Midlands Area Contest, 2006

The band gave a solid 1st section performance of Goff Richards' challenging "Voyage of Discovery". Unfortunately the adjudicators had already heard their winners and Bilton failed to make them change their minds. Nevertheless, it was a creditable performance of a piece which stretched all the bands on the day, and it was a great opportunity for area contest debutants Jack Fisher and Simon Webber to play to a packed audience - the band having been drawn to play last - in the "gothic splendour" of Burton upon Trent Town Hall.

Bilton Band welcomes another new member - February 2006

: It is with great pleasure that the band welcomes its latest (and youngest!) new member - Jack Fisher - on percussion. Eight-year-old Jack has been playing regularly with the band for several months and he made his contest debut in November 2005 at Leamington. We have been impressed with the flair, enthusiasm and downright gusto that Jack has shown in his playing, and felt it was time that Jack joined sister Jodie, mum Di, dad Stuart, granddad Keith, Auntie Pauline, Uncle Dave and cousin Amy as a fully-fledged band member. Mind you, fellow percussionist and older mentor, Antony, now has a job on his hands, but we're sure he'll manage to keep Jack right...!

Brass Fun Day 11th February 2006

Wow! What a brilliant day! See the photos - read the news! Read more...

New Bandroom We have been granted planning permission! Now we turn to the small matter of raising all the money... Read more...

Bandperson of the Year 2005 and Long Service awards presented

16th Dec 2005: Bb bass player Mark Latham was presented with the Bandperson of the Year Trophy for 2005, at the Christmas concert in Bilton Social Club. Band members voted for Mark in recognition of his unstinting hard work during the year. Mark is at virtually every rehearsal, and helping with the training band, he is at virtually every training band rehearsal too! Musically, everyone agrees that Mark plays with tremendous gusto, with a wonderful bass sound. Presenting the award to an astonished Mark, Musical Director, Brian Clarke, rightly expressed the opinion that brass bands owe their existence and success to hard-working and loyal members like Mark. Congratulations Mark!

At the same concert, the band recognised the long and faithful service of three of its members, Mick Green, Stan Cunningham and Keith Fisher, who were each presented with framed certificates celebrating 50 years' service with Bilton Band. What a fantastic achievement!

Bilton Band welcomes more new members

Mar 2005 - It is with great pleasure that the band welcomes three new members - Tony "Hank" Hancox on euphonium and Mike Wildman and Sharon Bacon on Eb bass. All three players are returning to full-time playing after a few years "resting". Mike, from Lutterworth, formerly played with the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain, and Hank, who lives near Nuneaton, has played with such bands as Nottingham City Transport. Sharon is returning to Bilton Band after a couple of years travelling the world, including some time in Saudi Arabia (not many brass band opportunities out there, unfortunately!) Sharon is now back in Rugby with her young family and it's great to have her back.

Midlands Area Contest, 5th March 2005

Following this year's promotion, Bilton Band returned to the First Section after an absence of several years, with a creditable performance of a demanding piece, John Ireland's "Comedy Overture". Unfortunately, we didn't end up in the frame, but we were happy with our performance on the day and have consolidated our position in the first section ready for next year's contest.

Bandperson of the Year 2004 award presented

16th Dec 2004: Musical Director Brian Clarke was presented with the Bandperson of the Year Trophy for 2004 by Bev Robotham, President of the band, at the Christmas concert in Bilton Social Club. Band members voted for Brian in recognition of his hard work during the year, both in the musical field and for his enthusiasm and hard work for the bandroom development scheme. Congratulations Brian!

Band President completes 60 years with Bilton Silver Band

16th Dec 2004: President Bev Robotham was presented with a band blazer by Keith Fisher, band trustee, committtee member and 2nd trombone, in recognition of his 60 years service with the band, both as player and lately as president and loyal supporter. Congratulations, Bev, and thanks for all your help and support over the years. Here's to another 60?

Bilton Band gets BRASSED OFF in Rugby!

