Swinton and District Excelsior Band

What we offer

Playing in Swinton Band is much more than a hobby.  For most of its members it is a way of life--in fact for some members it is their life.  Members meet formally at least twice a week but informally all the time--it's less like a club than an extended family.

Band practices

The main band meets regularly in the Bandroom in Middle Street, Swinton on Monday and Wednesday evenings from 7.30 till 9.30. This includes a notional 15 minute tea-break to enable the essential gossip, debate and chatter.  When the band is working for a contest, additional practices take place either in the bandroom or elsewhere.

Playing out

Throughout the summer, the band plays at least once most weekends, though we try to keep August free for members' holidays.  Summer engagements range though Church services, garden fetes, bandstand concerts and carnivals, while December sees intensive carol playing indoors and out.

Contests

The band enjoys contesting, though it is by no means the focus of our activities and takes part in three or four contests each year. We normally do the Northern Area Championships,  Hardraw Scar and Malton Brass.  We regularly attend the Easingwold Marching Contest though we often do not contest it, and have recently started participating in the Whit Friday contests at Saddleworth, which has become something of a highlight of the year for us!

Social Events

As well as making music the band seizes any opportunity to get together.  On Wednesday evenings after band practice we generally adjourn for a quick pint in the Blacksmith's Arms before going our separate ways. As well as the annual band dinner, barbeques, parties and brewery trips are regular features of the band's calendar, with occasional trips out bowling or to the cinema.

Learners

The learners group meets on Saturday evenings from  6.00 till 8.00 at the Bandroom for individual lessons and group practice.  Learners of any age are welcome, whether or not they have played an instrument before.  Tuition is given by senior members of the band.  The learners band has several playing engagements in the summer where their numbers are augmented if necessary from the main band, and are also encouraged to join in the December round of carolling!

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For more information, bookings etc, please contact the Band Secretary:

Mrs.  D. Ratcliffe,
77 Commercial Street,
Norton,
Malton,
North Yorkshire,
YO17 9HX

Tel:  :(+44) 01653 - 694344

This page was last updated 01/12/2009