~30th Anniversary Gala Concert~

held at Church of Christ the Cornerstone, Milton Keynes on 10th July 2004

On 10th July at Church of Christ the Cornerstone in Milton Keynes, some 300 people attended the 30th Anniversary Gala Concert of the band. Nine members of the original band (1974) were present and many past members joined in a performance of "Punchinello" under the band`s founder conductor David Greig.

Highlights of the evening included guest appearances of two former members Ben Godfrey and Carol Jarvis. Ben, former principal cornet of the Yorkshire Building Society Band and recently graduated from the Royal Academy of Music, played piccolo trumpet in "Escapade" and stunned the audience with a rendition of the Harry James Trumpet Concerto.

Carol, from the Royal Northern College of Music and a member of the famous Trombone Quartet Bones Apart (www.bonesapart.com), was equally stunning in "Autumn Leaves" and the lively "Bolivar".

The concert ended with a performance of Saint-Saens "Finale to the Organ Symphony" with David Farr on organ and the fanfares played by the Intermediate Brass Band (conducted by Mark Green). The Intermediate Brass are the feeder band for Stantonbury Brass and played "Vivat Regina" by William Matthias in the concert.

Although it was a concert to remember, everyone was stunned by the news of the death of horn player David Brooks, who died three days previously after a long illness. The band played "Ruby Tuesday" as a tribute to David - one of his favourite pieces.

In Memoriam

David Brooks (1978 - 2004)

David started his playing career with Bradwell Silver Band, and in 1990 became a scholar at the Milton Keynes Music Centre, where he joined Stantonbury Brass. He soon became the band`s Solo Horn player and was noted for his beautiful sound and lyrical playing. He played many of the popular horn solos, but his highlight was when the band won the 3rd Section Area Contest in 1996 - his final year before studying at Southampton University. After graduating with an Business Studies Degree, he returned to Milton Keynes and Stantonbury Brass until last summer when he was taken ill. David was 26.

The band played "David of the White Rock" at his funeral in Wrexham, along with other players who knew David well. David will be sorely missed by us all.