FORGET military marches and hymn tunes.

Wingates Brass Band promise an evening of pure entertainment when they perform an open air concert at Walton Hall and Gardens next Thursday as part of the Disability Awareness Day (DAD) celebrations.

Band president David Kaye said: "We may have been around since Levi Strauss first invented blue jeans in 1873, but we’re planning a thoroughly modern world-class show for ‘DAD Week’.

"These days a typical Wingates concert is an amalgam of superb arrangements of pop classics by the likes of The Beatles and Queen plus much-loved music from stage and screen.

"We’re guaranteeing thoroughly entertaining foot-tapping stuff for our show."

It's been a massive year for one of Britain's oldest and most famous brass bands.

They have climbed up 24 places in the world rankings in the past 12 months alone and are hard at work recording a centenary album.

"We recorded our first gramophone record during the First World War in 1915," added David.

"To celebrate this landmark anniversary, we’re putting out a 12-track album which includes one track from each of the past 10 decades, plus two specially-commissioned songs.

"It’s the perfect time to catch us whether you’re a massive brass band fan or a first-timer trying brass band music out."

This is the band's second concert for ‘DAD Week’ and it is something of a homecoming gig for musical director Paul Andrews, who together with friend Andy Dale, founded Wire Brass.

Paul took the baton of Wingates Brass Band in 2013 and has led them to two major wins in the past 12 months.

David said: "In footballing terms we’ve ‘done the double’ – winning the brass band world’s equivalent of the Premier League and the FA Cup in the same year twice in our history.

"We’ve won the British Open seven times, the British National Championships four times and the French Open twice.

"We've even played before royalty on four occasions including a most memorable performance in St Paul's Cathedral in the presence of the Queen and Prince Philip.

"You will simply be amazed at the versatility of what our 28-piece band has to offer."

The evening begins at 8pm with two 50-minute sets. Tickets are £10. Call 240064 or visit disabilityawarenessday.org.uk

COMPETITION

Weekend has teamed up with the team behind DAD Week to give away two pairs of tickets to the concert on July 9.

To enter, simply answer the question: What year was Wingates Brass Band formed?

Send your answers along with your name, address and phone number before noon on Monday, July 6, after which two winners will be selected at random.

Send an e-mail with the title ‘Wingates competition’ to David Morgan at david.morgan@guardiangrp.co.uk

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