A NEW community wind band met for the first time on Wednesday, January 26, with the support of the Pillowell Silver Band.

The band has been launched by local brass and woodwind teacher Kristyann Symonds, who said: “I’ve set the band up, due to popular demand, for all woodwind, brass and percussion players to enjoy.

“The Forest has a rich tradition of brass bands and there are plenty of them, all offering something different. If you’re a wind or orchestral brass player the options are more limited, as there is only one wind band, which is the Forest of Dean Area Wind Band, a youth band that I formed back in 2003 for the county music service Gloucestershire Music.

“A number of ex-players from that youth band who are now too old to play with them have been asking me whether it would be possible for me to launch a community band that everyone could join, so it seemed like the right time.

“I’m extremely grateful to Pillowell Silver Band for their vision as members have given me their blessing to form the new Pillowell Community Wind Band and are supporting the project with the use of their facilities.

“This helps immensely as we need a permanent rehearsal space which, without their support, would have been too expensive as we are keen to keep the cost of playing in the band to a minimum.”

“The band caters for flute, oboe, clarinet, saxophone, bassoon, percussion and all brass players, irrespective of age or playing standard. There are no auditions or anything scary, just pop along and meet us, everyone is welcome.”

Pillowell Community Wind Band meets weekly on Wednesday evenings from 6.45pm to 8.30pm at Pillowell Silver Band Room in Yorkley. For details, call Kristyann on 01594 563776 or email [email protected].