The Band is run by Sam Hewitt & Ade Evans who are the Bandmasters, and are assisted by a number of leaders and instructors, Genni Burness (leader) Vince Price (drill instructor) and Laura O'Connor (instructor).
The Band’s instrumentation consists of Bugles, Fifes, Drums, Cymbals & Glockenspiels. We base ourselves on the Traditional style of marching and play a mixture of traditional bugle marches and popular glockenspiel & fife pieces by artists such as The fratellis, Robbie Williams, Erasure, McFly & Abba etc.
The Band provides the opportunity for young people to learn a musical instrument, marching, personal descipline and to be part of a great team.
As band members gain experience we encourage them to take on more responsibilities such as helping to teach the younger members, running the tuck shop & other tasks.
Being a member of the Band also provides benefits as members get older. These days both universities and employers are looking for something ‘extra’ to separate candidates apart from the usual exam grades. Membership of the Band demonstrates teamwork, commitment, responsibility, the ability to learn plus social skills in a group, giving that ‘extra’ and making the application stand out.
It's not all hard work though - it's fun too! We go wild in the wilderness on our annual band camp where members get the chance to take part in climbing, abseiling, canoeing, archery and a challenging (and wet) assault course that was built by the army, as well as taking up the challenge of eating the leaders' cooking!
Then there's our Annual Band presentation Disco held at the end of each year during which awards are given out to band to all members in recognition of all their hard work and commitment. There are also trophies awarded for Best Bandsman, Best Drill, Achievement, Commitment, Best Musician and there’s even a trophy for the Best Supporter.