Band's invitation to 80th birthday.MEMBERS of one of the country's best known scout bands are calling for old friends to join them in celebrating their 80th birthday. The 13th Coventry Scout Band, who have played to audiences across Europe, are holding an evening of entertainment in November and would like all old members to get in touch. The band, which has its headquarters in Parkville Highway, Holbrooks, was formed in 1929 by Harry Stinchcombe. Over the years they have performed at all the country's big venues, including Windsor Castle Windsor Castle: see under Windsor, England. Windsor Castle Principal British royal residence, on the River Thames in Windsor, Berkshire, southern England. , Westminster Abbey Westminster Abbey, originally the abbey church of a Benedictine monastery (closed in 1539) in London. One of England's most important Gothic structures, it is also a national shrine. The first church on the site is believed to date from early in the 7th cent. and the London Guild Hall. In 1972 they released an LP of their music called Avant Garde. Dean Cowell, of Bagshaw Close, Ryton-onDunsmore, joined the band when he was 11 and plays the marimba marimba: see xylophone. marimba Xylophone with resonators under each bar. The original African instrument uses tuned calabash resonators. In Mexico and Central America, where it was brought by African slaves, the wooden bars may be affixed to a , a type of xylophone xylophone (zī`ləfōn) [Gr.,=wood sound], musical instrument having graduated wooden slabs that are struck by the player with small, hard mallets. The slabs are usually arranged like a keyboard, and the range varies from two to four octaves. . He said: "I have been playing with the band for 42 years. Training the kids, all the engagements we have done and the places we have been has kept my interest in the band. "It is one of the few bands in the country that have lasted that long and are very famous throughout the country." The party will take place at the Jaguar Social Club in Radford on Saturday, November 21. Tickets are pounds 11.50, which includes a buffet and music from singer Debbie Miles. Mr Cowell can be contacted on 024 7630 2678. CAPTION(S): CELEBRATING... The 13th Coventry Scout Band from 1974 (above) and (right) bandmaster Roy Nowell goes through the music with Dean Cowell at rehearsals in 1981. The band is one of the best known and longest in existence in the country. |
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