Putting the fun back into Warwick’s band of marching players

It was the summer of 2011 when some 16 members of the band strode out in front of Mickey Mouse and company, thrilling thousands of young visitors to the theme park.

But these days the number of eight to 25-year-olds wanting to learn to play instruments seems to have dwindled dramatically.

Charlotte, aged 11, says: “We’re a girls’ marching band and at one time I’m told there was more than 100 members.

“Now we just haven’t got enough players and so we’re having an open night at 7.30pm on October 22nd so that everyone can come along and see what we do.”

Ron Everett, who originally founded what used to be just a corps of drums, in Kenilworth in 1979, said: “We are keen to put the fun back into the marching band.

“We have our own headquarters in Hampton Road, next to Warwick Racecourse and used to perform in three or four competitions a year. Perhaps that was too much when youngsters have so many exams these days.

“We want to build up the old enthusiasm from the days when we led out the parades at Disneyland on four occasions, performed before international football events at Wembley and travelled to America, Italy, Norway, Switzerland and France during the summer.

“Anybody who wants to find out more should try to come along to our open evening in Hampton Road. You don’t have to already be able to play an instrument because we have a large number of older band members willing to teach.

“Our instruments range from the trumpet and clarinet to the sousaphone and the euphonium and visitors are welcome to have a go at all of them.

“There’s no military element to our marching - it’s done in a a joyful American style during which we also teach colourful flag waving and ribbon dancing.”

Charlotte, who attends Aylesford School, said: “I loved playing during that Disney parade and don’t know why we are so low on numbers. Our normal rehearsals are on Wednesdays but I’ll be happy to talk about playing during the open night on Tuesday, October 22nd when Mr Everett and some of the other band members will be there.”

There are no auditions and anyone interested in joining the band will be loaned an instrument and given a month’s free membership.

To find out more contact Mr Everett on 492327 or Mr Morton on 07866 459564, check facebook, or visit www.warwickshowband.org.uk