Bye Bye 2025 and Hello 2026

Well, that was a busy and eventful end to 2025.

Following our Autumn concert in September, the band were extremely busy preparing for the ‘Leicester’ contest (in which we came a very creditable 3^rd place) and the always busy Christmas schedule (which started in October!). In addition, following the departure of Neil Brownless at the end of October, we had to advertise, audition and select a new MD who could to lead us in 2026.

The following list shows all the events that we have been involved with during this period (this list excludes the rehearsal time spent preparing for the events):

• 13^th Sept – TSB Autumn Concert (St Lawrence Church)

• 27^th Sept – Stompers (Bicester)

• 4^th Oct – Stompers (The Mill, Towcester)

• 16^th Oct – TSB (Bell Plantation Christmas Launch)

• 26^th Oct – TSB (Leicester Contest) - 3rd Place

• 9^th Nov – TSB (Remembrance Service)

• 7^th Dec – TSB Carolling

• 12^th Dec – TSB (Bite Club, Brackley)

• 13^th Dec – TSB (Towcester Town Hall)

• 14^th Dec – TSB (Lamport Hall)

• 17^th Dec – TSB Christmas Concert (St Lawrence Church)

• 18^th Dec – TSB Carol Service (St Lawrence Church)

• 20^th Dec – TSB Carolling

• 21^st Dec – TSB (Mill Christmas Carols)

We were very fortunate to have many high quality musicians applying for the MD vacancy and have appointed Ian Knapton to take us forwards in 2026 (more).

We would like to thank all those who helped us during this time of change, especially Tom Stoneman who stepped in to prepare and take the band at our very successful annual Christmas concert held at St Lawrence Church, Towcester on 18^th December.

This year, an audience of over 150 people were privileged to hear our new ‘Beginners’ band (lead by David Rose) play for the first time, and also our ‘Development’ band (lead by David Healy) opening the 2^nd half. The future of TSB is looking very healthy – thanks to both David’s who have worked tirelessly with both groups over the last few months.

The appreciative audience enjoyed a first half of Christmas tunes and carols, including a beautiful rendition of ‘O Holy Night’ by our super Euphonium player Peter May.

They were then, in the second half, under the direction of Tom Stoneman, encouraged to participate a little more, by swaying, standing up and singing with more lively Christmas tunes.

They were also lucky enough to hear the premier of a new Christmas solo ‘Boughs of Holly’ (N. Brownless) written for and played superbly by our own Holly Winspear on the flugelhorn.

So, after a short break (just enough time to eat, drink, party and recover), 2026 starts in earnest on Wednesday, 7^th January, when we are looking forward to welcoming Ian Knapton to the bandroom to take his first official rehearsal. Although we do not have any planned engagements in January and February, we will be very busy preparing two contest pieces and many new concert pieces in readiness for later this year.

Our current schedule for 2026 is as follows:

• 1^st March – TSB (Oxford Contest)

• 15^th March – TSB (Area Contest, 2^nd Section, Bedworth)

• 11^th April – TSB (TBC)

• 28^th April – TSB (Spring Concert – St Lawrence Church)

• 29^th May – TSB (Whit Friday Marches)

• 20^th June – TSB (Towcester Midsummer Music)

  
  

We would like to thank everyone who has supported us during this year and hope that 2026 is full of joy.