THE Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service (DSFRS) Concert Band is delighted to be performing at Crediton Parish Church in support of the Church Music Endowment Fund from 7.30pm on Saturday, March 18.

The DSFRS Concert Band was established in May 1994 to augment the existing Corps of Drums; many of the original members were serving and retired Fire and Rescue Service personnel and their families.

The Concert Band currently comprises more than 40 members, including former professional musicians, as well as skilled amateurs from the broader local community.

The band performs a varied repertoire, including military marches, classical pieces, big band classics, pop and ragtime numbers, medleys from films and musicals, as well as contemporary music.

It performs across Devon and Somerset throughout the year and is proud to represent the Fire Service in events.

It regularly supports both the Firefighters Charity and other local charities such as FORCE and Hospiscare at open days, fêtes, concerts etc., both as the full Concert Band and as smaller Wind and Brass Ensembles. 

The Concert Band is very fortunate that its principal conductor and supporting conductors are former Royal Marines bandsmen and a former British Army bandsman, who have each brought their professionalism, knowledge, inspiration, encouragement and fun to the Band.

Karen Reed, one of the adult choristers from Holy Cross Church and a regular member of the Band, will be playing flute and singing a vocal solo accompanied by the Band.

You are warmly invited to go along and enjoy this uplifting Spring Concert.  It promises to be a very jolly, toe tapping affair. 

Interval drinks will be on sale, a glass of wine £3, Elderflower cordial £1 – cash preferred please. Tickets £10 (Under 16s free), available online from TicketSource or Card / Cash on the Door. The Crediton Parish Church Music Endowment Fund was established in 2009 to give awards, by way of grants to the choristers and musicians connected with Holy Cross.  It can be awarded more than once to further enhance the musical education of all ages to encourage them with instrumental or singing lessons.  The fund was also established to help pay for existing or newly established choral and organ scholarships and to supplement Parochial Church Council expenditure on the Director of Music and the Assistant Organist. 

The Endowment Fund appreciates the support of audiences who enable it to build up its Trust Fund to make these annual awards.

The charity has been lucky enough to receive some generous legacies from wills.  If anyone is drafting a will and would like to continue to support and encourage the youngsters of the church with their musical education, please do think of the Church Music Endowment Fund. 

If there are any members or parents of the Church musical community who wish to put someone forward, please ask the Director of Music ([email protected]) for a form and return your application by June each year which will be considered by the Trustees for approval.