Kennet Vale Brass - A Versatile 10 Piece Band
- based in the heart of Wiltshire, we can be found entertaining crowds throughout the year at numerous different venues from Jazz Festivals to Village fetes.
We also play at Concerts, Private Parties, Weddings, Barbecues etc (and of course Christmas events)
As a 10 piece band we are ideally suited to smaller venues.
Our diverse and entertaining repertoire ranges from Easy Listening & Standards through to Swing, Jazz, Latin, and even Pop and R&B.. all with a Brass infused twist!
We also play at Concerts, Private Parties, Weddings, Barbecues etc (and of course Christmas events)
As a 10 piece band we are ideally suited to smaller venues.
Our diverse and entertaining repertoire ranges from Easy Listening & Standards through to Swing, Jazz, Latin, and even Pop and R&B.. all with a Brass infused twist!
To find out where the band are playing next, check out the Diary Page,
or to book Kennet Vale Brass for your forthcoming event please visit the Contact Page.

01 Jan, 2013 | Roy |
Contact the Band
You may Email the band at:kennetbrass@gmail.com
Or Telephone Roy Coles (secretary) on:
01672 564326 (daytime)
01672 562587 (evenings)
07775 830788 (mobile)
01 Jan, 2013 | Roy |
REPERTOIRE
Our diverse repertoire ranges from Easy Listening & Standards through to Swing, Jazz, Latin, and even Pop and R&B.Our Concerts usually include a selection from all genres but programmes can be tailored to suit, depending on the event or venue.
Here is a small selection from our vast library
We Have All The Time In The World
Sing Sing Sing
Jump Jive an’ Wail
Love Is Here To Stay
California Dreamin'
Daydream Believer
Crazy in Love
Sweet Georgia Brown
Saints Encore
Copacabana (At The Copa)
Other pieces currently in this year's programme include:
Afro Blue
A Whiter Shade of Pale
Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen
Caravan
Girl From Ipanema
I Will Survive
Moondance
Puttin’ on the Ritz
Rehab
Satin Doll
Soul Bossa Nova
Tequila
Why Don’t You Do Right
Plus many more!
01 Jan, 2013 | Roy |
Events Diary 2013
THURS. FEB. 21st: Woodborough Social Club, (Private Booking)SAT. MARCH 16th: Music&more2 for Comic Relief "Bouverie Hall" Pewsey
SAT. APRIL 13th: Kennet Valley Hall Lockeridge,1.00pm
THURS. MAY 9th: Devizes Town Hall (Private Civic Function)
SAT. MAY 18th: May Fair, St Katharine's School Savernake 1.00pm
SAT. JUNE 8th: Marden Fete 2.00pm
SAT. JUNE 22nd: Woodborough Garden Centre.1.00pm
SAT. JUNE 29th: Enford Fete 1.00pm
SAT. JULY 6th: Devizes Beer Festival 1.15pm
THURS. JULY 18th: "The White Hart" Oare, 8.00pm
SAT. JULY 20th: Marlborough Jazz Festival 12.15pm
FRI. JULY 26th: Marlborough College Summer School, 4.45pm
SAT. JULY 27th: Abby & Dan's Wedding (Private Booking)
SUN. AUG. 11th: Stanton St Bernard, Open Air Service
WED. AUG. 14th: Lambourn Festival Concert. 7.15pm
SAT. SEPT. 14th: Oare Village Show 3.45pm
SUN. SEPT. 15th: Carnival Opening Service & Concert, Pewsey Market Place 7.00pm
SAT. SEPT. 21st: Pewsey Carnival Procession. 7.30pm
SUN. OCT. 6th: Songs of Praise, West Overton Church, 6.00pm
SUN. OCT. 20th: Concert, United Methodist Church, Melksham, 3.00pm
FRI. NOV. 8th: Carnival Concert, "Bouverie Hall" Pewsey 7.30pm
SAT. NOV. 16th: Winter Wonderland Center Parcs Longleat Forest 7.00pm
SUN. DEC. 1st: Winter Wonderland Center Parcs Longleat Forest 7.00pm
THURS. DEC. 12th: Nursteed Centre Devizes (Members only)
SAT. DEC. 14th: Winter Wonderland Center Parcs Longleat Forest 7.00pm
SUN. DEC. 22nd: Marlborough Town Hall, Christmas Concert 7.30pm
MON. DEC. 23rd: Marlborough High Street.10.00am
01 Jan, 2013 | Roy |
Woodborough Garden Centre Sat 22nd June

04 Jun, 2011 | Roy |
BAND LINE UP

Mark Harvey - Trumpet, Band Leader

Ben Taylor - Trumpet

Richard Tannasee - Trumpet, Flugel Horn
Dave Field - Trumpet, Percussion

Kelvin Nash - Cornet

Ken Spreadbury - Tenor Horn

Hilary Hams - Tenor Horn

Roy Coles - Tuba

Ollie Coles - Drums

Pam Nash - Percussion
From time to time we enlist help from a small group of regular deputies for which we are immensely grateful.

