About The Band
We are a community wind (or concert) band consisting of brass, woodwind and percussion players. We play a range of music from classic concert band pieces including marches and favourites from the “Last Night of the Proms” to film scores and television music, musicals, Disney and contemporary arrangements for concert band by composers such as Philip Sparke and Jay Bocook. We regularly add new music to our library.
Musical Director
David Batsman is a teacher, brass musician and conductor based in Bracknell, Berkshire. He teaches music at a grammar school where he enjoys music-making across the entire age range both in and out of the classroom, and also supports students with individual needs as the Deputy SENDCo. David is the Musical Director of the Slough Youth Orchestra, a mass ensemble comprised of students from primary and secondary schools across Slough; and from 2015 to 2025 was a tutor for Buckinghamshire Music Trust where he was an instrumental teacher, and directed an NCBF-accredited concert band, and youth orchestra. He is still regularly invited to support Buckinghamshire County Youth Orchestra rehearsals as a sectional leader and brass specialist
David’s interest in conducting began at secondary school where he formed and directed a student brass ensemble. This interest developed into a true passion at the University of Bristol where David studied Music from 2011 to 2013. Outside of studying, David directed the University Wind Orchestra and the University Brass Ensemble for a year each respectively and conducted ensembles at a number of student-led concerts and events. He received conducting tuition from Dr. Jonathan James, and was advised and supported by internationally-recognised composer and conductor, Professor John Pickard.
From 2015 to 2019, David was Assistant Director of Music at Chalfont Concert Wind Band where he rehearsed and directed the Academy Band and worked regularly with the Concert Band. David has continued to work with the band as a guest conductor, in concert in April 2023, on the Windsor Bandstand in July 2024, and at their annual Jolly Cricketerssummer gig in August 2025. David is a regular MD for Maidenhead Operatic Society, having worked with them on Spamalot (2018), Oklahoma! (2020), HMS Pinafore (2022), The Sorcerer (2023), The Addams Family (2024), and Carmen – The Musical (2025).
David was appointed to the post of Musical Director at Abingdon Concert Band following auditions in October 2024 and began working with them in November 2024. He has subsequently directed them in concert in March 2024, and on the Henley Bandstand in July 2025.
Previous musical directors include Anthony Sadler and more recently Philip Burditt, Stephen Bell, and Neil Brownless.
History of the band
The Band was formed in 1977 as Abingdon Military Band and while the name was later changed the formation of instruments remains the same as that found in modern military bands. Over the years the Band has given around 200 public performances in and around the Abingdon on Thames area, just south of Oxford.
These performances have included fetes, concerts and charity events. For the last three years we have been pleased to be joined by Wesley Smith for our performances as part of the Abingdon Festival.