- Details
- Written by Administrator
- Category: News
On 28 September 2025, we had the privilege of performing alongside one of the top brass bands in the country, and current Midlands Champions, The GUS Band. This exciting collaboration, held at St Peter’s Church, was a celebration of music and talent with both bands representing the Midlands in the Finals of the National Brass Band Championships this year.
The concert began with Brackley and District Band, conducted by Mark Probert, who delighted the audience with a selection of music including the march Star Lake, Evermore from Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, featuring our solo euphonium player Sara Douglas, Jurassic Park, Canterbury Chorale and the test-piece that we played at the regional contest earlier in the year resulting in our qualification to compete at the Finals. From the lively rhythms of the march to the emotional depth of their slower pieces, the band showed just how well they are currently playing.
The GUS Band then took to the stage, under the baton of Christopher Bond, delivering a programme that included the test-piece Symphony in Two Movements by Edward Gregson, which they were due to perform at the Finals of the Championship section of the National Brass Band Championships just two weeks later at the Royal Albert Hall. This piece is a phenomenal example of technical brilliance, slow lyrical playing and excitement, all within the 19-minute ride the audience is taken on. The rest of the set also kept the audience entertained and demonstrated the band’s renowned technical skill and musicality of the highest level.
The concert culminated in a massed band performance. Both bands came together to perform the march Slaidburn, a firm favourite in the banding community, Amazing Grace and We Are The Champions, a nod to the recent success both bands have enjoyed. With over 50 brass musicians performing, the sound was nothing short of exhilarating. The synergy between the two bands was apparent, with each player contributing to a dynamic and uplifting performance that left the audience cheering for more.
This concert wasn’t just about showcasing musical talent; it was also a powerful reminder of the importance of collaboration within the brass band community. The evening reinforced the idea that music, when shared, brings people closer together. It was an evening filled with camaraderie, mutual respect, and the joy of creating music with others.
For Brackley and District Band, this event was an opportunity to learn from some of the best in the business while also contributing their own unique sound to the event’s success. The experience will undoubtedly inspire further growth and hopefully further collaboration in the future.
We would like to extend our thanks to The GUS Band for joining us for this unforgettable concert, as well as to everyone who attended and made the event such a success. A big thank you as well to St Peter’s Church for their continued support and delicious refreshments!
- Details
- Written by Administrator
- Category: News
We were proud to represent the Midlands at the Finals of the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain, held in Cheltenham on Sunday 14 September 2025. Competing against some of the finest brass bands from across the country, the band delivered a strong performance that earned us a well-deserved 6th place finish in our section.
The Championships are one of the most prestigious events in the brass band calendar, drawing bands from all over the United Kingdom who have qualified through regional contests earlier in the year. Representing both Brackley and the wider community, we took to the stage at Cheltenham Racecourse to perform the set testpiece ‘Partita’ by Edward Gregson, hoping that all the rehearsals and practice would come together on the day and result in a performance that would catch the attention of the three adjudicators.
Conductor Mark Probert said:
“I am delighted for everyone associated with Brackley & District Band. Members of the band have worked hard over the past couple of months, juggling additional rehearsals with personal commitments, to ensure that they were well prepared and feeling confident ahead of the contest. They performed with great control on stage and I think some of them even enjoyed the experience too!”
Band Chairman Nigel Surman said:
“To even get to the Finals of the National Championships of Great Britain is a tremendous achievement in its own right. To then be awarded 6th place in the country, and the honour of top Midlands band is a truly remarkable result. It is a result of a lot of hard work by Band members, led by our inspirational and dedicated Musical Director, Mark Probert. Never an easy path, it has nevertheless been made much more enjoyable by his efforts, and those of Band members encouraging and supporting each other to make this truly a team result. We are now looking forward to a concert with the world-famous GUS band before starting our winter programme of fun activities leading up to a return to Bedworth next year and the chance to improve on last year’s third place. New members to join us on this journey are always welcome, either in the main Band or our Development Band.”
