Royal spa brass
Encyclopedia
Royal Spa Brass is a brass band
in the town of Royal Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
, England
. The band's origins date back to 1902, and its subsequent ups and downs form a story involving many characters. This band accepts musicians of any age, and offers classes that practice once a week.
, Bishop's Itchington and Cubbington
.
Forty years later, on 6 April 1955, this British-style band
re-formed using the name "The Royal Leamington Spa Silver Band" on the initiative of Secretary and euphonium
player Ken Bowers, with the instruments and many of the players of the Kenilworth Town Band. The Leamington Town Entertainments Committee loaned the Band £180, which was paid back with a series of 18 concerts over the next two years at the Pump Room Gardens at £10 a time.
The Fifties and Sixties saw the fortunes of the band wax and wane, but the Band was preserved, in particular by the efforts of Arthur Frodsham.
In 1956, the beginning of the modern era arrived when longest-serving member Ken Owen was joined at the band by Paul Russell, who was taught by ex-Army Bandsman William Bastock.
Arthur Frodsham took over the baton in 1963, but the band was wound up again in 1970, although Paul and Greta Russell soon restarted it in 1973. Rehearsals were initially held in a variety of locations, but in 1984 the band had its first permanent home in the guise of the former Mortuary at Riverside Walk.
Under the Direction of Paul Russell, the band had considerable success, winning the Third section and then Second section of the Midland Area Championships, and reached the National Finals. In 1992 the Band reverted back to its original name of Royal Spa Brass, and has since concentrated on Concert rather than Contest performance.
By 1995, the dilemma of players leaving for job opportunities, University and parenthood saw the Band closing down again, however the Millennium was approaching, and a new project commenced, with the intention of preserving brass and percussion playing in Leamington: Brass 2000.
This gave the Band exactly four years to recruit 100 new brass and percussion players, equip them with instruments, and train them from scratch to a level of musical achievement that would allow them to sit alongside the world-famous Black Dyke Band
.
During Easter of 1998, Leamington Spa was subjected to torrential rain, especially in the days leading up to Good Friday. On April 10th, the River Leam finally succumbed and burst its banks, flooding a large area of town. Unfortunately, this also included the bandroom. Nearly 100 years worth of instruments, band records and music was lost. With less than 2 years left until the Millennium Concert, the Band now had the added challenge of finding a new home in which to rehearse.
Temporarily practising in a former tyre store, Royal Spa Brass continued to work towards their goal, and eventually, on 27th February 2000, the band peformed the concert in front of a sell out audience alongside the Black Dyke Band and The Drake Project - an organisation dedicated to providing those less able with the opportunity to make music.
. The band has also played in conjunction with annual caroling
events at Warwick Castle
.
In 2006, two musicians marked fifty years in the band. Conductor Paul Russell and baritone player Ken Owen both joined the group in 1956, and were still playing a half century later.
Royal Spa Brass had always been very prominent in the local community, and prided itself on being a non-auditioning band that welcomed players of all abilities. Because of this, it was very popular with junior members, who were just starting their playing careers. In 2008, Buddin' Brass was officially formed: specifically set up for young and adult beginners alike. Buddin' Brass was the brainchild of Hugh Rashleigh, a member of Royal Spa Brass from an early age, and a very enthusiastic and talented musician. Hugh continues to run Buddin' Brass to this day, and is aided by several members of the main band. Since the inception of Buddin' Brass, many of its members have made the move into the main band.
In August 2009, Paul Russell stepped down as musical director of the Band after 36 years with the baton, and over half a century as a member of the band. He was succeeded by Scottish musician Iain Masson, who was an experienced conductor around the West Midlands area. Under a new musical director, Royal Spa Brass made a conscious shift towards more light-hearted entertainment, fearing the traditional Brass Band style was no longer in demand. Under Iain's guidance, the Band performed the "Heroes and Villains" concert in the All Saints Church in Leamington, as well as the Halloween themed "Spooky" at the Royal Spa Centre
in 2010, both of which were a resounding success. "Spooky" was a major turning point in the vision of the band, with a fancy dress competition, smoke machines and countless audio/visual effects making the whole performance a spectacle for the whole family.
