News 2024

You are never too old to learn - so if you would like to come and have a go contact us at contactfrometownband@gmail.com

NEW YEARS EVE .......WE HEAR YOU!
Rachel Clark...365 miles for WHY

31st December...New Years Eve and we are at Frome Rugby Club supporting Rachel Clark in her mile a day (365 miles!) fundraising extreme for "We Hear You". Whilst the runners were ambling on up to the club we put on half hour set piece in the windy elements and music flying away, Luckily Phil (Tenor Horn) managed to catch his pieces! We persevered and then headed inside to the warmth for a quick break. This is when Mojo Moves took over for the stretch and warm up before the final mile. A fantastic atmosphere - cheered on by the local community and HTV filming.

The starting pistol went off and FTB played.. "Everybody, needs somebody" "Banyard Castle", "I'm Still Standing", "Hit the road Jack" "Sweet Caroline".

Rachel raised a whopping £14,500 for WHY this year. What an amazing result and you will be surprised to hear that she is still running a mile a day!

Our two final Christmassy busks were held at Asda on Monday 23rd December and Westway Precinct on Tuesday 24th December...Christmas Eve. We are forever thankful for our supporters and raised over £400, which goes towards funding our Schools Brass Programme "Brass Music for All". It means that we can give Frome First School's pupils a taste of learning a brass instrument. Your donations help support in purchasing new music, instruments and maintaining them and also for musical teaching and direction. With the hope that by giving them a taste of what is possible that they will join our beginner band in the future.

Final Christmas Busks 2024

100 Club Winners & Band Awards 2024

2024 Band Awards

Life Time Achievement : Shaun O'Connor Bass Trombone
Best newcomer:
Stannard Award: June Walsham 2nd Cornet
Most Improved Male : Thomas Hamblin Trombone
Most Improved Female : Lucy Pulman Trombone
Tony Light Award: Polly Devereux 2nd Baritone
Musician of the Year: Dalma Luttrell 2nd Cornet

Christmas Concert Merlin Theatre

After a very busy week of busking, carols at care homes, we held our annual Christmas Concert. We were pleased to be able to perform again at the Merlin Theatre. An afternoon practice, to settle any nerves for our first time performers. The evening event started with a crisp rendition of "Stop the Calvary", making an impressive impact commencing the concert. Beginners performed "Silent Night " and "Sussex Carol". Everyone enjoyed the intermediates "Santa Claus is coming to Town" and "Baby its cold Outside". We had organised a piper to perform alongside us for Highland Cathedral - but that was not to be on this occasion. During the interval , we held the raffle and then the 100 club draw was announced!

Awards were given out by the Assistant Mayor and Jim (FTB President) where by Bass Trombonist Shaun O'Connor got a life time achievement Award.

Back to the 2nd half: Kicked off by Intermediates "Winter Wonderland" and "Jingle Bell Rock", Main Band with audience participation caroling "O little town of Bethlehem", We reenacted "The Snowman" but not the whole film, "Fairytale of New York and ending with "White Christmas", Jim (FTB President) dressed up as Father Christmas giving sweets to the younger members of the audience and where upon June's request we had snow - what a wonderful sight this must have been for the audience.

Carols at Corinth

Carols at Care homes

Thursday 20th December, Frome Main Band played at the Carols and lessons outdoors service at Corinth. A Frome family who avidly supports the band every year, they donate to our schools programme so we can provide free brass music lessons to Frome Children. This year Roy is currently teaching a small class on Wednesdays in Trinity School, specifically cornets and trombones. We hope they are enjoying the experience.

Christmas Busking in Westway Precinct

Part of our bands ethos is to give back to the community of Frome, what better way to do this than giving our Frome oldest residents some joy at Christmas.

We performed two 45 minute sessions of Christmas carols at Belmont Villa on 15th December and Greenhill Grange on the 16th December.

We are hoping to extend this next year to more care homes in Frome to spread more Christmas Festive Spirit.

Saturday 14th December - sets of our Christmas busking. Band members dressed up warm and in Christmassy attire to busk music to Frome shoppers. First half was carols, working our way through the Salvation Christmas Carol and then 2nd half a few popular Christmas hits.. "A winters tale", "Fairytale of New York"

Keyford Heights Christmas Concert

Wednesday 11th December, Roy's first Christmas Concert. We performed to the residents a mini version of our Christmas repertoire, here is where beginners get to perform in front of an audience for the first time before the main event at The Merlin Theatre. We also put in some Christmas Carols which Jim ( FTB President) led the community singing, great fun had by all and I don't think we have scared Roy off !

Tree of Remembrance

Frome Christmas Light Switch on

Friday 22nd November - we kicked off the town's event with a Christmassy set , Frome Community choir joined us with some carols. Fantastic photos taken by Chris Bailey

Friday 29th November.

Members of Frome Town Band joined with Frome Lions group in their annual Tree of Remembrance Carol Service at Rook Land Chapel. Despite the cold it is always a lovely service, followed up with mince pies and mulled wine.

