Tewkesbury Town Band News

New Musical Director - Andrea Price

January 2020

Tewkesbury Town Band are pleased to announce the appointment of Andrea Price as their new Musical Director, with immediate effect.

Andrea studied composition under Peter Graham at the University of Salford, and after a short stint as a professional orchestral percussionist, returned to education and completed her PGCE at Manchester Metropolitan University and the RNCM. She had been the Director of Music at Bolton School Girls' Division for five years, and in 2019 took up a new post as Head of Academic Music at Malvern College.

Andrea was principal percussionist at Black Dyke for almost a decade, and before that played for YBS under the baton of David King. She has participated in winning performances at every major competition, and has played solos across the globe. She has previously conducted the Rainford Band, and is a regularly commissioned and published composer of brass band music.

Andrea tutors yearly at the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain, and is on the audition panel for the NCBBGB and the NYBBGB. She is also an A Level examiner for AQA and a member of the Association of Brass Band Conductors.

Andrea takes over from the popular and long serving MD, Nigel Morgan, who is retiring, but who will continue as assistant conductor over the next six months. Andrea says that her teaching commitments precludes any immediate return to top flight banding but also that she is eagerly looking forward to working with the members of Tewkesbury Band and its community.

Goodbyes and Good Luck

October 2019

September is that month when a Band such as ours that brings young people into brass banding via our Training Band system sees those reaching University or College age say their goodbyes.

This year we are wishing Amy Williams, Shannon Huntley and Tom Stephenson good luck as they set off on their adventures. We hope to see them at rehearsals and events when they are back in the area.

We would also like to encourage any brass players embarking on a similar adventure to the Tewkesbury area to come and join us in our music making. They will be sure of a warm welcome and transport can be arranged if required.

Are You Our Next Musical Director?

After 22 wonderful years at the helm, our MD Nigel Morgan is looking to retire!

Therefore we have a vacancy for a new Musical Director. If you're interested in leading our band family as MD of our Senior Band, or alternatively would like to improve your conducting skills working alongside Nigel with the aim of eventually taking the lead then please contact our Secretary Sue Corrigan on secretary@tewkesburytownband.co.uk or 07904859249.

Training Band Camp 2019

Friday 9th to Sunday 11th August 2019

Hayles Fruit Farm, Winchcombe

The Training Band enjoyed a wonderful band camp weekend at Hayles Fruit Farm campsite near Winchcombe.

It was a little wet and windy but we had a fun time despite the weather. We managed to squeeze a few tunes in on Friday night before a lovely evening meal cooked by Mrs P and friends. The rain and wind battered our tents through the night but none were blown away or leaked (unlike last year's adventure in Sidmouth).

After a good breakfast we visited Bourton on the Water for a look around before managing to fit a concert in on the Green in between rain showers to an appreciative audience. In the evening there was a delicious BBQ from Theresa and helpers, followed by the fun and competition of the band camp quiz.

The rain showers wouldn't go away for Sunday but we managed to pack our tents away in the dry moments before making our way to Sudeley Castle to play a concert in the church there.

Lots of fun was had and friendships made. Here's looking forward to a warm, dry and sunny band camp in 2020!

Cotswold Beer Festival

Saturday 20th July 2019

Postlip Hall [11:30am-3pm]

The Band had its usual fantastic time on the stage in the Tithe Barn at Postlip Hall entertaining the lunch time drinkers at the Cotswold Beer Festival with the usual mix of old and new classics; all culminating in the grand Dambusters finale! A few of the ales on offer were sampled just to ensure that those listening were being served the good stuff!

Tewkesbury Medieval Festival Parade

Sunday 14th July 2019

Tewkesbury [11am]

On the morning of Sunday 14th July the band joined with the Tewkesbury community to provide music and colour to the annual Medieval Festival Parade. An event that has captured the imagination of the whole of Tewkesbury over the past few years and provides a fun and warm welcome from the Town to all those visiting to attend the annual Medieval Festival and battle re-enactment that sees the Yorkists defeat the Lancastrians. The parade gets longer and more colourful each year as more community groups and schools have become involved. If you missed it this year, then get the date in your diary for 2020.

The New Bandroom Is Open For Music Making

July 2019

Saffron Road, Tewkesbury

After many months of fundraising and hard work by a dedicated team of members of the Band the renovation of the old toilet block behind the George Watson Hall on Barton Street and just off Saffron Road was finally ready for use as our new Bandroom.

We hope to be practising there for the next 125 years and look forward to welcoming many players and visitors over the years to come.

Musical Notes From The Bandroom