July 2008
Grande Finale at the Old Town Festival
The Old Town Festival drew to a close in the Town Garden's Bowl to the sonorous sounds of Pegasus Brass. A good crowd held on to enjoy the band as it performed a range of music from Bohemian Rhapsody to the Nun's Chorus. For that number, the band was joined by local Soprano Lynn Hawkins, who also gave her rendition of Pucinni's O Mio Babbino Caro.

Although last year's concert was unfortunately canceled due to the weather, this is by no means the frst time the band has played in the Bowl, as you can see from the picture above. This photo is one from the many that former Musical Director Francis Cowley has in his scrap book. He was kind enough to lend it to the band, so watch this space for many more pictured from the archive.
October 2007
Surprise at Band's Centenary Concert

As the band entertained a good crowd at the Wyvern Theatre with a centenary flavour to its annual Proms Concert, a surprise turn of events happened. An audience member made himself known during the interval, holding a folder full of old band photographs.

The gentleman was Trevor Wilkins, great grandson of Sidney Wilkins, who was a founder member of the band. Trevor’s father, Sydney George Wilkins, who also played in the band, was conductor of the band in the 1950s.

As well as the pictures, Trevor was also holding a roll of tissue paper containing a ceremonial baton that was presented to the band around the time of the First World War.

Full story

September 2007
Band Celebrates Centenary

Swindon Pegasus Brass has recently discovered that it is older than it previously thought. Until a few weeks ago it was thought that the band formed in 1912, making it 95 years old. However, whilst researching his family tree, soprano player Paul Mundy found an article from the Swindon Evening Advertiser from 1928, stating that the band had been formed over 20 years earlier.

The article covered a competition in which the then named GWR (Swindon) Social and Educational Union Silver Band competed.

View article
August 2007

Letter from the MD

Dear readers,

It’s almost a year since I stepped into the shoes of Swindon Pegasus MD, and I have survived!! Having come from a musical world so different to that of the Brass Band, I thought I was going to struggle beyond all belief. Fortunately, at Pegasus I am surrounded by very supportive people, able players and a great bunch of people with pride in the reputation of the band and ambition for the future. They have helped me along nicely, and have always been on hand to offer advice and guidance whenever I have asked…and sometimes when I haven’t too.

Full letter...
July 2007

A Bowl full of Water

Glastonbury, Wimbledon - who could possibly have predicted rain?! Whilst these annual events coped with the typically inclement British summer, not so the Old Town Festival. Unfortunately the Bowl in the Town Gardens was deemed out of bounds by the Council, and so the grand finale was abandoned. A great shame as the band was lined up to entertain the crowds under guest conductor Major Peter Clark and local soprano Lynn Hawkins
June 2007
Salute to Sullivan

The band ventured into new territory last weekend as it played to an audience of Gilbert and Sullivan fans at Bath Road Methodist church. Together with the Swindon Gilbert and Sullivan Society, the church resounded to such numbers as "Yeoman of the Guard", "Iolanthe" and "Pirates of Penzance".

This concert was also new territory for Shaun Mundy, who demonstrated great command of the band in his debut conducting performance. The band would like to thank Shaun for his efforts, as well as the G&S Society under their Musical Director Diana Bickley.
May 2007
Postcard from the Palace

Pegasus Brass entertained a sold-out audience at Christchurch, helping to raise £1500 in aid of the Swindon Foodbank. Guest MD David Hayward lead the band through a combination of modern film scores and classic marches, culminating in a rousing rendition of Jerusalem with Wessex Male Choir.

In the mean time, resident MD Steve Armstrong-Watkins continues his palace duty, along with fellow musician and guest Pegasus percussionist Kayleigh Compson.

April 2007
St George, The Queen and The Beeb

St George's Day was celebrated a day early by the Royal Society of St George. A gathering of the good and the great at Malmesbury Abbey were entertained by Pegasus before and after the service as the band played a selection of traditional English tunes. The band would like to thank guest MD Danny Dullforce, who covered for Steve whilst he is entertaining The Queen on Palace duty.

