The GUS Band is a world-famous [1] [2] [ citation needed ] 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]
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]
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 |
National Mineworkers Champions: | 2013, 2017 |
All England International Masters Winners: | 2015, 2016 |
Royal Trophy: | 1935, 1954, 1955 |
National Quartet Champions: | 1966, 1967, 1968 |
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-present | Ld. Chris Jeans |
The band has released over 50 albums, [8] a selection of which are listed here:
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