It takes more than a lockdown to stop Wincanton Silver Band

After representing Wincanton at the West of England Championships in Torquay on March 14^th, the band has not been able to meet again since the lockdown started on March 23^rd. Band members have been busy practising at home, with some setting personal challenges, others playing for the regular Thursday night clap for the NHS and a couple of us playing the Last Post for VE Day in Wincanton.

The Band has been keeping in touch through regular weekly meetings using Zoom. James White, the band’s MD, and David Parsons, who looks after the music library, have been working together to make music available for us to practice and play together once we can meet again.

Inspired by videos of other bands on social media, we decided to have a go at putting together a social distancing performance. The MD chose his favourite hymn, “Blaenwern” a Welsh hymn setting for “Love divine all loves excelling”, which we play regularly at rehearsals.

To put the video together, each band member recorded their own part at home on their mobile phone, playing to a click track which set the tempo. For some band members this was a totally new experience and quite a tricky technique to master. Each recording was then sent to the MD who did the final edit and adjustments. We hope you enjoy this performance.

Sadly, it will be some time before “we’ll meet again” as social distancing means that rehearsals remain in abeyance for the foreseeable future. Nevertheless, we have already decided to make another video which will be shared on our Facebook page and other social media sites when completed.

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