In early 2011, Iain Masson's large workload took its toll and he made the decision that he could no longer continue as Musical Director of Royal Spa Brass. The Band then appointed Hugh Rashleigh as Musical Director of the whole organisation, and he immediately began work on "Spa Trek;" a space themed concert scheduled to take place on October 30th 2011.
Brass band
A brass band is a musical ensemble generally consisting entirely of brass instruments, most often with a percussion section. Ensembles that include brass and woodwind instruments can in certain traditions also be termed brass bands , but are usually more correctly termed military bands, concert...
in the town of Royal Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Warwickshire
Warwickshire is a landlocked non-metropolitan county in the West Midlands region of England. The county town is Warwick, although the largest town is Nuneaton. The county is famous for being the birthplace of William Shakespeare...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. The band's origins date back to 1902, and its subsequent ups and downs form a story involving many characters. This band accepts musicians of any age, and offers classes that practice once a week.
Early history
The original Royal Spa Brass was dissolved during the First World War following the death of Bandmaster Fred Titcombe. The musicians dispersed but kept the local band tradition alive, playing with the other local bands – KenilworthKenilworth
Kenilworth is a town in central Warwickshire, England. In 2001 the town had a population of 22,582 . It is situated south of Coventry, north of Warwick and northwest of London....
, Bishop's Itchington and Cubbington
Cubbington
Cubbington is a village and civil parish with a population of 4,034 adjoining the north-eastern outskirts of Royal Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, England. Welsh Road, running through the village crossroads, may have been an old sheep drovers' route connecting London and Wales...
.
Forty years later, on 6 April 1955, this British-style band
Brass band (British style)
A British-style brass band is a musical ensemble comprising a standardised range of brass and percussion instruments. The modern form of the brass band in the United Kingdom dates back to the 19th century, with a vibrant tradition of competition based around local industry and communities...
re-formed using the name "The Royal Leamington Spa Silver Band" on the initiative of Secretary and euphonium
Euphonium
The euphonium is a conical-bore, tenor-voiced brass instrument. It derives its name from the Greek word euphonos, meaning "well-sounding" or "sweet-voiced"...
player Ken Bowers, with the instruments and many of the players of the Kenilworth Town Band. The Leamington Town Entertainments Committee loaned the Band £180, which was paid back with a series of 18 concerts over the next two years at the Pump Room Gardens at £10 a time.
The Fifties and Sixties saw the fortunes of the band wax and wane, but the Band was preserved, in particular by the efforts of Arthur Frodsham.
In 1956, the beginning of the modern era arrived when longest-serving member Ken Owen was joined at the band by Paul Russell, who was taught by ex-Army Bandsman William Bastock.
Arthur Frodsham took over the baton in 1963, but the band was wound up again in 1970, although Paul and Greta Russell soon restarted it in 1973. Rehearsals were initially held in a variety of locations, but in 1984 the band had its first permanent home in the guise of the former Mortuary at Riverside Walk.
Under the Direction of Paul Russell, the band had considerable success, winning the Third section and then Second section of the Midland Area Championships, and reached the National Finals. In 1992 the Band reverted back to its original name of Royal Spa Brass, and has since concentrated on Concert rather than Contest performance.
By 1995, the dilemma of players leaving for job opportunities, University and parenthood saw the Band closing down again, however the Millennium was approaching, and a new project commenced, with the intention of preserving brass and percussion playing in Leamington: Brass 2000.
Brass 2000
At the beginning of 1996, the committee of Royal Spa Brass acknowledged that membership was falling rapidly, and drastic action was needed to prevent the band from folding completely. On Sunday February 26th 1996, plans for an anbitious musical project were unveiled to an audience of local dignitaries, representatives from the media, and other community and music organisations. The BRASS 2000 project was formally launched by Royal Spa Brass and this plan drove the activities of the band for the next four years:On Sunday February 27th 2000, a special event will take place. At the magnificent Symphony Hall, Birmingham, the media will provide coverage of BRASS 2000 a major Millennium Concert. The highlight of ths concert will be the performance by 100 young musicians, able bodied and disabled, of the Premiere of a new arrangement especially commissioned for the occasion. The concert will celebrate the climax of the BRASS 2000 project and the opening of a new centre that will provide the facilities for youngsters of all backgrounds and abilities to share in the joy of making music and sustain the work of the project into the New Millennium.
