In 1921, the amalgamation of the Excelsior Prize Band and the Town Band in Soham, lead to the formation of Soham Comrades Brass Band. Under the musical leadership of Fred Talbot, the first conductor of Soham Comrades, the band developed a reputation for high quality, musical performance. This high standard was reflected by success in a number of major contests, including becoming the "Champions of East Anglia", a title the band has won on numerous occasions since. After more than fifty years with the band, Talbot passed on the role of musical director to Ray Boulter, formerly the principle cornet with the band. There are many tales of the early years of Soham Comrades, mostly courtesy of Don Page. He recalls a performance at the old Winter Gardens Glass House, Great Yarmouth, where the band were playing 'The Hawaiian Samba', and he and two drummers had decided to add grass skirts and bras to the uniform and dance at the front 'marracas and all'. The band could hardly play for the laughter but a smile appeared on Fred's face, the band restarted and they were received with rapturous applause!
Standards continued to improve, with the band rapidly achieving promotion from the third section of the National Brass Band Championships to the second section. In 1992 Andrew Keirl became musical director leading the band to victory in the championship section of the Cambridge Championships in 1994 - a title which the band still retain, the contest having been suspended in 1999.
In 1996 Paul Filby, formerly principle trombone with the GUS band (now known as the Travelsphere Holidays Band), was appointed as musical director. In 1998 Paul lead the band into the Championship section of the National Brass Band Championships and saw that position consolidated in regional contests, with the band finishing fourth in 2002 and 2003. In 2002 the band were selected to compete for the Senior Trophy in Blackpool and have subsequently done very well in this competition, coming tenth in 2004.
One of the best things about Soham Comrades is the fun everyone has. In 1996, the Band completed a ten-day tour of Hungary, representing England in the Zenit ‘96 music festival, gaining 1st prize for the most entertaining performance. Concert performances were also given in Szeged (twin town of Cambridge) and Sanders Palace in Budapest. In 1999, they were chosen from some 200 applicants to perform alongside a star-studded cast in the stage adaptation of Brassed Off, held at the Cambridge Arts Theatre.
The band remained in the top flight of brass banding from 1999 to 2007. In 2007 the band were unsuccessful in the area championship and were relegated. However, in 2008 they will be competing in the first section under their new musical director, Graham Sheldon and will be striving to return to the Championship section as soon as possible!
As East Anglia's most successful brass band, Soham Comrades finds itself in high demand to perform in local venues, a demand which has seen concerts in local churches, Cambridge Colleges and Ely Cathedral as well as at numerous local events. In addition the band produced a CD, 'Comrades in Concert' under the directorship of Paul Filby which is still available on sale at our frequent concerts and at Soham Bookshop (38 High Street, Soham, Cambs), World of Brass (139 Mill Road, Cambridge) and at www.justbrass.co.uk. Alternatively, contact us and we'll post you a copy.
© Soham Comrades Band 2007