St Mary & St Giles Band

Our church band

We play concerts throughout the year, both in our Parish Church as well as for other events such as Calverton fete, Haversham fete, Pottersbury URC church Christmas concert, Tea Dance in St Mary & St Giles CE Junior School and Christmas carols in Middleton Hall at MK Shopping Centre.

Our fundraising concerts are usually for the Pipe Organ Fund and the Church Restoration Fund. Our Pipe Organ Fund Concerts are listed on this website on the Events and Fundraising pages.

A short history of our band

St Mary & St Giles Band was founded in 2000 from a small group of enthusiastic mostly adult players in the parish who were inspired by the parish children playing their instruments at the annual Autumn Concert, and had its debut at the Autumn Concert of 2001. It draws its origins from our Nativity Plays in the early 1990’s when the children accompanied the carols sung by the congregation. Some of those ‘children’ continue to be part of our band today.

It is an enthusiastic amateur group, which has grown from the original small gathering of instrumentalists to the ensemble it is today (to begin with there were no string players, which is why it was called a band) and has built up quite a wide repertoire of music in its library. Our membership ranges in age from 12 to 75ish. Gradually more young people have joined, together with adults, giving us a full age range and a ‘family’ quality. We are delighted that we can learn from each other and have those with us who have returned to playing their instrument after a break of many years.

We are fortunate to have some many musically talented people in our Parish Family and wider community. We come together because we enjoy making music together, both sacred and secular. There is a great emphasis on fun and sharing our music for the enjoyment of others.

The band plays for local events, concerts and as background music for fetes, open days and bazaars. It has also been invited to play further a field. During the last four years it has played for several Eucharist services in the Parish Church when an organist wasn't available. We do not charge for membership or performing, but we always welcome donations towards the restoration of our church and its organ.

The band is always willing to welcome new members, and would be particularly delighted to have an oboe, a bassoon and more strings. We practise on Wednesday evenings from 7.15 – 8.30pm in our Church School.

Want to join in and have a go? Want to find out more?

Please complete the Contact Form
or contact Lesley Salter 01908 567404