World class music with a proud history and an exciting future
The GUS Band
World class music with a proud history and an exciting future
The GUS Band
World class music with a proud history and an exciting future
The GUS Band
World class music with a proud history and an exciting future
The GUS Band
World class music with a proud history and an exciting future
The GUS Band
The GUS Band is a world-famous brass band, based in Northampton, England. Originally known as the Munn and Felton Works Band, it was formed by Fred Felton in 1933 in Kettering, England. Since then, the band has gone on to establish itself as one of the leading bands, with a string of titles to its name and regular appearances at the National Brass Band Championships in the Royal Albert Hall.
We are delighted to announce the appointment of Christopher Bond to a full-time Musical Director role, following a successful three year period as Resident Conductor.
Speaking about the appointment, GUS Chairman David Elliot-Smith said:
“Over the last three years, we have benefited from the inspirational direction of both Dr. David Thornton and Christopher Bond. Having worked with Christopher on an extensive range of projects during this time, including two wins at the Dr. Martin Trust Contest and two successful Brass in Concert performances, now is the right time to collaborate with Christopher on a full-time basis. The band looks forward with excitement to extending his relationship with the band to the Regional Championships, Grand Shield, and what may follow.”
He added:
“We would like to place on record our sincere gratitude for everything that David has brought to our bandroom. His blend of training, experience and sheer musicianship has contributed hugely to the positive strides the band has made in the last few years.”
Christopher stated:
“It is the greatest honour to extend my relationship with GUS, and I am hugely looking forward to working with the band more regularly on the contest stage. The band are, and have been since I stepped into the bandroom for the first time in late 2022, the most talented, hard-working and kind team of people, and remain a complete joy to work with. We all feel a certain responsibility at GUS to fly the flag high for the history on which the
current band sits, and I’m excited to see what this next chapter for the band may hold.”
Christopher’s next engagement with the band will be at Pudsey Civic Hall this Saturday, 17th January as part of the Leeds Best of Brass Series.
Last Saturday evening, (10th January) the GUS Band held their annual award ceremony. This year for the first time, the awards were announced and presented at a special awards dinner held at the Northampton Saints cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens. After a lovely meal, the band chairman David Elliot-Smith gave a few words expressing his gratitude to the players for the commitment shown over the past year and also a special thanks both to the players’ partners and families for their support and to the Northampton Town and Country Club for their continued support and provision of the bandroom for rehearsals.
Clockwise from top left: Nigel and Sally Bramley, The GUS Band, George and Amy Bruce, Simon Smith, Kirsty Woodhouse, David Elliot-Smith, the Tuba Section, Rhys Cave, Archie Batty, James Screaton, Jack Wilson
Following this, the band’s Musical Director, Christopher Bond, announced the awards and prize winners. A new award for 100% Attendance at rehearsals was presented to Rhys Cave, (Flugel) who managed to achieve this even though he makes a 200 mile round trip for every rehearsal. Another new award, Section of the Year as chosen by the M.D. was awarded to the Tuba section, Jen McCausland, David Elliot-Smith, Mark Probert and Johnathan Cooke. The Bandperson of the Year, as voted for by the band for a person who goes above and beyond for the band was presented to Archie Batty, (Assistant Principal Cornet, van driver and uniform manager). A further new award, the Players’ Player of the Year, as voted for by the band was given to Jack Wilson, (Soprano Cornet). The award for Player of the Year, as chosen by the M.D. was awarded to James Screaton, (Principal Cornet) for his outstanding playing contribution to the band over the past year. A special Brass in Concert Award was given to Kirsty Woodhouse for all her help she gave in preparing for the Brass in Concert performance back in November and a presentation was made to Amy and George Bruce, (Third Cornet and Principal Euphonium) in recognition of the effort that they have made over the past year to attend rehearsals with a young family. Finally, three Long Service Awards were presented to Nigel Bramley, (Solo Cornet) Sally Bramley, (Cornet) and Simon Smith, (Horn) for amazingly clocking up over 70 years as players in the band between them. Special thanks was also given to James Harris, (Bass Trombone) for organising such a terrific evening.
On Saturday, 10h January, 2026, the GUS Band presented another successful regionals workshop in Eynsham, Oxfordshire. Organised by The British Bandsman, the many delegates who attended from across the country including the Midlands, London, Southwest and Northeast Regions were given the opportunity to discuss and hear how the third and fourth section test pieces for 2026 could be rehearsed and performed. Questions were asked from the floor and the many challenges that these two works, Indian Summer by Eric Ball and Three Haworth Impressions by Gordon Langford, presented for the bands in these two sections were analysed with suggestions and examples provided on how bands can tackle them. We hope the attendees went away armed with new ideas and we wish all the third and fourth section bands all the very best in their area competitions this year.
We have managed to stay active over lockdown, and had a lot of fun making several new videos for you to enjoy. To see more of our music videos go to the Media page
The GUS Band, we love to hear from you, whether you’re a supporter of the band, a member of our community, a local arts organisation interested in working with us, or a business who sees the value in partnering with an elite group with deep roots in your community. So please go ahead and drop us a line – we promise you a warm welcome!
For any enquiries, please contact us through the webform Alternatively you can email on our regular email address:
If you have any images of the GUS Band, video or audio recordings, please contact our website administrator at the email address above.
MISSION STATEMENT
The GUS band — creating world class music with a proud history and an exciting future. Serving our community, promoting music education and partnering with local businesses and Arts organisations for the benefit of all.
What people are saying
What do you expect?
Well, it’s the GUS band — what do you expect? They’re one of the best bands in the world!
Paul Fisher
Musical Director, Amersham Band
A refreshing change
This is an attractive, well-planned and produced release, which will be part of my seasonal listening for sure
Paul Hindmarsh
British Bandsman magazine
What a special album
I bought the ’80 Years in the Making’ album and it is such a pleasure to listen to the high standard of musicianship
Doris Smith
Ex bandsman
One of the best brass bands
The GUS Band are one of the best brass bands I have seen — and I have seen many
Paul
Musician
What people are saying
If you would like your brand or company to benefit from an association with the GUS Band — a world-class leader in its field – CLICK HERE
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