Page 6 - Thrapston Life July 2024

QA
After over 165 years of service to the Thrapston community, the town band is still going strong and winning awards!
Tell us more... The band was founded in 1858 by Mr Nathaniel Smith a Director of Smith and Grace, Iron Foundry, Midland Road. Mr Smith was very involved in the Temperance
Society and believed that starting
a band would keep the workforce
occupied and would stop them from
spending money in the public houses!
achieved a top ten placing (9th). In November 2023, the band won the fourth section of the LBBA Contest (aka “The Leicester Contest”), playing their piece from the national finals, “A Saddleworth Festival Overture”. The band were promoted to the Third Section with effect from
The band was not sponsored by the
foundry in a monetary sense but was
provided with accommodation for
practices and storage. In 1938 they
opened a new canteen that was built specifically with the band in mind with a specially designed ceiling to create the right acoustics. For over 100 years the band practised at Smith & Grace in Midland Road.
How many people are in the band? The band has 25 brass players and three percussionists.
In addition, the band also currently has seven young learners.
Recent highlights... In 2023 the band celebrated its 165th year in style winning the Midlands Regional Brass Band Championships (Fourth Section). The band were then invited to take part in the Finals of the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain where it
every member of the band gives their time for free
6
January 2024.
In March 2024, the band won the
Third Section of the Midland Regional Championships. This is the first time a Midlands-based band has ever achieved the feat of back-to-back wins in the Third and Fourth Sections.
At the Annual Town Meeting in April 2024 the band were delighted to
be recognised with a Town Award.
Describe your band in five words?
Hardworking, dedicated, friendly, sociable, community-focussed.
Most challenging part? Balancing the band’s busy schedule of rehearsals, contests, concerts, community events, fundraising activities and civic duties however the band are really hard working and dedicated and always attempt to do so with a smile on their faces.
Proudest moment? Winning two Regional Championships back-to-back.
What does the future hold? As a result of our most recent win, the band has once again been invited to attend the National Brass Band
AND
TOWN
BAND
Music to your ears