Reading Trinity Concert Band Wins Award
Reading Trinity Concert Band has achieved the prestigious Platinum Award at the regional stage of the National Concert Band Festival (NCBF). This accolade secures the band automatic entry to the NCBF National Finals, to be held at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester in April 2025.
On Sunday, 17th November, the band travelled to Northampton to perform at the regional festival. Their programme featured Julie Giroux’s Riften Wed and Philip Sparke’s Land of the Long White Cloud, two challenging pieces that showcased the band’s versatility and technical skill. The adjudicators praised the performance as, “a most enjoyable, well-planned, and well-rehearsed performance,” and noted the band’s ability to handle complex music, saying, “The band did a great job of following the conductor through the many complex sections of the music. The solos were well executed and played with style.”
Consistency and Challenge
Conductor Paul Speed, who has led the band through many successful performances, spoke about the pride and responsibility of maintaining high standards: “The band has been very consistent over several years in achieving this recognition, and it is certainly something I don’t take for granted. I would be lying if I said I don’t feel a little pressure in trying to maintain the standards they have set in both concerts and NCBF performances.”
Commenting on the day’s performance, he added, “The programme was challenging on many different levels, be it intonation, chamber work, or technical detail, and they dealt with this with great skill.”
About the National Concert Band Festival
The National Concert Band Festival is the UK’s largest wind and jazz band festival, dedicated to celebrating live music and encouraging the development of bands of all levels. Bands participate in regional festivals where they perform in front of expert adjudicators who provide constructive feedback based on the NCBF’s award criteria. They are not judged competitively against each other but are awarded ratings ranging from Bronze to the coveted Platinum Award. The bands that achieve the highest standards are invited to perform at the annual National Finals.
Supporting Charitable Causes
In addition to their musical success, Trinity Concert Band continues to support charitable causes. Over the past year, the band raised more than £1,000 for Stepping Stones DS, a local charity supporting children and young people with Down Syndrome. Looking ahead, the band is excited to announce a new partnership with Prostate Cancer UK, with fundraising efforts beginning at their Christmas Concert on Sunday 8th December at Reading Minster.
A Community Band with High Standards
Founded in 2001, Trinity Concert Band is committed to delivering high-quality performances while remaining deeply rooted in the local community. Hosting concerts across Reading and Wokingham, the band brings the joy of live music to audiences of all ages.
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