*
banner

Success for police

The inaugural West Mercia Constabulary Music Festival was a great success.

West Mercia
 

The inaugural West Mercia Constabulary Music Festival took place on Sunday 24th February at Hindlip Hall Police Headquarters in Worcester.

Success

The event for non contesting bands was great success and a valuable experience musical and socially for all concerned.

The festival commenced at 12:00pm with a welcome to all the attending bands from West Mercia Constabulary Band chairman Eddie Barry and musical advisor Steve Pritchard-Jones.

Cleobury

Following the opening address the first band, Cleobury Mortimer Concert Brass took to the stage. As with all the bands they played a good and varied selection of pieces including, 'Cachucha', and 'All that Jazz' and finished with 'Bandstand Boogie'.

The event for non contesting bands was great success and a valuable experience musical and socially for all concernedOrganisers

Royal Spa

The second band of the day was Royal Spa Brass. They opened with 'Parade of the Charioteers' and featured other pieces such as 'A Disney Fantasy' and finished with 'Backdraft'.

West Mercia

Following Royal Spa hosts the Band of West Mercia Constabulary under the direction of Steve Pritchard-Jones took to the stage. The band opened with the march 'The Champions' and then featured two soloists, PC Richard Waterhouse on euphonium playing 'Rhapsody for Euphonium' and principal cornet Martin Musto who performed 'Carrickfurgus'.

Other items included 'Londonderry Air', 'Ravenswood' and 'The Pirates of the Caribbean' and concluded with 'Toccata from Symphonic Suite for Brass Band' by Leighton Lucas.

Gloucester Constabulary

After West Mercia the Band of the Gloucestershire Constabulary under the direction of Sue Mills performed a varied programme that included a lovely arrangement of 'She moves through the Fair' arranged by Matt Kingston. They also featured horn player Clive Miles with "Lark in the Clear Air" and finished with 'Superman'.

Joined forces

The last two bands were Sabrina and Stiperstones band and Burbage Silver Band.

Due to illness and other commitments in both Sabrina and Stiperstones bands, they decided rather than not attend the event they would get together to form a band. They played some classic concert pieces such as 'The Magnificent 7', 'Where Eagles Dare' and finished with 'Old English Dances'.

Burbage finished the individual band performances and included a couple of solo items 'Share my Yoke' and 'Buster Strikes back' finishing with 'Fanfare and Soliloquy'.

After a short presentation of Certificates of Attendance the bands for a massed band performance for 'Punchinello', 'The Home Guard', 'Westward Ho' and 'Slaidburn' which were conducted by Steve Pritchard-Jones.

Written appraisal

Each band was given a written appraisal of their performance by Steve and he will also attend a rehearsal to offer help and advice.

The organising committee of Dai Francis (Band Secretary), Eddie Barry (Band Chairman , Martin Musto (Principal Cornet) and Steve Pritchard-Jones (Musical Adviser) hope that the event will be repeated in the future.

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    


Forum

UK Leading Bands Forum discuss issues of concern

June 3 • The UKLBF has looked to work towards answers to rising costs, protective policies, Spring Festival accommodation and British Open judges,


Borders Contest

Open Borders aims to attract bands to Jedburgh

June 3 • Entres are now open for the 2025 Borders Entertainment Contest.


willebroek

Willebroek concert showcase at Dutch Nationals

June 3 • The current European, World and Belgian Champion will cross the border to provide a special concert at the Dutch National Championships later this year.


Fodens

Foden's to provide National preview

June 3 • Foden's will once again head to Regent Hall the night before the National Championship to give a sneak preview of what's to come at the Albert Hall...


Contest: Whit Friday March Contests

Friday 13 June • Saddleworth & Tameside OL3


Hebden Bridge Brass Band - The 13th annual Hebden Bridge March Contest

Sunday 15 June • St George's Square, Hebden Bridge HX7 8ET


Croy Silver Band - Summer Concert

Thursday 26 June • Holy Cross Parochial Hall, Constarry Rd, Croy, Glasgow G65 9JG


The Portsmouth Grammar School - Concert by The Black Dyke Band

Saturday 28 June • St Marys Church, Fratton, Portsmouth PO15PA PO15PA


Simon Langton Brass - Deal Memorial Bandstand

Sunday 29 June • The Strand, Walmer, Deal CT14 7DY CT14 7DY


Welwyn Garden City Band

June 3 • We are a friendly & sociable Second Section Band with an exciting and varied summer season of concerts. Due to an employment relocation, we have an immediate vacancy for a FRONT ROW CORNET player.


Boarshurst Silver Band

June 3 • Boarshurst Silver Band (NW Championship) are inviting applications for the positions of front row cornet and flugel following our success at the NW Area and our 1st place in the Senior Trophy at the British Open Spring Festival under MD Jamie Prophet.


RAF Wyton Area Voluntary Band

June 1 • A highly motivated and talented musician with strong organisational skills is required to lead the RAF Wyton Area Voluntary Band as the Voluntary Band Instructor. This is a full time paid position (37 hrs pw)


Derek Renshaw

ABBA Member
Conductor, Band Trainer and Adjudicator.


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd