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{{Short description|England brass band}}
{{multiple|
{{overly detailed|date=June 2012}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
'''Royal Spa Brass''' is a [[brass band]] in the town of [[Royal Leamington Spa]], [[Warwickshire]], [[England]].
{{tone|date=August 2012}}
{{refimprove|date=June 2012}}
}}
⚫
'''Royal Spa Brass''' is a [[brass band]] in the town of [[Royal Leamington Spa]], [[Warwickshire]], [[England]]. The band's origins date back to 1902, and its subsequent ups and downs form a story involving many characters. This band accepts musicians of any age, and offers classes that practice once a week.<ref>[http://www.leamingtoncourier.co.uk/news/local/brass_band_to_play_music_from_movies_1_1056814 "Brass band to play music from movies"], ''Leamington Spa Courier'' (1 February 2008).</ref>


==Early history==
==Early history==
The original Royal Spa Brass was dissolved during the [[First World War]]. Forty years later, this [[Brass band (British style)|British-style band]] re-formed using the name "The Royal Leamington Spa Silver Band". The band was wound up again in 1970 but soon restarted in 1973.
The original Royal Spa Brass (newspapers give the name as Royal Spa Band) was founded by Alfred Titcomb on 15 January 1901 and, by the end of the year, had 26 players. In January 1912 it became the band of the Warwickshire Yeomanry but continued to appear as Royal Spa Band for another two years. It was dissolved during the First World War and reformed in 1920 and continued until 1939 when it ceased again.


Under the Direction of Paul Russell, the band had considerable success, winning the [[Brass band sections in the United Kingdom|Third section and then Second section]] of the Midland Area Championships, and reached the National Finals.<ref>[http://brassbandresults.co.uk/bands/royal-spa-brass/ Royal Spa Brass], Brass Band Results. Accessed 28 October 2011.</ref> In 1992 the Band reverted back to its original name of Royal Spa Brass, and has since concentrated on Concert rather than Contest performance.
Fifteen years later it re-formed by an amalgamation of Kenilworth Town and Bishops Itchington brass bands using the name "The Royal Leamington Spa Silver Band". The band was wound up again in 1970 but soon restarted in 1973. According to the band's official history, it reverted to its original name of Royal Spa Brass in 1992, and has since concentrated on Concert rather than Contest performance.<ref name=history>[http://www.royalspabrass.com/page16.htm "Royal Spa Brass' story started in 1902"] (official history of band). Accessed 11 August 2012.</ref>

The band had considerable success during its Contest days, winning the [[Brass band sections in the United Kingdom|Third section and then Second section]] of the Midland Area Championships, and reaching the National Finals.<ref>[http://brassbandresults.co.uk/bands/royal-spa-brass/ Royal Spa Brass], Brass Band Results. Accessed 28 October 2011.</ref>


==New millennium==
==New millennium==
⚫
The Band's headquarters is called The Band Factory.<ref name=concert/> It has played in conjunction with annual [[Carol (music)|caroling]] events at [[Warwick Castle]].<ref>[http://www.leamingtoncourier.co.uk/news/local/carols_at_warwick_castle_1_1055998 "Carols at Warwick Castle"], ''Leamington Spa Courier'' (27 December 2007).</ref><ref>[http://www.leamingtoncourier.co.uk/lifestyle/entertainments/enjoy_warwick_castle_carols_on_saturday_1_1061470 "Enjoy Warwick Castle carols on Saturday"], ''Leamington Spa Courier'' (11 December 2008).</ref> In December 2011, for example, the band played at Warwick Castle alongside the choirs of the [[Collegiate Church of St Mary, Warwick|Collegiate Church of St Mary]].<ref>"[http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Festive+carols+held+at+castle+for+40th+year.-a0275456522 Festive carols held at castle for 40th year]", ''[[Coventry Telegraph|Coventry Evening Telegraph]]'' (22 December 2011).</ref><ref>Kevin Unitt. [http://leamingtonobserver.co.uk/2011/12/20/news-Carols-concert-a-sell-out-success-25833.html "Carols concert a sell-out success"] ''Leamington Observer'' (20 December 2011).</ref>
The Band's headquarters is called The Band Factory.<ref name=concert/> In February 2002, Royal Spa Brass was back on the stage in the Symphony Hall, this time alongside [[Grimethorpe Colliery Band]].


⚫
In 2006, two musicians marked fifty years in the band. Conductor Paul Russell and [[Baritone saxophone|baritone player]] Ken Owen both joined the group in 1956, and were still playing a half century later.<ref>[http://www.leamingtoncourier.co.uk/news/local/brass_players_are_honoured_1_1044099 "Brass Players Are Honored"], ''Leamington Spa Courier'' (12 June 2006).</ref>
⚫
The band has also played in conjunction with annual [[Carol (music)|caroling]] events at [[Warwick Castle]].<ref>[http://www.leamingtoncourier.co.uk/news/local/carols_at_warwick_castle_1_1055998 "Carols at Warwick Castle"], ''Leamington Spa Courier'' (27 December 2007).</ref><ref>[http://www.leamingtoncourier.co.uk/lifestyle/entertainments/enjoy_warwick_castle_carols_on_saturday_1_1061470 "Enjoy Warwick Castle carols on Saturday"], ''Leamington Spa Courier'' (11 December 2008).</ref> In December 2011, for example, the band played at Warwick Castle alongside the Choirs of St. Mary's Church.<ref>"[http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Festive+carols+held+at+castle+for+40th+year.-a0275456522 Festive carols held at castle for 40th year]", ''[[Coventry Telegraph|Coventry Evening Telegraph]]'' (22 December 2011).</ref>


⚫
According to its official history, Royal Spa Band continues to be a non-auditioning band that welcomes players of all abilities. In 2008, Buddin' Brass was officially set up for young and adult beginners. Since the inception of Buddin' Brass, many of its members have made the move into the main band.<ref name=history />
⚫
In 2006, two musicians marked fifty years in the band. Conductor Paul Russell and baritone player Ken Owen both joined the group in 1956, and were still playing a half century later.<ref>[http://www.leamingtoncourier.co.uk/news/local/brass_players_are_honoured_1_1044099 "Brass Players Are Honored"], ''Leamington Spa Courier'' (12 June 2006).</ref>


⚫
In early 2011, Hugh Rashleigh took over as Musical Director, supervising both Buddin' Brass and the rest of the Band.<ref name=concert>"[http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Brass+concert.-a0274480029 Brass concert]", ''[[Coventry Telegraph|Coventry Evening Telegraph]]'' (9 December 2011).</ref>
⚫
Royal Spa Band continues to be a non-auditioning band that welcomes players of all abilities. In 2008, Buddin' Brass was officially set up for young and adult beginners. Since the inception of Buddin' Brass, many of its members have made the move into the main band.


⚫
The band accepts musicians of any age, and practice once a week.<ref>[http://www.leamingtoncourier.co.uk/news/local/brass_band_to_play_music_from_movies_1_1056814 "Brass band to play music from movies"],''Leamington Spa Courier'' (1 February 2008).</ref>
In August 2009, Paul Russell stepped down as musical director of the Band after 36 years with the baton. He was succeeded by Scottish musician Iain Masson, who was an experienced conductor around the West Midlands area. Royal Spa Brass then made a conscious shift towards more light-hearted entertainment, fearing the traditional Brass Band style was no longer in demand. Under Iain's guidance, the Band performed the "Heroes and Villains" concert in the All Saints Church in Leamington, as well as the Halloween themed "Spooky" at the [[Royal Spa Centre]] in 2010. "Spooky" featured a fancy dress competition, smoke machines and countless audio/visual effects.

⚫
In early 2011, Hugh Rashleigh took over as Musical Director, supervising both Buddin' Brass and the rest of the Band.<ref name=concert>"[http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Brass+concert.-a0274480029 Brass concert]", ''[[Coventry Telegraph|Coventry Evening Telegraph]]'' (9 December 2011).</ref> He also began work on "Spa Trek," a space themed concert that took place on 30 October 2011.


==References==
==References==
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==External links==
==External links==
* {{Official|http://www.royalspabrass.com}}
* {{Official website|http://www.royalspabrass.com}}

{{Royal Leamington Spa}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Royal Spa Brass}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Royal Spa Brass}}
[[Category:British brass bands]]
[[Category:British brass bands]]
[[Category:Leamington Spa]]
[[Category:Leamington Spa]]
[[Category:Music in Warwickshire]]

Latest revision as of 04:21, 28 April 2023

Royal Spa Brass is a brass band in the town of Royal Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, England.

Early history

[edit]

The original Royal Spa Brass (newspapers give the name as Royal Spa Band) was founded by Alfred Titcomb on 15 January 1901 and, by the end of the year, had 26 players. In January 1912 it became the band of the Warwickshire Yeomanry but continued to appear as Royal Spa Band for another two years. It was dissolved during the First World War and reformed in 1920 and continued until 1939 when it ceased again.

Fifteen years later it re-formed by an amalgamation of Kenilworth Town and Bishops Itchington brass bands using the name "The Royal Leamington Spa Silver Band". The band was wound up again in 1970 but soon restarted in 1973. According to the band's official history, it reverted to its original name of Royal Spa Brass in 1992, and has since concentrated on Concert rather than Contest performance.[1]

The band had considerable success during its Contest days, winning the Third section and then Second section of the Midland Area Championships, and reaching the National Finals.[2]

New millennium

[edit]

The Band's headquarters is called The Band Factory.[3] It has played in conjunction with annual caroling events at Warwick Castle.[4][5] In December 2011, for example, the band played at Warwick Castle alongside the choirs of the Collegiate Church of St Mary.[6][7]

In 2006, two musicians marked fifty years in the band. Conductor Paul Russell and baritone player Ken Owen both joined the group in 1956, and were still playing a half century later.[8]

According to its official history, Royal Spa Band continues to be a non-auditioning band that welcomes players of all abilities. In 2008, Buddin' Brass was officially set up for young and adult beginners. Since the inception of Buddin' Brass, many of its members have made the move into the main band.[1]

In early 2011, Hugh Rashleigh took over as Musical Director, supervising both Buddin' Brass and the rest of the Band.[3]

The band accepts musicians of any age, and practice once a week.[9]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Royal Spa Brass' story started in 1902" (official history of band). Accessed 11 August 2012.
  2. ^ Royal Spa Brass, Brass Band Results. Accessed 28 October 2011.
  3. ^ a b "Brass concert", Coventry Evening Telegraph (9 December 2011).
  4. ^ "Carols at Warwick Castle", Leamington Spa Courier (27 December 2007).
  5. ^ "Enjoy Warwick Castle carols on Saturday", Leamington Spa Courier (11 December 2008).
  6. ^ "Festive carols held at castle for 40th year", Coventry Evening Telegraph (22 December 2011).
  7. ^ Kevin Unitt. "Carols concert a sell-out success" Leamington Observer (20 December 2011).
  8. ^ "Brass Players Are Honored", Leamington Spa Courier (12 June 2006).
  9. ^ "Brass band to play music from movies",Leamington Spa Courier (1 February 2008).
[edit]
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