The Band & Its history
In 1991 Bryan Dalton, a schoolteacher living in Thurston, near Bury St Edmunds, was one of about half-a-dozen musicians who occasionally got together to play purely for their own enjoyment.Feeling that Bury St Edmunds should have its own fully-fledged band, and that the group could expand, he booked a hall for an inaugural meeting, and the Bury St Edmunds Concert Band was formed with Bryan, its first bandmaster.
By 1999, the Band was performing free-to-all open-air summer concerts in Bury St Edmunds in the Abbey Gardens - engagements that have now become a regular feature of the band’s annual calendar of events.
In January 2008, Bryan stepped down as Musical Director and the band was fortunate to obtain the services of Tony Parkinson as its new Musical Director and conductor. Tony trained with the RAF School of Music playing with the Far East Air Force Band and the RAF Central Band. On leaving the Royal Air Force, he spent over 30 years in schools teaching music.
The Size of the Band and Its Membership
The Band comprises woodwind, brass, and percussion instruments with currently 40 members of all ages from 16 upwards – our most senior member is over 90. As mentioned earlier we also can offer a smaller band of about 15 members.
What is our Repertoire?
Our musical library contains an extensive and wide-ranging repertoire from the popular classics to Abba as well as Lloyd Webber’s ever-popular works.
We are also fortunate to have band members who perform as soloists.
Rehearsals
When?
We rehearse every Monday evening starting at 7.30 and ending at 9.30, with a short mid way break to “get our wind back”.
At Christmas, Easter and on Bank Holidays we take a break, but have recently decided to continue rehearsals during the Summer period for those who are available to come.
Where?
Our rehearsal venue is Riverwalk School in Bury, which has been extremely accommodating over the years with its excellent hall.
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Past concerts 2011:
Saturday March 12th 7:30pm Concert
"An Evening of Music and Comedy"
Church of the Nazarene, Croxton Rd, Thetford.
TICKETS: £7.00 available from:
The Leaping Hare Event Management, Kings St, Thetford, Tel 01842 751975
and A & J Donnelly, Station Rd, Thetford
Friday April 15th 7:30pm Concert
“The Concert Band’s Spring Concert”
Thurston New Green Centre
TICKETS: £6-00 & £4-00 Concessions - Available from:-
Sally Dalton 16 School Road Thurston 01359 230913 &
Balaam’s Music Risbygate St Bury
Friday May 13th 7:30pm Concert
Stanton Pensioners' Association
Bury St Edmunds Concert Band
In Aid of :-
East Anglian Air Ambulance & St Nicholas Hospice
In Stanton's newly refurbished village hall
Sunday May 22nd 2:30pm
Abbey Gardens Outdoor Concert
Bury St Edmunds
FREE
Sunday June 5th 2:30pm
Nowton Country Park Outdoor Concert
Bury St Edmunds
FREE
Sunday June 19th 1:30pm - 4:00pm
Vintage Power Day
Pakenham Water Mill Suffolk
Saturday June 25th 1:00PM
Armed Forces Day Celebrations
Abbey Gardens
Bury St Edmunds
FREE
Sunday July 17th 2:30pm
Abbey Gardens Outdoor Concert
Bury St Edmunds
FREE
Sunday September 4th 2:30pm
Nowton Country Park Outdoor Concert
Bury St Edmunds
FREE
Saturday October 15th 7.30pm
East Anglian Childrens Hospice charity concert
Trinity Church, Looms Lane, Bury St Edmunds