General information
Rehearsals
Rehearsals, in the main, take place at the Guildhall from 7.30 pm to 9.30 pm. To enable playing to commence at 7.30 pm please arrive at 7.20 pm to set up/settle in. About once every 6 - 8 weeks the band rehearses at Wade Street Church, Lichfield. A schedule of rehearsal venues and concerts is issued to Band members periodically.
Please click on the link on the right to find the current schedule of rehearsal dates and venues.
Concerts
The Band performs approximately 10 concerts a year.
Please click on the link on the right for details of forthcoming concerts.
They will vary from outdoor concerts performed in bandstands, to more formal concerts, many arranged by the Band and performed at the Guildhall.
Uniform
Band members normally wear a red/maroon jacket with a white shirt/blouse and black trousers/skirt with black shoes and socks. Ladies may choose to wear trousers or skirt. Men wear either black ties or black bow ties. The Band wear more informal outfits for evening concerts.
Committee
The Band has a Committee drawn from playing members. The Committee meets about every 6 - 8 weeks and there is an AGM early in the year which is held as part of a rehearsal.
Conductor
The Band Conductor and Musical Director is Mark Vause (BA Hons, PGCE, LRSM).
Mark began his banding career at the age of 7 when he joined the Morecambe Brass Band. At 14 he became the principle cornet player and 12 months later won a prestigious Alexander Owen Music Scholarship. On leaving school he studied music at Salford University; it was during this time that he became principle cornet of the British Telecom Brass Band and was a finalist in the British Solo Championship of Great Britain. He went on to complete his teacher training at Cambridge University and became Musical Director of the University Brass Band.
As a cornet player, Mark has been a member of many of Britain's top Brass Bands, including Fodens, Wingates & The Staffordshire Band. More recently however, he has devoted more time to conducting and arranging. He was Conductor of the National Methodist Youth Brass Band for 15 years taking them on many tours, both home and abroad.
Outside of Banding, Mark is an Advanced Skills Music Teacher and currently works for Walsall Music Service as their Instrumental Co-ordinator.
Repertoire
The Band repertoire is normally selected by the conductor. The Band possesses a comprehensive music library.
Social events
The Committee periodically arranges social events, such as restaurant meals, informal buffet after rehearsal and, occasionally, visits to the local pub.
Band members
During their induction period new Band members will be issued with a copy of the Band rules together with a welcome leaflet, rehearsal schedule and contact details.