Band of the WMFS

Steph’s kindness and wisdom is limitless, and her dedication to the Band is second to none. And this is all on top of being a marvellous clarinet player too! Thank you for all you do for the Band, Steph! (4/4)

Steph has expertly led all aspects of the Band’s management as Chair since 2012 (and been on the committee since 2010!), providing logistical support to gigs and rehearsals, as well as pastoral support to all of our members. (3/4)

As we finish reflecting on 2024, there is one final member of the Band to highlight before we turn our attention to 2025, and that is our incredible Chair, Steph Hyde. (1/4)

Alice Britton was awarded Band Member of the Year for her limitless energy, enthusiasm, brainpower and imagination! She has taken an active part in many projects and initiatives, often taking the lead. Thank you both and congratulations. 📷 Claire Hyde

Here are the two very deserving recipients of the Band awards, presented at our 2025 AGM last night. Helen Roper was awarded Band Musician of the Year for her excellent standard of playing and her impressive commitment to the Band, the clarinet section and the Clarinet Ensemble.

In lieu of a wrap up video of the whole year (coming April!), I’m sharing a few photos from our two anniversary concerts highlight reels - the definite highlights of BWMFS’s 2024! (2/2)

Tonight was our AGM, a time for us to look back at the last year and reflect on everything the Band has achieved. And we’ve had quite a special year celebrating our 40th anniversary (and we’re going to eek that out until April!!). (1/2)

Wishing you all a very merry Christmas to everyone celebrating today, from all of us here at BWMFS! 🎄🎅🏼🎁

This was our final event of the year, and a full run down of our 40th anniversary year will be following, but we’ve still got two more rehearsals before breaking until the New Year 🎅🏼 📷 Claire Hyde #music #westmidlandsfireservice #concert #birmingham

We’ve had a lovely afternoon, playing at the West Midlands Fire Service Carol Service. This is one of our favourite gigs to support and always gets us into the festive spirit 🎄 📷 Claire Hyde

Unfortunately the lantern parade round Wolverhampton we were meant to be supporting on Saturday has been cancelled. However, we will still be at the West Midlands Fire Service Carol Service at St Martin in the Bullring on Sunday (8 December). wmfs.net/events/brigade…

And next week, we’re out carolling in Wolverhampton in Saturday and then taking part in the West Midlands Fire Service Carol Service at St Martin in the Bullring on Sunday. Check out our website for details of both events bwmfs.org/upcoming-events

On Friday night, the Band wrapped up tightly, put on our Christmas hats and went to play some carols to entertain those sleeping out at St Basils Charity Big Sleep Out. We support this event every year, and always have a great time, despite the cold! 📷: Ewan Hamnett

The Band have got a busy weekend coming up, with two very important gigs! On Saturday, we’ll be providing light entertainment for a private event. And on Sunday, we’ll be out in Dudley (@dudleymbc) for Remembrance Sunday, leading the parade. #birmingham #dudley #remembranceday

*OPEN REHEARSAL CANCELLED* Unfortunately, tonight’s (9 October) Open Rehearsal is CANCELLED. This is due to high rates of COVID within the band. Please accept our apologies and we hope to be back next week (16 October) for our next open rehearsal. 📧: managerbwmfs@gmail.com

🗓️When: Saturday 5th October 🚪Where: Shirley Methodist Church 🥁Show Starts: 7.30pm 🎟️Tickets: £12 🎟️Over 60s/Students: £10; 16 and under: Free Tickets can be bought on the door or at ticketsource.co.uk/bwmfs #birmingham #shirley #concert #music 📸: Nigel Gambles Photography

This was a march composed for the Band of the West Midlands Fire Service, as Forward in Unity is what is on the West Midlands Fire Service crest. If you’re coming, try to spot where it features on our ceremonial uniforms (which is what the Corps of Drums will be wearing!).

Tomorrow is the night! We’re so close to our final anniversary concert now, and we’re all getting excited. We’ll be starting our acts with marches, in order to best feature our Corps of Drums. One of the marches we’ll be playing is Forward In Unity.

🗓️When: Saturday 5th October 🚪Where: Shirley Methodist Church 🥁Show Starts: 7.30pm 🎟️Tickets: £12 🎟️Over 60s/Students: £10; 16 and under: Free Tickets can be bought on the door or here: ticketsource.co.uk/bwmfs (3/3) #birmingham #shirley #concert #music

We’ll be holding a raffle and retiring collection for them, so please bring some spare change on Saturday to support this worthy cause. And if you want to find out more about the charity, head to their website: bch.org.uk (2/3)

Our chosen charity for this concert is Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity. They are a marvellous charity, making big differences to the lives of the patients and families receiving care at Birmingham Children’s Hospital. (1/3)