Recent News:

June 2010
Parade Gardens, Weston-Super-Mare, MENCAP, Lacock and Keynsham
What a busy month for the band. And what lovely weather too!

A week into his new role, the Mayor of Bath (and patron of the band) Councillor Shaun McGall, was one of many who came along to the Parade Gardens to listen to us play. Although it was less than two weeks since our last concert on the bandstand, there was an almost completely different programme to entertain the audience.

The people of Weston-Super-Mare always turn up in large numbers for the concerts in Grove Park, and aided by the beautiful sunshine, this year was no exception. There were many fine comments from the audience, so we hope that everyone had a great afternoon. Our thanks go to Josh Hayward for stepping in to conduct the band, and to Andy on flugel (and supplying vuvuzelas for a novelty number). Thank you also to the Cafe in the Park for funding and organising the concerts in the park this year.

Six months have flown by quickly since our last concert for the folks at the MENCAP centre in Twerton, but on a warm summer's evening we were back again.

A small ensemble played at the Bell Inn's garden party. It was an unbearably hot day, and we were grateful for the shade of a marquee. This was the first full length programme for the small ensemble, and we have several more scheduled over the coming months.

Our fourth concert in eight days was in Keynsham Memorial Park. This was our first outing to this bandstand since it was rebuilt. Whilst our boys battled against the Germans in the World Cup, we had our own battle against the blazing sun. But whilst the England team took a battering, we played on, and will return to Keynsham in August (so there's still chance to catch us if you missed us this time!)

May 2010
Party in the City and Parade Gardens
The band played in the grand surroundings of the Assembly Rooms on the opening night of the music festival. The concert was one of many free events around the city, which rounded off with a firework display. The audience was enthusiastic, and many of them were watching the band for the first time.
We rounded off the late May bank holiday with a concert in the Parade Gardens.

April 2010
Rev Mel's Farewell Service
A small group from the band were invited to play for Rev Mel's farewell service at Beechen Cliff Methodist Church. Rev Mel has been the local Methodist minister for the past few years, but she is also Toby's mum, so we have got to know her and her family very well. Mel is leaving Bath to join the RAF as a forces chaplain, but we were delighted to be able to play at her farewell service and wish her the very best wishes for the future.
Farewell to Matthieu
Although Toby will play with the band for another few months before he too has to leave, we also had to say our farewells to another of our key players, Matthieu. Mat joined the band in 2005 on bass trombone after stepping off the boat from Calais, but more recently swapped to Eb bass to complete our excellent bass section. Work takes him up north now, so we say au revoir et bon voyage, although hopefully he'll come back to visit from time to time.

Training Band Open Rehearsal
Monday 29th March 2010
Bath Spa Training Band are pleased to announce they will be holding an open rehearsal on Monday 29th March, 7pm-8pm at Elim Pentecostal Church, Charlotte Street, Bath. Players of all ages and abilities are welcome to come and play in the band, observe our rehearsal or find out what it’s all about over a cup of tea! Instruments will also be available on the night so come along and see what suits you.
We rehearse every Monday during term-time from 7pm-8pm and play a variety of ensemble music. The Band is conducted by the enthusiastic Rachel Jennings with the support of members of the main band. The training band is a great place to play music as a group, in a relaxed and friendly environment. Wesley Downing (age 11) from the training band says “I would encourage anyone to come along and join – you will learn loads, improve your playing and have a great time!”.

March 2010
Regional Contest
On a sunny weekend in Torquay we took to the stage in the Forum at the Riviera Centre with our performance of Percy Fletcher's Labour and Love. The piece was the first original test piece to be written for brass bands back in 1913, and is still a challenge to play. However, we rose to the challenge with some excellent ensemble playing and soloists, under the baton and expert direction of Dave Hayward. The band were awarded 7th place by adjudicators David Horsfield and Peter Bassano. Our thanks go to Dave and Josh Hayward, for their help in preparing the test piece, and to Carole and family at the Shelley Court Hotel for making us feel welcome.

January 2010
Saltford Concert
The kind people of Saltford turned out in force despite the cold weather to attend our second of what has hopefully become our annual post-Christmas concert at Saltford Hall. The snow had cleared just a few days earlier, but the hall soon warmed up with the rich warm sound of brass that the band has been working on. We hope to be invited back again next year!

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