2012 Contesting Season Ends on a High Note!

On Saturday 1st December the Verwood Concert Brass A Band took a trip down to Weymouth for the 56th Annual Winter Brass Band Contest run by the Wessex Brass Band Association.  Rather than having a set test piece, bands could choose a test piece to play and in addition also play a march. Verwood chose "Essay" by Edward Gregson as its test piece and "Castell Coch" by T.J.Powell for the march.  The Band played well and did themselves proud by coming 2nd out of the 1st section bands contesting and being placed 3rd overall. Hopefully this bodes well for more good results in 2013.

Training Band In Good Form

Saturday 10th November,

The Training Band put on a good show at their coffee morning last Saturday.


The audience in Verwood Memorial Hall were entertained for the whole morning by our talented Training Band conducted by Robin Lock.

 Some of the younger members performed excellent solos...

Torquay Contest November 3rd 2012

Verwood A plus supporters travelled to Torquay this weekend for the 66th Annual Championship of the South West Brass Band Association.

The 1pm rehearsal did not quite work out as planned because, although the band were all there, the key holder was not!  Never mind, the rehearsal finally started half an hour later and Kevin seemed happy. 

Scottie had work to do!

Verwood finally played at 6pm and gave a very polished performance, greatly appreciated by all their supporters.

The Band was very happy with 5th position as they were competing against some Championship bands and felt that all the hard work was worthwhile - Weymouth next - watch this space

The flags were out for the Proms Concert on Sunday 7th October

Kevin Smith provided an entertaining program played by the A band. 

The house was packed and the audience in good voice when the massed Band played Jerusalem and Pomp and Circumstance No.1.  

Sadly, this was James Haigh' last concert with Verwood B as he tries to juggle a very busy life with Fatherhood.  Baby Nicholas seemed very at home with an audience and is likely to follow in his father's footsteps.

We shall all miss James and Jenny but hope they will come and play with us from time to time.

Summer Holiday Gigs

Sunday 26th August:

The Ensemble at the Monmouth Ash, Verwood

Bank Holiday Monday:

Verwood B played at the Verwood Rotary Rustic Fayre.  The Marquee was greatly appreciated on this first rainy Rustic Fayre for many years.  

Luscombe Valley

Last Sunday (29th July) the B Band enjoyed performing at Luscombe Valley.

 They were also given a ride on the Miniature Train Track.

Wessex Band Course 2012

Several players from all the bands took part in the wessex band summer school and performed their final end of the week concert on Saturday 28th July.

Summer Concert and Carnival

Verwood Carnival 2012

On Saturday 30^th June, Verwood Concert Brass were proud to carry out the traditional honour of leading the carnival parade through the town which they have done ever since the first carnival in 1929.

 Leading the band is Verwood Concert Brass president Pam Reeks.

With some 30 players the sound of the rousing marches being played to the boom of the big bass drum signalled the advance of the parade through the town.

And set a lively atmosphere for the rest of the carnival procession following on.

Summer Celebrations Concert

Later that same day all three bands of Verwood Concert Brass took part in its Summer Celebrations themed concert at the Verwood Hub.

The show opened with the A Band under the baton of Adam Glynn who normally plays bass and did a great job standing in for the band’s regular conductor.

Using ‘summer’, the Queen’s diamond jubilee and forthcoming Olympics as a theme for pieces being played.

The Training Band also saw a new conductor, Robin Lock, who has now taken on the important job of nurturing new talent for the band. And new talent was evident with four new players having joined the band and performing for the first time at a Hub concert. The Training Band themed pieces included ‘Champions’ and to bring a bit of sunshine spirit ‘West Indian Calypso’.

 The second half was opened by the B Band lead by its usual conductor, James Haigh. The B Band’s themed pieces included the rousing John Williams composed ‘Olympic Spirit’ and a challenging piece called ‘Summer Scherzo’, scherzo meaning fast-moving humorous composition. However, it was ‘Singin’ in the Rain’ that struck a chord with the packed audience’s views of the current summer’s weather!

The A Band rounded off the evening by including in its programme music from the hit TV sit com ‘Last of the Summer Wine’ and closing with the stirring and patriotic ‘Crown Imperial’. But that wasn’t quite the end. For the encore the band played the rip roaring theme from Hawii Five-0 with the entire cornet section standing front stage playing to choreographed actions. A great note to end the show on.

Verwood Concert Brass will be playing at various events over the summer. Their next Hub Concert is at 3pm on Sunday 7^th October. This time with a Proms theme so Union Jack flags welcome.