|
|
History
The origins of the Epsom and Ewell Silver Band can be traced back to the year 1910 with the formation of the Banstead Silver Band. The band flourished in the 1920's and 30's although it was disbanded during the two World Wars it reformed soon afterwards. In the 1950's the Band moved to Ewell and changed it's name to North Downs Silver Band, finally becoming the Epsom and Ewell Silver Band in 1965.
In recent years the Band has toured Europe, giving concerts in Germany, Holland and the French town of Chantilly (which is twinned with Epsom) and was a prize winner at the famous Kerkrade Music Festival. The Band has also performed in Wales with the renowned Builth Wells Male Voice Choir. A Landmark event occurred in October 1995 with an historic performance of Carl Orff's Carmina Burana in an arrangement for brass band and choir, staged with the Stoneleigh Choral Society at St. Martins Church Epsom. Along similar lines, November 1997 saw a performance of Dr. Denis Wright's arrangement of Handel's great oratorio Messiah also with Stoneleigh Choral Society.
Contests
The band takes part in a number of contests throughout the year and currently competes in the second section at national level and makes regular appearances at SCABA events. Notable successes on the contest stage include reaching the third section national finals in 1991 and gaining promotion to the national first section in 1996. More recently the band has won trophies at the Southend Brass Band Contest in 1998 (Supreme Champions and Entertainment Champions) and finished in a three way tie for first place at the 1999 event. Success also came with a win at the 1999 Harrow Contest and third places at the 2002 Southend and Aylesbury Contests.
