There’s nothing like the sound of brass

Cooking a Sunday roast, talking about the weather and watching Wimbledon are undoubtedly some of this country’s best traditions but isn’t the sound of a brass band up there too?

THE 190+ members at Wantage Silver Band certainly think so and they hope you do too, musician Sam Wyne tells TRISH LEE. Let’s keep the tradition of playing in a brass band alive and keep this town band tooting for at least another 50 years.

For 50 years, Wantage Silver Band has been establishing itself as a household name in its market town home and surrounding villages. You’d think with thousands of new houses being built each year nearby, there would be a steady stream of new players joining the impressive nine band setup, but this doesn’t seem to be entirely the case.

The organisation is so grateful to the likes of Sara-Jane Wallbridge (local brass tutor and star flugel horn player with their championship outfit) who has increased the number of young people joining the three youth bands, but now it’s time to recruit new, local players to join their three contesting bands as well as their popular community band. Result of the pandemic?

There is no doubt that the pandemic has had something to do with this. Sam Wyne from WSB explains:

“The team at WSB copes so well in a crisis. Online rehearsals, quiz nights, a worldwide solo competition, high profile brass virtuosos on Zoom… you name it, we did it.

“However, now that normal play has resumed, we’ve realised that increased fuel prices and long commutes are making it difficult to attract players from further away. “It’s now that we need to concentrate our efforts more locally and nurture the talent in close proximity.” Playing in a brass band is so much more than just weekly rehearsals. It’s about belonging to a community, a movement – in fact some call it a second family.

The board of trustees at Wantage Silver Band, chaired by Eleanor Turner, works tirelessly throughout the year to bring the very best opportunities to the members and players.

In fact, it is this year that the organisation will mark its 50th anniversary by opening a large extension to the existing band hall to cope with their ever-increasing activities.

Eleanor said: “Through grants, fundraising and a successful bond scheme, our dream has come true, and we can’t wait to open our second larger hall with additional tuition rooms for our band, ideal for community use.

“There really hasn’t ever been a better time to get involved.”

Just like sport…

Playing in a brass band can be a little like football with competitions, leagues and championships.

For those outside the brass band circuit, the sheer concept of a panel of adjudicators listening to sometimes 20 performances of the same piece from inside a tent, relying on their ears alone, can be bizarre to most.

After weeks and weeks of rehearsals, it’s these performances that can send shivers down spines and provide musical goosebumps to even the nonsentimental folk.

In the last fortnight alone, Wantage Band, Wantage Concert Brass and Wantage Academy Brass all ventured to the London and Southern Counties Regional Championships where Academy Brass achieved sixth place, Wantage Band achieved eighth place (even with several of the band absent with Covid) but it was Concert Brass that achieved third place, promotion to the first section and an invitation the National Finals later this year.

Just a weekend later, Wantage

Youth Brass were flying the purple flag once again, with their choreographed performance

(with some parts by memory!) in the Brass Bands England Youth Championships.

How can you get involved?

Whether you’ve played the cornet before, dabbled on the tenor horn, had a slide around on the trombone or marched along with a tuba, the band welcomes you to come along to a rehearsal to try it out for yourself! If you don’t have an instrument, the band has plenty that can be loaned out.

Eileen Sykes, bandmaster for 40 years, explains: “We have a band that rehearses every day of the week, sometimes twice a day, or even three times on a Saturday. Don’t leave your brass instruments in the cupboard or your loft. Dust them off, enjoy playing them once again and get in touch – I’d love to hear from you.” Visit www.wantageband.org for more information and for regular updates ‘like’ their busy Facebook page www. facebook.com/WantageSilverBand. You can email eileensykes18@gmail. com or send a message to the band on their website or via Facebook to organise coming along to a rehearsal. n Founded 50 years ago in 1972, Wantage Silver Band is recognised as one of the largest brass band organisations in the United Kingdom. The organisation currently consists of nine bands including three contesting bands (fourth, second – rising to first section in

2023 and championship section), a non-contesting community band, a beginner/trainer/youth band, a big band, a percussion academy and even an oompah band.

The entire membership work with talented musical directors to rehearse and perform music all over the country in concerts, events and competitions.

Contacts:

Eileen Sykes – Band master/trustee Tel: (01235) 591812

Email: eileensykes18@gmail.com

Sam Wyne – deputy band master/ trustee

Tel: 07842 779617

Email: samwynemusic@gmail.com