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

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.

Listen to the Band

Discover our newest performances and recordings

Emaneff March

T. J. Powell

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

GUS are Midlands Champions!

The GUS Band were crowned Midlands Regional Champions at the weekend and will go on to represent the region at the National Finals at the Royal Albert Hall in October.

The ‘Nationals’, as it is often referred to, has been in existence in its current format since 1945 and is brass banding’s equivalent of the football league – split into five sections: Championship Section, and 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th sections, with eight regional qualifying heats staged up and down the UK involving some 600 bands.

GUS and Dr David Thornton certainly worked in harmony to produce “a stunning performance — so full of character and musicality — it really shone”, according to adjudicator Stephen Roberts.

Leigh Baker summed up his written observations by saying that it was a “most enjoyable” performance, “tight and detailed” and ending with a “glorious close”. It was a victory based on clear thinking, technical adroitness and lightness of musical touch.

The band’s professional conductor, Dr David Thornton commented “I’m thrilled to have started my work with the band with such a fantastic performance. The soloists all played with great authority, the control from the ensemble was never overcooked or forced, and they did exactly what I asked of them”. David also paid tribute to resident conductor Chris Bond who whose preparation work had been “invaluable”.

The band’s victory is particularly poignant as 2023 marks the band’s 90th anniversary; the band was originally formed in 1933 as the Munn and Felton Works Factory in Kettering.

Love is in the Air!

Love will be in the air at the Holy Trinity Church in Rothwell on the evening of 18th February, when The GUS Band take to the stage for what will be a romantic evening of bewitching tunes and passionate melodies.

This concert will not only be in commemoration of St Valentine, with Valentine’s Day happening the same week, but will also mark the first concert in a year of celebration for the GUS Band’s 90th anniversary. The evening will include many well-known popular pieces that have more than a hint of “amour” and will feature several of the stella GUS Band musicians as soloists. In honour of the band’s anniversary, a march, Narworth Castle by J. Ord Hume will be included in the programme, which was the first piece to be played at the Band’s inaugural rehearsal, way back in January, 1933.

With the launch of the GUS Band’s Go Green initiative last year, this concert will also mark a first for the Band, with an online programme as well as the usual paper version being made available to the audience.

As one of the most successful Midlands brass bands, the concert will also include a performance of Red Priest, a concerto for brass band after Vivaldi, by Philip Wilby. This will be the test piece for the forthcoming national qualifying Regional Championships and will provide listeners with a preview of this thrilling music. A virtuoso violinist, the Baroque composer Antonio Vivaldi was nicknamed the Red Priest because of his fiery red hair, and his romantic relationship with a singer, although always denied, inspired the film of the same name, which neatly ties together the Valentine theme for this concert. Be prepared to be stunned by the thrilling sound of the band and the virtuosity displayed by its players!

So, if you are feeling in the mood for romance and an evening of seductive and beguiling music, then ‘From Rothwell with Love’ will be the concert of the year to go to.

Tickets available here: https://www.priorbooking.com/e/from-rothwell-with-love-the-gus-band-in-concert-7-30pm

New Musical Director at GUS!

The GUS Band are delighted to announce Christopher Bond as their Resident Conductor and Musical Director.

Christopher’s arrival completes the band’s team of conductors, joining associate conductor, Stephen Bell and Professional Conductor, Dr David Thornton.

Christopher will be fulfilling his new role at GUS alongside his Musical Directorship at the City of Cardiff (Melingriffith) Band as well as his continued work as an established composer, arranger, educator, and musical director for professional theatre companies.

Speaking of his appointment, Christopher said “I am very much looking forward to working with GUS; a band that is steeped in history and full of the potential and determination to achieve brilliant things.”

GUS Chairperson, David Elliott-Smith commented on the news: “Christopher brings with him a wealth of experience, not only as a conductor, but also as an adjudicator and a highly talented, creative composer; we are excited to start working with him in this milestone year for the band”

Christopher will be commencing his role in January 2023, the start of a special year of 90th birthday celebrations for the Northampton-based band, which they will kick-start by competing in the Midlands Regional Championships in February.

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:

info@thegusband.com

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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