The Flowers Band will play for a final time at their Quedgeley bandroom next week as they make the final arrangements to move to their new rehearsal home in the centre of Gloucester.

Partnership

Following a studio recording this weekend, the current Butlins and West of England champion will begin relocating to Barbican House, where it will embark on a partnership with the innovative Gloucester Academy of Music.

With several rehearsal halls and tuition rooms, Gloucester Academy of Music, is affiliated with the Trinity Laben Conservatoire of Music & Dance, which offers professional music tuition and opportunities for pupils of all ages and abilities.

Strategic partnership

Flowers Band Manager, Paul Richards told 4BR: "We are delighted to enter into a strategic partnership that will see the creation of a dedicated rehearsal space, furthering our musical aspirations.

We are also excited to have the opportunity to work closely with the Gloucestershire Academy of Music, contributing to the musical and cultural development of Gloucester and its surrounding areas."

The search for a new rehearsal space began at the end of last year, in knowledge that housing development in Quedgeley would impact the band's current headquarters.

Following a campaign, led by BBC Gloucester Radio, several options were presented to the band, but the opportunity to create a meaningful partnership with the Gloucester Academy of Music was ideal.

We are delighted to enter into a strategic partnership that will see the creation of a dedicated rehearsal space, furthering our musical aspirationsFlowers Band Manager, Paul Richards

Prestige

Principal Conductor, David Childs added: "The band's management team has worked tirelessly to bring this partnership to fruition and we're delighted that we have an opportunity to align ourselves with an education establishment of such prestige.

Flowers once had a thriving youth band that produced many fine players. It is hoped that this partnership will not only give the band a state-of-the-art headquarters, but will provide us with the opportunity to build for the future, encouraging and nurturing local talent along the way."