Wantage Silver BandIn Memoriam - Ken Robey
Kenneth James Robey passed away on Monday 11th May 2009 at the age of 88. The Band has lost a long-time member and supporter and was very proud to provide the music at his funeral service, held at West Hendred Church on Saturday 18th May. Ken was born into a banding family, and learnt to play baritone in the Ardington & Lockinge Band.
Much Credit at Blackpool
The 'A' Band eagerly awaited their visit, by invitation, to the prestigious 2009 Spring Festival event in Blackpool's Winter Gardens complex, where many of the country's best bands compete in three simultaneous contests in the various halls - for the Senior Trophy, the Senior Cup and the Grand Shield.
Band Parades
Wantage Silver Band came to public notice again through recent parades. Concert Brass led the United Churches' Palm Sunday parade through Wantage on April 5th, while 'A' and 'B' Bands led St.George's Day parades through Wantage and Wallingford respectively on April 26th. The picture shows 'B' Band in Wallingford town centre as the rest of the parade filed into St. Mary's Church.
Another Successful Youth Concert
Youth Concerts have become a regular annual event in Wantage, and this year's concert in King Alfred's school centre site hall on April 25th was as successful as ever, with contributions from Youth Brass, the Training Band, Junior Brass and the Advanced Youth Ensemble. The picture shows the massed youth groups at the finale!
News of Denise
Everyone in the band will have their memories of Denise Clark, either as fellow 'A' Band player, as leader of our Junior Brass group or as music teacher in schools and on a personal basis. She contributed so much to WSB in various ways and we were all disappointed when husband Andy moved to the USA with his business and took her and their family with him.
Concert for Parkinson's Disease Charity
WSB 'Concert Brass' together with the St. Denys Handbell Ringers presented a 'Supper Concert' on Sunday 5th April in East Challow Village Hall in aid of a Parkinson's Disease charity. Long-term member of the band, Carol Tomkins, inspired the event since she is a sufferer from the disease.
Music for Youth Contest
Not quite a contest perhaps, more of a showcase of local musical talent, with the opportunity for advancement to a further, broader-based event. A WSB 'Advanced Youth Ensemble' entered this contest on 28th March at Bayards Hill School in Oxford, conducted by Phil Bailey. The ensemble consisted mainly of Youth Band players but also included young players from the A, B and Concert Brass bands.
Triumph for Wantage 'B' Band at Stevenage
The first picture shows our 'B' Band celebrating with the Christie Challenge Cup after being placed 2nd out of the 27 bands in the London & Southern Counties 4th section (although due to the difficulty of the testpiece, 'The Talisman', only 16 entered the contest).
London Marathon Sponsorship
As a boost to our new Band Hall building fund, our founder Doug Brand is training hard to take part in the 2009 London Marathon in April, and is seeking sponsorship on our behalf, together with a diabetes charity, being a long-term diabetic himself.
Inner Band Contest 2009
This year's series of internal band competitions was held on 1st March in the Newbury Street Church School, including classes for beginners through to experienced players. Judges for the day were Dougall Prophet and Danny Dullforce.
Forthcoming Events
Sunday, 12th September
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Wantage Heritage Day1:00pm at Wantage Square(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
Saturday, 2nd October
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Annual Concert7:30pm at Wantage Civic Hall
Saturday, 16th October
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Folkestone Contest
New Band Hall Latest
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