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News from the World of Brass Bands
The Year 2003
| New Conductor at Wotton Silver | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wotton Silver Band in Wotton-under-Edge,
Gloucestershire are pleased to announce the appointment of Ronnie Carr as
resident conductor. Ronnie who played with Thornbury, Bendix, Yorkley and Sun
Life, conducted the band for two years during the mid-nineties.
The band is also pleased to welcome back Matt Pownall on cornet who returns to the Gloucestershire following completion of his studies in Yorkshire. 4/12/03 |
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| Brass 'n' Trams Contest | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Brass 'n' Trams Contest
adjudicated by Roy Roe, was held recently at the Tramway
Museum at Crich.
Unplaced bands: Bakewell Silver, Witwell Welfare, Long Eaton, Harworth, Newhall, Kikby Colliery Welfare, Dearne Valley, Rolls Royce Derby. The winning band's programme was
Ken Fryer (Horn) from Darley Dale won the best soloist prize of the day. 20/7/03 |
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| Unison Kenneil wins at Carnigie Contest | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Carnigie Contest was held
recently. James Scott/David Hynd adjudicated the Championship and 1st and
sections; Chris Wormald/Douglas Snedden adjudicated the 2nd, 3rd and 4th
sections.
Best Instrumentalist: Flugel Horn Newtongrange Entertainment Prize: Newtongrange
Best Instrumentalist Trombone Soloist: Bon Accord Entertainment Prize: Bon Accord
Best Instrumentalist: Principal Cornet Newmilns Entertainment Prize: Newmilns & Galston
Best Instrumentalist: Principal Cornet Campbeltown Entertainment Prize: Buckhaven & Methil
Best Instrumentalist: Kit Drummer Queensferry HS Entertainment Prize: Queensferry HS Comm. Band 1/6/03 |
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| Kidlington Concert Brass wins at Weston Contest | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Weston-super-Mare own choice
contest was held on Sunday the 14th of May 2003. James Scott adjudicated the 3rd
and 4th sections; Goff Richards adjudicated the Championship/1st and 2nd
sections.
Best Soloist: K. Smith, Cornet, Pillowell
Best set of Basses: Malvern
Best Euphonium: Woking
Best Cornet: Chris Jenkins, Ammanford 20/5/03 |
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| Wigston Looking for new Tour Venue | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Having had to postpone their
planned tour of the USA that was due to take place this summer, the Wigston
Band is looking to either revive a smaller edition for 2005, failing this,
they are looking for other countries to tour. If you know of somewhere that is
looking for a 1st Section band to come and play a series of concerts then
contact the band's Public Relations Officer Colin
Raggett at +44 116 287 7187.
There are two provisos, it must be affordable - as even some of the top bands are having trouble raising sponsorship and it must be in the sunshine!! 19/3/03 |
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| BBC Hunts Musicians for New Quiz | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Whether you missed it first time
around, had one glass too many or were simply too scared to try, BBC1 is
offering British musicians a second chance to discover their IQ.
If you're a musician and think you've got what it takes to put in a great performance then they'd like to hear from you. Once again viewers at home and a studio audience will be able to discover their IQ. Anne Robinson and Phillip Schofield will again host this completely interactive programme, which promises to be an enlightening and entertaining evening packed full of fun, celebrities and surprises. The 300 strong, studio audience play an integral part in the programme. They will be split into six groups of 50 people, by occupation, hobby or other characteristic and they will complete a multiple-choice test. On this occasion they would like to include musicians in the studio audience. For further information telephone 020 7399 8736, email testthenation@talenttv.com or visit their website 14/3/03 |
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| Haslemere signs 4 players | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Haslemere Town Band has recently welcomed four new players into the band. Dan Kent first came to the band 2 years ago whilst he was a captain in the US Air force, but couldn't dedicate the time required. Now that he is a civilian he has the time and has joined on the front row. Joining him on the front row is Winston Knight. Winston had been in the training band for 2 years but until now couldn't devote the time to the band. Angela Knowles left the band four years ago to train as a nurse and now that she has qualified and working in the area has rejoined the band on 2nd Cornet. Finally Karen Smith, a member of the army, has joined on 2nd Horn. With the temporary addition of the Chairman's youngest son on Timpani (his other son plays soprano) the band are looking forward to the regional qualifiers in March. 7/2/03 |
