Two of Shipston’s homegrown talents, Luke Barker and Alec Banner, had an incredible day on Saturday when their current band, Flowers from Gloucester, became National Champions at the National Brass Band Championships at the Royal Albert Hall.
The test piece “Harrison’s Dream” was composed by Peter Graham and celebrates the work of John Harrison, an English carpenter and clockmaker who invented the marine chronometer. This thrilling piece led the band to be placed ahead of well-known bands such as Black Dyke and Fodens. The band also achieved 2nd place at the British Open Championship held in September at Symphony Hall in Birmingham, where the only band to beat them was the European Champions Treize Etoiles from Switzerland.
Both Luke and Alec started their musical journey in Shipston Junior Band. They both advanced to the National Children’s Band and the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain. Luke, who is the Principal Cornet of Flowers, was also the Principal Cornet of both bands. Alec, who plays both cornet and percussion, has performed with both bands and will be one of the leading percussionists on their next year’s courses. He was awarded the Percussion Prize on this year’s courses and is currently helping to develop the current group of youngsters at Shipston.