Brass band members ‘hit the high notes’ with annual awards

SIX members of Frome Town Band received awards at the band’s Christmas performance in December, presented by band president Jim Boulter and deputy mayor of Frome Andy Jones.

The awards were given to: Natalie Hanna, Best Newcomer; Alan Sills, Stannard Award; Katie Jackson, Most Improved Female; Josh Pulma, Most Improved Male; Hugh Fowler, Tony Light Award; Lucy Ide, Musician of the Year.

This follows a busy year for Frome Town Band who played at various community concerts and events.

“Spring was a busy time as we started planning for the year and tried out new pieces for the band to play,” says chairman Kirstie Jones.

“The theme this year was TV and film music, we had a range of genres such as Police Academy, Lily the Pink, Monsters, Inc. My Heart Will Go On, Pirates of the Caribbean (a firm favourite of the band and supporters alike) and James Bond to name a few.

“March saw the band put two teams into the Lions Swimathon – Fish out of Water and Mermoids – mostly made up of our youngsters, family and friends and we were very grateful for them taking part; they had great fun and managed to raise a huge amount for the band and Frome Lions cause as well.

“We held our very own Coronation Concert at the bandstand in the park; we welcomed our beginners and intermediates to play and for some of them it was their first-ever concert and they did remarkably well.

“Dalma, from intermediates, played a solo of Morning has Broken which was well received as it was very nerve racking playing on her own. The weather was kind to us for the blessing of the Well at St John’s Church at the end of May which was finished off with our annual treat of ice cream at Café La Strada. The Lions Fete music set in June was well supported by the public and thankfully a lovely sunny day.

“Musical director Chris Turner has been working in Hayesdown First School this year to provide free brass music lessons to pupils in small groups; this has been funded through grants and fundraising. The purpose of this venture is to grow the beginners’ band and to give back to the community. Some of the main band went in and gave a short assembly to the whole school; we played a few marches and some of the pupils even performed what they had learnt.

“Frome Festival in July was well attended and we went live on our Facebook account; they all sounded amazing and some of our beginners from our school programme played to the public; they were nervous but of course they were brilliant.

“In September we went to Frome Cheese show which was greatly supported as we performed on their music stage in the extreme heat during lunchtime; it is always a great set. This then followed the event of celebrating 25 years of the Cheese and Grain in which we got to open the day of festivity; we were proud as punch and very happy to support the Cheese and Grain.

“In November, a few of the main band members helped to support Frome Town Council to steward the Drone Show; it was an awesome sight which saw some great light display work which would have taken the drone company hours to programme. We are looking forward to this again next year.

“This year, we were honoured to play several hymns to the congregation for the Remembrance Parade whilst they were waiting for the services, scouts and guides to walk down the hill; it is always a very well attended event by the Frome community.

“December was a whirlwind of brass music; we started the festive season off with switching on the Christmas lights; it is always an honour to start the proceedings for Frome community and we saw a bigger crowd this year. We braved the extreme cold to take part in the annual Tree of Remembrance service at Rook Lane Chapel which is put on by Frome Lions.

“We then visited care homes: Rossetti House, Belmont Villa and Greenhill Grange followed with carols at Corinth. Busking in Westway precinct and at Asda was fabulously supported by Frome community in which our fundraising this year will go towards providing free music lessons for our beginners and intermediate band members.

“Lastly, we busked in the bandstand on New Year’s Eve for an hour, with classic band marches and traditional music.

“We are continuing to grow the band and always looking for volunteers to help support the band at events and will welcome any new or experienced player into one of our three bands. If you would like more information please do get in touch by emailing contactfrometownband@gmail.com

“We wish all our members, supporters a very Happy New Year and all the best for 2024.”