The band would like to extend a big thank you to local businesses, supporters, and the Brackley community, whose encouragement and generosity made the journey to Cheltenham possible. Fundraising efforts in the run-up to the event ensured that the band could be fully prepared to perform at its best for this prestigious contest. In particular we'd like to acknowledge the support from Hydramex Limited who funded the acquisition of our new band polo shirts and other local businesses including Paragon Tool Hire, 20 Arches, The Bell Inn in Adderbury, Butcher's Arms in Kings Sutton who all made a financial contribution towards our efforts.
For more information about the band, upcoming events, or how to get involved, visit www.brackleyband.org.uk or search for Brackley & District Band on Facebook.
- Details
- Written by Administrator
- Category: News
St Peter’s Church in Brackley was alive with the sound of music on Sunday 13th July, where the band performed our summer concert.
Our audience were treated to a varied program, and received as “such a great way to spend an afternoon”!
We began with James Curnow’s rousing Fanfare and Flourishes, followed by Jan van der Roost’s Canterbury Chorale before our first full performance of the Finals Test Piece – Partita by Edward Gregson. The concert provided an invaluable opportunity to perform this demanding work as we continue our preparations to compete in the Finals this September.
After the excitement of Partita, Liz Lane’s wonderful Serenata (a work celebrating the life of Yvonne Hamblin, a treasured member of Lydbrook Band with whom she had been associated for over 60 years) provided a moment of calm and reflection before moving onto a 'The Sound of Music' themed portion of the programme, concluding the first half with Philip Harper’s climatic arrangement of Climb Every Mountain.
The second half began with a musical tour of the country with Vaughan Williams’ March: Folk Songs from Somerset. A brief detour featured our fantastic trombone section in I Will Follow Him before resuming in Wales with Men of Harlech. Off to Ireland next with a performance of Irish Tune from County Derry, perhaps better known as Londonderry Air dedicated to Peter Bossano who sadly passed away earlier this year. Our tour concluded in Scotland with Highland Cathedral.
With Proms season almost upon us, we ended the concert with our own mini “Last Night of the Proms”, featuring Jerusalem, Rule Britannia, Nimrod and of course The Dam Busters March.
The band thoroughly enjoyed playing to such a full and appreciative audience, and would like to thank St Peter’s for the hosting us in this wonderful church, and providing the much needed refreshments on sFiuch a warm afternoon.
The band is now focusing on preparations for the National Finals in September, and also looking forward to returning to St Peter’s on 28th September, joined by the current Midlands Regional Champions, The Gus Band. We look forward to seeing you there! Tickets available from www.ticketsource.co.uk/brackley-district-band or by contacting Jacky on 07970 583342.
Competing in the Finals is an expensive endeavour – with travel, equipment, rehearsal venues and accommodation costs. If you’d like to help us, you can donate either via our Crowdfunding site www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/national-brass-band-championship-finals or using the QR code below.
- Details
- Written by Administrator
- Category: News
On the Saturday of Easter weekend we filled Egerton Hall with music, magic, and memories during our enchanting Disney Showcase, a family-friendly afternoon event that blended live performance with interactive fun for all ages.
Running from 2:00pm to 4:30pm, the event proved to be a hit with the local community, drawing families, Disney fans, and music lovers alike. The hall buzzed with excitement from the moment the doors opened, as we set the stage for an afternoon packed with entertainment and activity. Beloved Disney characters Elsa and Ariel met guests as they arrived and were on hand for photos before the we kicked off the first set with the theme from Star Wars, an impressive and attention-
grabbing opener.
The first musical set continued with more Disney favourites, including magical renditions from The Lion King, Frozen, The Jungle Book, and Mary Poppins. Children were encouraged to get up and dance by Elsa and Ariel, and many eagerly joined in, filling the front of the hall with energy and joy.
Midway through the afternoon, the focus shifted from music to magic as local magician Chris Webb took centre stage for a full hour. The magician’s performance kept children wide-eyed and laughing, and following the show, he continued to entertain by making balloon animals and creations while we returned for their second musical set. Favourites such as Colours of the Wind, Under The Sea and How Far I’ll Go were amongst some of the tunes performed by the band and the set concluded with a rousing finale featuring the iconic Pirates of the Caribbean theme. By this stage some of the kids had been armed with balloon swords and were battling it out in front of the band.
