptions, where the band can play a selection of hits from the 20's to the 80's. As well as performing as an 18 piece, the band can also play as a smaller combi.
Whit Friday Marches
A mixed band once again travelled to Yorkshire for the annual Whit Friday marches at the villages around Saddleworth. The first picture shows them leading the Greenfield Methodist Church contingent on the early morning parade.
Blackpool Senior Trophy
The 'A' band played in the Senior Trophy Contest at Blackpool on Saturday 16th May, in the impressive surroundings of the Spanish Hall, within the Winter Gardens complex. A group of around 50 players and supporters had an enjoyable weekend. The Band's playing of Edward Lalo's "Le Roi d'Ys" delighted the audience - but not alas the adjudicators, who complained it was played at too fast (but admittedly exciting) a tempo, and placed them 12th (out of 20). Better luck next year....
Palm Sunday parade
The annual Palm Sunday 'Churches Together' parade took place in fine weather, from Charlton Church, through Wantage to the Parish Church. Concert Brass led the hymn singing along the way and halted just off the square while the choir and substantial congregation sang the final hymn as they moved on into the Church. Hopefully, the accompanying donkey enjoyed her exercise!
Concert Brass Supper Concert
Another very successful Supper Concert - a sell out- was presented by the Concert Brass band, conducted by Alan Sykes, in East Challow Village hall on Saturday 13th March. The Guest Artist was James Mitchell, and the programme featured a tribute to John Betjeman, which included a reading of 'Wantage Bells' and also a performance of the famous Betjeman poem 'A Shropshire Lad', set to the music of Jim Parker. James Mitchell also performed the Flanders and Swann comic song 'The Hippopotamus'.
Successes in Area Contests
The London and Southern Counties area contests were held in Stevenage over the weekend of 20/21 March. On the Saturday the 'B' band, conducted by Danny Dullforce, on its first appearance in the 3rd Section came a creditable 7th out of 14 entries, and on Sunday the 'A' band, conducted by Phil Bailey, came 3rd in the Championship Section, just missing out on their ultimate dream of playing in the National Finals in the Royal Albert Hall. Perhaps next year! However, as a result, the on-line magazine "4BarsRest" now rates the band in its world top 200 list at number 147. The picture shows Bandmaster Eileen Sykes and Conductor Phil Bailey with the trophy.
Guides Thinking Day
The parade of the local Girl Guides and Brownies from Wantage Civic Hall to the Parish Church for their Thinking Day service on February 21st was headed by our Concert Brass band (with helpers).They also provided the music in the church, for the hymns and presentation of the Colours, and led the return parade through the market square.
Forthcoming Events
Sunday, 1st August
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Sunday Concert3:00pm at Parade Gardens Bandstand, Bath(Concert Brass)
Saturday, 14th August
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Lambourn Fete2:00pm at Lambourn Sports Club
Saturday, 4th September
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Charney Fete12:45pm - 3:00pm at Charney Bassett(Concert Brass)
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Carnival Parade6:00pm at Aldbourne
Sunday, 12th September
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Wantage Heritage Day(Concert Brass)
Sunday, 19th September
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Battle of Britain Parade11:45am at Wantage('A' Band)
Sunday, 26th September
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O&DBBA Contestat Burford(Concert Brass)
New Band Hall Latest
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