Saint Sebastian Wokingham Band
ABOUT THE BAND
Formed in 1931 by Frank Every, the grandfather of SCABA Vice President Norman Every, St Sebastian Wokingham Band has grown into a vibrant, inclusive, and dynamic first-section band. Known for its hard work, camaraderie, and passion for music, the band competes in three major contests annually, including the Regional Competition (London and Southern Counties) and local events organized by SCABA and ODBBA. Every other year, the band takes part in the iconic Whit Friday Marches in Saddleworth, showcasing its talent on a national stage.
Beyond contesting, the band’s calendar is packed with exciting events, including Summer and Winter concerts, community fetes, Remembrance services, the Wokingham Torchlight Fireworks Parade, and other civic celebrations. In recent years, the band has delighted audiences with sell-out performances of The Snowman and Wallace and Gromit’s A Grand Day Out during their Christmas concerts, cementing their reputation for innovative and engaging live shows. Deeply rooted in the local community, the band actively supports St Sebastian’s Church and Primary School, where they rehearse twice a week and participate in regular events.
Timeline of Achievements and Milestones
2026 - 2nd place and Best Cornet for Michael Bird in the First Section at the ODBBA Winter Contest February 28th.
2025 - 1st Year playing in the First Section. 2nd place and Best Cornet for Michael Bird at the ODBBA Winter Contest February 23rd. A respectable 9th place at the London and Southern Counties Regional Championships. 3rd place overall, Entertainment prize, Best Compare prize for Leighton Cornelius at the ODBBA Entertainment Contest, playing an ambitious programme across genres depicting the Gresford Mining Disaster.
The band performed within the gardens of Westminster Gardens for their Brass on the Grass season during the summer, as wells as putting on a great Summer Concert titled 'Celts and Queen' and one of the bands most viral videos of John Watts breaking out as Freddie Mercury in ‘I want to Break Free’.
Saints brought back the Snowman and had a sell-out performance of our first showing of Wallace and Gromit's 'A Grand Day Out'.
2024 - 3rd place at the SCABA spring contest and 1st place in the London and Southern Counties Regional contest (Second Section), qualifying for the National Finals and promotion to the First Section under the direction of John Watts. The band are back at Whit Friday for a consecutive year.
The band had the honour of leading the "Heroes Return" parade celebrating the British and Paralympic rowers through Henley on the 21st September.
2023 - 3rd place at the SCABA spring contest and the band return to the Whit Friday Marches after not attending since 2015. During an already busy engagement year the band also put on three concerts: Cats and Coronations in June, showcasing their Entertainment Contest repertoire as well as celebrating the Kings Coronation. 1st place as well as recieving the Best Percussion prize and Best Soprano Cornet for Llewellyn Wells at the ODBBA Entertainment contest in October and bring back The Snowman for two successful performances in December.
2022 - The band bring back The Snowman in December for a sell-out performance!
2020 - As the world was put in Lockdown due to Covid 19, members of the band played for the NHS on their doorsteps with countless other players across the country. The Band also did some recordings; each member recording themselves at home to a click track and this being put together and aired on social media.
2019 - The Band, under the direction of John Watts premiers the Christmas showing of The Snowman in Wokingham at the Wokingham Baptist Church. This was such a success that the Band have continued to perform this every Christmas post Covid Lockdown increasing the showings to two.
2018 - 2nd place in the London and Southern Counties Regional contest (Second Section) qualifying for the National Finals under the direction of John Watts.
2016 - 2nd place in the London and Southern Counties Regional contest (Second Section) qualifying for the National Finals under the direction of Lee Woodward.
2011 - Best 2nd section band at the Greenfield contest at the Whit Friday Marches.
2009 - 1st place in the London and Southern Counties Regional contest (Third Section) qualifying for the National Finals in Harrogate with a promotion to the Second Section. Best 3rd section band at the Diggle contest at the Whit Friday Marches under the direction of Lee Woodward.
