Update 1st November 2004

MD RESIGNS - David Maplestone has resigned as MD with effect from January 2005. Press release:

"David Maplestone has resigned from his position as Musical Director of Stourport-on-Severn Brass Band with effect from Christmas. The band would like to take the opportunity to thank David for the commitment he has shown us over his six years in charge and for the huge improvements he has helped us make in that time. During the last six years David has taken the band to contest victories at Rhyl, Wychavon and Leamington (twice) and gained promotion to the second section for 2002. David has since inspired the band to reach the National Finals twice in successive years, a feat not achieved by many other bands.

Speaking about his decision, David said: "I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Stourport, the hardest working band I have conducted but I feel the time is right for a change, for myself and for the band."

As a result, the band will be looking for a new conductor and would like to begin auditions after Pontins with a view to the successful applicant starting in January.

Please contact the band manager via email or phone for an audition.

Update 1st October 2004

NATIONAL FINALS.....AGAIN! - Harrogate came and went very quickly with band putting in a slightly nervy performance on a very hot stage. The band were placed 17th out of 17 bands (last place to everyone else). Pictures available here. Adjudications available here.

Update 15th June 2004

STILL HOMELESS - The band have tried various venues to rehearse, from church rooms to school classrooms, but nothing is ideal. Some have a very dead acoustic with no storage, whereas others have lots of storage but they are too "boomy" and the sound is either too loud or it reverberates on for too long.

After a very good concert in aid of the Alzheimer's Society on Saturday 12th June, the Stourport Civic Centre was suggested as a possibility to practice in, nice acoustic but no storage .....again! The Ramada Resort in Bewdley have told the band they can rehearse on Tuesdays in the old room (yippee), but it may only be temporary (sob). It seems to be an endless struggle to find somewhere, but the band are optimistic that something will turn up.

Update 14th May 2004

HOMELESS - The band have had to leave their band room and find pasture's new due to the Ramada Hotel requiring the room on practice nights. Various members of the band have made lots of phone calls and some of the committee have been visiting possible new venues to practise.
Thursday 13th saw us rehearsing at Bewdley Friends Quaker Meeting House. The venue had a tiny car park and the MD was last to arrive so had to be the first to leave as the band we all double/quadruple parked!! Tuesday 18th will see the band back at Stourport High School (their roots) and 2 other venues are planned at Wolverley High School (CD recording venue) and St. John's Church in Kidderminster in the following 2 practices. Lets hope that one of them is as acoustically dead as the old band room and that storage is available for the percussion and music library.

Update 23rd April 2004

STOURPORT ON THE BEEB! - The band were informed by Ramada that the practice would no longer be available on Tuesday & Thursday evenings from mid-May so rumblings were sent out that we needed to find a new room. BBC Midlands Today found out and decided they had a story that might help us.
The band were filmed for almost 3 hours playing Death or Glory over 10 times on a very wet Sunday (4th April) in various obscure places including: A bus stop, a field, a car park and........a phone box!! Kate (2nd Bari) and Dai (MD) were both interviewed while the band had a drink in the bar. The item was aired on BBC One on Tuesday 13th April during Midlands Today and lasted less than 3 minutes.
As a follow up, BBC Hereford & Worcester Radio phoned up Kate and interviewed her LIVE in the week following the show being broadcasted. The band have received a few offers of possible band rooms and they are currently being looked at. Lets hope we find one before May 13th (The first Thursday we are unable to use the current room).

STOURPORT ON CD! - The Band have recorded their first CD! The recording took place over the weekend 17th/18th April at Wolverley High School. The weekend was very eventful and included a power cut, lots of patience, a fair amount of hair pulling and head scratching.....and an ambulance!
The process was made fairly simple - 6 sessions of an hour and a half each over 2 days to record as much as possible (ideally 16 tracks). An initial complete run through was recorded and then as many little outtakes that were needed to cover up any "clips" and "clicks" that appeared in the run through. Neil & Andy from Absolute Recordings were extremely patient with the band & MD, and we look forward to hearing the results very soon. Pictures to follow shortly.

Update 31st March 2004

Congratulations to Simon who passed his Grade 8 Cornet with Merit recently. Simon plays Repiano cornet and I'm sure it must be time for him to put in a solo piece soon!!!

On a more serious note, Rob Clarke (1st Trombone) is resigning from the band from July 1st to go travelling round the world for a year with his better half. We wish them both all the best and hope you can sit down soon after all the jabs you have had! This leaves a gap from a trombone player..........anyone wishing to join should contact our new Band Manager Richard Snape via email.

Update 24th March 2004

The Midland Regional Championships were held at Burton-upon-Trent Town Hall on Saturday 13th March and the band had a fairly early draw - 7 out of 17. The band rehearsed at a Scout hut just south of Burton and were served various types of hot butties and drinks by the lovely people there afterwards (see pictures). The Band gave their best ever performance of Kaleidoscope and were placed 3rd. What a fantastic result! 3rd place two years running! And a National Finals invitation to Harrogate in September, a bit closer to home than Dundee last year so hopefully not as expensive to travel. Hotel bookings were soon made (thanks Helen), rehearsal room booked (thanks Dave) and coach negotiations are happening (thanks Snapey). Lets just hope we place better than 17th this year!! Thanks must go to David Berezan who joined the band on kit, and also to Kate Morgan who move from 2nd Baritone to timps/tuned percussion with only one weeks notice. Thank you both.

Update 25th February 2004

I really must update this more often!! We welcome David Berezan to the band to come and play percussion at the Regionals in Burton. David is from Canada, but now lives in the UK and teaches Drama at Evesham High School. Welcome David.

Engagements for 2004 have also been updated. Click here

Well, what a year 2003 was. After a successful summer of park bandstands and fetes it was off to Dundee. The band flew up to Edinburgh from East Midlands Airport at a ridiculously early time and then made for Perth (near Dundee). A sociable Saturday was had with a rehearsal in the afternoon and then to Sunday-Final Day!!! The band were drawn to play 2nd and gave a reasonable performance of Eric Ball's Sunset Rhapsody. The band found a local 'establishment' and started to pull apart their performance over a few quiet drinks, and then to the results! The adjudicator's didn't agree with the band's thoughts and placed the band 19th (out of 20!). Oh well, all that fundraising helped us to have a truly enjoyable weekend and thanks must go to all those who helped. The band did improve the following weekend by being place 3rd at the Wychavon Entertainment Festival.

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