A Great Night at the Proms

On Sunday 10^th October, Verwood Concert Brass delighted their audience with a proms concert.  Playing to a full house, soprano cornet player, Mark Marsh skilfully played the Intermezzo from Cavelleria by Pietro Mascagni.

The player featured in the programme was Sophie Howes who played with the Training Band from the age of 10.  She then progressed to third cornet in Verwood’s main band.  Now, at the age of just 20, Sophie is the principal cornet player in Verwood ‘A’ and played a superb solo which showcased her talent.  This was Rusalka’s Song to the Moon by Dvorak, a very challenging piece, executed brilliantly.

The Training Band continues to choose more and more challenging music with their finale of Bach’s Toccata in D Minor attracting prolonged applause.

Verwood B also continues to improve.  They, too, chose a difficult programme and the audience seemed to particularly enjoy H G Amers: The Wee MacGregor Highland Patrol, particularly tricky for the solo cornets and the four remaining players at the end of the piece, not to mention the percussion which Dominic Buswell tackled extremely well.

Ian Harris’ rendition of Rule Brittannia arranged for Euphonium left the audience wondering how he could muster all that puff!  Truly spellbinding.

Supporters were in good voice when it came to Jerusalem, so much so that they demanded it as the second encore and the finale of the 1812 nearly lifted the roof.

Mike and Helen Tie the Knot

On 9^th October, Mike and Helen finally said ‘I Do’, to become Mr and Mrs Dunnings, much to the delight of all their friends and family.  They held their reception at Club 31 in Verwood who did them proud.  More friends joined them in the evening for dancing and a great time. Mike and Helen took the floor to Elton John’s ‘Can You Feel the Love Tonight’ from The Lion King.  

They spent their honeymoon in Jersey, but not before taking part in the Hub concert the following evening, how’s that for devotion to duty!

Incidentally, as you can see from above, it was a great concert despite one or two wishing that the music wasn’t quite so loud.  Mike and Helen were presented with ‘A Honeymoon Gift Box’ on the night, which proved to be an interesting gift!!

Verwood Concert Brass goes Quackers at Potterne Park!

The Verwood Rotary Rustic Fayre is always a good event and this year did not disappoint.  The band played three sets which drew a large crowd.  Never before have there been a set of 4 timps at Potterne Park but the percussion section excelled themselves.

Our fundraising raising duck race followed. 1,000 small plastic ducks were hurled into the River Crane and then followed a perilous route to the finish line. Duck number 644 was a clear winner.  This was followed by duck numbers 205 and 723. Congratulations to the three prize winners.

 

Retrieving ducks was an interesting exercise as some of the river is well over a meter deep.  One or two got rather wetter than planned and the water was pretty cold but it was a very successful event!

Training Band Dodge the Showers and have a Great Summer Barbeque

Sat July 16th - The Training Band's performance at Wimborne St. Giles Flower festival was highly praised by their audience. They enjoyed a barbeque in Clare & Patrick's garden. The decision on the venue was left until the last minute because of the mornings torrential rain but the evening weather was kinder and Ian Harris - a man of many talents - cooked burgers and chicken to perfection.

The hosts Patrick & Clare (above)

A Sunny Sunday on Lymington Quay

Verwood B spent the following afternoon playing in Lymington Bandstand on the quay.  The afternoon audience and passers by all appeared to enjoy the varied programme of music under the (shortened) baton of Ian Harris.  Poor Ian lost the end of his stick half way through proceedings which caused a certain amount of amusement, but ever the professional, carried on regardless.   Thanks to A band helpers and visitors for your help, our audience said it was very good indeed.

A Sense of Déja vu - Summer Concert at the Hub

VCB enjoyed the company of their two old (well, not that old!) conductors on Saturday night.  David Johnson returned to conduct the A Band who played some great pieces including Suite Gothique and Breezing down Broadway.  Several of the pieces were played in memory of their arranger, Goff Richards who sadly died recently. 

Trevor Naughton conducted the B Band who brought the house down with Kalinka and our very own principal euphonium player, Ian Harris guided his ever improving Training Band through an entertaining set that was greatly appreciated by the audience.  

Both bands and audience went home feeling very satisfied with their Saturday evening, especially after an encore by Verwood A of Blue Rondo a La Turk.

Band Wedding

To Mike and Helen who announced

their engagement on Carnival Day