Paul Holland to Head Wantage Bands

After a short period of guest conducting with Wantage Band this summer, the organisation are very happy to announce that Paul Holland has accepted their invitation to become the full time professional conductor of the Championship Section Band with immediate effect. This is an exciting time for the band and they are looking forward to working with Paul to build on the success they have already had since gaining championship section status in 2007, and appearing at the National Finals in 2014 and 2016.

Wantage Band are at the top of the Wantage Silver Band umbrella which boasts an incredible eight bands. This includes a fully functioning big band as well as over 40 new starters (both children and adults) who progress through the small beginner groups, junior band and trainer band led by players within the organisation. The Wantage organisation is remarkable in its diversification with opportunities for all standards of players and once again will take three bands to the regional contest in March. This year Wantage Band (championship), Wantage B Band (second section) and Wantage Academy Brass (fourth section) will all be making the trip to Stevenage in hope of qualification or at least some silverware to display at their own purpose built band hall.

Deputy Bandmaster at Wantage Silver Band, Sam Wyne, told A4B: “I’ve admired Paul’s work with Flowers Band for many years now and I think it’s a fantastic opportunity for the band, as well as the whole WSB organisation, to gain from his vast experience and knowledge.”

Upon the appointment, Paul Holland told A4B: “The Wantage organisation is quite unique; it is burgeoning with potential from top to bottom with an established strong management team. I will primarily be working with the Championship Band but will also provide one to one tuition to all members throughout the organisation. My initial priority will be establish and embed a work ethic and performance expectation fitting of a top Championship band as well as fill the few vacancies that currently exist. I believe the band is capable of high quality music making which makes them an extremely attractive prospect to me to work with.

The band diary fits neatly around my current musical commitments which allows me to continue my adjudicating duties in the UK and abroad as well as conduct other bands and projects which is something I have been unable to do in the recent past.”

The bands first official appearance with Paul Holland is at the Wantage Silver Band Annual Concert, showcasing many of the bands in the organisation, on Saturday 7th October.