Karen on First Baritone and June on Solo Tenor Horn

New Musical Director Roy Dignam

Roy joined the band in July and has already conducted the band at several events: Cheese Shown back in the September and recently Frome's Remembrance Service .

‘It’s been a busy season for the band and a steep learning curve for me’, said Roy. I’ve been involved in many bands and orchestras over the years, but never with a brass band like Frome, so rooted in the community and the town’.

Roy came to the band from Thurrock in Essex, where he was Head of Music Services for the Local Authority. Now living in Wiltshire he brings a wealth of musical experience to his role.

‘It’s a super community band, and that’s important, but I also want the music to shine and for the band to make the best sound it can’.

Band members are drawn from the local community and all are welcome to join and enjoy music-making with membership ranging from 7 to 90. We always welcome new and experienced players, and are looking for anyone who has played before and would like to reignite their musical talent. Please get in touch by contactfrometownband@gmail.com

Remembrance Service in Frome Sunday 10th November

Proud to represent the town at the Frome Town Remembrance service, dry but very cold day. We played before, during and after the event with hymns Abide with me, National Anthem, and pieces like "hymn to the Fallen" and "The Greatest War Themes".

Saturday 14th September Frome Cheese Show

Our new Musical Director Roy Dignam was thrown straight into the deep end with three weeks practice (three rehearsals) to get us ready for our annual performance at the Frome Cheese Show. We played our summer set on the music stage at lunchtime, with a few new pieces put in for good measure and to keep us on our toes. It was great to see the audience at the end singing to "Sweet Caroline".

Spookiness at Band Practice 23rd October

Halloween dress was a must this year, for the end of term fun.

Can you guess who is who?

Saturday 10th August

50th Celebrations of Frome Town Council

Nunney Fair 27th July

After the mayor had opened the event, we started the celebrations in Victoria Park, in our favourite location .....the bandstand. We played for 20 minutes non-stop and although half a band as the rest are on their holidays we managed to raise the roof with popular tunes like "Everybody, needs somebody" and traditional marches "Barnard Castle".

We were pleased to be asked to play at the annual Nunney Fair. A bright and sunny day, six band members:

Alan and Lucy on First Cornets,
June and Dalma on 2nd Cornets,
Kirstie on Flugel,
Natalie on Euphonium
Shaun on Bass Trombone

We played a wide range of popular songs and thoroughly enjoyed it, we are hoping it becomes and annual event. You can see our set on our FaceBook site.

FAREWELL TO OUR MUSICAL DIRECTOR CHRIS TURNER

We said goodbye to our Musical Director Chris Turner, he started with us 8 years ago and has pulled us through covid, online lessons and not forgetting our outside groups of 6. He started our schools project which was a vision to ensure that playing an instrument should be available to anyone, this enabled pupils to have free brass music lessons in school - which was funded by local and national grants. Some of them have continued and joined the beginner band and we look forward to seeing their progress. One of the fondest memories we will have of Chris is that he managed to get Frome Town Main Band to play the Snowman in our Christmas Concert 2022, a tremendous challenge to play alongside the movie in the Merlin but with his perseverance and resilience he got us through it.

It was lovely to see the support from the members families which joined us in Victoria Park Cafe for his last concert. Chris gave out some comedy musical awards which underpinned his directorship. We will miss him greatly but we welcome our new Musical Director Roy who will continue Chris' great work in pushing and developing each part of the band.

FROME FESTIVAL SATURDAY 6TH JULY

This year we decided to go to the Blue House for our Frome Festival event, even though we did not have the acoustics of the bandstand we were tremendously supported. The main band started the gig with music "True and Trusty", we brought out old favourites such as Barnard Castle, Pirates of the Caribbean and new music "Best of the Seekers". After our first set the intermediates played a couple of pieces, "Scale Boogie" and "Marching Marines" , then the beginners and they sounded amazing, in such a short amount of time. They were confident to perform a couple of pieces.."When the Saints, Yankee Doodle". Then it was back the main band to finish off with " Sweet Caroline, Scipio, Boogie Woogie Bugle boy, Hit the Road Jack". Popular music and the audience loved it. The rotary went around and collected over a £100 for us and this will go back into our schools project and beginner band to continue to recruit our next foundation of brass musicians.

LIONS FAIR JUNE 15th

We supported the Lion Fair on Saturday June 15th, we had two slots in the afternoon and the first one was dry and quite well supported, it appears that every time we play the last slot , the heavens opened and we play to the stall holders who are packing away. Still it was a good performance by the main band and the Lions were thrilled that we continued until the bitter end.

WELLS DRESSING SATURDAY 25TH MAY

Our annual support to St Johns with the blessing of the Well. It was an early start this morning, we played a march for the choir to walk up the road with incense burning. We were supported by St Johns Choir and some of the community with the hymns. We then went for our usual treat at La Strada int he lovely sunshine.

