Welcome
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Welcome to the official website of Helston Town Band, the band of the Helston Flora Dance. Helston is situated in Cornwall and is the most southerly town in the UK.
Helston Town Band is proud of its rich heritage, yet also looks forward to a successful future, in further contributing to the local community and in competing at the highest level both locally and nationally.
Our website has information about the band’s achievements, events and latest news. We hope you enjoy your visit - and don’t forget to sign the Guestbook!
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Welcome to Helston Town Band's new updated website. The original website was launched in 2004 and since that time has received over 70,000 visits, with people as far away as New Zealand taking an active interest in the activities and progress of the band. The new website will keep many of the original features, including regular news updates, listings of where the band can be seen performing, information about both the Training and Beginners bands, and a guestbook where we welcome your thoughts and comments. The band is very aware, and grateful for all the support it receives from the people of Helston and surrounding areas, and is keen to keep everyone up to date with their activities and news. Torquay | |
On Sunday 13th March Helston travelled to Torquay to participate in the Area Qualifying Contest at the Riviera Centre, Torquay and achieved their best ever result in the Championship Section by coming 7th. There were 11 bands competing in the section playing the set piece Paganini Variations by Philip Wilby. Having been drawn to play number 1, Helston Band played a great performance setting a high standard for the rest to follow. The eventualy winners were the Woodfalls Band, followed by Flowers Band, with fellow Cornish band Camborne coming 3rd. The band received an excellent ovation from the large appreciative audience, and rightly so for such a performance and featuring some of the bands excellent soloists, in particular Kevin Johns on euphonium and Demelza Christophers on principal cornet who was on outstanding form. Despite an excellent performance it wasn't enough to maintain their Championship status and as from next year will be competing in the First section. Whilst this is disappointing, it will not deter the band from striving to return to the Championship section as soon as possible. Musical Director John Hitchens was very pleased with the performance on the day and was full of compliments for the players and the work they had put in leading up to the contest. The band thank John Hitchens for his hard work in preparing them for the contest over the last few weeks. The band will now be rehearsing for a series of concerts throughout the summer months. |
Area Qualifying Contest, Torquay | |
Helston Town Band are busy preparing for the Area Qualifying Contest to be held at the Riviera Centre in Torquay on Sunday 13th March. The band will be competing against 10 other bands from the South West of England. The band will be performing the set test piece Paganini Variations by Philip Wilby, first used at the British Open Championships in 1991, when the eventual winners were the world famous Grimethorpe Colliery Band. The piece is a huge challenge for the band, since being promoted to the championship section in 2009, but one they are thoroughly enjoying. The band will be rehearsing at the music block at Helston Community College from now until the contest and welcome anyone wishing to come along and listen. The contest in Torquay will be run over two days and will feature around 80 bands competing in five different sections. Helston Band members enjoy Jazz Orchestra Success | |
Helston Town Band's two youngest players travelled to Glasgow with Helston School Jazz Orchestra to compete in the finals of the National Concert Band Festival where they brought home a gold award! Jack Curnow sang Nat King Cole's Straighten Up and Fly Right drawing the favourable comparison with the Take That star Robbie Williams and Caitlin Strike performed a ballad, I'll Be Around on Flugelhorn with David Ferris on piano where they were "highly praised for their musicality" by judges. Musical Director Clive King said "I'm very proud of the hard work and commitment shown by the young people of the band" and "I think this award reflects their continued efforts". Helston Town Band congratulate both Jack and Caitlin and Helston School Jazz Orchestra for their great achievement.
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