News Articles

100 Club Winners

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Last Updated on Saturday, 01 June 2019 13:07

Published on Saturday, 01 June 2019 11:20

We would like to congratulate this years 100 club winners

January

4 - Greg Vann

31 - Richard Mullins

February

11- Roger Cox

55 - Mrs Pearl James

March

55 - Mrs Pearl James

69 - William Bracher

April

18 - Mrs Jo Lock

46 - David Pearce

May

26 - Mrs Neale

84 - Mr & Mrs Murphy

June

to be drawn at the GISB and Hille Joint Concert

Torquay Contest

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Last Updated on Thursday, 07 March 2019 19:23

Published on Thursday, 07 March 2019 19:22

As the big contesting event draws closer you may have heard some noises coming from the band room over the last couple of weekends as the band has been putting in the extra effort to put the polish into Holst's first suite in Eb.

We'll be heading off bright and early on the Saturday morning to Torquay to compete in the Contest where we aim to come back with some silverware! If any of our supporters want to come along, we have still some places available on the coach. We will be leaving at 8:30am from the Band Room, and estimate leaving Torquay around 5:00pm. If you are interested in joining us and lending your support you are very welcome, let us know your interest at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Wish us Luck.

Winning the Deportment Cup.

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Last Updated on Sunday, 01 October 2017 17:55

Published on Sunday, 01 October 2017 17:51

We won the Deportment Cup at a Wet Shaftesbury Carnival. Well Done to all.

Gillingham Imperial Silver Band Academy

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Last Updated on Sunday, 10 September 2017 20:11

Published on Sunday, 10 September 2017 20:03

Absolute Beginner Brass Academy:

If you have never played a Brass instrument before and would like to begin, then this is where it all starts.  Absolute Beginners meet at the Band rehearsal room on Monday evenings during school term from 5.45 - 6.30pm.  We will carefully select with you an instrument which suits and which you are happy to play.  Then we start to explore making a sound, learning a few notes, playing a few simple but fun tunes to begin with and learning to read music if of course you do not read it already. I started playing brass when I was 10 years of age, but if you are 7 years of age or thereabouts, you will be ready to learn brass.  We do currently have adults in the Absolute Beginner Brass Group so the door is wide open for all.

Beginner Brass Academy:

The next stage after Absolute Beginner Brass is the Beginner Brass Group, which also meets on Monday evenings during school term time from 6.30 - 7.30pm.  You will be either progressing from Absolute Beginners or joining us as a musician who is already playing brass to a Grade 1 or Grade 2 practical standard.  If you are in the latter bracket and not sure of your standard then do drop in to Beginner Brass on a Monday and we can assess your playing levels. Working together as a team, Beginner Brass seeks to develop you’re playing skills and theory of music knowledge by playing fun, but challenging, popular tunes and exercises.  There will also be opportunities to play in a Senior Band Concert at Christmas and as a standalone Group at Band Open Days.  The target from Beginner Brass is to aspire to the Training Band

Where you will meet and continue your brass and theory development with the Senior Band Director of Music. This is on a Friday evening from 6.30PM – 7.30 before the Main band come in a 7.30pm and you are welcome to stay and listen to the Main band. 10pt;">Jim Bennett who, like me, believes in making music a fun and happy pursuit.

Musical Director - Jim Bennett  http://gisb.co.uk/index.php/players/39-musical-director-jim‏

If you are interested in joining one of our Brass Teams, then please drop me a line or give me a call, it would be good to see you.

Marcus Adams

Brass Tutor

07977 262805

01258 863717

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The Cost of Learning a Brass Instrument is £15 a term

The cost  includes the provision of a brass instrument of your choice (subject to availability)

"Best in the West"

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Last Updated on Thursday, 20 October 2016 11:51

Published on Thursday, 20 October 2016 11:51

On 18th September the band took part in the National Brass Band Championship finals at Cheltenham racecourse. Qualification was unexpected - the band narrowly missed out following a commendable 4th place at the West of England qualifier in March, but when one of the 3 qualifying bands declined their invitation due to a band wedding, GISB received the invitation to represent the region at Cheltenham. 

After an early morning start to arrive in time for the draw, the band drew to play 19th, last band on. Plenty of time to kill and for the band to relax and mentally prepare. 

"Lake of the Moon" has proved to be an enjoyable test piece and this, combined with the large audience present at the end of the day, made for a thoroughly enjoyable playing experience. 

Out of 19 competing bands, GISB were placed 11th, the highest placed West of England band. In their remarks adjudicators David Childs and Richard Marshall had many great things to say about the performance - "Full of colour and Drama", "So exciting", "Excellent soloists", "Great dynamic detail", "A triumphant close" and "A fine performance". For the full adjuications please see our facebook page. 

Our first National Finals qualification for 10 years has been a positive and rewarding experience for the band - here's hoping for a shorter wait until the next time!

Huge thanks must go to all those who organised and supported our fundraising efforts for this contest. We surpassed the £1500 target!

National Finals preparations well underway

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Last Updated on Saturday, 27 August 2016 10:39

Published on Saturday, 27 August 2016 10:23

After a busy summer including a sun drenched Gillingham and Shaftesbury Show and two visits to the lovely Recreation Ground in the picturesque Somerset city of Wells, GISB are now on the home straight with two weeks of intensive rehearsal of "Lake of the Moon", the wonderful set test piece for the National Finals at Cheltenham. 

Huge thanks go to Simon Carr who has been our guest conductor recently while Jim has been on holiday. A resident of Gillingham, Simon conducts our friendly rivals Bratton Silver Band from Wiltshire. 

A warm welcome to Richard Mullins who joins the band permanently on BBb bass. Richard has helped us for the last 2 years at the Gillingham and Shaftesbury Show, and has now made the commitment to travel up from Verwood twice a week. A great addition to the bass section. Pete Gatehouse now returns to Eb bass following the departure of Annadel Horner. We wish Annadel the best of luck for the future. 

Lawrence Ingham returns to the band full time following his graduation from Loughborough University and subsequent securing of a job in the design department at Gillingham's Dextra Lighting. Well done Lawrence!

We also send our best wishes to 1st baritone Stella Kenyon, who due to ill health has had to step down for the National Finals. Our former principal Euphonium player Stuart Ingham has kindly offered to fill the seat during his summer University break. Many thanks to Stuart and get well soon Stella!  

We will be holding an open rehearsal on 11th September, 1pm. For the chance to hear us putting the final touches to "Lake of the Moon", please come to the bandroom in South Street for a listen. 

Surprise invitation to National Finals!

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Last Updated on Friday, 15 April 2016 14:57

Published on Friday, 15 April 2016 14:57

A nice surprise arrived recently in the form of a letter inviting GISB to compete at the National Finals in Cheltenham on 18th September. After the recent West of England qualifying contest in Torquay, the top three bands in the 3rd section received the invitation, with the top 2 or 3 from the other seven regions also invited. However, this year's 2nd placed band from Weston Super Mare were unable to accept the invitation due to a band member's wedding, so the invitation is the sent to the 4th placed band.

Needless to say the band are delighted to be accepting this invitation, the last time qualification was achieved was 2006. All bands in the 3rd section will be playing Belgian composer Kevin Houben's fabulous "Lake of the Moon". Watch this space for details of an open rehearsal nearer the time, a great chance to hear this wonderful music.

Attending this prestigious event doesn't come cheap, with travel costs and entry fees totalling nearly £1500, so the band will  be working hard to raise these funds over the summer. Join us on 30th April for a "Transatlantic" concert, 7:30pm at the Olive Bowl Gillingham. Our wonderful training band will also be performing. Entry £6 on the door, with a raffle and the bar open!

Our next coffee morning will be on 7th May at the Bandroom, with light music from the band, cakes and tombola.

We would also love to hear from any local businesses willing to make a contribution to our National Finals fundraising. In return we can promote your business on this website, and at local events such as the Gillingham and Shaftesbury Show. Please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you can help!

Solid 4th place finish at West of England Championships

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Last Updated on Monday, 14 March 2016 12:12

Published on Monday, 14 March 2016 11:39

With a mere hint of spring in the air, the band took the annual trip to Torquay this year on Saturday 12th March. The band were brimming with confidence this year, with the recent return of Malcolm Francis on Principal Euphonium, wife Val on 3rd Cornet, Rob Stone playing Timpani and Martin Perrin on 2nd Trombone. In recent months we have also welcomed to the band Elaine Laurence on Solo Cornet, Claire Chapman on 3rd Cornet and Holly Chapman on 2nd Baritone. 

