Senior Band
Consisting of the most experienced players within the TVB group, the Senior Band performs at a wide range of engagements from formal concerts, to flower shows, summer fetes, parades, birthday parties and carol services. The Senior Band (which was formed in 1970) has won national contests, toured parts of the UK and Europe, broadcasted on local and national television, played cruise ships out on voyage, released a CD and raised significant amounts of money for charity. The Senior Band plays all styles of music, from classical to pop, jazz to film, and modern to old.
Senior Band is a very friendly group of
players who all have a shared passion for making music. The
band consists of a wide range of ages from 16 years up to 70+,
including talented young players who have progressed up from our
Youth Band and Senior Academy "cross-over" players, which is just
fantastic!
We
currently have vacancies in Senior Band - please see the vacancies
page for further information. Whilst there is no entry criteria to
join the Senior Band, we recommend you are at least grade 5
standard. Players of up to grade 5 standard are very welcome at our
Senior Academy (see info opposite).
Senior Band are available for booking for a
wide range of events, such as concerts, weddings, parties, summer
fetes and Christmas fayres. If you would like TVB Senior Band
to perform at your event, please get in touch via our email address
- secretary@testvalleybrass.co.uk
Academy
Conducted by Ken
West
The Academy is a beginner band specifically
for adults which introduces complete beginners to playing brass and
percussion instruments in an ensemble before 'graduating' to the
Senior Band. Learning a musical instrument as an adult is a big
commitment, but a very rewarding one, and we will give you every
encouragement to succeed, in what is a very happy and enthusiastic
environment.
We use a graded assessment scheme
to allow members to monitor their progress. This is based on the
successful Award Scheme used within the TVB Youth Band, which
approximately follows the standards of external grades, e.g.
Yellow Pin is approximately Grade 1, Green Pin is approximately
Grade 2 etc. Progress is assessed during regular "Assessment
evenings" which are held approximately every 6
weeks.
Rehearsals
When:
Mondays 6.30-7.45pm (Academy)
Mondays 8pm-9.45pm (Senior Band)
Where:
Test Valley Brass Band Room, John Hanson
School,
Floral Way, Andover, Hants, SP10 3PB
Senior Academy -
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the Senior Academy
for?
All adults who are keen to learn a brass
instrument or percussion, either as a complete beginner or as a
returning player.
Beginners -
We will teach you all the basics
of playing an instrument and reading music.
Returning Players -
The Senior Academy is a perfect
environment for building your stamina back up and increasing your
confidence.
Who are the tutors?
Ken is the musical director of the Senior
Academy, but he also does the vast majority of the work behind the
scenes, e.g. the administration, week-to-week planning and also
writing/re-arranging music for the Academy. Ken is assisted by
other members of TVB and local musicians who provide tuition on an
individual and small group basis.
How much does it
cost?
To be a member of TVB costs approx £1.50 per
week. Excellent value, considering this includes the loan of an
instrument and your tuition.
Am I too old for to learn an
instrument?
This is a very common question, but the answer is
most definitely no! We believe no-one is too old to learn a new
skill, especially learning to play an instrument.
I don't have my own instrument - can I
borrow one?
TVB has a range of band instruments available to
loan to players, and this is included within your
subscription.
Test Valley Brass UK Registered Charity number 1090095