*
banner

The Stretford End plays to the beat of a new drum

The Stretford Band will be kept in time thanks to a generous donation to secure new percussion.

Stretford Band
 

The Stretford Band recently received a very kind donation to enable the band to purchase a brand new drum kit.

Donation

The donation was received from Connie Sparkes, in memory of her husband Fred, who was an avid supporter of the band for many years and attended all of their concerts.

The extremely generous donation of £500 went a considerable way towards the purchase of a brand new, and much needed, Yamaha Stage Custom drum kit.

I was delighted when Connie came forward and donated £500 in memory of her late husband, Fred. Our sincere gratitude goes out to Connie, who is also a keen supporter of Stretford BandMD, Craig Mann

Dilapidated

Musical Director, Craig Mann told 4BR: "Our percussion equipment has been in a dilapidated state for a long time, and we thought it was time to buy a new drum kit.

I was delighted when Connie came forward and donated £500 in memory of her late husband, Fred. Our sincere gratitude goes out to Connie, who is also a keen supporter of Stretford Band."

Connie is the mother of the band's Chairman and Principal Euphonium, Steve Sparkes, who along with his wife, Helen, has been a member of the band for a number of years.

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


4BR Review

Join the 4BR review on Wednesday night

July 14 • The latest episode has a World Championship flavour as a musical aperitif for your night's entertainment before the football begins...


Vilhelmsen

Vilhelmsen to concentrate on composing

July 14 • The award winning Ingebjorg Vilhelmsen steps down as principal cornet of Oslofjord Band to build on her compositional success


David Gallaher

Gallaher takes final fly past

July 14 • One of New Zealand banding's most respected figures has hung up his professional musical wings.


Hey Jude

Wright & Round: Hey Jude (Lennon & McCartney arr. Derek Broadbent)

July 14 • If things go to plan for England in the next few days, then this might be the perfect addition to any band's concert play list...


Regent Brass - Brass on the Grass

Wednesday 22 July • The College Garden, Westminster Abbey, Deans Yard, London SW1P 3PA


Sherborne Town Band - Free Music in the park

Sunday 26 July • Sherborne, Dorset-Pageant Gardens DT9 3NP


Sherborne Town Band - Free Summer Concert- Trowbridge Park

Sunday 9 August • Summer Concert- Trowbridge Park BA14 8AH


Regent Hall Concerts - Cross Bones Trombone Quintet

Friday 21 August • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Sherborne Town Band - Free-Music in the park

Sunday 23 August • Sherborne, Dorset-Pageant Gardens DT9 3NP


Chinnor Silver

July 14 • Our COMMUNITY BAND are meeting again on MONDAY 20th at 11 am in our bandroom.. We would welcome players of all ages and abilities to join us for a friendly relaxed rehearsal.. Of course there is tea and cake !!!. And you can even choose a piece to play


Welwyn Garden City Band

July 13 • We are a friendly & sociable Second Section Band. We currently have vacancies for a FRONT ROW CORNET player, a 2nd EUPHONIUM player and PERCUSSIONISTS. Our MD is Will Douglas and we rehearse in Welwyn Garden City on Sunday evenings from 7.00-9.00pm.


Fulham Brass Band

July 7 • Principal Eb bass vacancy:. . Fulham Brass Band, under our inspirational new MD Alan Thomas, are looking for a top class Eb bass player to join us for the First Section National Finals in September and beyond as we seek promotion back to the Championship.


Sarah Groarke-Booth

BA (Hons) MA
Conductor, Adjudicator, Compere, Actor


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd