The GUS Band is a world-famous[1][2] brass band, based in Kettering, England. Originally known as the Munn and Felton Works Band, it was formed by Fred Felton in 1933 in Kettering, England.[3] Since then, the band has won many prizes and competitions over the years.[4][5]
History
On 2 January 1933, the Northamptonshire Evening Telegraph reported[3] the formation of the 'Munn and Felton Works Brass Band'. In that article, Mr Fred Felton, co-managing director of the firm, said: "We are out to make it the finest combination in the country, and to make it a contesting band of note throughout the country". Two years later the new band were champions of Great Britain.[6] Since then, under the names of Munn and Felton, GUS (Footwear), The GUS Band, Rigid Containers Group Band, Travelsphere Holidays Band and now the Virtuosi GUS Band,[4] the band has travelled Britain, Europe and America, appearing in concert halls, on television and radio,[7] and has released many records and CDs.[8]
Major honours
The band's contesting successes include winning 1 World Championship, 6 British National Championships, 2 British Open Championships, and 15 Midlands Championship titles.[4][5][9]
| World Champions: | 1971 |
| National Champions of Great Britain: | 1935, 1955, 1957, 1960, 1964, 1966 |
| British Open Winners: | 1954, 1988 |
| Midlands Regional Champions: | 1946, 1947, 1957, 1960, 1963, 1964, 1996, 2001, 2004, 2010, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020, 2023 |
| National Mineworkers Champions: | 2013, 2017 |
| All England International Masters Winners: | 2015, 2016 |
| Royal Trophy: | 1935, 1954, 1955 |
| National Quartet Champions: | 1966, 1967, 1968 |
| Dr Martin Wainstones Cup: | 2023 |
Musical directors
The following list of resident and guest conductors is compiled from past contest results.[4][5]
| Dates | Name |
|---|---|
| 1933–1938 | William Halliwell |
| 1946–1975 | Stanley Boddington MBE |
| 1955–1960 | Sir Harry Mortimer CBE |
| 1975–1978 | Geoffrey Brand |
| 1978–1985 | Dr Keith Wilkinson |
| 1985–1987 | John Berryman |
| 1985–1989 | Bramwell Tovey |
| 1988 | David Stowell |
| 1989–1990 | Robert Watson |
| 1991–1998 | John Berryman |
| 1998–2000 | Melvin White |
| 2001 | Frank Renton |
| 2002 | Brian Grant |
| 2003 | Russell Gray |
| 2003 | Major Peter Parkes |
| 2004–2007 | David Stowell |
| 2007 | Rob Wiffen OBE |
| 2007–2008 | Jeremy Wise |
| 2008–2013 | John Berryman |
| 2013–2018 | Adam Cooke |
| 2018-2022 | Chris Jeans |
| 2022-present | Dr David Thornton (Professional Conductor) |
| 2023-present | Christopher Bond (Resident Conductor and Musical Director) |
Partial discography
The band has released over 50 albums,[8] a selection of which are listed here:
- Christmas Fantasia - The Music of Andrew Wainwright
- Freeh-Way
- A Mingled Chime
- Bandology
- British Bandstand
- Bandstand (volumes 1 to 10)
- Brass in Perspective
- Celebration Golden Jubilee
- European Journey
- In a Tribute to Eric Ball
- Journeys in Brass
- Kings of Brass
- Rhapsody in Blue - with Don Lusher OBE Soloist
- Travelling Light
- The World Champions Play Test Pieces for Brass
- English Landscapes
- Around the World in Eighty Minutes
References
- ↑ "World Rankings". Brassstats.com.
- ↑ "World Rankings". 4barsrest.com.
- 1 2 "1933 Northampton Evening Telegraph article".
- 1 2 3 4 "Brass Band Results Archive". Brassbandresults.co.uk.
- 1 2 3 "Contest Archives". 4barsrest.com. Archived from the original on 2012-02-29. Retrieved 2012-02-29.
- ↑ "National Championships Results". Contest Archives. 4barsrest.
- ↑ "Virtuosi GUS Band In The Studio". Listen to the Band. BBC. Retrieved 16 November 2007.
- 1 2 "GUS / Munn and Felton Discography". Recordings Archive. The Internet Bandsman's Everything Within.
- ↑ "Roll of Honour". The National Finals Archive. Kapitol Productions. Retrieved 17 February 2012.