*
banner

Wessex prepares for massed delegates

Michael Fowles will lead delegates on the forthcoming Wessex Band Summer School.

Wessex Summer School
  The course will end with two concerts under Michael Fowles

The Wessex Band Summer School has been preparing to host its 2023 course — its 52nd, which takes place at the Sturminster Newton High School from Monday 31st July to Saturday 5th August.

Fowles lead

It will be led by Foden's Musical Director Michael Fowles and will finish with two concerts at The Exchange, Sturminster Newton on Saturday 5th August. The first at 11.00am, will feature the course training band, conducted by Becky Cook, Anna Hughes-Williams, Sandra Jones and Matt Stimpson.

The second at 3.00pm, will feature the Brass and Wind Bands, led by Michael Fowles, who will be joined by Mike Eccles, David Marshall, Alan Pope and Damon Robb culminating in a finale featuring the Massed Band of the Wessex Band Summer School.

Tutors

This year's delegates will be tutored by Kirsty Abbotts, Anna Hughes-Williams, Jon Probert, Alan Pope and James Screaton (cornets), Mike Eccles (flugels), Rebecca Doyle and Matt Stimpson (horns), Mike Warriner (baritones), Shaun Farrington and Becky Cook (trombones), Jim Fieldhouse (euphoniums), Stewart Baglin (tubas), Damon Robb (flutes), Ruth Theobald (oboes), Sandra Jones and Tracey Boyes (clarinets), Carol Frost (saxophones), Nicky Walton (woodwind), David Marshall and Jon Probert (trumpets) and James Gilbert and Alli Fudge-Smith (percussionists).

Great week

A spokesperson told 4BR: "The course is sure to be a great week of music making and friendship, with lots of fun for both players and non-players alike in the beautiful Dorset surroundings."

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


British Open

Result: 2026 Spring Festival — Senior Cup

May 2 • Kirkintilloch claims the Senior Cup honours as Rainford, Tongwynlais Temperance and East London Brass join them in the Grand Shield in 2027.


2026 Spring Festival

Result: 2026 Spring Festival — Senior Trophy

May 2 • Sandhurst Silver claims the Senior Trophy honours as Sovereign Brass, Unite Scotland Kinneil and Yorkshire Imperial are also promoted to the Senior Cup.


Fleetwood

Fleetwood back on demand

May 1 • You can enjoy all 32 performances from the recent Fleetwood Contest on demand


British Open

Live stream broadcast from Spring Festival

May 1 • All the action from the 104th British Open Spring Festival is to be live-stream broadcast this weekend.


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Sunday 3 May • St Alfege Church. Greenwich Church Street SE10 9BJ


Regent Hall Concerts - FiveBy5 Trumpet Quintet

Tuesday 5 May • Charlton House and Gardens. Charlton Road, . London. . SE7 8RE


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Friday 8 May • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Wardle Anderson Brass Band - Wardle Junior Blast

Friday 8 May • Milnrow Parish Church, 16 Westward Ho, Milnrow, Rochdale OL16 3JX


Regent Brass - Woodbridge Excelsior Band and Russell Gray

Saturday 9 May • The Salvation Army (Regent Hall), Oxford Street, London W1C 2DJ


Wellington Silver Band (Somerset)

May 2 • Bb Basses. With Colin Dance now appointed as our MD and our other Bb Bass leaving due to work commitments, we have openings for two Bb basses. We are a friendly community (4th section?) band with a variety of gigs including our own Proms in the Park.


Wellington Silver Band (Somerset)

May 2 • Tuned Percussionist. We are looking for a tuned percussionist to join our friendly community (4th section?) band. We have a variety of gigs including our own Proms in the park, charity concerts, fetes, (maybe contesting). Other brass players welcome.


Tintwistle Band

April 28 • Tintwistle Band are looking for a Soprano and front row cornet players to help complete our team.. We rehearse Monday and Thursday 8-10pm at our own bandroom on Old Road in Tintwistle, and perform a variety of concerts all year round.


Derek Renshaw

ABBA Member
Conductor, Band Trainer and Adjudicator.


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd