MAIN BAND

Members only - click the link below or the button at the bottom of the page to access the secure area. (http://patchamsilverband.spaces.live.com)

Conductor
James Benka-Coker B.Eng(hons.)

James has a varied musical background, first learning music as a boy chorister at the age of 8, then learning to play the recorder, piano & pipe organ before joining the Prince of Wales Secondary School Brass Band (Freetown, Sierra Leone) on trumpet by the age of 13. He then became Band Leader & Conductor a few years later, and at the same time learned to play the remaining brass band instruments (including the G Bass Trombone) mostly because it helped him to train new members. During this time, James developed his music arranging skills after completing a Music GCE O’level (roughly the same as GCSE or bacce). He also privately tuitioned students of all ages and briefly ran his own Music Training School in the mid 1990s.

After moving to the UK, James joined the Patcham Silver Band initially as a player on Bb & F Bass Trombone (a killer if you did G before!) then serving as deputy conductor before being appointed as Conductor in January 2007.
James is always up for fresh challenges, and is currently learning to play the flute. One of his strengths seems to be encouraging players to widen their musical horizons & take up new challenges for the good of the band. His hobbies include reading, logic problems, cycling and being a rather disinterested fan of Arsenal (never bought a t-shirt; never will). His favourite brass band instrument is the Eb Soprano Cornet (he would like 3 in every Band!!!).

Rehearsals
We rehearse on most Friday evenings from 8:00pm to 10:00pm at the Patcham Junior School - for full address & map, click here

Members - regular weekly rehearsals re-commenced on Friday 15th August 2008, and continue through to mid-December (final rehearsal date to be announced shortly).

Concerts
We perform in a wide variety of venues and settings throughout the year. For our diary of upcoming events, click here.

Contests
We are members of the Southern Counties Amateur Band Association (SCABA) and are currently registered in the third section. We got good results at the ensemble contests in February 2008. We aim to return to a full band contest next year.

Vacancies
The band is always pleased to welcome players of all instruments, regardless of whether or not a vacancy is advertised.

In particular, we have vacancies currently for cornets (Eb Soprano & Bb), Bb Bass & tuned percussion. If you would like to join us or attend a trial rehearsal, follow this link to the contacts page.

Also, because of our rehearsal structure, we can (and do!) train absolute beginners who are ‘up for it’. Do contact us & we’ll get you started on your musical journey of a lifetime!

©Patcham Silver Band 2008