GET your passport out for a foot-tapping trip around the globe — Tavistock Town Band Maestro Music are planning a musical jaunt.

The next big event on their concert calendar is 'A Band Around The World' which takes place in Tavistock Methodist Church on May 21 at 7.30pm.

The band's musical director Tony Evans said there will be musical stop-overs in places like South America, Spain, Egypt and Russia to name but a few.

'We wracked our brains for an unusual theme. We thought it would be nice to present music from different countries. Some pieces will be instantly recognisable and some will be intriguingly less so,' he said.

The band will be joined by eight-piece choral group Chameleon who will sing items with an Oriental flavour.

Tony said the proms — which last year was such a resounding success — and the Christmas concert would be repeated this year.

'Tickets are on sale from Maestro's Music, Market Street, Tavistock. The Methodist Church will only hold 300 people. Our Christmas Concert in the parish church seated 440 and we sold out of tickets in the first three weeks.'

Tony said the band was delighted with the way things are going.

'We have picked up six new musicians who play well and wanted to join us. It's a case of success breeds success.'

Later this month the band put their skills to the test when they compete in the National Championship area qualifying heat at the Colston Hall, Bristol on March 27.

'There are 29 bands in that section. There is a real possibility that we might do well. We have beaten half the bands in the south west already when we competed at Exmouth last November,' said Tony.

'It takes some time to get used to taking part in competitions. A band has to play a set piece and you have to make sure that the piece is peaking when you get to the competition — not a week later.

'It's like a football team all aiming for the one goal.'

Mr Evans said the band now stood at 23 members — two short of a full band which is 25 plus two percussionists.

At the moment the band is looking to two tuba players — so, if you are interested contact Tony at Maestro's Music (01822) 614074.

l See story page 9.