WESTERLY WINDS PROUDLY PRESENTS:
Withguestvocalist: Sam Balch
Withguestvocalist: LMegawrence
Musical Director: Rog Sansom
Westerly started off as a teaching band in 2013, with the aim of encouraging lifelong learning and participation in music as well as support local charities and good causes
Since their inception they have grown in size and ambition and played a host of memorable venues and events including: The Mount Without, Keynsham Music Festival and The Redgrave Theatre They enjoy collaborating with other performers and are delighted to share the stage with vocalists, Meg and Sam tonight
Westerly rehearses every Wednesday at 7 30pm in Staple Hill They are always happy to hear from anyone who is interested in joining- particularly if you play a bassoon- so if you re keen to get back to making music, why not drop them a line for a chat
Sam is a regular face in the theatre world, having been a member of the Saltford Panto Group for 10 years before returning to the Warmley Players for whom he also writes and directs He is a member of Keynsham Light Opera Group and will be starring as Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar this summer
When he s not treading the boards or penning a libretto, Sam works to foster talent in the next generation at Barrs Court Primary School, where he has taught for the last nine years
We’re delighted to share the stage with Sam tonight, for what will be his second appearance with Westerly Winds
This is Meg s debut performance with Westerly Winds, but she s no stranger to the stage- she has been singing for most of her life When she was younger, Meg won a place with the National Youth Choir of Great Britain and now sings with the City of Bristol Choir She has performed in various venues including Bristol Beacon, St George s Bristol The Royal Albert Hall, and St Paul’s Cathedral
Meg also runs her own choir at the school where she teaches and in the rare moments when she has time to herself, she likes to spend it reading
We’re thrilled to have Meg join us tonight
Flutes / Piccolo
Tracey Milton-Smith
Ruth Piggott
Judy Thomas
Rebecca Unwin
Liz Wilson
Lucy Zambrano
Oboe
Emily Gee
Clarinets
Laurie Appleyard
Rhian Drummond
Valerie Flook
Emily Francombe
Douglas Higham
Jo Lawrence
Glynis Rainey
Sharon Reid
Ann Roberts
Kathryn Sadler
Alto Sax
Megan Ellis
Deb Stephens
Vicky Styles
Euphonium / Baritone Horn
Suzanne Davies
Paul Veale
Tuba Leo Winter-Alsop
Tenor Sax
Andy Loveridge
Eleanor Smith
Baritone Sax
Henry Bromberg
Ben Hargreaves
Trumpets / Cornets / Flugelhorn
Peter Atkinson
Mandy Rogers
Lesley Wood
Mellophone
Candice Evans
Trombones
Jon Clarke
Bass
Ken Roberts
Keys
Andy Allpass
Drums / Percussion
Andrew Christie
Catherine Herring
Principal Tail-Wagger
Seren
The Max Dixon Foundation
Our chosen charity this year is the Max Dixon Foundation, which was established in 2024 in memory of Max Dixon, whose young life was cut short when he and his friend, Mason, were fatally wounded in an unprovoked knife attack
The newly-established foundation exists to educate the public on the correct use of bleed control kits, as well as to make such kits readily available in a range of locations including community hubs, public transport and private vehicles
Each bleed kit costs £6000 and bears a QR code with instructions to guide members of the public on how to use them.
In addition to raising funds for these life-saving packages, the foundation also promotes awareness of the issue of knife crime through educational programmes aimed at young people and community participation
All proceeds from this year ’ s concerts will go to this most worthy of causes, so please give generously to the buckets and buy as many raffle tickets as you can so that we can help boost the funds for these life-saving kits
And in doing so, help keep the spotlight shining on Max and Mason
It takes many hours and many people to bring together a night like tonight In addition to everyone onstage, we’d like to thank a few people offstage whose help has been invaluable:
Front of House: Neil Drummond
The staff and volunteers of Emerson’s Green Village Hall
The Westerly Winds Committee
And of course, to you, our wonderful audience, who make it all possible Thank you for your support and for helping to keep music live
