Where does it all begin? Well, the spark for our band was ignited during a Symphonic Wind Band Weekend - a gathering of local, like-minded musicians eager to tackle some of the most extraordinary music written for woodwind, brass, and percussion. It was during this event that the idea struck our Music Director, Rob Head: Why should this level of talent in the county be limited to occasional weekends?

Fast forward to a cold, dark January evening in 2024. Over 35 musicians gathered, united by their love of music, and the sound they created was nothing short of mind-blowing. Rumour has it that Rob may have shed a tear… though he’ll never admit it!

Just weeks later, we found ourselves performing in the breathtaking St. Edmundsbury Cathedral, Bury St Edmunds, for St Nicholas Hospice’s 40th Anniversary concert. Our repertoire spanned everything from the exhilarating Yorkshire Overture to Gershwin, Dave Brubeck, and Mount Everest. The evening reached an emotional high point with Madhu Pike’s stunning soprano saxophone solo in Champion’s Theme - a moment that left not a dry eye in the cathedral.

As word spread about our performances, our numbers grew, and so did our ambitions! We quickly outgrew our initial venue. So, we headed over to Kennett, the home of Newmarket Town Brass, which has become the perfect base for our bi-weekly rehearsals.

By November, our hard work culminated in An Autumn Fanfare, our inaugural concert at King Edward VI School in Bury St Edmunds. This concert was a special moment for the band, as it marked our first official performance to the wider community. The programme was a symphonic wind band feast, featuring the dramatic and iconic Carmina Burana by Carl Orff, Robert Sheldon’s dynamic and uplifting american highway journey Sixty-Six, and Johann Strauss’s delightful Die Fledermaus, a personal favorite of Rob’s.

In true symphonic spirit, we couldn’t let an Olympic year go by without including John Williams’ majestic Olympic Fanfare and Theme, which filled the hall with a powerful energy. These pieces, alongside a host of others, showcased not just the technical brilliance of the band (bearing in mind we had only met less than 20 times as a full band across the year) but also our commitment to delivering music that stirs emotions and inspires others to be a part of our journey. The audience’s response was overwhelming, confirming that our mission to bring exceptional symphonic music to the community had truly begun.

Now, as we head into 2025, we’re looking to the future. We’re calling on the support of the local community and corporate sponsors to help us keep this musical vision alive.

Together, we’ll continue to show that a symphonic wind band isn’t just about music - it’s about creating something extraordinary.