Barton Town Band recently came away with two prizes in the First Section of the Leicester BBA Contest — taking both the top prize and the award for 'Best Soloist', won by principal cornet Richard Shaw.
Triumphant
The band reprised Gilbert Vinter's 'Triumphant Rhapsody' — the same piece that gave them second place at the Lower Section National Finals in Harrogate in September.
Pleased
Band spokesman Jon Evison told 4BR: "You can imagine everyone is very pleased with the result especially as Garry Oglesby our resident conductor was wagging the stick. Garry has been at the helm throughout the last four years and is responsible for a major part of the bands development."
You can imagine everyone is very pleased with the result especially as Garry Oglesby our resident conductor was wagging the stickJohn Evison, Barton Town Band
Youth development
Barton are now very busy with their junior & youth band development programme, with 24 new children picking up instruments — taking the total number of players enjoying tuition to well over 100.
Youth Development Officer Julia Catley told 4BR: "This part of our organisation is vital to brass banding in our area. Fortunately we are not alone in realising this — within 8 miles of our bandroom there are 7 youth bands. We operate 3 of them, but collectively they will guarantee the continuation of our hobby for at least a further generation."