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. 

Cream Tea with Verwood 'B' Sunday June 17th

A cream tea was served in the interval at an informal concert by Verwood 'B' in the Verwood Memorial Hall.

The audience enjoyed the event very much and managed to eat their way through 80 scones and a vast quantity of cake.

Unfortunately, due to personal reasons our regular concuctor, James Haigh, was unable to be there.  We were extremely grateful to Ian Harris who stepped in at the 11th hour and managed to hold us all together.

Wimborne Minster

Tuesday June 5th

Plans to play outside of Wimborne Minster were rapidly changed the night before due to a dire weather forecast.  They got it spot on, it poured all day!

The B Band played in the Minster for a couple of hourly slots on the occassion of their flower festival.  Baby Nicholas put in an appearance and showed his appreciation by sleeping through both performances.  Good job the players didn't do the same!

Following this a smaller group of players went to Oakdene Nursing Home in Three Legged Cross to entertain the residents for half an hour.

Our Newest Potential Member

Born 22nd May 2012

We were all delighted to hear of the safe arrival of Baby Nicholas Charles Haigh.

He weighed in at 9lb 4oz and was 57cm long.

We are told that his hobbies are sleeping, stretching, pouting and hiccuping and he also loves brass band music - after all he had been listening to it for 9 months!

Congratulation to Jenny and James and also to Sherry Jeary who won a prize for guessing his weight before he was born.

Diamond Jubilee Weekend

Monday 4th June  The Great Verwood Street Party

40 players lead the parade at the start of the Verwood Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations which took place on Ferret Green and in the Recreation Ground

The Band then went on to play two slots throughout the day and entertained with a selection of patriotic music and some old favourites.  Mercifully there were only a few spots of rain all day and the occasion was enjoyed by thousands of people.

 

Training Band Coffee Morning – 26th May 2012

The Verwood Concert Brass Training Band held a fund raising coffee morning in the Verwood Memorial Hall to help pay for things like instruments, music and uniforms – all essential items for a growing band.

The audience were entertained by a wide variety of musical pieces played by the whole band.

As well as by individual performances by some of the younger members of the band.

Fraser

Oscar

Jason

                       

Callum

Ellie

Whilst the Training Band is great for young players  to develop their musicianship Verwood Concert Brass very much welcomes new players of all ages.

To prove the point the coffee morning presented the opportunity for two new adult players Jan and Nicola to make their first public performance having joined the band and taken up playing only a few months ago.

The Training Band was as usual conducted by Ian Harris but sadly, having filled the role for the past 4½ years, he feels he has done his bit and it is time to hand on the baton so this was his last time conducting the Training Band. Ian has been the inspiration behind so many new players through his enthusiasm and encouragement. As a testament of his time as the Training Band musical director, a significant number of players have moved on from the Training Band to join the B Band and even some have gone on to the A Band.

Ian (Centre) was thanked by Richard Mullins – B Band, Band Master - for all that he has done for Verwood Concert Brass and on behalf of the countless players he has supported through his time directing the Training Band. He was then presented with a card and gift from the Training Band by Pam Reeks – Training Band, Band Master.

The show will of course go on with theTraining Band, under new musical direction of Robin Lock, cornet player in the A Band, and will be seen and heard playing at various events over the summer and at the Verwood Concert Brass ‘Celebration of the Olympics’ themed concert at the Hub, Verwood on 30^th June. See www.verwoodconcertbrass.co.uk for details of forthcoming engagements.

Anyone wishing to join the Training Band please contact the Band Secretary, Sally Burrows on 01202813723.

Lymington Bandstand

Verwood ‘B’ enjoyed a Saturday afternoon’s playing in Lymington.  The sun was out and so were the spectators who appreciated a varied programme conducted by James, probably his last engagement before the patter of tiny feet.  We all wished Jenny and James well for the coming week.  The band has run a competition to guess the weight of the baby so our next blog will reveal the winner!

 May 19^th 2012 Lymington Bandstand