Bath Spa Band Training Band
The training band welcomes brass players of all ages and abilities as a stepping stone into the main band.
Conducted by Rachel Jennings, and with the support from members of the main band who frequently drop by to join in, the training band is a great place to play music as a group, in a relaxed and friendly environment.
Training for the main band
The training band exists primarily to develop players to a standard where they can join the main band, but of course there’s so much more to the band than that! Started in 1987, the Training Band was set up by the Musical Director, Tim Body. One of the objectives was to sustain the strength of the main band by ensuring a steady influx of 'home grown' talent from the Training band. For over twenty years, lots of people have worked their way up through to the main band, and we’re always looking for more people to come and join in.
Meet the band - young and old
The band attracts school children just starting out in the musical world, and provides a platform to play with other people. Playing in a band is one of the best ways to improve as a beginner, as you will always be reading new music, learning new notes, developing musical skills. And it’s more fun than playing on your own all the time! There is the opportunity to learn from other people, both in the training band, and from the main band, as senior players can often be found helping out the training band. The band also attracts the ‘not-quite-so-young’ as a means to learn something new, or perhaps to get back into playing music after a break. Bob Hall, who plays baritone in the main band, was one such member, who joined the training band a couple of years ago after a break of several years. Bob progressed through the training band, and is now a key member of the main band.
Either way, the band is delighted to have new members, and players of all ages and abilities are warmly welcomed. There are even some instruments available to borrow, so even if you don’t have an instrument, you need not miss out.
The band is led by Rachel Jennings, and plays a wide range of different musical styles. Many of the pieces were arranged specifically for the band by John Harvey, who used to conduct the training band, and so the music is guaranteed to test and develop every member of the training band.