*
banner

Personal link brings bands together for charity cause

Virtuosi GUS and Staines Lammas Bands come together to help a wonderful charitable cause.

Virtuosi GUS
  The Master Champions Virtuosi GUS will be joining forces with Staines Lammas Band to help a charitable cause that has links to both bands.

The Midlands Regional Champions and All England Masters Champions, Virtuosi GUS will be joining forces with Staines Lammas Band next month for a concert that has a very personal connection to both bands.

Charity event

The charity event will take place on Saturday 1st October in Ashford, Middlesex and will feature both bands as well as guest soloist, Jonathan Pippen and will aim to raise much needed funds for the Alexander Jansons Foundation, which looks into research into the causes, prevention and cures for myocarditis — a disease marked by inflammation and damage of the heart muscle.

Tragic loss

Emma Elliot-Smith, Staines Lammas Band Manager told 4BR: "The concert has come about because an auntie and uncle, one in each band, tragically lost their 5 year old niece to this disease last September.

The concert marks the one-year anniversary and hopes to raise enough money to continue funding research into this terrible disease and to increase understanding and save lives in the future.

Worthy cause

Virtuosi GUS Band chairman, Nigel Love told 4BR: "We are only too happy to support this worthy cause, especially when the disease has touched one of our own."

Meanwhile, Staines Lammas MD, Lee Woodward added: "We are delighted to be able to host this event, which I'm sure will be a wonderful evening of fantastic music.

There is a very personal link between both bands for this, so we hope as many people as possible come and support a wonderful cause."

The concert has come about because an auntie and uncle, one in each band, tragically lost their 5 year old niece to this disease last SeptemberEmma Elliot-Smith, Staines Lammas Band Manager

Time and place

The concert is at St. Hilda's Church, Stanwell Rd, Ashford, TW15 3QL starting at 7.00pm.

Tickets are available from Emma Elliot-Smith: emma.esmith@outlook.com or 07811 927410, or go to:
www.thegusband.com
www.staineslammasband.co.uk

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    


NYBBGB

Tynan becomes NYBBGB Young Conductor winner

January 17 • The Black Dyke Band solo Eb tuba player shines his light to claim the title honours with the baton in Tidworth.


Chinnor

New direction at Chinnor

January 17 • Chris Andrews takes the baton alongside a trio of new signings as the band looks forward to making its First Section debut at Stevenage.


webster

Wonderful response to charity concert

January 17 • A concert to help raise funds for a young family man with a close connection to the old banding world has already gained a wonderful response of support.


Review

4BR Review — Episode 14

January 16 • 4BR Editor Iwan Fox is joined by Chris Thomas and special guest Dr David Thornton to preview the 2026 RNCM International Brass Band Festival in Manchester.


Newstead Brass - Brett Baker

Saturday 17 January • St Wilfrid's Church, . Kirkby-in-Ashfield NG17 8LA


The Hepworth Band - New Year Concert

Sunday 25 January • Christ Church, New Mill, Holmfirth HD9 7ER


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

Friday 6 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

Saturday 7 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Friday 27 February • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


East London Brass

January 16 • CORNET PLAYER - looking ahead to the 2026 contest season, ELB are looking for a cornet player to complete our line up. The band is ambitious and keen to further our successful 2025 season of winning the areas and promotion at spring festival.


Enderby Band

January 16 • Following our 2nd place finish at the LBBA winter contest and recent promotion to the Senior Cup for the 2026 Spring Festival, we are looking for a SOLO CORNET, a BBb BASS and PERCUSSIONISTS to complete our friendly and hardworking team.


Petworth Town Band

January 15 • Petworth Town Band have vacancies for CORNETS, BASS TROMBONE and TUBA. We are a very active band with concerts and engagements planned throughout the year.


John Ward


Conductor, Adjudicator


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd