|
About the Band
|
||
   
|
Bromyard Wind Band is made up from players from a very wide area around the town of Bromyard in Herefordshire, England. The Band was the idea of Stuart Corbett, a local teacher and musician. First rehearsals started in his own house! Over a short period of time, the players became too many to continue rehearsing in this way, so they then moved just down the road to St Richard's School, Bredenbury. Within a short time the Band had grown to about 45 players, and these people were keen to travel some distance to be a part of what was becoming a well-known Community Band. The main ethos is to encourage players of varying abilities to meet in regular rehearsal, for public performances, and in so doing help raise money for charity. Since its formation over £50,000 (that we are aware of) has been raised for charitable organisations. We are sure that this sum is actually a most conservative figure, and may be closer to £55,000. About twelve years ago, because of work commitments, Stuart relinquished his post as Musical Director, and David Thomas, who at the time played trumpet in the group, took over the post. To find out more about David, please go to the 'Questions Page' or click here for a link to David's own small website. In 2005 the band appointed Leigh Phillips as Associate Conductor. Leigh Phillips lives and works in South Wales. He is Head of Music in a Sixth Form College, and also is very busy as a composer and arranger. You can link to his website by clicking here. Leigh attends rehearsals, to conduct, about 4 times a year and has taken charge of our "in house" music courses. He also plays trumpet with us occasionally. In March 2007 the band enlisted local teacher David Kemp, as Assistant Musical Director. David is Head of Music at Queen Elizabeth High School, Bromyard. To find out even more about our conductors, click here or the red "Conductors" button on the left of this page. At present, (February 2010), the age range of players stretches from 11 years old to...... er, well, shall we say Senior Citizens? Within the group can be found retired professional players, active professional and semi-professional players, professionals from all walks of life, students, housewives.... in fact a vast range of 'day-jobs'. To see the type of performances that the Band is involved in, please go to the Engagements Page.
|
