News from the World of Brass Bands

Test Valley Brass Donates to Charity

Every year Test Valley Brass (Alec Grimsey) likes to help raise money for a local charity, and this year more than ever it is vital as the UK is in recession and it is very hard for all the worthy organisations and charities to obtain the much needed funds they require.

Adams Hoofing Hut is a local charity based in Ludgershall set up for the wellbeing of injured marines and their families in the memory of a local hero who fell in Afghanistan. Royal Marine Commando Adam Robert Brown was born in Hampshire on 25th February 1985. As Adam grew up his family would regularly go on holiday to Mudeford near Christchurch, it was a time that Adam loved, running around on the beach, laughing and smiling with not a care in the world. This was a very special place not only to Adam but his whole family as many generations had holidayed here before him.

Jonathan Ratcliffe, a marine who served alongside Adam, told The Brass Band Portal, "I was the company medic serving alongside Adam in the summer of 2010. On 1st August 2010 I was on patrol with Adam and he was ahead of us when we were hit by [ a home-made bomb ] and tragically Adam was killed. Unfortunately despite our best efforts there was just nothing we could do for Adam."

Fundraising was started in October 2010 with a target of £160,000 to purchase and run a beach hut not only in memory of Adam but also that would help others by being used for rest and recuperation by injured soldiers and their families. So far a total of £75,000 has been raised.

Peter Heslop, Chairman of Test Valley Brass told us, "I can't think of a more poignant and worthwhile charity at this time. Every day our soldiers lay down their young lives to bring peace and tranquillity to the world and all too often it ends in tragedy leaving grieving families behind, just as it has in this case with Adam and his family." He continued, "At Test Valley Brass we are delighted to be involved with Adams Hoofing Hut, what a wonderful way of helping those wounded and suffering recover by providing a tranquil and calm environment in a beautiful part of the country. We feel very honoured to be a part of it."

Alec Grimsey

14/8/12

Wessex Summer School 2012 Success

Hundreds of musicians from all over the UK descended on the village of Sturminster Newton in Dorset this summer for one reason, the Wessex Band Summer School. All ages and abilities have been welcomed to the course for the past 42 years and the 43^rd year of the course proved to be no exception. The course is a non-residential course, but as students have the option of camping on the school field, it takes a lot of organising.

Matt Stimpson, who has conducted the training band for 4 years, told The Brass Band Portal, "Monday morning is sight reading day; just seeing what people can [and] can't do. This year the training band started off extremely well on Monday, which opened up more opportunities for us musically and looking at putting on a real performance."

The brass band (for those graded V-VIII) had the audience toe tapping when tuba player Les Neish led them for an arrangement of Lionel Richie's All Night Long and showed off their musicality with Hinemoa.

In his 7^th year involved with the course, Chris Davies spoke about the musical variance in this year's repertoire, "I think the music is challenging but I think it's realistic. You've got some standard brass band stuff and you've got Windows of the World which is challenging but it's new, [fresh, exciting and] great fun to play."

After being involved with the course for 27 years, the course director Michael Fowles has seen it all and spoke about how the course has evolved over time, "This year, even more than some previous courses, the speed of improvement day on day has actually been quite staggering this year. Every element of the progression I think is very impressive," he told us. "This year's team of staff are absolutely first class. It really has been very impressive the way they've gone about their musical duties."

Martin Benson

14/8/12

Youth Band Holds Annual Concert

On June 23^rd at John Hanson School in Andover, Hampshire The Test Valley Brass Youth Band (Alec Grimsey) held its annual Summer Concert. This year it was a little different as not only was it preceded by a barbeque, but it also included the passing on of the Blue Baton which is part of the "Brass the Baton" relay and the cultural Olympiad in this Olympic Year.

The concert took place in the presence of Councillor Dorothy Baverstock, The Mayor of Test Valley. The school hall was packed to near capacity with over 160 people and following the citation "Welcome to the Test Valley Brass Youth Band Summer Concert. Can I ask you all please to be upstanding for the entry of the Blue Baton "Part of Brass the Baton and the Cultural Olympiad." the baton was processed into the auditorium behind a replica Olympic Flame while the Youth Band performed the Olympic Fanfare and Theme (John Williams) the culmination of this was the lighting of the Olympic Flame which stayed alight throughout the concert and was extinguished at the end.

Peter Heslop (Chairman of Test Valley Brass) told The Brass Band Portal, "It was a great concert. I could tell that the crowd loved it. Well done to everyone, what a brilliant show!"

Alec Grimsey of Test Valley Brass told us, "The comments and reaction show how much everyone enjoyed the concert and this is not only credit to the outstanding musicians we have and the exceptional standard of the playing that took place at the concert, but also the incredible team of parents, helpers and tutors. We really have had a great concert, and to be able to be involved in Brass the Baton and the Cultural Olympiad really is the icing on the cake. Unfortunately we cannot take the band to the culmination of the baton relays in Durham on 22^nd July due to other band commitments, but we will have a couple of members making the journey to represent Test Valley Brass at this fantastic event."

Alec Grimsey

6/7/12

Town Supports Young Musicians

Attending the presentation of the instruments were the Mayor of Test Valley, Councillor Mrs. Dorothy Baverstock, David Drew Chairman of Andover Town Council along with Brian and Dorothy Page.

Alec Grimsey, conductor of the Youth Band told The Brass Band Portal, 'We wanted to involve the young players at every stage of the process of purchasing new instruments; it's all part of learning and growing. Also we want them to love their new instruments and look after them. These instruments are high standard models offering excellent quality and outstanding value for money, giving the young players the very best possible opportunity to reach their full potential. Without the support of local organisations and individuals this just wouldn't be possible, we really can't thank them enough. The support we have received has been simply fantastic.'

Connor McMullan, who is a solo horn player with the youth band told us, 'the new instruments are great, they sound really nice and make such a difference to all o us. I haven't stopped practicing since I got mine.' He also said, 'it was great trying so many horns before we bought them as we could choose which was the best for the band. We all ticked a box to show our favourite.'

Alec Grimsey

31/5/12

Coalville Festival of Music success for Newhall Band Member

Patricia Woodings, solo horn with the Newhall Band, won 1^st Prize in the Open Instrumental Class at the Coalville Festival of Music held at the Newbridge High School, Coalville last Saturday. Patricia played Variations on a Welsh Theme by Peter Kneale and was awarded a Distinction by the Adjudicator Peter Wells for an excellent performance both technically and artistically. Peter Wells said of the performance, "This was a stylish offering delivered with a pleasing sense of performance that engaged the audience, an impressive performance overall".

This year is proving to be a very successful one both for Patricia and the Band. Earlier this year in March the Band came 3^rd at the Area Contest in Bedworth which gained them an invitation to represent the Midlands Area at the National Brass Band Championship Finals held in Cheltenham in September. Patricia also gained a 2^nd Prize in the Open Slow Melody at the Leicestershire Brass Band Association Solo and Quartet contest held in April, only being beaten by the Solo Trombone player from Brighouse and Rastrick Band. The band's Euphonium Player, Jo Priestley, also had success at the Leicestershire Contest in the Duet Section where she came second with her partner Shiela Dixon who plays for Leicester Co op Band.

Jo Priestley

19/5/12