Stafford-based Gareth Malone inspired band invite musicians to join
A school teacher is looking to create a Gareth Malone inspired concert band – inviting talented musicians from across the county.
Gavin Lamplough, creator of the new Stafford-based community band, is urging former musicians to dust off their instruments and join its ranks along with amateur and professional players.
The 40-year-old director of music at Stafford Grammar School is eager to include local woodwind and brass instrumentalists in his project – but is extending the invitation further across Staffordshire.
From flute, oboe and saxophone to trumpet, trombone and tuba, he wants to recruit players of all abilities. He has already signed up 45 adults and is confident the new band can be launched this summer.
"I think it will be brilliant to invest further in the local community, bringing together people who enjoy making music. It’s a great venture and I’m not surprised so many people have already said they want to be a part of it.
"Such a huge spectrum of people are showing an interest and the speed at which it’s growing is incredible. What does surprise me is the level at which some of them play."
Among them are peripatetic music teachers, some music graduates who have moved into other careers but still want to play and even have a couple of professional musicians.
But Mr Lamplough, himself a professional trumpeter, said the band was also for people who had not played for a while but felt they wanted to start again.
He added: "We want to recruit from the local community. Pupils get the chance to play every day of the week, so this isn’t for them."
Rehearsals will be held each month or fortnightly at Stafford Grammar with two concerts planned in the first year and opportunities to take part in competitions, if members are keen. The repertoire will include arrangements of pop and musical theatre tunes as well as original compositions for wind bands.
"This is a brand new venture for 2019 and the sooner players get in touch, the sooner we can get started. If we get inundated, I may even consider splitting the group and setting up two concert bands,” he said.
Anyone interested should contact him on communitymusic@staffordgrammar.co.uk
