36 members of the Dawsons Berkshire Maestros Youth Brass Band, aged from 11 – 19, recently performed in a Bandstand Marathon in Windsor. Find out more about the Bandstand Marathon here and read one band member's review below.









On the 27th September, Dawsons Berkshire Maestros Youth Brass Band played their first concert of the year in Windsor. The day was split in two, one with a concert placed by the Windsor- Eton train station, the other in the castle itself. The band hurriedly set out music stands, pegs, John’s ties and other musical attire before playing some hymns and the less strenuous pieces of the repertoire in order to save energy for later! Members of the public stopped and listened and enjoyed what the band had to offer.

After packing down speedily, the band then hurried to Windsor Castle to play their main concert. They played for about an hour, a concert filled with a vast amount of brass music, each piece different and unique. The music ranged from the beautiful harmonies of ‘So Deep is the Night’ by Chopin to the funky rhythms of ‘Brassed Off’ by Darrol Barry. There was something for everybody in the audience, whether their preference was classical music or rock.

The band took to the stage with ease, making the most of their surroundings. The ‘National Anthem’ and ‘Olympic Fanfare’ were played with members of the cornet section on opposite sides of the stage, providing a professional, antiphonal effect.

The Dawsons Berkshire Maestros Youth Brass Band has kicked off the year with fine style and the combined talents of the band members alongside the leadership of John Watts and Hannah Evans continues to impress audiences around the country.

Mark O’Leary, Solo Cornet Player

Photographs reproduced by kind permission of Bill Watts