News from the World of Brass Bands

13/12/07

Dennis will continue to make a contribution to the band, as he has been recently been re-elected President. He'll also be kept busy with his work as MD of Wilnecote St John Band. At the recent AGM, the band decided to name an annual trophy after him in recognition of his service to the band.

On a happier note, the band is very happy to welcome Mark Smith to the band's second Euphonium seat.

25/11/07

5/11/07

Commenting on the appointment, band manager Mike Balls told The Brass Band Portal, "We have a long association with Roger, whose relationship with the band goes back many years to when he first attended rehearsals in 1973 and he still lives locally. He is well respected throughout the area and brings many years of knowledge, experience and achievement. We are looking forward to working with Roger who is already making a difference to attendance and performance."

On his appointment Roger commented, "I was invited to take a rehearsal and soon realised that there is a nucleus of capable players and an extensive library of quality music built up over many years at a high level. I'm looking forward to the many challenges that lie ahead, and in particular to re-establishing the band on the local concert scene with a series of musical events being planned for 2008."

25/10/07

The Wingates Band (Andy Berryman) who are currently busy putting the final touches to their arrangements for their trip to the US in November where, as previously reported, they will compete in the US Open Brass Band Championships in Chicago, have announced that Tony Berry, lead singer of the "folk" group The Houghton Weavers, is to accompany the band on their trip.

The Berry family originate from Wingates, and have long-established links with the band. Tony's son, Tom, plays trombone with them.

Although Tony will not be able to feature in the band contest, the following day Wingates will play a concert with him, also in Chicago, together with the Norridge Citadel Salvation Army Band and Choir.

The US Open Championships is an own-choice entertainments contest of 30 minutes.

The Wingates programme will conclude with Andy Duncan's arrangement of Reunion and Finale from Gettysburg. Andy Berryman told the Brass Band Portal, "This is a magnificent piece of music, and we feel it will prove to be a most appropriate climax for a very exciting programme of music which we have compiled specifically for the US Open Championships".

In a move reminiscent of the top youth banding practice in the UK, Berryman has recruited the services of a choreographer to work out some special routines to be utilised by the Band during their US contest performance.

23/10/07

The trip, which will cost £20,000, will be financed by a number of concerts, including one themed as Stars and Stripes to be held at the Victoria Hall in Bolton on 27^th October. The programme will feature music of an American origin.

Band President, David Kaye told the Brass Band Portal: "Whilst participating in the US Open is a great honour, and a very exciting challenge, we have had to work really hard to raise the money to fund the trip, and we are hoping that our many fans and friends in the North-West will come along to support us at the Victoria Hall concert, since the proceeds will provide vital revenue for our trans-Atlantic adventure".

4/10/07

Having been performing on the music scene for 134 years, it is not too often that Wingates breaks new ground by playing at a venue for the first time – at least in the north-west area of England. However, that is what will happen on 1/9/07, when the band will play a concert at The Gladstone Theatre in Port Sunlight, on The Wirral.

Part of the proceeds from both the above concerts will help swell the special fund established by Wingates to finance their forthcoming trip across the Atlantic. They were delighted to accept a special invitation to be the representative UK guest band at the 2007 US Open Brass Band Championships to be held on 10/11/07 in Chicago. As it will cost in excess of £20,000 for the trip, this represents a great challenge for the band, a self-financing band with charitable status.

David Kaye

30/8/07

The band sends their thanks to the generosity of landlords, Trev and Jayne Judson, and their customers who took part in the raffle and auction; the band raised a grand total of £469.82, a record for the Three Stags Heads' Summer Concert season.

Whitwell Band can next be seen as part of the Bassetlaw Council Chairman's Civic Parade in Retford on Saturday 1st September, followed by a concert in Skegness on Saturday 8th September, rearranged after flooding cancelled their planned concert in June.

Staff Reporter

27/8/07

Wed 12/9/07 sees the opening of a musical at the Lowry Theatre in Liverpool, UK. Running until 22/9, King Cotton will feature the Ashton Under Lyne Band.

Francesca Waite

30/7/07

The British Airways Brass Band has announced the appointment of Major Colin Reeves LTCL LRSM PSM as Musical Director. Major Reeves has been connected with the band for a number of years and this appointment sees him returning to the MD role after a gap of 3 years. The outgoing Musical Director, Jon Brigden, has stepped down on health grounds but remains with the band on cornet. The band wishes to thank Jon for all the work he has done both as MD and behind the scenes to help promote the band.

