Santa has certainly called at Test Valley Brass this year.
It will be a very happy Christmas for Test Valley Brass, as the Andover based band will be celebrating Santa bringing two new shiny baritones to the band thanks to a Community Fund grant for £1,000 by Test Valley Borough Council.
Lucky players
The lucky players Hannah Corner and Sophia Peszkowski were recently presented with the instruments that came from John Packer Ltd by local deputy mayor Cllr Janet Whitely.
Meanwhile another supporter, Dorothy Page recently completed a marathon sponsored walk to help local charities. Raising over £2,000 she very generously donated this to local charities, including the Test Valley Youth Band.
Generous
Band Chairman, Peter Heslop told 4BR: "Dorothy is a wonderful, charming and very generous lady. Over the years she has been a very loyal and encouraging supporter of Test Valley Brass and has raised many hundreds and thousands of pounds for us."
New direction
Finally, the New Year will bring a new change in musical direction for the senior Test Valley Brass, with the news that after a decade or more at the helm, Chris Sharpe has decided to return to playing commitments with the band.
Reverend Keith Thomasson will be taking over the conducting duties from January and brings with him a musical background that includes a BA Hons in Music from Oxford University.
Sterling job
Chairman Peter Heslop added: "Chris had done a sterling job guiding and leading the band over the years and while his leadership and direction would be missed, he is going to be a great asset within the band and he has no doubt will ease the transition period to Keith."