MAY DAY CONCERT

Frome Town Band put on a May Day concert free of charge in the Bandstand at Victoria park. We played a range of music from our repertoire and then surprised our President Jim Boulter a happy 80th Birthday. He was one of the founding members of Frome Town Youth Band alongside Terry Mounsher. He has given years of service to provide brass music to the youth and community of From for over 40 years. We were delighted that it remained a suprise and past members also surprised him by coming along to say hello.

FTB RECORDING SESSION

We were privileged to be able to undertake a recording session for the afternoon, the main Band under the direction of Musical Director Chris Turner had great fun in practicing several pieces before we recorded them. We hope to be able to share with you very soon what was recorded.

FTB Collects certificate at Frome Lions presentation

On Wednesday 24th April, representatives Jim and Dalma went to collect the certificate from Frome Lions for their efforts for the sponsored swim. We managed to raise £361.72 - a very good amount in a short amount of time.

FTB Spring term Concert at Keyford Heights

On Wednesday 24th April, we had a large crowd of visitors watching our bands perform tonight. We started off with the Beginners band playing: Mary had a little lamb, Ode to Joy, When the saints go Marching by, Twinkle Twinkle little star, Au Clair de la Lune. Intermediates played : Scale Boogie, Little Stars and A Bicycle made for two. Main band aired some of their new pieces for the first time this year ....I'm still standing, Hit the road jack, Grand March. Why not come and see there May Day Concert on May 5th AT the Bandstand 2:30-4:30pm

FTB AGM Wednesday 27th March

We held our AGM at Frome College, we were given a performance by our beginners who have made immense progress. Some of them have come from our School

Brass Programme.

We had a financial report from Adrian Treasurer, then the MD's (Chris Turner) report which is his last report as he is stepping down in July to spend more time with his family, the committee are very committed in finding the right person to fill his big shoes. Chris has brought life back into the band, he persevered through covid, online music lessons, putting together swing low sweet charity from our recordings, small groups of 6 , then finally back to main band. Our schools project has gone strength to strength with a pause at the start of this year as Chris is giving 1:1 lessons on a Wednesday to develop the progress of these members. Chairman's report from Kirstie in which was iterated by Jim FTB President our grateful thanks to Chris for his immense work for Frome Town Band throughout the last 8 years in which we have seen our member grow year on year.

We voted in our New Committee:

Chair : Kirstie Jones
Treasurer : Adrian Parnham
Secretary : June Walsham
Other committee members: Jim Boulter, Alan Sills, Dalma Luttrell , Josh Pulman, Natalie Hanna, Paula Hamblin,

A Cheque from the Frome Town Band 100 Club of £600 was presented to the band to go towards the development of the beginners. We closed the meeting and resumed to our intermediate and main band practice. Thank you to everyone attending

FROME KINDNESS FESTIVAL

We were invited to open the Frome Town Kindness Festival On March 16th, it was a dry afternoon when we arrived in front of the old HSBC bank - this week it has turned into the Kindness Bank. The Lord Lieutenant of Somerset, Mohammed Saddiq opened the festival followed by the Frome Town Crier. We played a variety of pieces and collected a small amount of change which we gave back to the Good Heart to continue with their Kindness ventures. In the Afternoon we used the room above The Three Swans to hold a busk in which we invited the public to join in, we had a few visitors to come and try cornets, trumpets and tenor horns. It was great fun to sit and play - the acoustics sounded amazing. We also had an impromptu solo by Adrian on a plastic Flugal playing "Concieto de Aranjuez".

The George Reopening

Friday 1st March - we were invited to play for the reopening of The George in town, we were honoured to play on the balcony - Home again, True and Trusty, New Recruit, March Militaire and other brass band marches followed on. It was a fantastic atmosphere. Good luck to The George for the future.

Mermoids Swim Again

FTB members sawm in the Frome Lions Sponsored swim on Sunday 3rd March, they did fantastically well - swimming the lengths of Frome Town Sports Centre pool. We keep 50% of the sponsorship while the other 50% goes to the Frome Lions charity which is the Youth Club this year.

Swimmers from left to right : Artur, Dalma, Tinker, June and Nikki.

FTB Social Event 24th February

Another great night spent at Frome Rugby Club playing skittles, we split into two teams of Sharps # vs the Flats b. We were also entertained by Jim our President by an impromptu dance to a recording of us playing the Floral Dance, much to the amusement of the younger members! After 6 games the b beat the # by 11 points! A lot of laughs and memories made tonight .

Past FTB Members put on concert in Frome 22nd January

A group of current members of Frome Town Band went to a concert in Rook Lane Chapel to see past member Eliza Talman perform with her band "Solis Trio". Eliza plays the trumpet and flugal. They had a guest performance on percussion with Stan Talman. These two outstanding players started with Frome Town Youth Band many years ago and are now both accomplished players. A truly remarkable performance and we look forward to seeing their journey continue.

2024 New Music for a New Year

After a busy Christmas term - we are back to band with some exciting new music to practice, ready to perform in the spring term