The band’s origins
In 1991, three musicians met together once a week to play their brass instruments in the offices of Cambridge Soft Drinks, a company based in the village of Shepreth. By 1993 their numbers had grown, and CSD Brass (Cambridge) was formed by Howard Garner, Managing Director of the company and brother of Wesley, the Musical Director of Solent Concert Band.
Up until September 1998 the band rehearsed regularly in Shepreth. Weekly rehearsals are now held in Cambridge. For many years, the band was better known as Cambridge Soft Drinks Band. Following Howard’s death in May 1999, the members chose to revert to the original name of CSD in his memory, and in 2010, the members voted to also reflect the band’s wide support base and focus on local communities by adding the sobriquet of Cambridge and Surrounding District.
Musical directors
In September 1995, Antoinette Cann (International Duo-Pianist and one of the famous Cann Twins) became the Musical Director of CSD Brass. Toni continued in this role until March 2000. Bill Maddams and Alan Bartle took responsibility of the band until September 2001. Lisa Wright conducted from December 2001 until April 2003. Philip Mead took over in June 2003, but had to take a break due to illness (during which time Alan Egginton and Daryle Taylor conducted). Since his return, we are delighted that he remains our musical director to this day.
Partnerships
The band has been a member of the Cambridge-Heidelberg Partnership Association since 1996 and is twinned with the Orchesterverein Heidelberg-Handschusheim, a long-established wind band from the outskirts of Heidelberg. The bands undertook their first joint concert in Cambridge during the Easter Festival Exchange 2000, and met in Heidelberg for Easter 2001. The annual exchange has continued ever since.