Arrow Valley Brass is based in Inkberrow, Worcestershire having moved there several years ago from our previous home in Alcester. Dedicated to the enjoyment of music, we have members of all ages from 9 to much much older.
The band started its life in 1977 as Alcester Victoria Youth Band with a small group of children in Alcester town hall. Mr. David Stanley who founded the band.
The curruent MD of the band is Mr David Hunt, David started in the junior band many years ago and went on to study playing under Philip McCann. He has since returned to the band first as a player and later as the MD.
During the summer months the band plays many outdoor events such as "Music In The Park" in local park bandstands, as well as performing at local village fetes, school events and of course is very much involved when it comes to important occasions such as Remembrance. The band greatly enjoys playing at community events and gets involved as much as possible with everything local.
Performances have previously been given for the National Life Saving Association at the NEC in Birmingham and at The Serpentine in Hyde Park. The band has performed at Worcester County Cricket club and the ICC. Undertaking foreign tours has also proved an enjoyable experience for audiences and the band itself.
Indoor events include concerts for local charities and communities.
The band's constitution requires the band to perform at least twice a year for charity free of charge.
The band has had a junior band - however as fewer children are taking up brass instruments this has waned. We are now actively working with local schools to try and bring brass back into the classroom and hope that once the numbers are up we can bring this back to life.
In the contest field, the band originally started in the 4th Section, has contested up to the second section and is currently back in the 4th section again having not recovered well from Covid-19 and the lockdowns. Things are however beginning to look up again on the player front. During our first period in the 4th section the band qualified in the area contests in 1989 and 1990 to compete in the National Finals in Central Hall Westminster. In the 3rd Section, the band has qualified for the National Finals in 2002 (Torquay) and 2005 (Harrogate) where it came 7th and 2nd respectively.
Subscriptions and expenses
The band has members from a wide area, some travelling from Worcester, Kidderminster and South Birmingham. It is a subscriptions band with members currently paying £75 per annum).
All services to the band are given free and no expenses are paid to members. Expenses are offered to any outside player who is asked to deputise for a band member who cannot attend an engagement.