The GUS Band

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World class music with a proud history and an exciting future The GUS Band World class music with a proud history and an exciting future The GUS Band World class music with a proud history and an exciting future The GUS Band World class music with a proud history and an exciting future The GUS Band World class music with a proud history and an exciting future The GUS Band
Purchase tickets for The GUS Band's upcoming concerts HERE

About The GUS Band

The GUS Band is a world-famous brass band, based in Northampton, England. Originally known as the Munn and Felton Works Band, it was formed by Fred Felton in 1933 in Kettering, England. Since then, the band has gone on to establish itself as one of the leading bands, with a string of titles to its name and regular appearances at the National Brass Band Championships in the Royal Albert Hall.

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Come and see the band

Details of our forthcoming events

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GUS 90th Picture
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Listen to the Band

Discover our newest performances and recordings

The President March

William Gerrman
Winner of best march at the the 2024 Dr Martins contest.

Malaguena

Composed by Ernesto Lecuona, arr. Mark Freeh

Jealousy

Trumpet duet featuring James and Thomas Fountain

Composed by Jacob Grade, arr. John Iveson

To listen to more of our music and see our videos go to the Media page

Latest News

See what’s happenning in the world of GUS

on by GUS Editor

A Spring in our Step

It’s the 1st March and signs of spring are appearing in gardens and the countryside here in Northamptonshire. The GUS Band also have a spring in their step as they look forward to a busy calendar over the next few months. First up will be the Midland Area Championships in Bedworth next weekend, (Sunday, 8th March) where the band will be defending its championship title. On this occasion the test piece will be Martin Ellerby’s Elgar Variations and the band has already given this music a run through at the highly enjoyable concert given by them last weekend at the Holy Trinity Church, Rothwell.

New signings Ailsa Russell and Ben Smith

GUS will be walking onto the contest stage with two new exciting and highly experienced signings, Ailsa Russell and Ben Smith. Ailsa has joined the band on Solo Horn and her vast playing experience includes the National Youth Brass Band of Scotland and for the last few successful years, the Cory Band. As well as a renowned exponent of the tenor horn, she is also a respected youth educator both here and abroad. Ben has already had a short spell at GUS before leaving school and re-joins the band on Second Euphonium. A graduate of the Birmingham Conservatoire of Music, he has had spells at Grimethorpe Colliery and Hepworth Band and was the successful Musical Director of the Harborough Band. The GUS Band gives them both a big brass welcome!

on by James Screaton

𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗚𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗕𝗢𝗡𝗗 𝗔𝗧 𝗚𝗨𝗦

We are delighted to announce the appointment of Christopher Bond to a full-time Musical Director role, following a successful three year period as Resident Conductor.
Speaking about the appointment, GUS Chairman David Elliot-Smith said:
“Over the last three years, we have benefited from the inspirational direction of both Dr. David Thornton and Christopher Bond. Having worked with Christopher on an extensive range of projects during this time, including two wins at the Dr. Martin Trust Contest and two successful Brass in Concert performances, now is the right time to collaborate with Christopher on a full-time basis. The band looks forward with excitement to extending his relationship with the band to the Regional Championships, Grand Shield, and what may follow.”
He added:
“We would like to place on record our sincere gratitude for everything that David has brought to our bandroom. His blend of training, experience and sheer musicianship has contributed hugely to the positive strides the band has made in the last few years.”
Christopher stated:
“It is the greatest honour to extend my relationship with GUS, and I am hugely looking forward to working with the band more regularly on the contest stage. The band are, and have been since I stepped into the bandroom for the first time in late 2022, the most talented, hard-working and kind team of people, and remain a complete joy to work with. We all feel a certain responsibility at GUS to fly the flag high for the history on which the
current band sits, and I’m excited to see what this next chapter for the band may hold.”
Christopher’s next engagement with the band will be at Pudsey Civic Hall this Saturday, 17th January as part of the Leeds Best of Brass Series.
on by GUS Editor

The GUS Band’s Annual Awards, 2026

Awards

Saturday 10th January 2026

Last Saturday evening, (10th January) the GUS Band held their annual award ceremony. This year for the first time, the awards were announced and presented at a special awards dinner held at the Northampton Saints cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens. After a lovely meal, the band chairman David Elliot-Smith gave a few words expressing his gratitude to the players for the commitment shown over the past year and also a special thanks both to the players’ partners and families for their support and to the Northampton Town and Country Club for their continued support and provision of the bandroom for rehearsals.

GUS Awards 2026
Clockwise from top left: Nigel and Sally Bramley, The GUS Band, George and Amy Bruce, Simon Smith, Kirsty Woodhouse, David Elliot-Smith, the Tuba Section, Rhys Cave, Archie Batty, James Screaton, Jack Wilson

Following this, the band’s Musical Director, Christopher Bond, announced the awards and prize winners. A new award for 100% Attendance at rehearsals was presented to Rhys Cave, (Flugel) who managed to achieve this even though he makes a 200 mile round trip for every rehearsal. Another new award, Section of the Year as chosen by the M.D. was awarded to the Tuba section, Jen McCausland, David Elliot-Smith, Mark Probert and Johnathan Cooke. The Bandperson of the Year, as voted for by the band for a person who goes above and beyond for the band was presented to Archie Batty, (Assistant Principal Cornet, van driver and uniform manager). A further new award, the Players’ Player of the Year, as voted for by the band was given to Jack Wilson, (Soprano Cornet). The award for Player of the Year, as chosen by the M.D. was awarded to James Screaton, (Principal Cornet) for his outstanding playing contribution to the band over the past year. A special Brass in Concert Award was given to Kirsty Woodhouse for all her help she gave in preparing for the Brass in Concert performance back in November and a presentation was made to Amy and George Bruce, (Third Cornet and Principal Euphonium) in recognition of the effort that they have made over the past year to attend rehearsals with a young family. Finally, three Long Service Awards were presented to Nigel Bramley, (Solo Cornet) Sally Bramley, (Cornet) and Simon Smith, (Horn) for amazingly clocking up  over 70 years as players in the band between them. Special thanks was also given to James Harris, (Bass Trombone) for organising such a terrific evening.

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See our latest video

We have managed to stay active over lockdown, and had a lot of fun making several new videos for you to enjoy. To see more of our music videos go to the Media page

The GUS Band, we love to hear from you, whether you’re a supporter of the band, a member of our community, a local arts organisation interested in working with us, or a business who sees the value in partnering with an elite group with deep roots in your community. So please go ahead and drop us a line – we promise you a warm welcome!

For any enquiries, please contact us through the webform
Alternatively you can email on our regular email address:

enquiries@gus.band

If you have any images of the GUS Band, video or audio recordings, please contact our website administrator at the email address above.

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    MISSION STATEMENT

    The GUS band — creating world class music with a proud history and an exciting future. Serving our community,
    promoting music education and partnering with local businesses and Arts organisations for the benefit of all.

    What people are saying

    What do you expect?

    Well, it’s the GUS band — what do you expect? They’re one of the best bands in the world!

    Paul Fisher

    Musical Director, Amersham Band

    A refreshing change

    This is an attractive, well-planned and produced release, which will be part of my seasonal listening for sure

    Paul Hindmarsh

    British Bandsman magazine

    What a special album

    I bought the ’80 Years in the Making’ album and it is such a pleasure to listen to the high standard of musicianship

    Doris Smith

    Ex bandsman

    One of the best brass bands

    The GUS Band are one of the best brass bands I have seen — and I have seen many

    Paul

    Musician

    What people are saying

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