In addition to the music and magic a colouring station offered a creative outlet for younger guests, while one of the day’s highlights was the “have-a-go” brass area, where children could try out instruments under the guidance of friendly band members. Many young attendees seized the opportunity to make their first sounds on a selection of instruments, including cornets, flugel horn, tenor horn, a trombone and a bass, with big smiles all around.
“We wanted to create an afternoon that would attract people for whom perhaps it might be the first time they have come to watch a brass band and an event that would inspire youngsters to enjoy brass music in the future or possibly even give playing a brass instrument a go.” said Nick Wilson (Solo Baritone). “It was wonderful to see so many children dancing, playing instruments, and getting involved. We were blown away by how popular this event proved to be, all the costumes that everyone had made the effort to dress up in and delighted that everyone had so much fun! We’ve had nothing but positive comments from those who attended and suggestions that people would very much like for us to put on another similar event in the future.”
We also used the event to raise funds for an exciting opportunity later this year. Following our impressive 3rd place finish at the Midlands region of the National Brass Band Championships, we have qualified to represent the town in the Finals in Cheltenham this September, where donations collected during the showcase event will help support the band’s travel and participation in the prestigious event.
The Disney Showcase highlighted not only the band’s musical talent but also our commitment to community engagement and inspiring the next generation. Brackley and District Band is proud to be part of the community and we look forward to entertaining the people of Brackley in the years to come.
For more information on upcoming events or guidance on how to take up an instrument and play in a band please contact us – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
You can also keep up to date on what we are up to by following our Facebook page.
- Details
- Written by Administrator
- Category: News
We are delighted to announce that on Sunday we placed 3rd in the Fourth Section of the Midlands region of the National Brass Band Championships. We competed against 16 bands, each performing a set test piece called ‘I, Daedalus’ by Andrea Price which is based on the Greek mythological figures of Daedalus and his son Icarus and their ill-fated attempt to escape from a tower in Crete in which they were imprisoned.
The adjudicators commented “A solid and well managed performance. Good solo lines and well-constructed sections. Musical Director has a musical approach – an enjoyable performance” and “There was much to commend about this well lead performance. Confident playing, well balanced, and stylistically accurate for the most part”.
The two adjudicators felt that our performance was worthy of 3rd place, winning the band a trophy, £100 prize-money and an invitation to the National Finals in September. This is where the top bands in the Fourth Section from each of the regions come together to see which band is the best in the country. This will be the first time since 2002 the band has qualified for the Finals.
It’s been a rather challenging run up to the ‘Area’ contest this year which makes the success all the sweeter but also poignant.
At the end of December following many months working to improve the band Clive Keech stepped down as our Musical Director. Peter Bassano who had moved into the Brackley area agreed to take the band to the contest. On the last day of January, we received news that Peter was not feeling well, an old friend and ex-player of the band Nigel Hall stepped in to continue rehearsals whilst we hoped Peter would return; less than a week later, the tragic news came that Peter had sadly passed away.
Mark Probert kindly agreed to prepare and conduct the band for the Area contest. The Friday before the contest, Witney Band conductor Guy James stepped in at our last regular rehearsal while Mark was busy finalising his own preparations for the contest with GUS band.
Sunday was a long day with our rehearsal booked for 8:30 in the function room of a social club in Bedworth. We spent a short time warming up, playing hymns, going over sections of the test piece for the last time before the contest. Then we received "the call"; Floss had managed to draw us first.
We took the stage, played the National Anthem, a benefit of being drawn first and then began our performance of ‘I,Daedalus’. We did our best and, like every other band, hoped it would be enough to achieve a good result. The rest of the day was spent in and out of the Bedworth Civic Hall both watching bands whose players, following the new borrowed player rules, have helped us and of course watching other bands.
It was a great day for the band, whilst we were saddened that we couldn’t go to the contest with Peter, we were delighted that we managed to go at all and to receive such a great result under the guidance of his former student, and friend, Mark was just reward for all the work that everyone has put in. We are very grateful and want to say a sincere thank you to all those who helped us on our journey.