The popular Wessex Band Summer School will be celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.

It was set up in 1970 by John Grinnell and Andrew Pitts as a youth course along with the respected conductor Courtney Bosanko.

Annual event

Over the years it has grown in size with over 200 musicians of all ages and abilities now joining the annual event in the beautiful Dorset countryside in Sturminster Newton.

To commemorate the 50th anniversary, celebrations are being held on the evening of Friday 2nd August on the school field of Sturminster Newton High School.

Conductors, tutors, students and parents who have been involved in the course, past and present, are invited to come and help mark the occasion by taking part or coming to listen to a special Reunion Band, whilst the evening will be full of reminiscing and catching up with old friends, who it is hoped will bring along pictures, memories, videos or stories to help mark the occasion.

Finest musicians

Course Musical Director Michael Fowles told 4BR: "I joined the course originally as a student and I have always loved the enthusiasm and commitment of those involved.

I feel that the tutors and conductors who have been part of the course past and present are the finest musicians and I'm honoured to be involved with such a fantastic course.

As we move forward we want to ensure we keep the essence of why the course was set up and celebrate 50 years of music making."

As we move forward we want to ensure we keep the essence of why the course was set up and celebrate 50 years of music makingMichael Fowles

Fantastic

Course Chairman Matt Stimpson added: "50 years is a long time to keep a course thriving and marking such an achievement with the people who have made the course so fantastic for so long is key to our celebrations.

The 2019 course will continue as it always does under the watchful eye of Michael Fowles and the stunning team of tutors."

Further details

Anyone who would like to ask questions, send in photos, videos or memories or if you would like to join the reunion band can email 50th-anniversary@wessexband.com

This year's course runs from 30th July to 2nd August. Further details can be found at: http://www.wessexband.com