PREPARATIONS for ‘A Bratton Christmas Carol’ are well under way with Bratton Silver Band performing an innovative, magical retelling of the classic Dickens tale.
The event is at the Laverton in Westbury on Saturday 9th December at 7pm. Tickets are free and can be booked here:
https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/bratton-silver-band
November was a busy time for the band with a national competition in Evesham and support for the Remembrance service in Bratton on Remembrance Sunday.
Saturday 4th November saw the band travel all the way up to Evesham to take part in the Wychavon Festival of Brass Entertainment Contest.
“Most contests involve playing a particular designated ‘test’ piece of music, but this contest is different as each band puts on a 20-minute programme with the idea, as the name implies, to be entertaining (as well as playing superbly, of course),” explained Lucy Scott, engagements coordinator for the band.
“It’s like a whole day concert performed by around 65 bands who come from all over the country, so is a lot of fun.
“Bratton Silver Band competed in the 3rd Section. Playing to a packed hall, with many band friends supporting them and finishing with rapturous applause, was a special moment for the whole band. They brought the story of the ‘Lost Village of Imber’ to the national stage with their performance of ‘Imber Variations’ and proudly showed what Bratton Silver Band is all about. The band was placed a respectable 8th out of a competitive field of 17 bands.
“All in all, it was a great day out with the opportunity for bands to support each other and meet up with friends from other bands.
“Members of the band were honoured to perform on Remembrance Sunday in Bratton. Principal Cornet Faye Coussens performed the Last Post and Reveille in both St James’ Church and at the village War Memorial.
“Inside the church the band sensitively played traditional music for Remembrance including Nimrod and I Vow to Thee My Country. At the War Memorial, in addition to the British Legion March and hymns, the band played music from Band of Brothers and Hymn to the Fallen.”