Helen Ellis - Trumpet

Martin Holstead - Trombone
05 Feb, 2008 | Roy |
HISTORY OF KENNET VALE BRASS

KENNET VALE BRASS AUGUST 2009
BAND HISTORY
“The Kennet Vale Silver Band” was originally formed in 1934 by the amalgamation of Lockeridge Silver Prize Band and Overton Mission Band, the respective bandmasters being the late Mr Reg Stagg and the late Mr Fred Sprules.
Neither band had had a lengthy history. Lockeridge was founded around 1910 while the “Overton” dated back to the early part of the century and was attached to the Wesleyan Chapel. Its main function was to provide music for services indoors and out and it was indeed a prominent part of village life in those days.
Lockeridge band, it seems was more extrovert for fêtes and carnivals. Moreover, it had won a contest and that qualified members to proudly incorporate “Prize” into their title.
In the years leading up to the outbreak of World War 2 the band made headway in the contest field and in fact, qualified to compete at the Crystal Palace. The Instruments went into “moth balls” for the duration of the war but afterwards members resumed to enjoy many years of success and prominence.

Neither band had had a lengthy history. Lockeridge was founded around 1910 while the “Overton” dated back to the early part of the century and was attached to the Wesleyan Chapel. Its main function was to provide music for services indoors and out and it was indeed a prominent part of village life in those days.
Lockeridge band, it seems was more extrovert for fêtes and carnivals. Moreover, it had won a contest and that qualified members to proudly incorporate “Prize” into their title.
In the years leading up to the outbreak of World War 2 the band made headway in the contest field and in fact, qualified to compete at the Crystal Palace. The Instruments went into “moth balls” for the duration of the war but afterwards members resumed to enjoy many years of success and prominence.

Like many other bands; Kennet Vale then suffered something of a recession as skiffle groups and “rock and roll” came into fashion; boys and girls no longer wanted to play brass but preferred to try their hands at strumming a guitar.

The new vogue and the ill-health of the bandmaster sent the band into decline and it was due entirely to the untiring efforts and perseverance of Mr Jack Watts, who took the baton, that Kennet Vale survived in a dark period for the brass band movement, Several bands went into oblivion including Marlborough Town.
At the end of the 1960s retirement age caught up with Mr Watts and he handed over as bandmaster to Mr Basil King who had completed a long career as an army bandsman and had the distinction of sounding the Last Post and Reveille at the funeral of Sir Winston Churchill.


The new vogue and the ill-health of the bandmaster sent the band into decline and it was due entirely to the untiring efforts and perseverance of Mr Jack Watts, who took the baton, that Kennet Vale survived in a dark period for the brass band movement, Several bands went into oblivion including Marlborough Town.
At the end of the 1960s retirement age caught up with Mr Watts and he handed over as bandmaster to Mr Basil King who had completed a long career as an army bandsman and had the distinction of sounding the Last Post and Reveille at the funeral of Sir Winston Churchill.

Eventually, it was realised that Mr King's skill and expertise on the cornet was being lost so, while he continued to conduct and train the band, the services of Mr Maurice Arnold were sought as the new musical director.
“Gus” Arnold was another army trained musician, having served for many years with the Royal Artillery Band. He put his vast experience into practice and the band flourished and began to gain a reputation as one of the most entertaining concert bands in the area.
Around this time the band dropped “Silver” from its title, becoming “The Kennet Vale Band”.

The band’s success at contesting also continued, going from a 4th section band in the early 1970s to a Championship Section Band in 1987.
Soon after this the membership started to decline but with the hard work and determination of a few of the remaining members they continued to function.
The Band are no longer a conventional 25 piece “Brass Band” but a 12 piece Brass Ensemble.
In 2008 the band changed its name again, this time to “Kennet Vale Brass” a title to better reflect their smaller format.
In 2009 the band reached it’s 75th anniversary and although no longer “contesting” or “parading” they continue to perform throughout the year and are in constant demand.
“Gus” Arnold was another army trained musician, having served for many years with the Royal Artillery Band. He put his vast experience into practice and the band flourished and began to gain a reputation as one of the most entertaining concert bands in the area.
Around this time the band dropped “Silver” from its title, becoming “The Kennet Vale Band”.

The band’s success at contesting also continued, going from a 4th section band in the early 1970s to a Championship Section Band in 1987.
Soon after this the membership started to decline but with the hard work and determination of a few of the remaining members they continued to function.
The Band are no longer a conventional 25 piece “Brass Band” but a 12 piece Brass Ensemble.
In 2008 the band changed its name again, this time to “Kennet Vale Brass” a title to better reflect their smaller format.
In 2009 the band reached it’s 75th anniversary and although no longer “contesting” or “parading” they continue to perform throughout the year and are in constant demand.

KENNET VALE BRASS AUGUST 2009
04 Feb, 2008 | Roy |
Pewsey Carnival

2012 "Riverboat"




2011 "Hawaiian"


2010 "The Beatles"


2009 "Rio Carnival"


2008 "Mamma Mia!"

Following the success of this summer's hit film "Mamma Mia!" the Band played a selection of Abba music on their float during the Carnival Procession, held on the evening of Sat 20th Sept.




2007 "Jazz"

2006 "Swing"




2005 "Samba"







31 Jul, 2006 | Roy |


