Performer Profile
Gloucester Excelsior Band
In 1953, four trombone players (George and Bill Sparkes, Peter Hopkins and Maurice Hawken) formed a quartet to take part in contests and were immediately successful, winning 47 cups from 52 contests.
A few years later, the quartet decided to form a full brass band, calling it the Gloucester British Legion Band, although this name soon changed to Glevum Brass. Eight years later the name was changed finally to Gloucester Excelsior Band.
The current band is made up of amateur players from across Gloucestershire, with ages ranging from 12 to 87 (Bill Sparkes remains a member of the band, playing Bass trombone at age 87). Their Musical Director is Sue Mills who has been leading the band for the last six years. She is a local music teacher and has a strong involvement with a number of Gloucestershire brass bands.
