GUS
History
In January 1933, Mr. Fred Felton called a Northants Evening Telegraph reporter to his factory to tell him: “We are going to form a band and we are going to aim high”. Two years later the Munn and Felton Works Band were champions of Great Britain – and a brass band legend was born that has lived on for over 90 years. When Mr. Felton spoke to that reporter from Kettering’s local newspaper, the Northamptonshire Evening Telegraph, he could hardly have known what success the next three quarters of a century would bring. But he started a musical tradition, which is continued by one of the most famous names in the brass band world – GUS.
Under the names of Munn and Felton, GUS (Footwear), The GUS Band, Rigid Containers Group Band, Travelsphere Holidays Band, the Virtuosi GUS Band, then finally the GUS Band the sound of Kettering brass has rung throughout Britain, Europe and America in concert halls, on television and radio and on records and CDs. Thousands have applauded the band in concert, and the Midlanders have dented the Northern pride of Yorkshire and Lancashire, traditionally the home of brass bands, by winning no less than six national titles, the British Open Championships and being proclaimed World Champions.
In 2023, the band celebrated its 90th Anniversary, and also won the Midland Regional Championships for a record 28th time. The band's professional conductor is Dr David Thornton, Head of Brass Band Studies at the Royal Northern College of Music, whilst its resident conductor and Musical Director is Christopher Bond.
Principal Players
Principal Cornet - James Screaton
Principal Euphonium - George Bruce
Soprano Cornet - George Newbould
Flugel - Rhys Cave
Solo Horn - Rob Fleming
Solo Baritone - Andrew Rigby
Solo Trombone - Savannah Bone
Solo Eb Bass - Jen McCausland
Solo Bb Bass - Mark Probert
Principal Percussion - Tim Jones
