SWBBA Torquay 7th November 2015

Verwood Concert Brass were delighted to gain second place overall in last weekend's South West Brass Band Association contest with Elaine Close taking the  'best Cornet player' award.
They were also placed at the top of the First Section bands.

Although Verwood will be promoted to the top flight in 2016 it was a result that showed their ambition as they in turn beat a number of Championship rivals led by third placed St Dennis performing 'Elgar Variations'.

Westmoors Charity Concert

Saturday 24th October

The Town Band were delighted to perform a full concert programme in aid of Alzheimer’s and St Mary's Church in West Moors.

The audience was wowed by the variety of music played by the band, selected by musical director, Emma Button, who was out to prove that brass bands can play swing with inclusion of “All That Jazz”, “Reet Petite”, “Puttin’ on the Ritz” and “Singin’ in the Rain” in the programme.

But of course the programme provided plenty of evidence that brass bands can play it all from loud and stirring stuff like “Men of Harlech” and the marches, “Slaidburn” and “Punchinello”, to calm and peaceful pieces like “The Irish Blessing”, “Hine e Hine” and “In Perfect Peace” as well as show tune medley’s “Mary Poppins” and “Breezin’ Down Broadway”.

Well done too to the soloist Ellie Mullins, flugel horn, playing “Adagio” from Concierto de Aranjuez and Sally Burrows, trombone, playing “Everytime We Say Goodbye”.

So not only a great evening’s entertainment but all in aid of good causes too.

Another wonderful concert from the bands of Verwood Concert Brass

Saturday 15th October

The show commenced in the now familiar format with a set by the Training Band. It keeps being said that the Training Band just continues to get bigger and better - but it does. Look out for the three rows of cornets in the photos! The band played a really challenging arrangement of “Scarborough Fair” and played it beautifully and closed with a powerful rendition of Toccata in D Minor.

The first half set from the main band saw Emma Button play the trombone solo arrangement of “Londonderry Air” (AKA Danny Boy) absolutely superbly. Incredible though it was, perhaps it was not as incredible as the band’s incredible performance of “The Incredibles”. It really was . . . incredible! It was obviously a hard blow leaving the players gasping for a drink as during the closing piece for the first half “La Passarella Di Addio” the players made an early exit for the bar leaving Rick Hewin on cornet all on his own – aaaahhh!

The Town Band opened the second half up with a stirring march – “Punchinello” followed by another trombone solo this time by Sally Burrows playing the Cole Porter number “Every Time We Say Goodbye”. Very well done Sally. Showing the great contrast in music brass bands can play this was followed by “Reet Petite” and “In Perfect Peace”, then closing the set with a crowd please of a medley from Mary Poppins.

Back on with the main band and into full on Proms mode. “Fantasia on British Sea Songs” saw great solos from euphonium player, Ian Harris and new soprano cornet signing Andy Watson. Wow what wonderful playing. Under the direction of MD, Kevin Smith, the audience entered into the spirit of the evening with lots of clapping, flag waving and singing along to “Jerusalem” and “Land of Hope and Glory”. In fact, they didn’t want it to end so after some feet stamping and shouts of “More” they were not disappointed by another quick rendition of “Barnum and Bailey’s Favourite”.

Lots of smiling faces from audience and players says it all – one fabulous evening.

VCB at the Verwood Rustic Fayre

Well done to the Verwod Concert Band for playing all through the afternoon at the somewhat damp and soggy bank holiday Rustic Fayre in Verwood.

It is great to support these local events and the superb music will undoubtedly have lifted the spirits of Verwoodians who did brave the weather to attend.

 

It proved a great opportunity to get some band photos especially of the ellusive horn, baritone and euph sections who are notoriously difficult to photograph as they hide behind their instruments or in some cases the conductor's arm waving!

VCB Summer Serenade Concert at the Minster

The principal band of Verwood Concert Brass performed a wonderful concert in the beautiful venue of Wimborne Minster.

 They played a great programme of music including four brilliant solo performances.

The band will be returning to the Minster for a Christmas Concert on December 12th - one not to be missed.

VCB Training Band at the Pamphill Fete

This was a new gig for the Training Band and a lovely one it was too. There were lots of people attending and taking time to listen to the band. A good turn out for the band too with a few experienced players making an appearance.

We are hoping this will now be a regular gig not least because of the delicious cream tea refreshments we were treated too.

Picnic in the park 3

Saturday 26 July

The weather looks like it is going to be kind again with a good forecast for our final Picnic in the Park Concert for this year.

This time it is the turn of the Training Band who are amazing and provide just as much entertainment as our other two bands. Thanks to David Johnson for stepping in as conductor in Mike Dunning's absence

As well as this concert providing the usual opportunity to have a relaxing afternoon enjoying listening to the music, it also provides an opportunity for anyone who might be interested in learning to play brass or percussion to come along and see what the band is all about.

We look forward to see you there.