The Band Performs at Pershore's Midsummer Brass

The JLR Band was delighted to take part in this years Midsummer Brass Festival held in the magnificent surroundings of Pershore Abbey.

The band played a variety of items including Heroic Fanfare, Panache for Euphonium, Kingdom Triumphant all to a capacity audience.

The highlight however was to play the world premier of The Path to Peace written by Phil Harper in memory of John Davis, father to our own Louise Davis. We would like to thank the Davis family for the opportunity to play this wonderful piece of music in memory of John.

More photos can be viewed on Facebook here

Our second day of brass exceeds expectations!

The 17th November saw the band in conjunction with Warwickshire Music Services hold our second day of brass at the Famous Warwick School. Over 90 children from Warwickshire and the surrounding counties joined the Jaguar land Rover Band in a day of making music.

"After the 1st day of brass held earlier in the year we were keen to keep up the enthusiasm with the children" commented Band Manager Simon Archer. After the amazing response from the first day of brass we have been looking forward to this day immensely. The band gets so much out of working with the children and we hope we do nothing more than to encourage them to continue with their music making".

To see photos of the day please click here 

If you would be interested in attending the next day of brass please email here.

Our second 'Day of Brass' on 17th November!

We are pleased to announce The Jaguar Land Rover Band and Warwickshire County Music Services will holding the Second 'Day of Brass' on the 17th November at Warwick School.

Our first Day of Brass in April was a great success with over 100 students ranging between the ages of 8 to 18.

Our second 'Day of Brass' will follow a similar format starting at 9.30am and finishing around 5pm after an informal concert from the students and the Jaguar Land Rover Band.

We would like to invite all young brass players from the Midlands region to join us. This is a great opportunity for young brass players to learn from the reigning Midland Champions.

Places are limited and demand will be high so please book your place early. The deadline for registration is 14th November.

Booking details can be downloaded athttp://jaguarlandroverband.com/DayOfBrass.html

"Brassed off" - Far from it!

This weekend the Jaguar Land Rover Band took part in the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain held at the Royal Albert Hall in London - the same competition as depicted by the Grimley Colliery Band in the classic cult film ‘Brassed Off’

Although this is the third time the band has qualified to compete at the National Finals, it is the first time in the bands history it has qualified as Midland Area Champions.

“This year has been an exceptional year for the band.”  comments Musical Director Dave Lea.  “Being Crowned Midland Area Champions in March and representing Coventry and the Midlands in London has been an absolute thrill and an honour for myself and the band.”

This year is even sweeter for Dave as he celebrates his 25^th anniversary conducting the band. “There is no doubt this has been a major highlight for me” he adds. “We have a great team of the finest musicians and although an amateur organisation there is no doubt the players are of professional standard which is down to their hard work and dedication.”

The band had a fantastic response from the audience who clearly enjoyed the bands interpretation of this years test piece 'Of Distant Memories' written by Edward Gregson. The band was awarded 13th place - the highest ranking position in the bands history. Band Manager Simon Archer commented "It has been a very enjoyable weekend and the result is testament to drive and determination our players have."

Les Ratcliffe, Head of Community Relations for Jaguar Land Rover, added “We are immensely proud of our band for winning the Midlands regional contest and for playing at the Royal Albert Hall. The band represents the very best the Midlands has to offer and I would encourage everyone to support them in the great work they do for our community.”

Photos of the band on stage can be viewed in our Facebook page here

‘Day of Brass’ a Roaring Success for Students in Warwickshire

This month saw the Jaguar Land Rover Band and Warwickshire County Music Services join forces to provide a brass educational day to over one hundred students from in and around Warwickshire.

Set in the wonderful surroundings of Warwick School, students from the ages of 8 to 17 took part in three bands directed by members of Jaguar Land Rover Band and Warwickshire County Music Services.  

Jeremy Dibb, Senior Manager for Warwickshire County Music Service commented, “We have run a number of Days of Brass for our students over the years, however we always felt involving a local band such as Jaguar Land Rover would really help to encourage and inspire the children with their musical education”.

“Even from early discussions with the band it became clear that they would be very supportive of this initiative and we were able to go from first thoughts to planning in rapid time.”

Simon Archer, Band Manager added “It has been a goal for us to find ways in which we can support the musical education of children in our community for some time. This can be particular difficult if you are not directly connected with the education system. Therefore working in partnership with Warwickshire County Music Service was the perfect solution for both parties.”

The day consisted of four separate rehearsals followed by an informal concert where each band performed their prepared pieces to over 300 family and friends.

The Jaguar Land Rover Band then joined the students to give a short lively programme followed by the highlight of the day with a massed performance of “The Magnificent Seven”.

 Dave Lea Musical Director for Jaguar Land Rover Band commented “It was a fantastic day! The students really did work hard which was evident in the quality of their final performances. It was a pleasure to part of such an initiative and I hope we can repeat very soon”

It was also clear the students also enjoyed themselves with comments from students and their parents including,

 “We are so lucky our daughter was a part of it and the icing on the cake was to hear Jaguar Land Rover’ 

“My son has been on cloud nine since he came home – thank you’

And making it all worthwhile was Thomas age 9 who stated “It will be a day I will never forget”.

The day was a roaring success for everyone involved. Ultimately we hope these students will be the next generation of brass players.

To see photos from the day visit here

For more information on Warwickshire County Music Services visit http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/musicforlife

Days of Brass with Jaguar Land Rover Band

Jaguar Land Rover Band and Warwickshire County Music Services are delighted to join forces to offer an educational day of brass music making. This will be held on Sunday 28th April at Warwick School, Guy Nelson Hall, Warwick CV34 6PP. 

This is the first in a series of brass days to be held to help the education and development of young brass players around the Midlands area. 

Set in the wonderful surroundings of Warwick School, the day will begin at 9.30am with registration and finish around 5.00pm after an informal concert of all the day's music. 

Due to the generosity of Jaguar Land Rover and the Warwickshire Music Education Hub we are delighted to offer this high quality Day of Brass entirely free. 

We anticipate running three bands, at junior (grades 1-2), intermediate (grades 2-4) and senior level (grade 4 and above). 

This is an amazing opportunity to learn and play alongside the members of the Jaguar Land Rover Band who were recently crowned the Midland Region Champions. 

for further details click here 

Meet the Jaguar Land Rover Band!

Each day this week different members of the band were interviewed on the Vic Minett show for BBC's Coventry & Warwickshire Radio.

Hear what Kevin Whittaker, Richard Batten, Lynette Wild and Simon Archer all had to say about being in the band! Click here