Ensembles
Kris is an active "gigging" musician as well as a teacher and is proud to organise and perform for a number of ensembles in the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley Area. Here are a few of the ensembles that Kris plays for or conducts.
Big Bands
FOREST LITTLE BIG BAND
"A REALLY FINE BAND WITH A REALLY DEEP SENSE OF RHYTHM, GREAT TROMBONE, TENOR & KIT SOLOISTS & AN INFECTIOUS SENSE OF ENJOYMENT" Gwyn Parry-Jones & Sarah Freeman, National Festival of Music For Youth adjudicators
FOREST LITTLE BIG BAND is a Youth Big Band for young musicians aged 11 and over who reside in the Forest of Dean District, the Wye Valley and all surrounding areas.
FLBB was formed in March 2011 and made its public debut at the Made in the Forest Gala Concert on 2nd July 2011 at the Royal Forest of Dean Theatre.
The band is directed by Kris Symonds and consists of saxophones (alto, tenor and baritone), trumpets, trombones (tenor & bass), piano, guitar, bass guitar, drums and percussion and usually meets once a month from 7.30 - 9.00 on a Thursday evening. Wherever possible, we avoid performing in public during school and university exam periods in order to keep "term-time commitment" to a minimum. Everyone is welcome as membership is open to anyone - simply send Kris an email to tell us a bit about yourself and to arrange to pop along to a rehearsal!
The FLBB has represented the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley region at the National Festival of Music of Youth 2012 in the Open Jazz Category and is available for private bookings for parties etc. We are also very happy to perform for local organisations and charities within Gloucestershire. Have a look at our Gallery to see us in action.
If you'd like to book the band for your event please Kris a call on 01594 562778 to chat over your requirements.
FOREST LITTLE BIG BAND is a Youth Big Band for young musicians aged 11 and over who reside in the Forest of Dean District, the Wye Valley and all surrounding areas.
FLBB was formed in March 2011 and made its public debut at the Made in the Forest Gala Concert on 2nd July 2011 at the Royal Forest of Dean Theatre.
The band is directed by Kris Symonds and consists of saxophones (alto, tenor and baritone), trumpets, trombones (tenor & bass), piano, guitar, bass guitar, drums and percussion and usually meets once a month from 7.30 - 9.00 on a Thursday evening. Wherever possible, we avoid performing in public during school and university exam periods in order to keep "term-time commitment" to a minimum. Everyone is welcome as membership is open to anyone - simply send Kris an email to tell us a bit about yourself and to arrange to pop along to a rehearsal!
The FLBB has represented the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley region at the National Festival of Music of Youth 2012 in the Open Jazz Category and is available for private bookings for parties etc. We are also very happy to perform for local organisations and charities within Gloucestershire. Have a look at our Gallery to see us in action.
If you'd like to book the band for your event please Kris a call on 01594 562778 to chat over your requirements.
Brass Bands & Ensembles
PILLOWELL SILVER BAND
photo by Rebecca Cox
Pillowell Silver Band has been around for a while and is still thriving. With a strong contingent of local players from Pillowell and surrounding areas along with a fast growing junior band the future of brass in this corner of the forest looks bright indeed.
We are always looking to strengthen the band and welcome people of all standards and backgrounds. Many of our players have joined the band after long breaks from playing, others have relocated to the area and found the band a great way to get into music in the area and make new friends.
If you have moved to the area, or are looking to return to playing after a gap, we would love to hear from you. We welcome players who fit into our happy team, if you are interested then please call the MD Ian on 07894 998225. We rehearse on Tuesdays at 7.30pm and Fridays at 7.00pm in our band room which is situated right in the heart of the forest (literally!)
Pillowell Silver Band are also very proud to have a flourishing training band. The PSB Training Band meets on a Wednesday evening at 6.45pm and consists of both adults and children who are learning the art of banding together. Don't worry if you don't own an instrument as we loan instruments to our players who need them so please do get in touch if you'd like to join.
For more information visit the Pillowell Silver Band website
We are always looking to strengthen the band and welcome people of all standards and backgrounds. Many of our players have joined the band after long breaks from playing, others have relocated to the area and found the band a great way to get into music in the area and make new friends.
If you have moved to the area, or are looking to return to playing after a gap, we would love to hear from you. We welcome players who fit into our happy team, if you are interested then please call the MD Ian on 07894 998225. We rehearse on Tuesdays at 7.30pm and Fridays at 7.00pm in our band room which is situated right in the heart of the forest (literally!)
Pillowell Silver Band are also very proud to have a flourishing training band. The PSB Training Band meets on a Wednesday evening at 6.45pm and consists of both adults and children who are learning the art of banding together. Don't worry if you don't own an instrument as we loan instruments to our players who need them so please do get in touch if you'd like to join.
For more information visit the Pillowell Silver Band website
A BLAST OF BRASS
Based in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, A Blast of Brass are a group of experienced musicians. A brass quartet A Blast of Brass offer something completely different for your event, be it a wedding, celebration party or corporate function.
With a varied selection of popular and classical music A Blast of Brass can tailor the repertoire to suit your taste. Recent events include performing for selected guests at a country house hotel in the Wye Valley, a 100th Birthday Party, a wedding at Clearwell Castle and an appearance on stage at the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff.
In addition to corporate events, weddings, hotels and Country houses, A Blast of Brass can provide full evening or afternoon chamber music recitals for any occasion.
For further information visit A Blast of Brass
With a varied selection of popular and classical music A Blast of Brass can tailor the repertoire to suit your taste. Recent events include performing for selected guests at a country house hotel in the Wye Valley, a 100th Birthday Party, a wedding at Clearwell Castle and an appearance on stage at the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff.
In addition to corporate events, weddings, hotels and Country houses, A Blast of Brass can provide full evening or afternoon chamber music recitals for any occasion.
For further information visit A Blast of Brass
Wind Bands
FOREST OF DEAN AREA WIND BAND
Kris is the former director of the highly decorated Forest of Dean Area Wind Band, which caters for all brass, woodwind and percussion players aged 7 and over. During Kris's time as director the band grew from a membership of 18 to 68 players and was able to branch out to include a Starter Band, Junior Wind Band, Senior Wind Band, Brass Band, Brass Ensembles, Wind Ensembles, Percussion Ensemble and even a Big Band. All of these groups performed at the Regional Festival of Music For Youth annually. The Junior Wind Band, Brass Band and Senior Wind Band have been selected for the National Festival of Music for Youth (NFMY) on numerous occassions during Kris's tenure.
Forest of Dean Area Wind Band has also recorded two CD's under Kris's watchful eye - Pride of the Forest in 2005 and Oregon in 2010. Kris relinquished the position of Director of Forest of Dean Area Wind Band in September 2014 when she was honoured to hand over the leadership to former student and dedicated FODAWB ex-member Sam Davis.
Forest of Dean Area Wind Band has also recorded two CD's under Kris's watchful eye - Pride of the Forest in 2005 and Oregon in 2010. Kris relinquished the position of Director of Forest of Dean Area Wind Band in September 2014 when she was honoured to hand over the leadership to former student and dedicated FODAWB ex-member Sam Davis.
