The Cawston Brass Band is a Norwich, Norfolk (uk), brass band which rehearses
twice a week (Monday & Wednesday) just outside Norwich, in Horsham St. Faiths,
Norfolk.
Cawston Band prides itself on its reputation for versitility and quality. The
band competes nationally on a regular basis, whilst also maintaining a very high
level of concert performance. The Cawston Band can provide a full band for any
event, but also small or large ensembles for weddings. When it comes to music we
can play lighter programmes for events such as the CAMRA Norwich beer festival,
Proms music for concerts such as 'Proms on the Pitch', 40's music for themed
'War Years'concerts and of-course the traditional Brass Band programme ( because
everyone loves a Brass Band ! ).
Cawston & District Silver Prize Band, to give them their original title, were
formed in 1886. For those of you who don't know where Cawston is, it's a village
11 miles north of Norwich. The band is currently graded as a 2nd Section Band
nationally.
Early history of the band is very difficult to find. We do know that the
bands first rehearsal room was a room above the Bell Inn in Cawston. This
remained the bands home till 1960s, when they moved to Cawston Primary School
and then in the 1970s to the Mission Room in Horsham St Faiths, finally
relocating in 1998 to their present home the St Faiths Centre.
During the early days of the band they appear to have been a very successful
contesting band with several appearances at Crystal Palace, but never managing
to capture a prize. Despite disappointments at Crystal Palace, the band managed
to win 176 prizes in 11 years, at one point they secured 14 prizes in 4 days!
For the period between the 1930s and 1970s we have little or no archive
material. If anybody reading this has any information, pictures or press
cuttings we would be delighted to hear from you.
In 1983 Cawston Band became one of the first Norfolk bands to appear in the
Royal Albert Hall. The occasion was the 4th Section National Finals, and still 5
members of the band that played on the day still play with the band to this day.
During the 90s the band also played in the National Finals on 3 other occasions,
playing twice at Wembley and once at Cardiff International Arena. At Cardiff
although not winning a prize, the band were congratulated in the banding press
for their Mexican Wave whilst waiting for the results!
Despite the band enjoying participating in contests the lifeblood of the band
is concert work. Over recent years Cawston have played at many and varied events
throughout Norfolk. Recent years have seen Cawston appear on 4 occasions at the
Norwich Playhouse Theatre. To check where the band are playing next check the
engagement list.
In 1996 Cawston gained a £16,000 grant from the National Lottery, which was
used to replace instruments.
In 2000 the band were delighted to have the opportunity to perform with 2 of
the USAs finest bands, namely Lexington Brass Band and Illinois Brass Band.
Also in 2000 the band were delighted to be named Brass Band in Residence of
the University of East Anglia.
As stated earlier there are several large chunks of band history missing. If
you have any information, which will help us plug these gaps, we would be
delighted to hear from you.
We also would like to here from as many ex-members as possible, please get in
contact and let us know what you are doing and your memories of Cawston Band.
Information from the Cawston Brass Band website. For more information visit:
www.cawstonband.co.uk