Read about Bilton Silver Band's involvement with Rugby Theatre's highly successful stage production of "Brassed Off" 16th & 18th to 23rd October 2004. Rehearsal photos and more on display: Click here

Bilton Band welcomes another new member

Oct 2004 - The band has just voted in its newest member, Bindy Harrison, 1st horn, who previously played in the University of Warwick brass band. Bindy has been playing with us since the summer and made her concert debut with the band at Bedworth in October.

Bilton Silver Training Band - New Musical Directors

Bilton Silver Band has appointed a new musical director for the training band - or to be precise TWO new directors! Outgoing TBMD, Alister Rowe, has handed over the baton to Sheila Allen and Diane Fisher, both cornet players with the senior band, and music teachers in the local area. Mark Allen, the band's solo horn player, has been appointed Assistant Training Band Musical Director.

Bilton Silver Training Band - Annual Junior Contest

Bilton Silver Training Band's Annual contest took place on Friday April 2nd, 2004. 9 year-old Jodie Fisher was awarded the Norman Knight Trophy for all round performance, and Fred Noble was presented with the British Legion Shield as Training Bandperson of the Year   Read more...

Bilton Band on the UP!

Bilton Band has recently received the exciting news that they are to be promoted to the First Section from January 2005, after an absence of 4 years.

With a performance of Philip Sparke's Kaleidoscope that it was a pleasure to be part of, and playing 17th out of 17 bands, Bilton Band was content to be placed 7th overall in this year's Second Section regional qualifier.  Read more...

Exciting Times for Bilton Band!

Bilton Silver (Rugby) Band is delighted to announce a vision for the future, with the launch of its Bandroom Development Scheme which will provide 21st century facilities for us, our future members, and the local community!   Read more...

Bandperson of the Year, 2003

Each year, the band votes for a member whom they think has made the most contribution to the band throughout the year. This year, the band voted overwhelmingly for John Challis, who sadly passed away in September. John was a fine musician and a loyal band member, and in recognition of this and his stoicism during his short illness, the band chose to honour him in this way. His mother, Anne, accepted the trophy on his behalf at the Christmas concert in Bilton Social Club in December.

West Midlands BBA Contest 2003, Leamington Spa

Our performance of the own choice test piece: Les Preludes by Liszt gained us a disappointing 6th place, but the adjudicator still felt able to congratulate the horn ("v.nice hn") and soprano cornet ("fine effort from sop", "well done sop", "nice sounds, sop" - I think he liked you, Alister!). As usual, a pleasant and well-organised contest.

John Challis

Members of the Band were deeply saddened at the passing of trombonist, John Challis. John died on Saturday, 27th September, 2003 at Walsgrave Hospital, Coventry, after a short illness. He was 40. Read more...

Ray Tonks

It is with sadness that the band reports the death of its former Musical Director, Mr Ray Tonks, in July 2003. Mr Tonks conducted the band in the early 70s, and will be missed by those who knew him. A former Kneller Hall man, he left the army in 1969, moved to Rugby, and taught woodwind at Rugby School until he retired.

Membership News
 
The band has welcomed two new members to its ranks, Kelvin Morris on 2nd cornet, and Sheila Allen on solo cornet. Kelvin is a product of the training band, and has been playing with the seniors since the spring. Sheila, wife of solo horn player, Mark, is a returning member, having played with Bilton as a teenager. We are delighted to welcome them both into our band family!

Eric Pywell, who retired from "active service" last Christmas, has been made a Life Member of the band.

Midlands Area Contest 2003
 
A disappointing 7th place out of 19 for Bilton this year, after what they felt was a creditable performance of Kenneth Downie's "Celestial Prospect". However, this leaves the band in a good 5th=position in the second section for the 2004 contest.

Eric Pywell retires after 62 years with Bilton Band
Bilton Silver Band bids a fond farewell to its longest-serving member, Eric Pywell, after 62 years service and dedication. Eric joined the band aged 10, during the early part of the second world war. Eric comments, "most of the young men in the band had been called up, so there was not much of a band left, the oldies (like me now) and the youngsters."

