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Passing the Baton but Business as Usual for Bretforton Silver Band

This week Peter Butler officially became musical director of Bretforton Silver Band taking over from John Wood who had been MD for eight years. John said he was very proud to have been conductor of the band and is pleased to pass the baton on to Peter.

Peter G Butler was born in Alcester and was first involved in music as a boy playing cornet with the Alcester Victoria Silver Band before embarking on a 23 year career in Military music. He served with the Light Infantry -KSL1 (now the Riffles) and the Kings Own Scottish Borderers, retiring as Captain, Director of Music in 1989. After four years as Head of Music at the then Abbey High School in Redditch, Peter went back into uniform as he was selected for the appointment of Director of Music, Royal Band North in the Royal Guard of Oman. During the next eight years he founded the Royal Guard School of Music that was granted its Royal Charter by the Sultan of Oman in 2000, and for his efforts, Peter was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. Peter returned to the UK in December 2002 and resumed his teaching career in Worcestershire and Birmingham schools and is currently appointed as Key Stage 4 Mentor at Pershore High School with the additional responsibility for its Orchestra. Since returning home Peter has been a regular player with the Bretforton Silver Band.

Retiring conductor, John Wood, has been playing with Bretforton Silver Band since October 1981 and is currently playing trombone in the band which he says is challenging but enjoyable. John said he is looking forward to being able to relax and just enjoy being a playing member of the band. John has plenty of other musical interests to keep him busy. He is musical director for Evesham Operatic and Dramatic Societies forthcoming production of Rodgers & Hammerstein's OKLAHOMA. He is also musical director of the John Wood Big Band who recently held a very successful weekend at the Arts Centre, Evesham. John will be back in the Arts Centre again on 19^th & 20^th April when he is presenting an amateur production of Jesus Christ Superstar, by arrangement with The Really Useful Group Ltd, to raise money for St Leonard's Church Bretforton. If you would like tickets or more information please contact John on 01386 834326.

Bretforton Silver Band's first engagement under their new musical director is on Saturday 1st March when they will perform a concert in Offenham Church, this will be the first opportunity for the band to perform their new programme in public and they will also be joined by Chris Dowdeswell to make it a concert with a difference. Tickets for the concert which starts at 7:30pm are available from Offenham Village Shop, Dave & Sandra Cockram on 01386 832676 or from Revd. Richard Court. The band is looking forward to a busy year and the highlights of the summer programme will be opening the season of 'Bands in the Park' at Evesham on 11^th May, their own world famous Asparagus Auction and Draw at the Fleece Inn on May 25^th, the ever popular Proms 26^th July and the band supporters fete on August bank holiday Monday again held in the grounds of the Fleece Inn Bretforton. Although a new musical director will bring his own ideas and a fresh approach it is very much business as usual for the band as they get ready for the busy year ahead.