About Bacchus

Bacchus originally started in 1988, and was run by Kent Music. We became independent in 2006. Our rehearsal base and provider of facilities is now the Judd School, Tonbridge.

Our aims are to provide local players with the opportunity to play serious wind band music, and to give our audiences a chance to hear this music.

As an independent band, our aims extend to raising funds for local and national charities, and local community groups. For example, recent concerts have supported Hospice in the Weald and WWF

Some of our current members have been with the band since its early days, but we have also attracted many new members recently as the band's reputation grows. Currently we have approximately 40 players.

Our age range is roughly 16 to 60-something. Our standard is Grade 8+.

We play music for enjoyment and, though the music comes first, the social aspect of the band is pretty important too. The band is managed by a small committee, which is elected by members, so every player has a say in what we do.

We regularly perform concerts in Kent and Sussex, both in formal indoor settings and in bandstands, and we have also toured France on two occasions.

Rehearsals

We rehearse on Wednesdays from 8pm to 10pm

Brynly Clarke is one of the most sensitive and intense musicians of his generation. He also has the rare ability to communicate his musical insight and passion to performers and audience alike. His experience is both wide and deep, as a professional bassoonist, tenor, and orchestral, wind band, and choral conductor.
Brynly took up conducting Bacchus in 2004: he conducts other ensembles in Kent, including Orchestras and Choirs.