Paulton Concert Band - ANNUAL CONCERT

Paulton Concert Band are holding their annual concert at the social club on Friday, 1st April, from 8.00 p.m. to 10.00 p.m.

The band was formed in 1981 and was first known as The Pink Panthers. It mainly consisted of a few drummers and a few brass instruments. In the late 80's it was felt the band should be called The Paulton Youth Band, and was still brass and percussion only, the band was under the leadership of Mr R Kingman.Growing from strength to strength, the band undertook many engagements, including fetes, carnivals, supporting artists in concerts etc. and a variety of music was played.

In 1986 the band was very privileged to play in the Colston Hall, Bristol, to raise money for charity. This was under the baton of Mr B Morgan. During this period the band was becoming a brass and woodwind band, and the repertoire was beginning to become more concert style, therefore it was felt that the band should have a new name – The Paulton Youth Concert Band.

When Mr I Brighton took over the baton, the band adopted a new policy for engagements and stopped the Saturday venues and took to playing in local parks on Sundays. This has proved very successful and enjoyable to all attending.

In 1995, Mr R Soulsby joined the band as Musical Director, and has tken the band from strength to strength, with now 18 members all of mixed abilities and ages. Consequently the name was change once again, no longer all youths they became The Paulton Concert Band. The music now played is very varied and demanding, helping all players to improve their skills. Learner's classes meet from 7.00 p.m. to 7.30 p.m. and are taught by an experienced player of the same instrument. The main band practices from 7.30 p.m. to 9.00 p.m. Practices take place in The Holy Trinity Church, Paulton, Monday evenings.

The band performs at least one concert each year and sometimes two. One in the Spring/Summer and the other at Christmas. Engagements range from playing in Bath, Frome and Chippenham parks,on a Sunday afternoon, to supporting local fetes and gatherings and playing Christmas carols at shopping centres during December.

The band raises all of the running costs. These include: purchase of instruments, music stands, music, uniforms and the costs of hiring halls for practice and concerts (though Mardons are not charging). Please support the band whenever possible, come along to their concert and share their enjoyment of the music.