Royal spa brass
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 |
This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding reliable references. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (November 2007) |
Royal Spa Brass is the Town Brass Band of Royal Leamington Spa, Warwickshire England, whose origins date back to 1902, although the ups and downs make up a fascinating story full of interesting characters!
[edit] History
The Original Royal Spa Brass was dissolved during the First World War following the death of the Bandmaster, Fred Titcombe. The musicians dispersed but kept the local band tradition alive, playing with the other local bands - Kenilworth, Bishop's Itchington and Cubbington.
Forty years later, on 6th April 1955 , the band reformed using the name The Royal Leamington Spa Silver Band on the initiative of Secretary and Euphonium player Ken Bowers, with the instruments and many of the players of the Kenilworth Town Band. The Leamington Town Entertainments Committee loaned the Band £180, which was paid back with a series of 18 concerts over the next two years at the Pump Room Gardens at £10 a time!
The Fifties & Sixties saw the fortunes of the band wax & wane, but the Band was preserved, in particular by the efforts of Arthur Frodsham.
In 1956 the beginning of the modern era arrived when longest serving member Ken Owen was joined at the band by current Musical Director, Paul Russell who was taught by ex-Army Bandsman, William Bastock
Arthur Frodsham took over the baton in 1963, but the band was wound up again in 1970, although Paul & Greta Russell soon restarted it in 1973. Rehearsals were initially held in a variety of locations, but in 1984 the band had it's first permanent home in the guise of the former Mortuary at Riverside Walk!
Under the Direction of Paul, the band had considerable success, winning the Third section, then later Second section of the Midland Area Championships, and reached the National Finals. In 1992 the Band reverted back to it's original name of Royal Spa Brass, and has since concentrated on Concert rather than Contest performance.
By 1995, the problem of players leaving for job opportunities, University and parenthood saw the Band closing down again, however the Millennium was approaching, and a new project commenced, with the intention of preserving Brass & Percussion playing in Leamington: Brass 2000
