Honouring the men and women who serve

Salute Our Forces will see Brackley and District Brass Band and Towcester Studio Brass Band play in the Ugland Auditorium at Stowe.

The evening will be dedicated to honouring and remembering the men and women who make up the Armed Forces family, from current serving troops to service families, veterans and cadets.

Both bands will give individual performances prior to coming together for a rousing finale. As the theme of the concert has a military connection, the audience will be treated to some exciting pieces that span the years and will include two special guest soloists.

Samantha Buckland is the solo tenor horn player with Towcester, but she has also delighted audiences for a long time with her wonderful soprano voice at most of the band’s regular local concerts, so the audience is in for a treat as once more she reveals her beautiful voice.

Steve Bailey is the soprano cornet player with the world famous Desford Colliery Band and he will enthrall the audience with a solo spot that will showcase his superb talent.

Brackley and District Brass Band was formed in the mid 1970s when a group of young musicians finished their time at school but still wanted to enjoy playing in a brass band. Soon afterwards a junior band was formed. For over 40 years both groups have been based at the Band Club in the centre of Brackley and even now, some of the founding members still play for and remain committed to the ongoing success of the band.

Towcester Studio Brass band began at the turn of the last century when Ada and Charlotte Phipps, the daughters of the Towcester brewery owner, built and equipped a club where young men could pursue activities including music.

The concert will be held from 7pm on Saturday June 25 and during the interval there will be an opportunity to mingle with band members in the bar area and to ask questions about any aspect of the concert, life as a brass band player or even, how to join.

Tickets cost £12, concessions £10 and are available from 01280 825710 or book online aat www.artsatstowe.co.uk

The concert, which runs for two hours with an interval, is being held in aid of the ABF The Soldiers Charity.