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Godalming Band

Brass band in Godalming since 1937

Band news

“X marks the spot” for Youth Band's silver haul

Posted on Sunday 06 March 2016

In an entertaining evening at Godalming Music Festival this year, our own Godalming Youth Band were delighted to top all three classes they entered and won a collection of silverware.

With fifteen members from age seven upwards, and bolstered by two new recruits this year, the band under Musical Director David Loftus MBE played a range of ambitious and entertaining music for the audience at Godalming Borough Hall on Thursday 3rd March.

“I believe that is the best set of results we have ever obtained and the band did themselves proud. The attention to detail and concentration resulted in such a great band and an excellent evening.” - David Loftus.

In the “Band Open” class, the band played St. Andrew’s Variations, a technically challenging piece as it features eight movements in very different styles with a common motif. This earned them 88 points, and first place to win the Jericho Cup.

Next, and against stiff competition from a range of bands from local schools, the Youth Band entered the Large Ensemble (up to Year 13) class with Three Dance Movements – a combination of jazz and dance pieces. Again earning 88 points, the win had special meaning for the band as they won and took home the John Boot Trophy, named after the former Godalming Band trombonist.

Saving the best to last, the band featured music from the film Pirates of the Caribbean. The band was transformed into the rag-tag crew of the Black Pearl and through a combination of short, exciting passages, tricky fingering and narration from the musicians to tell the story of Elizabeth Swann, Will Turner and their gold medallion.

It was the highlight of the evening, with the band being awarded 90 points from adjudicator Gillian Johnston, who commented on the band making it a true entertainment contest, and highly enjoyable for the audience.

Individual members of the Youth Band have also been participating in the Godalming Music Festival throughout the week, and not always on brass instruments! Four of the band entered solo classes and achieved a mix of high placements and wins.

The band will next be performing at the Godalming Spring Fair held at the Burys Field in Godalming on Saturday 30th April, and at the Farncombe Day Centre Fair on Saturday 18th June.

The Godalming Youth Band is always open for young musicians to join, whether looking to learn a new brass instrument through lessons and group playing, or for existing brass players. The band also plan to hold sessions at the bandstand in August for anybody wishing to come and try an instrument.


Christmas season photos

Posted on Sunday 03 January 2016

Our Christmas season has of course, come to an end now - but plenty has been happening in the run up with Godalming Band and Youth Band.

We’ve been out and about in the local area, up and down the high street, to residential homes and churches to play carols and bring some Christmas spirit to all.

This culminated in our Christmas Concert, held at the United Church in Godalming. We featured both bands and the evening finished in style with the two bands playing and wishing everybody a “Merry Christmas”. We hope if you attended that you had an enjoyable evening!

There are some new photos and videos on the website from these events in our galleries. Follow the links below to see them:


November 2015 newsletter

Posted on Wednesday 18 November 2015

A busy year has gone by, with lots of activity in the Youth Band while the Senior Band have been keeping busy with a full schedule of engagements and a trip to France.

Please click the link below to access the full newsletter:

Our band patrons receive a copy of our newsletter delivered straight to their inbox. If you too would like to help keep the band running, please visit our patrons web page for more information.

To read PDF documents, please click here to download Adobe Acrobat.


Hear what happened in Joigny

Posted on Sunday 25 October 2015

In October, Godalming Band went on their latest international trip to Joigny, Godalming’s twinned town in France, for the 150th anniversary of the Harmonie de Joigny.

The band, accompanied by eight members of the Youth Band, had a very successful weekend, playing around the town and at two major concerts.

We’ve put up a trip report with lots of photographs and some videos of the band in action in our galleries. Follow the links below to read more:


Summer 2015 engagements

Posted on Sunday 31 May 2015

Our engagements list is now full for this summer! We’ll be at a number of events throughout the season, including at Woking Bandstand and then back to our own Godalming Bandstand in September.

Each of our engagements now has its own page on the website with more information about what’s happening and how to get there.

Check where we’re playing on our revamped engagements page.