"The Band has been in existence since it was last reformed in 1967. Records show that the first Town Band gave its inaugural performance outside the Fountain (where Lloyds TSB is currently) in 1897.

The current Band comprises about 50 musicians of various ages and ability. A variety of music is performed which reflects the varying abilities of the musicians.

Everyone is welcome to join the Band. With funding from the "Lottery", backed by Brecon Town Council and Powys County Council, the Band has in the past ten years, purchased a complete new set of instruments.

Instruments are available to all Band members. The Band has insurance cover for all its instruments and £5 millions "public liability". A committee that meets the last Thursday of each month, apart from December, manages the Band.

Membership

Is open to all. The annual membership fee is an amount set by the committee and is currently £30.

New members have two "free" weeks to decide whether they wish to join the Band.

The membership fee is then due on the third week. For musicians joining after March 2008 the fee is only £10.

All new members should complete a membership form and contacts details card. Where possible, an email address should be included.

Email "links" normally appear of the band's website, so if you don't want this shown, please make it clear on your form. Renewal membership fees are due from 20 August each year.

All payments should where possible, be made by cheque to "Brecon Town Concert Band". The current Membership Secretary (Kath Powell-1st clarinet) has all the necessary forms.

Rehearsals

Rehearsals are held every Monday between 7 and 9pm in the Studio, Theatr Brycheiniog, Canal Wharf, Brecon. It would be helpful if you would help with the setting up and dismantling of equipment before and after rehearsal.

This especially applies to the drum kit and percussion equipment. Mobile phone should be switched off during rehearsal. Please make sure that you have a copy of all the music that is due to be played before rehearsal begins.

A notice board is put out each week and normally includes details of music to be played that night and the following week, plus any performances or anything else of interest.

Music

The Band spends about £400 - 800 on new music each year. Each new title costs between £40 and 60. To replace a single part, e.g. if you lose a 3rd trumpet or clarinet part, costs £2.50. Some music publishers will not replace single parts but require the whole pack to be purchased.

Instruments

With "lottery" grants, backed by funds from Brecon Town Council and Powys County Council, the band has purchased a complete set of high quality and beginner instruments. These instruments are issued "free of charge" to Band member who require them. All the instruments are covered by the Band's insurance which also includes £6 million "public liability". The only conditions attached to the instruments, is that you are a fully paid up member and that you regularly attend rehearsals and Band performances. Instruments are issued at the discretion of the Musical Director.

Performances

The Band performs an annual concert in Theatr Brycheiniog, for which subsidised tickets for friends and family are available. The Band also performs at quite a high number of outdoor performances during the spring and summer months. They are mainly on a Saturday.

Band Tours

Since 1999, we have tried to tour every other year. In 1999 we attended a week-end; international band festival in Koudekerk aan den Rijn hosted by the Dutch band "Kunst na Arbeid". We returned there for a week-end in 2001 for a combined concert. In 2002 we hosted KNA in Brecon for a combined concert in Theatr Brycheiniog. We toured Holland for 5 days in 2003 performing in Valkenberg, Maastricht. The Elfling Park and Amsterdam. In 2006 we performed on two occasions at Disneyland Paris as part of the St David's Celebration week. In 2007, we did a 6 day toured based in Ostend, performing in Ostend, Brugges, Ypres and Rotterdam.

Management

The Band is managed by an elected committee that meets the last Thursday of the month apart from December. Meeting are held from 7.30pm in the George Hotel, Brecon. Everyone is welcome to attend. If you wish to raise any matter, please either attend a meeting or speak to one of the committee. The current committee is-

Peter Jones, Chair, (Trumpet)
Ruth Gregory Secretary, (Euphonium),
Vicki Jones Treasurer, (Euphonium),
Dave Jones (Musical Director),
Mavis Ahern (Dep. Musical Director/tenor sax),
Kath Astley (Euphonium),
Paul Smith (Alto sax).

There are vacancies on the committee. The Annual General Meeting is held in September in the rehearsal room. The Band's accounting year runs from 20 August to the 19 August the following year."

Article written by David Jones