Band Moves

It is sad that I have to report that we have lost 6 players, 4 of whom had been with us from the band’s beginning.

The first, early in the summer, Claire Dolton, struggled to find enough hours in the day to cope with all the work load and commitments she had and unfortunately banding had to miss out. Claire started playing cornet at around 9 years old and worked hard on her playing and passed a number of exams. She then moved onto Flugel Horn successfully for some time before returning to the cornet.

Later in the summer the next blow came when Stephanie White also decided to leave the band.  Stephanie had also started playing at aged 8-9 years old, she too working very hard at her playing and musical exams.  Playing for a while on the back row she moved up to the front row cornets, but in her teens found her lip was not right for the cornet so moved on to euphonium. After a while we lost her services as she went off to university.  After obtaining her degrees and settling into a new job she returned to the band finding that she could get her lip in again on cornet which was just what the band needed.  Unfortunately her job changed and she moved North of Swindon and despite giving it a good try found that travelling two to three times a week to band was a bit too much.

Both Claire and Stephanie worked very hard for the band over a number of years and we thank them very much.

Claire and Peter Williams, our Principal Euphonium and Principal Trombone, have decided to take a rest from playing.   Peter now works ‘up north’ and is away all week, with the weekend, when the band has most engagements, being the only time he is at home with Claire.  They have been very hard working members of the band and we will miss them very much, but wish them well.

The 5th player to stand down is Sam Walley.  Young Sam started in the training section on cornet but on moving into the main band became a good BBb Bass player.  It is very good to have young bass players and we shall miss him, but Sam has a lot going on in his life with College, work and involvement in a rock group and for now has decided to take a rest from brass banding. We also thank him for his hard work whilst with us.

To all five I would like to say “Thank you for your hard work and support, we will always keep a warm welcome and seats in the band ready for all of you if you decide to play again.

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