Cheltenham Silver Band will be hoping for a double celebration at the West of England Regional Championships next month.

The organisation can currently boast over 100 playing members ranging in ages and abilities, but all bound together by a sense of musical community. So much so that for the second year in a row both the senior Silver Band and their sibling Silver Academy Band will head to the Area event in Torquay.

And at a time when banding is faced by challenges both on and off the contest stage, it is a remarkable success story in itself — regardless of whether or not they go on and qualify for the short trip to their local Racecourse in September for the National Finals.

Really strong

A spokesperson told 4BR: "Banding is really strong in Cheltenham at present — and all based on the determination, pride and proactive approach of everyone associated with the organisation.

Since the pandemic we redoubled our efforts to bring the joy of banding back even stronger and show that the opportunity to play in a brass band, regardless of age or ability was one that came with huge community benefits."

Opportunities

That has seen Cheltenham offer opportunities in a Learner Band, which links through to a Training Band for developing players and finally to the two main contesting bands — both of which head to Torquay in a few weeks' time.

Cheltenham Silver conducted by Adrian Jowett, will compete in the Third Section, whilst Cheltenham Silver Academy Band, led by Colin Forster, will take the stage in the Fourth.

The spokesperson added: "Our aim is to give as many of our members as possible the opportunity to experience this unique aspect of banding. We also wish it could be more too — and encouraging as many people to take part especially in the Fourth and Third Sections is vital not just to our future success but to all bands around the UK."

Since the pandemic we redoubled our efforts to bring the joy of banding back even stronger and show that the opportunity to play in a brass band, regardless of age or ability was one that came with huge community benefitsspokesperson

Preparation help

As part of the preparations for Torquay they have welcomed visits from talented percussionist Ben Hannaford-Waddington from Tredegar, Nigel Howard from A.W. Parker (Drybrook), Phil Storer (Gloucestershire Music Services) and Nigel Galliot, whilst Flowers Band has loaned a BBb tuba to help the efforts.

"It's great to be part of an organisation that is looking so positively towards the future,"the spokesperson added.

"There will be no disappointment at the result, only pride that we are one of the very few bands in the UK to take to the contest stage with two representative ensembles on the same weekend."

Find out more

Cheltenham Silver Band organisation is looking for even more members, players and supporters, so if you are interested why not get in touch at: www.cheltenhamband.co.uk or e-mail at contact@cheltenhamband.co.uk