Devizes Town Band

Devizes Town Band with the magnificent Wadworth Shire Horses.

With its biggest and liveliest audience to date Devizes Town Band performed its third St George’s Day concert at the Corn Exchange in aid of the Mayor’s Appeal.

A cheque for £500 was presented to the Mayor by band chairman, Kelvin Nash, who announced that this was the minimum estimate.  After completion of accounts the band has been able to send a further £100 to the Mayor’s Charities, Bradbury Manor and Devizes Sports Club.

The concert this year included a number of traditional and popular items from around the country.  It opened with the maypole dance, Barwick Green, which became the theme to ‘The Archers’.  A hunting horn calling the hounds introduced ‘John Peel’, and the audience was offered the challenge of singing ‘Ilkley Moor’ in dialect, lead by compère Lewis Cowen.

A ‘grey mare’ and riders caused some hilarity as tuba player Philip Hiscock sang ‘Widdicombe Fair’.

Becky White’s trombone solo ‘The Joker’ was greatly enjoyed, and was followed by ‘In an English Country Garden’.

Musical director John Blaker surprised Devizes Mayor Jane Burton when the band played Tom Jones’ ‘Delilah’ in her honour instead of the ‘Welsh National Anthem’ in the programme, followed by ‘Men of Harlech’.

The first half concluded with the theme from ‘The Apprentice’ - ‘Montagues and Capulets’.

After the interval the rousing march ‘Imperial Echoes’ brought back memories of the BBC Newsreel and the BBC World Service.

The finale was ‘proms style’ with flags and hooters, and plenty of opportunity to join in.   ‘Pomp and Circumstance No.1′ was followed by ‘I Vow to Thee My Country’, ‘Fantasia on British Sea Songs’, ‘Jerusalem’ and ‘Radetzky’.

Tickets can be pre-booked for the Devizes RBL Poppy Appeal Concert on  9^th November and the Christmas Concert Party on 6^th December by calling Hilary Hams on 01380 726837 or email secretary@devizestownband.co.uk.

Devizes Town Band held its annual general meeting on the 9th of June, 2008. During the 2007-2008 fiscal year, the band raised £1,700 for local charities (with a special focus on the Devizes and District Opportunity Centre), as well as investing substantially in new music and uniforms. Highlights of the year included the second annual St. George’s Day Concert and first Poppy Appeal concert. Kelvin Nash was re-elected as Chairman, and Paul Jakeman was elected to join the committee as Librarian. Victoria Winchcombe has stepped down as Publicity Officer after her recent move. The chair offered special thanks to Vicky for her contribution to the band in recent years. The band voted to support the Wiltshire Air Ambulance and Devizes Guides Building Fund during the 2008-2009 season.  

Devizes Town Band has raised £600 for the Mayor’s Appeal at its second St George’s Day Concert.

Due to the band’s growing popularity the event was held at the Corn Exchange. Gazette reporter, Lewis Cowen, was compere.

Featured for the first time at Devizes Town Band Concerts, Trombonist Becky White captivated the audience with a rendition of ‘Autumn Leaves’.

Other items included Verdi’s ‘Nabucco’, Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber’s ‘Memory’ from ‘Cats’ and Khachaturian’s ‘Adagio from Spartacus’, better known as the theme from ‘The Onedin Line’.

Members of the Devizes Light Operatic Society made a guest appearance with a selection of songs from the shows, accompanied by Victoria Winchcombe.

The finale of the first half gave the percussion section a chance to shine with a rousing Tudor tune attributed to Henry VIII called ‘Pastime with Good Company’.

After the interval the band celebrated St George’s Day in ‘proms’ style. ‘The British Grenadiers’ featured flutes and drums, and the band’s B flat bass player, Philip Hiscock, lead the audience in ‘There’ll Always Be an England’. Flags were waved and hooters blown as the audience sang ‘Rule Britannia’, ‘Jerusalem’ and ‘Land of Hope and Glory’ lead by DLOS members.

Another sell out concert for the band. Standing room only and a great success for the appeal.

Last night a full house enjoyed a celebration of Englishness in the Town Hall, courtesy of Devizes Town Band under Musical Director John Blaker. It really was an excellent evening and is sure to mark the start of an annual event. The idea came from a conversation I had with Kelvin Nash in the Southgate when we’d just watched the Last Night of the Proms. I said how much I loved stirring tunes such as ‘Jerusalem’ and a good old sing-song. At the next meeting of the band, suggestions were sought for events, up popped Kelvin’s hand and the rest, as they say, is history.

The full story from the Gazette and Herald.