Ipswich Hospital Band
Under the baton of Mr Peter Gray Musical Director & Mr Bernard Westren Assistant Musical Director from modest beginnings, the Ipswich Hospital Band has now progressed to become one of the best known bands in the area and are now very much in demand for concerts, summer fetes and a wide variety of other engagements. Various kinds of music is performed by the band from Stage & Screen to even pop music, such is the bands versatility.
Over the years the band has raised thousands of pounds for numerous health-related charities and other worthy causes. Throughout the year the band regularly performs in concerts and at fetes and other outdoor events, such as the Suffolk Show. It takes part in carol and church services on hospital sites and in the local area. Every year culminates in the traditional playing of carols around the wards at Ipswich Hospital on Christmas morning.
The Hospital Band is currently recruiting Brass Players and if you are Grade VI or above then please feel free to contact the Band via the Band Vice Chairman, Mr John Pickering, if you are interested in joining one of the up and coming major bands in the County. You can contact the Band Chairman by telephone on 01473 659287.
We usually audition people wishing to join but if you have been playing regularly and you have an Associated Board Certificate Grade VI then you would be exempt an audition by myself should you be able to produce the certificate.
The versatility of the band is shown with the other ensembles that come from within its ranks:
- Essentially Wind – 12 piece wind ensemble
- The Big Band – 16 piece in the Glen Miller style
- Essentially Brass – 12 to 14 piece Brass Ensemble
- Essentially Saxes – A quartet of Saxophones