A GROUP of Evesham musicians are celebrating after becoming National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain finalists.
Competing alongside more than 2,000 players in total at Cheltenham Racecourse saw Avonbank Brass Band compete in the section three finals September 14.
They joined 74 bands which competed across four sections for national titles in their respective sections – sections being banding’s equivalent of the football league.
Avonbank Brass. s
After fierce competition which saw all the 20 of the section three finalists play a set piece, ‘Music From The Royal Palaces’, arranged by Michael Halstenson, Avonbank was judged to have come 16th.
This is no mean feat as in March 2024 – the band were unfortunately relegated from the second section, lost its musical director and had seven vacancies in the band.
However, the appointment of a new head in September 2024 has been instrumental in turning the band’s fortunes around.
Micah Parsons, with the help of a dedicated management team at Avonbank, filled the seven vacancies and by March 2025 the band had earned a spot in the national finals by coming in second in the Midlands heats.
All being well the band will be promoted to the second section come spring.
Micah Parsons conducts the band at the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain. s
Micah, who works as a pastoral leader in a Coventry secondary school, said: “Overall, this was a great result for a band that has not attended this event for over 33 years. To represent the Midlands and Evesham was a huge privilege.
“I’m really proud of our players, it’s a completely different band compared to last March and we are now at the start of a new journey.
“Hopefully, Evesham will have a section two band soon.
The band is next in action on Saturday, October 4, at The Fleece Inn, Bretforton, for the Bretforton Silver Band’s 130th anniversary concert.
There are 32 members in the band whose ages range from 18 to 82 years old. It is open to new players who can play to a Grade 4 standard.
“We’re an inclusive and open band,” added Micah.
Get in touch via avonbankbrass.co.uk or via facebook.com/avonbankevesham on Facebook.
