The Wirral Schools’ Concert Band is celebrating its 40th anniversary with a performance at Heswall Hall on Sunday 10 September.
Wirral Schools’ Concert Band was formed in 1983 by David Straughan, the then leader of the Wirral Schools’ Music Service.
In 2003 he passed the baton on to Gabrielle Horne who then passed it on to the present conductor, Rob Watson (pictured), who took on the role of Musical Director in 2008.
Birkenhead News spoke to Rob Watson at a recent rehearsal at St Mary’s Catholic College in Wallasey Village, “The Wirral Schools Concert Band is the senior youth wind band for the area. We come together on a Saturday morning for rehearsals and we give regular concerts at a variety of places.”
Rob told us that the band has performed in major venues across the country including the Royal Festival Hall in London and Symphony Hall in Birmingham, as well as both cathedrals in Liverpool and also, Liverpool’s Philharmonic Hall. Additionally, they have performed in Europe, including in Germany, France, and the Czech Republic.
Rob continued, “On 10 September, it will be our 40th anniversary Celebration Concert. We’re going to have a whole load of players who played in the band over those 40 years rejoining us. Attendees can expect excellent music-making from a very enthusiastic band.
The programme will be a mix of show tunes, film soundtracks, pop, and classical. Rob explained, “We’ve got music from Pirates of the Caribbean, from Wicked, an Earth Wind and Fire dance mix, and some classical music in the form of the English Folk Song Suite by Vaughan Williams.”
The band is currently recruiting in all departments for players of Grade 4 and above standard in secondary schools across the Wirral.
If any former members of the band would like to play in the concert, please contact rob.watson@edsential.onmicrosoft.com 
The Wirral Schools’ Concert Band 40th Anniversary Celebration Concert is at Heswall Hall on Telegraph Road on Sunday 10 September at 3pm. Cash tickets are available on the door and children go free.
Image: Wirral Schools’ Concert Band in rehearsal and (inset) Musical Director, Rob Watson
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