User:Dashman71

The Virtuosi GUS Band is a world-famous brass band, based in Northampton, England. Originally known as the Munn and Felton Works Band, it was formed by Fred Felton in 1933 in Kettering, England. Since then, the band has won many prizes and competitions over the years.

History
On 2 January 1933, the Northamptonshire Evening Telegraph reported the formation of the Munn and Felton Works Brass Band. In that article, Mr Fred Felton, co-managing director of the firm, said: "We are out to make it the finest combination in the country, and to make it a contesting band of note throughout the country". Two years later the new band were champions of Great Britain. Since then, under the names of Munn and Felton, GUS (Footwear), The GUS Band, Rigid Containers Group Band, Travelsphere Holidays Band and now the Virtuosi GUS Band, the band has travelled Britain, Europe and America, appearing in concert halls, on television and radio , and has released many records and CDs.

Major Honours
The band's contesting successes include winning 1 World Championship, 6 British National Championships, 2 British Open Championships, and 11 Midlands Championship titles.

Musical Directors
The following list of resident and guest conductors is compiled from past contest results.

Notable Players

 * Peter Collins - current principal cornet.
 * Mark Giles - current principal euphonium.


 * Alan Morrison - cornet.
 * Bert Sullivan - euphonium.
 * Brian Grant - cornet.
 * Chris Jeans - trombone.
 * David Read MBE - cornet.
 * Gary Fountain - soprano.
 * James Fountain - cornet.
 * Jim Scott - cornet.
 * John Berryman - cornet.
 * John Cobley - horn.
 * Trevor Groom - euphonium.

Partial Discography
The band has released over 50 albums, a selection of which are listed here:
 * A Mingled Chime
 * Bandology
 * British Bandstand
 * Bandstand (volumes 1 to 10)
 * Brass in Perspective
 * Celebration Golden Jubilee
 * European Journey
 * In a Tribute to Eric Ball
 * Journeys in Brass
 * Kings of Brass
 * Rhapsody in Blue - with Don Lusher OBE Soloist
 * Travelling Light
 * The World Champions Play Test Pieces for Brass

Video Clips

 * The Contestor by T. J. Powell
 * Norwegian Dance No.2 by Edvard Grieg
 * Malaguena
 * Australasian March, played at the Whit Friday Marches at Dobcross in 1992
 * Porgy and Bess by George Gershwin, played at Regents Park, London in 1997
 * Spanish Dance by Andrew Wainwright, played at the Butlins Mineworkers Championships in 2010
 * Rusalka's Song to the Moon, played by Thomas Fountain (aged 15) at the Butlins Mineworkers Championships in 2012