First year supporting the Matla Day celebrations in Westminster Cathedral Hall and playing during the procession of the statue of II-Bambina. The band would continue to support this wonderful celebration of Maltese culture up till COVID.
2007 - The Band introduced two new awards: Musician of the Year (chosen by the Musical Director) and Bandsman of the Year (Band members’ choice).
2006 - the Band celebrated its 75th anniversary with a gala concert, new regalia and a formal association with Wokingham Town Council. The inaugural Mayor’s annual Charity Concert was held at Wokingham Theatre.
2005 - 3rd place in the London and Southern Counties Regional contest (Third Section) qualifying for the National Finals in Harrogate under the direction of Dave Richards.
2004 - Founder member and our longest serving Musical Director (26 years), Alan Clacey, passed away in June, aged 88. Alan was present from the very first meeting held in the St Sebastian Parish Hall on the 28th of August 1931, and he was our Bandmaster from 1953 to 1979.
2000 - 2nd place in the London and Southern Counties Regional contest (Fourth Section) qualifying for the National Finals at the The Royal Albert Hall and promotion to the Third Section under the direction of Bruce Gentry.
1999 - 2nd place in the London and Southern Counties Regional contest (Fourth Section) qualifying to play at the National Finals in Nottingham making 4th place and got 1st place 4th Section band at the Greenfield contest at the Whit Friday Marches under the directio of Bruce Gentry.
1998 - 1st place in both the SCABA spring and Autumn Contests (Third Section) under the direction of Derek Holland.
1997 - 15th place in the Third Section being demoted to the fourth section under the direction of Derek Holland.
1985 - First contest with the London and Southern Counties Regional contest in Third Section under the direction of A. Osborn.
1984 - After a consistent run in the Fourth section the band were promoted to Third section under the direction of Dave Grimshaw.
1978 - The band became formally known as St Sebastian Wokingham Band rather than the parish band.
16th in the regional contest in 3rd section, being demoted to 4th section under the direction of B. McGrath. J. Weeks took the band to the Shaw Social Club (Newbury) contest and came 2nd place in the Second section.
1975 - Ian Peake, a promising teenage member of the band on 1st Baritone was sadly killed in a motorcycle accident. A soloist contest (sponsored by Ian’s parents) was organised in his memory with the aim of encouraging young players to play in public. This competition continued through to 2003.
1968 - The Band was promoted to the 3rd section. There were 33 players on the books.
1967 - 1st place at the Reading contest and 2nd in the regional contest (4th Section) at Watford, qualifying for the Finals under the direction of Alan Clacey.
1961 - 2nd place in the regional contest (4th section qualifying for a place at the National Championships and 3rd place at the SCABA Spring contest under the direction of Alan Clacey.
1958 - Won 7 awards at contests: 3 Firsts, 2 Seconds, 1 Third and 1 Fourth under the Direction of Alan Clacey.
1948 - The band's first major contest success coming 1st place at the Oxford contest in June under the direction of Mr F. Hodges.
1945 - The Band reformed under Mr F. Hodges after the suspension ended.
1942 - On the 17 of March, the committee agreed to put the Band into suspension with the current committee remaining in office. During this period of suspension, a small nucleus of members continued playing together.
1932 - The first business meeting of the St Sebastian Parish Band was held in the Parish Hall on the 21 of September. The Vicar chaired the meeting with 17 members including Frank Every who became the first Bandmaster. This set a precedent since the incumbent vicar at St Sebastian’s Church remains the Band President as well. Subscriptions were set at 2d (2 old pence sterling) per week making the annual subscription 8s/8d (8 Shillings and 8 Pence).
1931 - The Band’s very first meeting was held in the St Sebastian Parish Hall on the 28th of August in response to a request for anyone in the local area who was interested in forming a band to attend. During the meeting some instruments that had been purchased from the Chobham Band were allocated to those present and the St Sebastian Parish Band was formed.
Promoted to 1st Section 2025
