This Saturday, the Wantage Silver Band (WSB) is set to host a very special guest: internationally renowned tenor horn soloist Sheona White. Known as “the voice of the tenor horn,” Sheona will join WSB for a spectacular evening concert at The Beacon in Wantage, showcasing some of the finest brass band repertoire in the UK.
Sheona White is widely celebrated for her exceptional musicianship. Among her many accolades, she was the first woman to win the British Open Solo Championships and has been awarded Best Soloist at the British Open Brass Band Championships. She was also a finalist in the Cosmopolitan Women of Achievement Awards. Her career has seen her perform with many of the world’s leading brass bands, establishing her as one of the most influential figures in the genre.
This weekend, Sheona will not only be performing with the Championship Section Wantage Band under the baton of Musical Director Chris King, but also leading an exclusive workshop earlier in the day. The workshop, held at WSB’s own bandhall complex at Tugwell Field, will give aspiring musicians and tenor horn players a rare opportunity to learn directly from a world-class soloist. Topics will include technique, performance tips, and ensemble playing.
Speaking ahead of her visit, Sheona said:
“I am really looking forward to visiting and working with Wantage Band and performing
some of my favourite solos! I am also excited to meet lots of tenor horn players at our
workshop. I am thrilled to be the band’s guest this year!”
Event Details:
Workshop
Venue: The Sykes Hall, Wantage Silver Band Hall, Reading Road, Wantage, OX12 8FR
Date: Saturday 28th June
Time: 1:00pm–3:00pm
Tickets: £5.00 per person
Evening Concert
Venue: The Beacon, Portway, Wantage, OX12 9BX
Date: Saturday 28th June
Time: 7:00pm
Tickets: £12.50 | £7.50 | £5.00
Book online: www.wantageband.org/events
This event is a must-see for local music enthusiasts, families, and brass players of all ages. Whether you’re a long-time supporter of WSB or new to the brass band world, the combination of Sheona’s world-class talent and the exceptional Wantage Band promises an unforgettable evening.
About Wantage Silver Band
Wantage Silver Band is one of the largest brass band organisations in the country, based in the historic market town of Wantage, Oxfordshire. The organisation currently comprises nine ensembles, including three contesting bands, a community band, three learner groups, a big band, and a percussion academy. The top-tier Wantage Band competes nationally in the Championship Section and is known for its musical excellence, inclusive community ethos, and vibrant concert schedule.
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to experience world-class brass right here in Oxfordshire.
About Sheona White
Sheona White is widely recognised as one of the leading tenor horn players of her generation. Currently the Solo Horn with the renowned Brighouse and Rastrick Band, she has also held principal positions with the YBS Band, Black Dyke Band, and Foden’s Richardson Band. Alongside her performing career, Sheona served as Horn Tutor at the University of Salford, where she earned a BA (Hons) in Music with Distinction in Performance.
A former Principal Horn of the National Youth Brass Band of Scotland, Sheona rose to national prominence when she won the BBC Radio 2 Young Musician of the Year award in 1996. In 1998, she was also named a finalist in the Cosmopolitan Magazine Women of Achievement Awards.
Beyond the brass band world, Sheona is perhaps best known to the wider public for her appearance on the BBC’s 1997 charity single “Perfect Day”. She has also recorded a critically acclaimed solo album, The Voice of the Tenor Horn, showcasing the expressive potential of the instrument.
In addition to her performing and recording career, Sheona is an experienced educator. She previously taught at Lowton High School and currently works as a music teacher at Bolton School Girls’ Division, where she continues to inspire the next generation of musicians.
