Brass Bands

Bratton Silver Band

Bratton Silver Band is a friendly third section band based in the village of Bratton near Westbury in Wiltshire.

Bratton Silver Band was originally formed in 1859, when the installation of an organ in Bratton's picturesque St James Church saw the small band of musicians who played to accompany Church services made redundant. The group reformed as a village band with ten stalwarts led by Bandmaster Arthur Smith. With the exception of two breaks, during the two world war years, the band has remained in existence ever since.

The band has had a number of contest successes, its most notable being in April 1992, becoming West of England Fourth Section Champions, and fulfilling every bandsman's dream of a place at the National Finals. Since that date the band has qualified a further three times for appearances in the National Finals in Cardiff (1996), Dundee (2003) and Harrogate (2004).

In the 1990's the band was directed by Melvyn Howe, Andrew Hicks, Mike Ward and Dave Bowerman. The year 2000 saw the return of Vic Beer, who has had a long association with the band, to the position until June 2003, when the baton was taken by Maria Fricker. Maria moved on from the band in late 2004 and the band has employed the services of MD Mike Winter for contests and concerts.

As the band moves forward in the 21st Century we are turning our thoughts to our most ambitious project to date - a possible tour to the USA in 2009 when the band will be celebrating 150 years since its formation.

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Bratton Silver Band