Tewkesbury Town Band recently joined forces with the students, parents and teachers of Tewkesbury High School for the school’s annual SPATS concert at Tewkesbury Abbey.

Gloria

The band, combining with the Abbey’s organist, Carleton Etherington, provided the accompaniment to settings of John Rutter’s 'Gloria' and Francis Poulenc’s 'Gloria' which were sung by the SPATS Chorus and soprano soloist Amanda Ballard.

Olympus

The band’s individual contribution to the programme was Philip Harper’s 'Olympus' written for this year’s third section regional championships.

After sitting on the edge of their seats in accompanying the unfamiliar choral music the band found playing the test piece a relaxing interlude!Tewkesbury Town Band

Greatly appreciated

A spokesperson told 4BR: "The audience, who were largely not familiar with brass band music, greatly appreciated the performance and interpretation of Philip’s descriptive work under the direction of conductor Nigel Morgan."

He added: "After sitting on the edge of their seats in accompanying the unfamiliar choral music the band found playing the test piece a relaxing interlude!"