Recent News:
December 2009
Christmas Concerts and Carol Playing
The festive season is always a very busy time of year. This year we were delighted to have a joint Christmas concert with the
Silver Ring Choir in St John's church in Bath, in addition to our concerts in Oldfield Park and Broughton Gifford. We were
also invited to play in a concert at the University of Bath, alongside some of the student groups. And just for good measure,
you may also have caught us carol playing in Bath city centre, or outside one of the local supermarkets in the lead up to Christmas.
November 2009
Wessex Winter Contest, Weymouth
We are delighted to announce that the Bath Spa Band won the third section at the Wessex contest in Weymouth. This year
was the first time that the contest has been run in an open format, with 20 bands from all sections competing against
each other with their own choice of music. We opted to play Rutter's Suite for Brass, from last year's National Finals.
Dave Hayward lead the band through a well-rehearsed performance, and although there one or two little slip-ups, adjudicator
Brian Buckley commented how much he had enjoyed listening to us play. He placed us 8th overall, which was the highest of
the third section bands, and was higher than some bands that are ranked above us. The final ranking can be found in the
forum on theMouthPiece.com. A big thank you to Dave
Hayward for all his hard work, which has made a real difference to the band, and to Julie for helping out on 3rd cornet
again.
September 2009
Bandstand Marathon, Victoria Park, Bath
With a view of the Royal Crescent from the Victoria Park bandstand, the bandstand marathon was our last performance
of the summer season. The concert was one of a series of concerts organised at bandstands around the country on the
same day, as part of the Cultural Olympiad, with more and more bands taking part each year until the arrival of the
Olympics in 2012.
Wychavon Festival of Brass
The band took a trip up the M5 to the Wychavon Festival in Droitwich for our first entertainment contest for
several years. On the Sunday evening we took to the (rather warm) stage at the Community Centre, playing All That
Jazz from Chicago, the Salvation Army Song Setting of I Know Thou Art Mine, and the swaggering march
Death or Glory. Our star Bb bass player Andy Symes then took centre stage for his solo Nellie the Elephant,
which reduced the band to tears, before we rounded off with the Finale from Faust. We were awarded 5th place out
of 10 bands for our performance. A big thank you to Roger for his help on percussion, and to Clare and Gary from
Midsomer Norton Band on cornets.
Parade Gardens, Bath
The crowds gathered in the late summer sun for our last performance at the Parade Gardens this year. Dave Hayward
led the programme this week, which was both varied and challenging, and included the pieces to be played in the
Wychavon Festival next week. This was well received by the audience, with many fine comments after the concert.
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Join our band
Are you interested in joining our band? Perhaps you have just moved into the
local area and are looking for a band to join? Maybe you have just started
learning a brass instrument, and are looking for a group to play with? Or
perhaps you used to play an instrument, and would like to take it up again?
The Bath Spa Band and Training Band are always looking for new members, so
contact us, or come along to one of our rehearsals.
We rehearse Mondays and Thursdays at Elim Pentecostal Church at 8pm.
The Training Band rehearsals at 7pm on Mondays during term time.
Map.
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