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
Purchase tickets for The GUS Band's 90th Anniversary Concert 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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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

on by GUS Editor

Still Mighty at Ninety!

Still Mighty at Ninety

On 2nd January 1933, ninety years ago this year, a press release in the Northamptonshire Evening Telegraph announced the formation of a works brass band at the Munn & Felton shoe factory in Kettering. Just two years later the band were Champions of Great Britain, and so the legend began.

Ninety years later and the band has no less than a World Championship title, two British Open titles, six National Champion titles, and no less than eighteen Midland Champion titles to its name.  Since their first historic championship win in 1935, the band has gone through several name changes, reflecting its corporate sponsors but whatever the name, the high standard of performance has continued to this day and to celebrate these amazing achievements, a special celebratory anniversary concert is to be held to honour all the players that have been lucky enough to literally play a part in this band’s illustrious history.

This momentous concert will be held in the band’s hometown of Northampton on Sunday 24th September and will feature The GUS Band (currently in the Top 20 brass bands in the world), as well as a reunion band made up of over fifty past players of the band before a grand, massed band finale.

Also eagerly anticipated will be the feature of four soloists during the concert.  Three are also former players with The GUS Band, namely James Fountain, now Principal Trumpet of the London Symphony Orchestra, Thomas Fountain, now Principal Trumpet of the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, and Jordan Ashman, BBC Young Musician of the Year 2022, while Dr David Thornton, Euphonium tutor at the Royal Northern College of Music is the band’s Professional Conductor, but also one of the most respected euphonium soloists in the world, having played for the likes of the Black Dyke Band and Brighouse and Rastrick.

Speaking of the upcoming concert, the band’s Musical Director, Christopher Bond said “To be able to celebrate the band’s 90th anniversary with such a brilliant event is really very special. The calibre of soloists alone is phenomenal, but in combination with the current GUS Band and GUS Reunion Band, it will be a truly phenomenal way to celebrate the 90-year history of this world-famous brass band”.

Tickets for this event are on sale now at https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/thegusband.

on by GUS Editor

Picnic on the Lawn is Back!

Following the success of its inaugural event in 2022, the Picnic on the Lawn is back for 2023! It is one of the most anticipated summer events in Northampton.
Served up by the University of Northampton, this brass and voice spectacular will take place on the Engine Shed Lawn in the grounds of the University and will be led by the Midland’s champion brass band, The GUS Band. The band, ranked in the Top 20 worldwide, are excited to be celebrating their 90th anniversary this year and this will be one of the highlights in their celebratory calendar.

Not only this, the band is being joined by a champagne hamper full of other fantastic Northamptonshire musicians, including the amazing Northampton Male Voice Choir led by Stephen Bell.  The collaboration between the GUS Band and the Northampton Male Voice Choir has now become a regular partnership and for this outdoor musical banquet, they will also be joined by the sensational tenor, Joshua Daniel and the stunning, award-winning ladies Choir, The Decibelles, from Kettering. Completing this fabulous line up is the unbelievable youth brass chamber group, the Youth Brass 2000 Dectet, who will the cherry on top of this evening feast of musical treats.
So, pack your deck chairs, prepare your cucumber sandwiches and book your place for the picnic of the year.  The fun starts early at 4pm with the main concert beginning at 7.30pm offering a mix of classical greats and more contemporary foot-tappers.  We of course will be hoping that the sun will be smiling down on us but if it decides to hide away, there will be undercover places available too.  Don’t forget to include a bottle of fizz in your basket and we’ll see you there for a celebration of the best music that Northamptonshire can offer.

Tickets available at: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/whats-on/a508/university-of-northampton-south-bridge-road/picnic-on-the-lawn-2023-gus-band-spectacular/e-vmbvmq

on by GUS Editor

Local Brass Bands Join Forces for Celebration Concert

Saturday 29th April sees two of Northamptonshire’s brass bands join together to celebrate King Charles III’s coronation and the bands’ esteemed histories.

The GUS Band and The Corby Silver Band have over 200 years of music-making history between them; formed in 1933 and 1902, respectively.

Speaking of the collaboration, The GUS Band’s Professional Conductor, Dr David Thornton said “This year marks the 90th anniversary of The GUS Band, so it seems particularly appropriate to celebrate this in the band’s birthplace of Kettering alongside another local band with so much history.”

The concert also falls only a week before the King’s coronation, and so fittingly, the concert will include repertoire performed at the late Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation, including Elgar’s Nimrod and Pomp and Circumstance.

Tickets for this historic event are available to purchase now via https://www.priorbooking.com/e/celebration-concert-the-gus-band-and-corby-silver-band or via emailing concerts-gusband@hotmail.com.

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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:

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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