This gave the Band exactly four years to recruit 100 new brass and percussion players, equip them with instruments, and train them from scratch to a level of musical achievement that would allow them to sit alongside the world-famous Black Dyke Band
Black Dyke Band
The Black Dyke Band, formerly the Black Dyke Mills Band, is one of the oldest and best-known brass bands in the world. The band has won many prizes and competitions over the years...
.
During Easter of 1998, Leamington Spa was subjected to torrential rain, especially in the days leading up to Good Friday. On April 10th, the River Leam finally succumbed and burst its banks, flooding a large area of town. Unfortunately, this also included the bandroom. Nearly 100 years worth of instruments, band records and music was lost. With less than 2 years left until the Millennium Concert, the Band now had the added challenge of finding a new home in which to rehearse.
Temporarily practising in a former tyre store, Royal Spa Brass continued to work towards their goal, and eventually, on 27th February 2000, the band peformed the concert in front of a sell out audience alongside the Black Dyke Band and The Drake Project - an organisation dedicated to providing those less able with the opportunity to make music.
New millennium
Keen not to lose the momentum gained from the Brass 2000 project, Royal Spa Brass planned a return to the Birmingham Symphony Hall two years later. By this time, the Band had found itself a new home where it remains to this day; The Band Factory - Where Musicians Are Made. In February 2002, Royal Spa Brass found themselves back on the stage in the Symphony Hall, this time alongside Grimethorpe Colliery BandGrimethorpe Colliery Band
The Grimethorpe Colliery Band is a brass band, based in Grimethorpe, South Yorkshire, England. It was formed in 1917, as a leisure activity for the workers at the colliery, by members of the disbanded Cudworth Colliery Band...
. The band has also played in conjunction with annual caroling
Carol (music)
A carol is a festive song, generally religious but not necessarily connected with church worship, and often with a dance-like or popular character....
events at Warwick Castle
Warwick Castle
Warwick Castle is a medieval castle in Warwick, the county town of Warwickshire, England. It sits on a bend on the River Avon. The castle was built by William the Conqueror in 1068 within or adjacent to the Anglo-Saxon burh of Warwick. It was used as a fortification until the early 17th century,...
.
In 2006, two musicians marked fifty years in the band. Conductor Paul Russell and baritone player Ken Owen both joined the group in 1956, and were still playing a half century later.
Royal Spa Brass had always been very prominent in the local community, and prided itself on being a non-auditioning band that welcomed players of all abilities. Because of this, it was very popular with junior members, who were just starting their playing careers. In 2008, Buddin' Brass was officially formed: specifically set up for young and adult beginners alike. Buddin' Brass was the brainchild of Hugh Rashleigh, a member of Royal Spa Brass from an early age, and a very enthusiastic and talented musician. Hugh continues to run Buddin' Brass to this day, and is aided by several members of the main band. Since the inception of Buddin' Brass, many of its members have made the move into the main band.
In August 2009, Paul Russell stepped down as musical director of the Band after 36 years with the baton, and over half a century as a member of the band. He was succeeded by Scottish musician Iain Masson, who was an experienced conductor around the West Midlands area. Under a new musical director, Royal Spa Brass made a conscious shift towards more light-hearted entertainment, fearing the traditional Brass Band style was no longer in demand. Under Iain's guidance, the Band performed the "Heroes and Villains" concert in the All Saints Church in Leamington, as well as the Halloween themed "Spooky" at the Royal Spa Centre
Royal Spa Centre
The Royal Spa Centre is a theatre in Leamington Spa, United Kingdom. The centre was officially opened on 15 June 1972 by Anthony Eden, one time MP for Leamington and Warwick and Prime Minister of the UK. It has two auditoria, the first of which is a traditional theatre which can hold 660 people...
in 2010, both of which were a resounding success. "Spooky" was a major turning point in the vision of the band, with a fancy dress competition, smoke machines and countless audio/visual effects making the whole performance a spectacle for the whole family.
In early 2011, Iain Masson's large workload took its toll and he made the decision that he could no longer continue as Musical Director of Royal Spa Brass. The Band then appointed Hugh Rashleigh as Musical Director of the whole organisation, and he immediately began work on "Spa Trek;" a space themed concert scheduled to take place on October 30th 2011.