The British Army Brass Band (BABB) has announced its return to duty with a special re-introductory concert on 16th May at The Guards Chapel, Wellington Barracks in London (7.00pm).

The Major

The band will deliver a programme of contemporary and classic brass band works interspersed with featured solo features from Ailsa Russell (Cory) and Christian Dullea (Desford).

It will also feature the premiere of 'Fanfare for Parkes', a composition dedicated to the legendary Major Peter Parkes, a former Director of Music, Grenadier Guards and written by the current staff arranger at The Band of the Grenadier Guards, Ian Shepherd.

Love of brass

BABB was founded back in 2007 by two Army Bandmasters, David Barringer and Chris King.

Their love for the brass band genre and the recognition of like minded 'banders' within the Army gave rise to the formation of a brass band made up of players across all bands of the Army, Regulars and Reservists.

The BABB musicians gave up their off duty time to perform in concerts across the country at high profile contesting events and even recorded a CD, 'Top Brass'.

The re-introduction of BABB is testament to the desire of Army musicians across all Army bands to perform high quality brass band repertoireMajor Stewart Halliday

Desire

Officer Commanding, Major Stewart Halliday told 4BR: "The re-introduction of BABB is testament to the desire of Army musicians across all Army bands to perform high quality brass band repertoire.

The concert of the 16th May is an announcement that BABB is back with our aim to delight our audiences."

Major Halliday will be joined by Captain Brenden Wheeler in conducting the concert.

Major Halliday added: "Brenden has a natural feel for conducting brass musicians. He really connects with them and gets the absolute best out of their playing."