The King Alfred Concert Band is a well-established performance group which has been closely affiliated to the King Alfred Community School, Burnham-on-Sea for the past 25 years. The band was founded as a school concert band but now includes players of any age from the community.

The King Alfred Concert Band has been a training ground for many young people. Some have taken up careers in music while others come back to play in the band after leaving school.
The band encourages young people from King Alfred Community School and other schools to further their technical skills and enjoyment of music along with others in the community. Membership is open to all young people and adults who have reached an acceptable playing standard.

The band plays a wide variety of music from classical overtures to popular music from the shows. We have at least two formal concerts each year, one at Christmas and another in the Spring as well as many other appearances at local events such as fetes and local organisations.

KING ALFRED CONCERT BAND

WHAT OUR MEMBERS SAY

ALUMNI

ST. JOHN'S CHURCH  HIGHBRIDGE

This years' programme at St. John's Church, Highbridge   was an evening  filled with Christmas melodies;  instrumental pieces played by members of the Band , soloists and the popular Christmas carols enjoyed by all..  Our Master of Ceremonies was Francis Farr-Cox always doing his best.

.

We enjoyed the performances  of several soloists which included: Philip playing a trumpet solo "Alleluja from Exultate, jubilate by Mozart; a Euphonium solo played by Len May; a piano solo played by Nathan ; and a trumpet solo  "House of Elleiot played by Tom.   Also we enjoyed a vocal ensemble Gaudete " Glastonbury Thorn Carol"

Many thanks too for the ladies on the Band Committee who provided the very nice refreshments for the evening.  
                                                                                            

On Wednesday 17th December the Band provided the music for the Bishop Lydeard Carol Train on the West Somerset Railway.

After singing and playing carols before departure at Bishops Lydeard, everyone boarded the steam-hauled train which stopped at Crowcombe Heathfield and then Stogumber.  At each station everyone disembarks, sings and plays carols on the platform then reboards the train and on to the next station. Our next stop was Williton where we sang and played lots of carols -again- but this time with competition as the Minehead Carol Train, complete with Band , was on the other platform!

Whilst this was taking place the two steam engines changed places to take us back to our respective starting points.  After all the embarking, disembarking, singing and playing, everyone was quite tired and the Band then enjoyed the free mince pies and hot drinks as we steamed back to Bishops Lydeard .
                                                                                                                                               Francis Farr-Cox

This year's Festival was successful as well as being enjoyable for the Band as we were awarded a  Gold Medal in our category.   Also The Hamp Junior drummers gave a colourful and exciting performance.

Two soloists were featured:  Philip played a solo in the very popular piece " Carnival of Venice" . The adjudicator commented "lovely lightness but clear in texture and secure in intonation " and "a fine trumpet solo."  Sue Cook played an " effective saxophone solo" in  "Beauty and the Beast"    The two other pieces played by the Band were "Marching Down Broadway" and "Enchanto".

Philip

Georgia, Becky,Kelliann and Sue

Playing carols on the platform at Bishop's Lydeard

Jemma

I enjoy being with friends in the Band. The music we play is very interesting and varied.

Mum- Vicki, Daughter Laura, and Dad , Jason