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| New Bandroom for Enderby | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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After over 100 years of existence, The Enderby Band Organisation has now got a permanent HQ to call its own. A base for all three bands - most importantly, somewhere they can leave music stands and percussion out without the rigour of unpacking and packing twice weekly. The Organisation were lucky enough to be donated the pre-fabricated building by the charity, Community Action Fund for Youth (CAFFY). The new portable building was delivered by developers Penman during December to its new home outside the Huncote Leisure Centre in Leicestershire. The new facilities can house around 70 members for meetings and band practices initially for the Junior and Senior bands. Due the size of the Youth band they will continue to use a local social club, but will use the new bandroom for sectionals and storage. After some much needed interior decoration over the Christmas period, the Junior began rehearsals at the new venue for their first rehearsal back of the New Year. The Senior band, with their focus currently on the forthcoming Midlands Area Contest, have now started rehearsing there. Work will continue over the coming weeks in order to ensure that the rooms are furbished with appropriate soundproofing materials for the best possible rehearsing environment. Although this is a significant achievement for the Organisation, the long-term strategy for them is to develop a purpose built structure that will house the entire group and ensure the development of bands within the area. With the recent appointment of Stephen Cooper as MD for the Senior band and the new HQ, things certainly seem to be moving in the right direction for the Organisation. Details on an official opening of the new bandroom will be posted here in due course. 6/2/03 |
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| NEMBBA Results | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The NEMBBA contest was held
recently in Derby, using the set works for this year's areas. The adjudicators
were. Stan Lippeatt and Barry Thompson
1st SectionUnited
Co-Op (Crewe) |
190 |
Riddings |
188 |
Several prizes were also given for the best soloists for the day:
5/2/03 |
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| News from Jaguar (Coventry) Band | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Brass Band Portal has received
a copy of the newsletter of Jaguar
(Coventry) Band.
Highlights from 2002 have included numerous concerts such as Pershore Abbey, Kidderminster with West Mercia Police Band, Stratford Music Festival, Age Concern etc. One of the major highlights was taking part in the live broadcast for BBC 'Songs of Praise' At Centenary Square Birmingham, where 8000 people attended! Their final concert of the year was at the Central Hall on the
7th December with The Tony Gibb Singers. The second half took a slightly
different twist as the band got into the festive spirit by wearing fancy dress!
They had the the Tweenies, Tellytubbies, Cinderella and the Ugly Sisters, the
Three Musketeers, Captain Hooke, a doctor, Fairy, Shakespeare, Dick Wittington
to name a few! A lot of fun was had by all and it made a change form their
concert jackets! The band has continues to support the community with many concerts in the parks during the summer period such as Coventry Memorial and Allesley Parks, Wolverhampton Park, St James Park - London and Kenilworth Castle. It is great to see these concerts getting even more popular with the numbers of people listening increasing. The contest scene was mixed last year. Highlights have included their second invitation to take part in the All England Masters Contest in Cambridge and awarded second place at the Pontins Championships in Prestatyn. This was particularly sweet as it was the first contest under the Jaguar Banner! 2002 was mainly a year of change for the Band with the transition from the Rolls-Royce Band to The Jaguar Band. It has taken a lot of effort to make this happen but it has all gone well and theylook forward to working with Jaguar Cars more in the future. The band is now based at The Jaguar Sports and Social Club, Browns Lane and rehearses Mondays and Thursdays 8 to 10pm. You would be very welcome if you wish to visit them [I was when I visited them in May - Ed] - (even just for a drink in the club afterwards.) 2003 already is looking like another exciting year for the band. Their first concert is on 1st February at the Wellingborough Castle Theatre in Aid of the National Children's Home. Tickets are selling fast so book early. Tickets are priced at £6 and can be obtained by phoning 01933 229022. Also the band has accepted its third invitation to the All England Masters! In the very near future the band will be holding a re-union to 10/1/03 |
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| News from South Yorkshire Police Band | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Christmas period was a busy
one for the South
Yorkshire Police Band. They completed 8 concerts in just 10 days and looked
forward to the chance to put their feet up over Christmas before starting the
work on the area piece.
December saw two new signings for the band, Sophie Cook on flugel and James Hartley on Eb bass. 6/1/03 |
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