After a successful tour of California last autumn, the British Airways Band has had a busy year so far supporting local community events, such as the Ealing pensioner’s concert, Laleham and Shepperton fairs, and the British Airports Authority Rotary Family Fun Day at Heathrow. During this summer, the band can be seen at the 151 Royal Logistic Corps Open Day, a Thames Valley Hospice fundraiser held at Windsor race course, The Mansion House London, the Metropolitan Police College Hendon and at the Windsor Half Marathon.

Major Reeves joined the Army at sixteen as a Junior Musician in the Royal Artillery. He became Principal Trombone of the RA (mounted) Band and Principal ‘cellist before being selected to attend the Bandmaster course at the Royal Military School of Music Kneller Hall in 1974.

On graduating in 1977 he was appointed at the BM of the Royal Scots. In 1983 he was appointed Director of Music (North) controlling the bands of the Scottish and King’s Divisions before taking up the position in 1985 as the Senior DoM BAOR, controlling over 25 bands.

On the move again, in 1987 Major Reeves returned to the Royal Artillery band in Dortmund. During this period he produced the music and displays for the Commonwealth Games opening and closing ceremonies in 1986 as well as many other major events.

In 1989 he moved back to England to take over the reins of the Life Guards Band, one of the most prestigious units in the army, where he had to learn to ride at the age of 46 and took part in many State Occasions.

On completion of almost 38 years service Major Reeves became a civil servant at HQ RMSM Kneller Hall in charge of the career development for over 1200 musicians in the Corps of Army Music.

Major Reeves has retired from Kneller Hall but is still very active having been MD for Alder Valley, Atlas Copco, and Bedford Town Band and is currently the MD for British Airways Band.

Sue Vel

27/7/07

Colin and Janet Worrall have formed The District of Dunchurch Brass Band, which together with its training band have recently started under the baton of Gary Smallwood. With over 40 years experience in bands, Colin Worrall has been able to secure a band-room and a set of new instruments. The band is based near Rugby, Warks, UK.

Lorraine Goodacre

27/7/07

A full house at Falmouth Golf Club for the Race Night got the fund raising for Pendennis Band (Steve Thomas) off to a great start, making a profit of £850. The band sends their thanks to everyone who sponsored the races, bought horses and turned up to make it a very enjoyable evening as well as to the golf club who supported them and made them very welcome.

Staff Reporter

26/7/07

Wire Brass (Paul Andrews) recorded their third CD on the weekend of 9/10th June. The CD is now in production.

Staff Reporter

20/7/07

The Southern Counties Amateur Band Association (SCABA) has told us that the 2007 SCABA Autumn Contest will be taking place at the Leas Cliff Hall and Channel Conference Centre, in Folkestone, on 13th & 14th October.

Following the cancellation of the 2006 SCABA Autumn Contest, subsequent negotiations with the management of the Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone, have secured this prestigious venue for the 2007 SCABA Autumn Contest and, subject to contract, for 2008.

Many bands were disappointed at the cancellation of the 2006 SCABA Autumn Contest and SCABA hope that the confirmation that this year’s contest is taking place will attract a large entry. There have been several enquiries already from bands in Belgium and France, as well as from UK bands, who had hoped to attend the 2006 SCABA Autumn Contest.

Further information will be published as the detailed arrangements are confirmed and Schedules and Entry Forms for the contest will be distributed in July. They will also be available as downloads from the SCABA website.

If you would like to register an interest in taking part in the 2007 SCABA Autumn Contest, please contact SCABA Hon. Secretary, Ian Carter, on 01895 420007 or via the SCABA Website.

David Sheedy

24/4/07

The Band is has no entrance audition and can arrange loan instruments and/or lessons. They rehearse at Frenchay Village Hall, Beckspool Road, Frenchay, Bristol BS16 1NU, every Thursday evening at 7:30.

Colin Cunliffe

17/4/07

Steve Shawcross

27/3/07

Tony Bishop

6/3/07

Sharon Milner

2/3/07

Those there early enough were able to hear the final rehearsal before the Rolls-Royce contest in Derby on Sunday 18th February, in which the band won the fourth section, with Lauren Stacey winning the prize for best horn of the day. The competition is used as a warm-up to the Area competition in March.

Staff Reporter

24/2/07

• Appointment of Martin Obermuller as National Treasurer
• Appointment of James Scott and Colin Hardy as VPs
• Appointment of Lana Tingay as PRO
• Amendment of the Constitution to allow postal votes.

Staff Reporter

20/2/07

Staff Reporter

9/2/07