April 2025 — A Celebration of Community, Culture and Collaboration
The Corsham Windband Association (CWA) recently returned from a vibrant and musically rich three-day tour of Cornwall, held from 7th to 9th April 2025. The tour, grounded in the spirit of community music-making, brought together ensembles from Wiltshire and Cornwall for a series of memorable concerts across some of the region’s most iconic locations.
The tour began with a rousing send-off in Corsham Town Hall, where a packed audience enjoyed a pre-tour concert featuring the Training Band, Spectrum Band and Youth Concert Band (YCB). Guest vocalist Amy Cater delivered a moving rendition of Cornwall My Home, setting the tone for a tour steeped in local tradition and heartfelt performances.
Upon arrival in Cornwall, CWA’s first official concert took place at the awe-inspiring Truro Cathedral. In collaboration with the St Austell Youth Band—ranked third nationally—the Cornwall Children’s Choir, and the City of Truro Male Choir, the combined forces of around 130 musicians delivered an afternoon of spectacular music. Highlights included joint performances of The Greatest Showman, Coldplay Medley, and a show-stopping finale of Cornwall My Home conducted by the song’s arranger, Matt Douglas. The concert drew an audience of approximately 500, a testament to the region’s enduring love of live music.
The tour continued with a lunchtime concert at Lands’ End on Tuesday 8th April. With the dramatic Cornish coastline as a backdrop, the band entertained tourists and walkers alike, showcasing a dynamic repertoire ranging from The Incredibles to Disco Lives. Later that evening, the ensemble took to the stage at Camborne Wesley Methodist Church for a joint performance with the Cornwall Youth Choir and Truro Male Choir. Though the audience was smaller, the concert proved no less inspiring, with performers demonstrating versatility across a mix of classical, jazz, pop and musical theatre genres.
The final day featured a performance at the Wheal Martyn Clay Works in St Austell, where the band played to passing visitors and staff amid the historic museum setting. This final concert was followed by a guided tour, allowing the young musicians and their families to learn more about Cornwall’s industrial heritage.
Throughout the tour, CWA musicians were supported by a dedicated team of volunteers, and comfortably based at the YHA Penzance. The carefully coordinated itinerary ensured not only smooth travel but also opportunities for cultural enrichment and peer-to-peer musical exchange. With energy and flair, the CWA band performed to close to 2,000 people during their whirlwind tour—leaving a musical imprint from Truro Cathedral to the edge of Lands’ End.
Sonia Blandford, Musical Director of the Corsham Windband Association, reflected on the success of the tour: “This was a true celebration of what community music can achieve. The warmth of our Cornish hosts, the musical excellence of our partners, and the energy of our young players made for an unforgettable experience.”
The tour not only offered CWA members a chance to showcase their talents but also reinforced lasting musical partnerships with some of Cornwall’s finest youth and adult ensembles. As expressed by John Larke of the City of Truro Male Choir, “It was great to see the enthusiasm and skill range of your players and to make music with you all.”
For more about the Corsham Windband Association and upcoming events, visit: https://corshamwindband.org/events-2025/.