A celebratory concert is be held this weekend to mark the seventieth anniversary of the formation of Burnham and Highbridge Band.
The special concert will be held on Sunday 27th September, starting at 7.45pm, in Burnham’s Princess Theatre.
The band was formed in 1945, mostly from ex-servicemen who formed an ad-hoc group playing a variety of instruments but mostly pipes and drums.
Band member Ken Henton told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “As a result of keen interest shown by local people and businessmen the band rapidly expanded and by 1947 had become a full brass ensemble, when it was given official status by the then Urban District Council.”
“The band has continued to provide music for the people of Burnham and Highbridge and indeed to a much wider audience continuously since.”
“From 1952 until the beginning of the 2000s the band was involved in the brass band contesting scene with a variety of results, of some of which the band can be justly proud. “
“However, during more recent years Burnham and Highbridge has removed itself from contesting to concentrate on well constructed and performed concert programmes.”
“It is now a well-respected concert band, well known in the area for its Princess Theatre Sunday evening concert, church concerts and background music at a number of local horticultural shows during the summer months.”
“Sadly, last year the band lost its long standing and innovative Musical Director, David Fisher, but the baton has now been taken by an up-and-coming young brass specialist Steven Sykes, son of the virtuoso tuba player of the same name.”
The band looks forward to developing its musical and entertainment skills, even further under his guidance.
Tickets for the concert are available from the Princess Box Office and from their website at the very reasonable cost of £6 (£5 concessions).
