Sovereign
History
Sovereign Brass were formed in Smethwick, in the Black Country, in 1987. After four successive Midland Area wins, the band became an established Championship Section band and were ranked 25th in the world by December 1992. Winning the inaugural French Open contest in 1996 was a major high point in the band’s history, as was winning the Pontins Championships in 1996 and 2008, the latter under the baton of Major Peter Parkes in his last contest victory. The band has represented the Midlands at the Championship Section finals twice, in 1992 and 2005. The band now rehearses in Wednesbury, still in the Black Country, and has successfully rebuilt after Covid reduced numbers to single figures.
With new Musical Director, Alan Gifford, at the helm the band recently won the Midlands Area (First Section) and followed that by winning the inaugural ConsTest competition at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, beating competition from Championship section bands in the process. The band is very active in the local Black Country community, performing regularly at charity events and building a following with its self-promoted and themed concerts. This year has also seen the band record its second CD – “A Right Royal Christmas with Sovereign Brass” – due for release in the late autumn.
Principal Players
Soprano Cornet – Vicky Flint
Principal Cornet – Karl Slater
Repiano Cornet - Vakarė Gikytė
Flugel Horn – Rebekah Lock
Solo Horn – Robert Allen
Solo Euphonium – Steve Parsons
Solo Baritone – Annabel Whitmore
Solo Trombone – Ian Brailsford Solo
EEb Bass – Phil Green Solo
BBb Bass – Brett Wharton
Lead Percussionist – Noa Dewally
