Official Magazine              ONLINE       (plus latest news)

President:  Mr. Mike Kilroy

Hon. Vice Presidents:

Mrs Christine Peacock; Cdre A. J. G. Miller CBE RN; LtCdr. Mark Sheldon RN

Chairman:  Mr. Roger Dewey

Musical Director:  Mr. David Watson

Phoenix Brass considers itself a family band with numerous spousal, parental and sibling relationships. Such is the family atmosphere that everyone’s birthday is celebrated with a card and the tune of ‘Happy Birthday’, even at concerts.    A support organisation, ‘The Friends of Phoenix’, with the involvement of over 100 relatives or friends, enhances this ‘feeling’.  Hard work by it’s MD, David Watson, and officers, particularly it’s secretaries, past and present, it’s treasurer, Simon Squibb, and it’s music librarian, Andrea Newcombe, have resulted in a well run, efficient organisation that attracts praise wherever the band goes.

After it’s formation Phoenix Brass received immense support from another local group, The Cricklade Band, and this friendship endures to this day.   An initial grant from the Foundation for Sport and the Arts, and subsequently a grant from the National Lottery through the Arts Council of England enabled it to purchase new instruments and also enlarge it’s training section and welcome more young players.   

The Band shares its MD, and a number of players, with the Kennet Accordion Orchestra, but their involvement goes much deeper with a joint concerts each year for charity, when uniquely they play the same music specially arranged for both groups by David Watson.

Phoenix Brass regularly plays to raise funds for charities, particularly Children’s, Cancer and Disabled Persons’ Charities and is delighted to have raised large sums for these organisations.  It also has a strong support for MENCAP within the area and it is for this organisation that the band was able to have the great pleasure of playing before Her Majesty the Queen.  The band is also pleased to be able to support local churches and play at many festivals and celebrations.

The Band has recently taken on the administration of the Froxfield Village Hall, it’s spiritual home, and has pledged itself to renovating the hall for the use of the inhabitants of the village as well as for itself

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