Six months after launching its ambitious 45@45 anniversary celebrations, the Corsham Windband Association (CWA) can look back on one of the busiest and most successful periods in its 45-year history.
Since celebrating its landmark anniversary concert in March, the charity has delivered an extraordinary programme of concerts, school performances, workshops and community events, while continuing to expand its music education projects across Wiltshire. The result has been a remarkable celebration of community music-making involving hundreds of performers and audiences numbering in the thousands across the events.
The year began in spectacular fashion with CWA’s 45th Anniversary Concert, which brought together 143 musicians from across the organisation and attracted an audience of more than 400 people. The concert showcased performers ranging from complete beginners to advanced musicians and demonstrated the Association’s philosophy that music is for everyone, regardless of age or experience.
Since then, the Association has barely paused for breath. Members have performed at a wide variety of community events, including the Corsham 10K run, CorFest “Music Festival for All”, local town and school festivals and numerous school performances. One unforgettable highlight came at Middlewick House, where CWA musicians performed a Pink Floyd Medley in front of Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason himself—an experience few young musicians are ever likely to forget. CWA Voices also received widespread praise for their performances from popular musicals, adding another dimension to the Association’s expanding musical programme. Such has been the growth in participation in CWA bands that July’s annual concert had to be divided into morning and afternoon performances, allowing all five of the CWA ensembles the opportunity to shine.
Behind the performances lies an educational programme that continues to grow year on year. CWA’s Primary School Music Development Project has now reached around 1,000 children across 12 primary schools since January 2024, introducing young people to instrumental music and providing clear pathways into bands and ensembles. Feedback from schools has been overwhelmingly positive, describing the organisation as “professional”, “supportive” and “an excellent partner”, while parents have expressed their appreciation for the opportunities offered to their children, giving them a real sense of “belonging”. Young musicians themselves speak enthusiastically about the enjoyment of learning an instrument, making friends and belonging to a band with their peers. Further growth is planned from September onwards.
One area enjoying particularly strong growth is the Association’s string programme. Violin tuition is now established in four schools, with further expansion planned for the coming academic year. More than half of participating pupils have chosen to continue after their initial whole-class tuition, with some now progressing into individual lessons and preparing for their first music examinations. The String Group itself has flourished, covering repertoire from Baroque music to contemporary works and welcoming a wider range of string instruments.
None of this would be possible without substantial community support. During the first half of 2026, CWA secured grants and donations from a wide range of organisations including Corsham Town Council, Ronnie Scott’s Foundation, Wiltshire Council Area Boards, Wiltshire Music Connect Legacy Fund, Wiltshire and Swindon Community Foundation, local charities and parish councils, together with generous support from philanthropists, local businesses and community fundraising initiatives. This funding enables the Association to purchase instruments, provide expert teaching, commission music and ensure that financial circumstances never become a barrier to participation. As the organisation continues to grow and reaches ever more young people, securing ongoing funding and sponsorship will remain essential if this valuable work is to continue and develop in the years ahead.
Looking ahead, the anniversary year is far from over. In October, CWA will host a two-day residential music course at Braeside Educational Centre in Devizes for members of its Beginner Windband, Training Band and String Group. Combining intensive rehearsals, ensemble coaching, creative workshops, outdoor activities and a final concert for families, the residential promises another memorable milestone in an already exceptional anniversary year.
The celebrations will continue well into next year with another exciting opportunity for the Association’s young musicians. During the Easter holidays, members of the CWA Youth Concert Band will travel to London for a three-day musical tour, performing at some of the capital’s most iconic venues. The highlight will undoubtedly be a concert in the magnificent surroundings of St Paul’s Cathedral, complemented by performances in Covent Garden Piazza and, subject to final confirmation, at the Southbank Centre. As well as sharing their music with new audiences, the tour will provide an unforgettable experience for the young players and a fitting culmination to the Association’s 45th anniversary celebrations.
Reflecting on the achievements of recent months, Founder and Musical Director Dame Sonia Blandford paid tribute to the dedication of the Association’s teaching team, committee, volunteers, parents and families, but reserved her greatest praise for the players themselves. From complete beginners to Grade 8 and university-level musicians, she said, their enthusiasm and commitment continue to make the entire organisation proud.