Change of Musical Leadership

The Aldbourne Band have decided to embark on a change of musical direction and leadership for 2018 and are currently reviewing and assessing  professional conductor options.

The band would like to thank David Johnson for his tremendous contribution as Musical Director over the last 8 years. During this time he has been instrumental in improving the overall playing standard of the band, including countless hours spent on arrangements as well. David’s professional approach to our concert performances has helped secure a loyal following in the community. In his first spell conducting with Aldbourne, the band became the First Section National Champions and gained a top three placing at the Grand Shield at Blackpool, narrowly missing a qualification to the British Open. Since taking over the baton again in January 2016, David’s musical direction gave renewed impetus that led to qualification to the Royal Albert Hall National Finals, where the band gained a thoroughly deserved top ten finish in the Championship section.

Friends of Aldbourne Band secretary Gavin Dixon added ” We would like to acknowledge the immense contribution David Johnson has made to the progress and standing of the band in recent years. David has always emphasised the significance of the band’s roots in the village and has lead them at so many community events where the band provides the musical accompaniment to village life.  He has undoubtedly become one of the most recognisable “characters” in the community.  In recognition of David’s contribution, the Friends of Aldbourne Band have appointed him an Honorary Member, which is reserved for those who have made an outstanding contribution to our band”

Band Chairman Ian Keene added “We all wish David continued success and hope to see him conducting the Band again in the future”

The band are looking forward to their first concert of 2018 at the Immanuel Reformed Church in Swindon, where they will be celebrating a reunion with members of the Band from 1963. Former players have been invited to join the present day band and supporters to rekindle memories from 55 years ago. Chris King, the conductor of the Friary Guildford Band, the current London and Southern Counties champions, will be our guest conductor for the concert and we are looking forward to an engaging musical evening. The Band will be joined by the Aldbourne Youth Band who will again appear at Upham Road led by Janet Roe.

As Aldbourne Band start the preparations for the 2018 West of England Contest at Torquay in March, the band are pleased to announce the appointment of the experienced conductor, adjudicator and arranger David Hirst MA, B.Ed (Hons), P.G.C.E., LTCL to conduct the test piece Odyssey. They are looking forward to an intensive February and March working with David, who has an impressive record as a soprano player and conductor at some of the country’s leading bands such as the Black Dyke Mills Band, Brighouse and Rastrick, Fodens and Faireys.

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