With these additions to our regular ranks the band were well rehearsed, in good spirits and functioning as a highly cohesive unit!!!

Taking to the stage in rather a hurry due to the contest running ahead of schedule (an unusual occurrence for a band contest!), the band gave a highly detailed, confident and musical account of Michael Ball's delightful take on Welsh tunes, "A Cambrian Suite". 

Here are the comments made on our performance by brass band website 4barsrest, who were present broadcasting live critique of every performance over the web:

And here are the live comments from the British Bandsman Magazine, on Twitter:

Unfortunately they then gave us the kiss of death by predicting us to win!!!:

All in all 4th place out of a strong field of 18 bands was very satisfactory and secures the band's place in the 3rd section for another year. 

Special thanks must go to Ruth Eshelby who stepped in at the last minute to play 2nd horn following an illness, and Scott Mills who learnt to read music and play percussion in just 4 weeks, and both played fantastically well on stage!!!

We will endeavour to post the adjudicator's remarks on our Facebook page as soon as possible. 

GISB ends the year on a high

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Last Updated on Friday, 18 December 2015 13:21

Published on Friday, 18 December 2015 13:20

Gillingham Imperial Silver Band recently celebrated another successful year at their annual Christmas concert on Sunday 13^th December, organized by their ever faithful Supporters’ Club. Gillingham’s mayor, Councillor David Walsh, presented the annual prizes which this year went to Jess Hudson, most improved under-18 in the senior band, Sarah Barnes received the John Fricker shield for highest rehearsal attendance, and Tom Malleson was awarded the Tim Baker memorial trophy for the greatest contribution to the band over the year. In the training band Megan Bokker received the award for most improved player; and in the beginners’ group this award went to Ellie Stiles. The award for the youngest player went to Maddie Currie. 

The Dorset band ended the year on a high with a number of successful events, in particular their recent 3^rd section win at the Wessex Brass Band Association’s winter contest in Bournemouth. Playing a hidden gem of the brass band repertoire, Granville Bantock’s “Prometheus Unbound”, the band thoroughly enjoyed their performance at Bournemouth’s Life Centre, with the cherry on the top being the adjudicator placing the band 1^st in the 3^rd section and 11^th overall, only one place behind Championship Section Bournemouth Concert Brass. 

This result comes at a time of rebuilding for Gillingham. At the end of 2014 the band lost 3 regular players due to relocation to Devon, one on maternity leave and one to University, and later in 2015 another 2 players leaving for University left a large number of vacancies to be filled. However over the year the band have signed some great new players. Star Flugel horn player Michelle Hudson returns to the band after a 16 year sabbatical with some of Cornwall’s finest bands, Elaine Laurence joins the solo cornet bench and Sam Vaughan and Clare Chapman join the back row cornets. 

Band Manager Tom Malleson said “We are delighted to welcome Michelle back to the band, bringing experience of playing at the highest level. She joins her mother Jackie Adams on solo horn and daughter Jess, who at only 14 is an exciting prospect for the future on solo cornet.” He added; “Elaine started playing with Mere Manor Band many years ago, so we are delighted that following her recent relocation from London, she is joining her sister Mary Burfitt to boost our cornet section.”

“Clare has been a regular helper with the band for a while now, and Sam Vaughan is another promising young cornet player who is new to brass banding. Great thanks must go to our stalwart 2^nd cornet Marcus Adams, who teaches most of the band’s youngsters and gives help and support to those joining the back row.” 

The band also recently held a very successful beginner’s open evening. Organised entirely by training band percussionist Lottie Dean as a school project, the evening attracted over 20 people, of which 9 are now regular members of the Monday evening beginners group. 

With a packed schedule for 2015 now drawing to close, including a fantastic weekend visit from German friends Musikzug Viktoria Hille, and a feature concert with the Cory Band’s Glyn and Helen Williams, GISB are looking forward to 2016, starting with their “Winter Warmer” concert in early February, and the annual trip to Torquay for the West of England Regional Championships. 

The band still have vacancies on Euphonium, Cornet, Tenor Horn, Trombone and Percussion so please contact Tom Malleson on 07890 661259 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more details.