TWO chances to see us in concert this Christmas!
To round off a hugely successful 2024, the band will be performing some great Christmas music, old and new, in Horsham (Holy Trinity Church, Friday 6th December) and Cranleigh (Cranleigh Village Hall, Saturday 14th December). Not to be missed!
Don't forget to check out our EVENTS page to see where else we're performing over the festive season...
STOP PRESS: National Finals success
After our amazing success in the spring, winning the local SCABA contest and taking the L&SC First Section Championships in Stevenage, we spent the summer working hard on the piece for the National Finals in Cheltenham (Excalibur by Jan van der Roost). The hard work paid off and we came away with a very creditable 4th place, beating 15 other bands who had all been successful in their own areas (including 8 bands who have already been promoted to the Championship section!). Well done to all, and special thanks to MD, Will Wilkins, who brought a really tight and musical performance from the band.
VIsit our gallery for some pictures of the day...
Champions!...
March 2024 saw us expand our silverware cupboard!
A trio of trophies at the SCABA Spring Contest on 3rd March (Ist Section Champions and 2nd place overall) was followed by success for the band at the London & Southern Counties area contest (17th March) where we were announced 'clear winners' and 1st Section Champions (and booked ourselves a place in the finals at Chelteham in September)!
By Royal appointment!
The band was very proud to be part of this weekend of royal celebrations, playing for the Coronation Big Lunch party in Cranleigh - particularly because we had actual royalty in the audience! The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh were in Cranleigh to join in the celebrations and we managed to time the start of our concert just as they were passing by (with a rousing rendition of God Save the King). The sun was shining, and a great audience was appreciative of our programme, which included solos from Andy (flugel), Gordon (cornet) and Martin (euphonium).
Photos: Helena Wilson
Family fortunes at the Areas…
We had a few 'family units' in our midst for the recent London & Southern Counties regional contest in Stevenage; Daniel Loveday (cornet) and his son Edward (trombone), Gordon Poole (Principal cornet) and his son Thomas joining him on the front row, Chris Line (soprano) and his son Thomas joining him on the back row - and the 'triple' unit of Anne (cornet), Ronnie (euphonium) and Helena (percussion) Wilson.
After weeks of hard work on a tough test piece, we very pleased with our performance of Phil Lawrence's ''A Day in the Life of a Knight' on the day. We didn't end up in the prizes, but we remain in the First Section and look forward to what next year will bring.
In the meantime, our summer calendar is filling up so please check out our 'See us' page to find out where we're performing.
We were thrilled to return home having been crowned 2nd Section Champions at a competition held in Bournemouth on Saturday (30 Nov 2019). Beating some stiff competition, including bands graded higher than us, we were also awarded the prize for Best March. Speaking after the competition the bands Musical Director, Mark McLauchlin said, 'I could not possibly explain quite how proud I am of this lot!!! What a fabulous performance and a great result. I'm over the moon for them and all the hard work they put in to make this happen'.
We return to rehearsals for their Christmas concert next week which we will be presenting at The Drill Hall, Denne Road, Horsham on the 20th December. Tickets are available from the band, please email us.
Horsham Borough Band is always looking for new members; please get in touch if you would like more details.
