Update 22nd November

(FULL UPDATE STILL TO COME)

BOLD AS BRASS: The band played its very first "own concert" on Friday 16th November at the Rose Theatre in Kidderminster. The performance was very well atended and received by the audience. Here is a review from the Kidderminster Shuttle:

This music was so varied, clearly demonstrating the individual talents of the musicians and underlining the versatility of the band.

Under MD David Morgan, they opened their programme with the rousing There's No Business like Show Business and proceeded through a march which was originally written for the Salvation Army band, a selection of music from the Pirates of the Caribbean films to an item from Jeff Wayne's musical version of War of the Words, and a somewhat strange item Derek Bourgeois wrote for his bride to walk down the aisle to. Judging from the various tempi involved, I should have thought tripped' down the aisle would be more appropriate.

I was pleased they had included the Toccata from Symphonic Suite for Band by Leighton Lucas, which demonstrates many sections of the band and an upbeat version of Bach's Toccata in D minor was superb.

We hear solos from Jo Foskett on tenor horn and Emma Field on euphonium and even the Muppets got in on the act. The band surprised me with an excellent big band' sound in the swinging lightwalk, but they were equally at home with a beautiful arrangement of the hymn The Day Thou Gavest Lord is ended.

Peter Graham's Gaelforce, comprising three Irish folk tunes - The Minstrel Boy and two jigs, provided a really toe-tapping ending to the programme as billed, but the band treated us to an encore of lively Latin rhythms in Malaguens.

We don't see enough of Wyre Forest's star band in concert locally, so more please."

VJS

Thanks go to Roland & Kate for organising much of the concert, also thanks to Jay, Eric, Eleanor, Simon and Steve for helping to fill out the ranks, and finally to the Rose Theatre staff for accommodating us and making the whole event seem effortless. Click here to see photos from the evening

Update 13th July 2007

JOINT CONCERT: The band played in Kidderminster Town Hall on Saturday June 30th with Stourport Choral Society. The theme of the concert was English music and included many pieces by Sir Edward Elgar to celebrate the 150th anniversary of his birth on 2nd June. The concert was very well attended and all of the feedbcak the band have received has been very positive from both members of the public and from members of the Choral Society, could become an annual event. Thanks must go out to everyone involved in the setting up and staging of the event but there are two very special "thank you"s from the band. Firstly to Dave Morgan for his efforts in getting the band up to scratch with some of Elgar's intricate music and for his joint musical item success, and to Kate Bonney for her efforts in helping to coordinate the event and creating the programme.

BUSY: The band has had a busy few weeks leading up to the Joint Concert, including playing for the British Legion in Stourport, Bandstands in Wolverhampton and Evesham, and a private party somewhere in the middle of nowhere. All seemed to go well and even a few CDs have been sold - can't be many left now. The band definitely deserve a well earned break, but if you would like to join the band or just come along for a blow then please email bandmanager@stourportband.co.uk and let us know you'll be coming.

PLAYERS: We have recently welcomed Dan Bridgwater onto Eb Bass for the Joint Concert, Dan has just finished his first year at the Conservatoire in Birmingham, welcome Dan. But we also said goodbye to Pete Farlow, Pete had been in the band playing trombone for many years (since his school days alongside Jacquie I believe) and we all wish him and Diane the very best for the future. And finally, we welcome back Rob Clarke onto principal trombone, Rob played with the band for many years but then disappeared for a year or two to travel the world and get married (not at the same time), welcome back Rob.

Update 6th June 2007

ST GEORGES DAY: The band played at The Glades Leisure Centre in Kidderminster on Sunday 22nd April for a Saint Georges Day Parade by the Scouts. The band welcomed back David Bishop-Rowe as guest conductor and would like to thank him for his assistance.

Dave Bishop-Rowe conducts

Front row cornets

LIGHT DRIZZLE: The band turned up to play in Cripplegate Park in Worcester on Sunday 27th May only to find the park all locked up and nowhere to shelter from the torrent of rain that was falling from the skies. Thank you to the "dep" players that turned up to help out and to the whole band for "assuming" we would be playing.

Update 13th March 2007

LAST BUT ONE: Alan Morrison & David Read judged the band to be placed 18th out of the 19 bands that entered the Midlands Regional Contest at Burton-on-Trent on Saturday 10th March.........the fact that only 18 played on the day is irrelevant, at least the band turned up!

The band had been struggling to find players to fill all of the seats for the contest so a few loyal former players came back and a few favours were asked of some people and the band turned up with 23 brass and 2 percussion players (some of whom could only manage 3 or 4 rehearsals before the contest). The day didn't start too well with a 17th place draw which meant hanging around for about 3 hours after the 10am rehearsal before meeting to play.

The result was a bit of a shock but no-one came off stage thinking it was a winning performance. Needless to say a few drinks were quaffed and some pool played around the corner in the Old Cottage pub to cheer people up and the bus ride home was certainly one to be remembered - mainly for the improvised playing by a few of the band. Click here for a video of the busking (pictures to follow).

WELCOME: The contest can't have been too bad as we can announce that 2 of the "extra" players that played on Saturday have said they are interested in joining the band full time. Mark Lowe is currently studying in his first year at the Birmingham Conservatoire and shall be playing 2nd Euphonium and Rich Towey is a young percussionist from Evesham (still at school I believe). Welcome to you both.

Update 5th February 2007

SEATS AVAILABLE: A few players have left the band for various reasons. Lizi Killick, who joined in October 2006, has left leaving a solo cornet seat available. Jo Shaw has left after a 2nd period of membership with the band, thanks to Helen Howard for swapping her tenor hron for a cornet. John Moore has left the band after many years on Eb Bass after playing back row cornet for even longer with the band - he leaves an Eb Bass seat available. We wish them all well in the future.

WEDDING: Former long term trombone player with the band, Rob Clarke, has gone and got married! He married Lu on Friday 26th January at Cadmore Lodge near Tenbury Wells. They currently are in Africa on 'Safari' and we all wish them well in the future. (pictures to follow)

Update 23rd January 2007

BUTLINS: 9 members of the band, friends and partners and baby Ben went to a very windy Skegness on Friday 19th January to stay at the Butlins Resort on the seafront to watch the Mineworkers Championships. The main aim of the weekend (apart from to have fun!) was so see whether the band would like to go and compete at the event in the future. The contest doesn't have as many bands competing as the Pontins Championships but it seemed to be better attended by family, friends and supporters. The contest is the same format as Pontins, for the lower sections, with a test piece being played and adjudicated. The Championship Section played over 2 days with a test piece on the Saturday and a 23 minute entertainment concert.

The accomodation was very nice (much better than Pontins!), the entertaiment was better (Bucks Fizz, Drifters and much more) and there are plenty of places to eat, drink and amuse the kids. The swimming pool flumes were a hit with many of the band and several hours were spent racing down them! The Dance machine was a lure for Chris and Dunc again and Chris showed off his superior skills on the dance floor. Videos were taken by Jennie in arty Black & White (Real Player needed to play files) click here and here. Rich Snape thought he would challenge Chris the next day, click here to see the results (also notice the lad on the machine to the right of Chris)

CAROLLING SUCCESS: The band played at several supermarkets, a National Trust country estate and outside Santas Grotto at a preserved railway station. The public were very generous and donated a massive £1713.89 in spare change. Many thanks to everyone who donated, played and collected in cold and windy conditions - the money will be used wisely.

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