Stratford Concert Band

Stratford Concert Band is the principal band of Stratford-upon-Avon Wind Bands Association (SAWBA). It was formed in 1977 out of the South Warwickshire Schools Wind Band when the economic axe fell on music in schools.

Stratford Concert Band is an established concert band of some thirty-five players. The instrumentation is that of a typical community wind band – woodwind consisting of flutes, oboes, clarinets, bassoons and saxophones; brass including trumpets, trombones, horns and tuba; and percussion. The Musical Director is Jonathan Earle.

The band’s activities centre on the town of Stratford-upon-Avon and the surrounding villages with a range of formal concerts and outdoor appearances such as bandstands and fetes. The band supports both fundraising by local charities and civic occasions playing each year for the carol service in the centre of Stratford, at the Remembrance Gardens and as part of the Shakespeare Birthday celebrations. The band has been invited to play on several occasions when Royalty visited Stratford.

The band’s repertoire concentrates on popular, tuneful music, while stopping short of pure jazz or pop. A typical programme consists of familiar marches, light classical arrangements, selections from current and memorable films and stage musicals, and original works for concert band.

Stratford Concert Band rehearses each Thursday evening during term time at King Edward VI Grammar School in Stratford-upon-Avon. New members welcome. For more information, please contact June Farrow, on 01789 266124.