The following day, a small group from the band was playing again for BBC Radio Swindon. Several of the studio guests were also present at the previous night's concert, including the Mayor, Mike Bawden, whose kind words of support for the band were greatly appreciated.
March 2007
A Midsummer Night's Dream

On the warmest weekend of the year so far, the band travelled down to Torquay to take part in the West of England Areas. Not quite midsummer, but gloriously sunny all the same; dreams of repeating last year's 4th place were temporarily on hold, despite the new spirit in the band. What followed was an enjoyable performance of Eric Ball's Wayfarer Sinfonietta, with some lyrical solos and tuneful ensemble playing catching the adjudicator's ear.

As always, the remarks often raise more questions than provide answers, but one particular comment is worthy of note. It seems to call for more of the Shakespearean character whose "bumptious band" stumbles through the plot of one of his silliest plays...

"needs more donky"

The result was disappointing, but the weekend was a major milestone. The atmosphere in the curry house that evening beats any previous, and the team spirit and sense of enjoyment is also a reflection of what happens in the band room these days; the contest results will surely follow.

"Needs more donkey"? No thanks, leave the donkey in the fairyland woods; it has no wings, it will never fly.
January 2007
Band Raises £2400 for Cancer Research

 

 

Swindon Pegasus Brass has raised nearly £2500 for charity during it's Christmas Fundraising campaign. Dressed in Santa outfits, members of the band played over 40 hours of Christmas music at pubs and supermarkets around the town, as well as the Blunsdon and Cricklade Santa Specials.

And thanks to a matched funding deal, as a result of the band's efforts £2400 will be going to Cancer Research.

The band would like to thank those who gave so generously over the Christmas period, and also those establishments who kindly allowed collecting on their premises.
December 2006

Frosty puts in an appearance at Christchurch during "A Night of Christmas Music"

    

A surprise appearance by Frosty the Snowman entertains the audience at the Band's annual Christmas Concert.

Playing a very challenging version of his theme tune, Frosty then disappeared into the crisp winter evening as quickly as he had appeared.

As well as Frosty, Thamesdown Ladies Choir under their MD Chris Body and Pegasus's own School of Brass under Dave Ferris entertained the Mayor at a well attended concert.

The band would like to thank all those involved, and the generosity of all those who came along to support. Check out the gallery for more pictures...

December 2006

Band Launches Christmas Fundraising Campaign

Swindon Pegasus has launched its annual Christmas fundraising campaign. Every penny raised wil be going to charity, and for every penny raised for band funds a penny will be donated to Cancer Research.

Members of the band will be out most evenings in the

build up to Christmas at pubs in and around - dressed as Santa! They will also be at playing at a few supermarkets and the Santa Specials at the Blunsdon and Cricklade Railway Society.

If you see the band out and about, please give generously, its all in a good cause.
November 2006

Swindon Pegasus Brass announces the appointment of new

Musical Director,

Stephen Armstrong-Watkins, LRSM.

 

Stephen Armstrong-Watkins, LRSM, is currently serving with the Band of the Army Air Corps, and will be leaving the Army in early 2008. Steve has served with the Band of the Army Air Corps since 1994, before which he was based in Dortmund, Germany, with the Royal Artillery Alanbrooke Band. Since gaining his Bandmastership Diploma, Steve has also held Musical Director posts with the White Horse Operatic Society in Devizes, and the Larkhill Choral Society.

 

Steve’s musical career began at the age of 4, when he had his first piano lesson. The whole of his adult life has been devoted to music and specifically to music performance. He is a professional standard bassoonist and can also find his way round the saxophone very well. His career in Army Music has seen him travel well and perform worldwide including trips to the USA, Cyprus, and many European countries and cities.

Steve’s immediate aspirations are firstly the promotion to the rank of ‘Mister’ upon his arrival back in civvy street in March of 2008, and secondly the ongoing musical success for Pegasus, with a bright future and with memorable performances.


Steve has been working with Swindon Pegasus Brass since September 2006, when he stepped in at the last minute to lead the RAFA parade on Battle of Britain Day. The band is hugely grateful to Steve for his support, and look forward to many years of enjoyable music making under his directorship.