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The Tadley Band

Musical Advisor : Gordon Saunders ARCM

Gordon Saunders ARCM, our former Musical Director of the Tadley Band, is a native of Tadley although his early musical training was with the Salvation Army, where his father was a Bandmaster, and not with the 'village' band. He became somewhat of a personality in the local area Salvation Army and was an established soloist when he was called-up for National service in the Army. He was quickly taken into the Band of the Royal Army Medical Corps and during his time with this band sat down on the cornet desks with some other players who were to make their name in music, Jimmy Shepard, Neville Griffiths, Charles Dove and also in the band at that time was Keith Whitmore, (currently the Tadley Band Deputy Conductor), who later played with many of the top orchestras on French Horn and Gareth Morgan who went to Morris Motors Band.

After leaving the Royal Army Medical Corps, Gordon went to Morris Motors who at that time were under the baton of Harry Mortimer. However, after a short time in 'civvy street' he re-enlisted into the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst Band Corps where he was the Band Sergent Major. Gordon was the Musical Director of the Tadley Band from 1969 to his retirement in 1999. Through his patience and hard work, he brough the band up to the standard it is today. The Tadley Band has a known history dating back to 1875 when it was a church band which played at gospel meetings. As it progressed it became more secular in its outlook and between the two world wars travelled to many contests and had many victories.

Since the last war the band has further progressed, winning the National Finals (3rd Section) in the 1960's and took part in the National Finals (2nd Section) two years running. In 1982 the band was promoted to the Championship Section, competing in the highest grade of Brass Band competition.

The band still enjoys its concerts work and has over the years appeared in many places in the South of England and given concerts with such people as Roy Castle, Don Lusher, George Chisholm and Alan Randall. The band has taken a great interest in the town-twinning in Basingstoke and has twice been to Alencon in Normandy France, which is one of Basingstoke's Twin Towns, to give concerts and take part in celebrations.

This page was last modified on 09 April 2006