As well as serving with the senior band, Eric had been involved with the junior (now training) band for many years, and in this way had had an influence on many young people's lives. At the end of his final concert in Bilton Social Club on December 22nd, Eric led the band from the stage followed by all the players who had been part of the junior band under his tender care. Three-fifths of the current band left the stage at that time - from youngsters in their teens to over-forties! It was a moving moment.

The band wishes Eric and his wife Kath all the best and says a big "thank-you" for being part of our success.

Denis Bird

It is with sadness that the band reports the passing of one of its life members, Denis Bird. Although never a playing member, Denis took an active part with fund raising activities on behalf of the band, supporting us at our various engagements and regularly attending rehearsal to provide the band with welcome refreshments during the evening.

He will be sadly missed.

Greg Little - Bandperson of the Year 2002

Each year the band votes for a member whom they think has made the most contribution to the band throughout the year. This could be for playing, training or other behind-the-scenes organisational contributions. This year, the award was presented to Greg Little, bass trombone player, committee member and assistant librarian, for all his hard work serving on the committee as well as his playing contributions.

Bilton Takes Third at Leamington Spa Contest!

Highest placed West Midlands band and third place overall at the West Midlands Brass Band Association contest, held at the Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa on Sunday 1st December, 2002, gave Bilton much to celebrate, and two well-earned pieces of silverware.

Adjudicator Goff Richards felt the performance of Kenneth Downie's "Purcell Variations" had much to commend it, including "super rich tone"!

Bilton Trombones in the Frame at Leicester Solo, Duet & Quartet Contest
 
A quartet consisting of trombonists John Challis, Laura Moran, Keith Fisher and Greg Little narrowly missed top slot in the open quartet section at the Leicester Brass Band Association contest, held at Groby Community College on Sunday 28th April, 2002. Their "very enjoyable" (I quote the adjudicator!!) performance of "Four Pieces for Trombone" earned them second place.

Helen Kinder gained 5th place in the under 19 air-varie, out of 14, with her competent rendition of "Long Long Ago".

The contest attracted participants from bands far and wide, including Bearpark & Esh Colliery band (Co.Durham) and a large contingent from Treherbert Silver Youth Band (S.Wales). Altogether, there was a total of 206 entries spread over 11 sections, including 13 percussionists. The standard was extremely high, with some of the smallest people producing some of the most amazing performances! Banding's future looks to be secure judging from these performances...

Bilton participants in the event:

• Helen Kinder (baritone) - U-19 slow melody, U-19 air varie and open duet
• Judith Hayes (flugel horn) - open slow melody, open duet
• Jennie Myers (cornet), David Richardson (cornet), Ian Bowles (tenor horn) & Vicky Mitchell (euphonium) - open quartet
• John Challis, Laura Moran, Keith Fisher and Greg Little (all sludge-pumpers!!) - open quartet

Bilton Silver Band Junior Contest 2002
 
The annual junior contest took place at Bilton Social Club on Friday 8th March, 2002, giving the youngsters a chance to play in front of an audience. Lots of trophies were up for grabs. The Norman Knight Trophy was awarded to Hannah Griffiths (Trombone), the prize for best performance by a player under 10 went to Zoe Goodacre (cornet), and Junior Bandperson of the Year was awarded to Helen Kinder (Baritone) in recognition of her success in gaining a place in the National Youth Band of Great Britain - click to see last year's report (this year's to follow)...

Midlands Area Contest 2002
 
The band was over the moon to be placed 4th out of 20 in the recent contest at Burton on Trent. We narrowly missed qualifying for the national finals by ONE POINT! The test piece was "Symphony for Brass" by Victor Ewald. Many thanks to everyone, and especially our musical director, Brian Clarke, for all their hard work and enthusiasm.

Alister Rowe - Bandperson of the Year 2001
 
The band is delighted to announce that Alister Rowe has been voted, by the members, as Bandperson of the Year for 2001, the second year he has picked up this prestigious award. The trophy was presented at the Christmas concert on December 21st. Congratulations Alister, and thanks for all your hard work!

Updated: 13th February 2007