Wigston Thank Retiring MD Garry Sleath

The Wigston Band are sorry to see Garry Sleath retire as Musical Director after 18 years.Garry has decided it is time to put his baton away and spend more time exploring the world and spending time with his family.

The Wigston Band was originally formed in 1902 and found great successes under MD’s such as Wigston music shop owner Charlie Moore and his son Ted. However, it has been in recent times, with Garry Sleath at the helm, when this historic brass band has really come into its own! A highlight of the band’s time under Garry’s leadership must be the when the band made it to the National Finals in 2005 and 2013. Garry is the only conductor in the band’s history to take the band to 2 National Finals and the first final since 1970! This achievement in itself proves the wonderful musicality, skill and passion that Garry has for both music and the success of The Wigston Band.

When speaking to the past and current members of the band, they all spoke fondly and often amusedly of their memories of Garry. The band’s principal euphonium, Dave Harrold was very keen to discuss the time when he was asked to play a ridiculously difficult solo and even though he had a very understandable negative reaction, Garry just responded with “Well I knew you liked a challenge!” Garry was always striving to encourage and ensure the members of the band we stretching themselves and improving.

Back in 2011, Garry’s hard work leading the band, but also finding members and players for jobs was given the recognition it truly deserved when Garry was voted the ‘Bands Person of the Year’. Garry was rather shocked but also flattered to be given this award as he never really considered before that it could be given to a non-playing member of the band! I know the band will miss the effort put in by Garry as well as his insistence that we strive for perfection in everything we played.

Wigston Band chairman told A4B: “He has not just been a brilliant MD to the band he has been a very active committee member and put a lot of his time into the Wigston Organisation. He has helped secure some very high profile concerts and these have often featured his own arrangements which we know he now hopes to get published. Over the years the band has learnt so much from Garry and his depth of knowledge and experience will not be easy to replace. Garry has brought a lot of young players into the band, players who have both given a lot to, and gained considerable benefit, from their time with Wigston. Many of these young musicians have then gone on to study music at University or Music College.”

Further to this, at Garry’s final concert with The Wigston Band at Bedworth Civic Hall on 13th November, he was officially presented with a ‘Long Service Award’ from Leicestershire Brass Band Association. This was in recognition of over 50 years’ worth of loyal and devoted service to the brass band movement.

The Wigston Band Organisation would like to thank Garry Sleath for all of his support, perseverance and commitment to all members. We all wish Garry every success and look forward to working together again at some point in the future.