The recently formed 10–piece ensemble from the band made their debut appearance at a concert
at the Chrysalis Theatre, MK on 18th May. The concert was in aid of the Parkinson's Disease
Society and the ensemble was engaged by the organisers "No Strings", an A Cappella Choir from
Milton Keynes.
The ensemble played to a packed house and were very well received.
Promotion:
Playing from a relatively early draw the band came an excellent 4th place out of 17 bands at
the Area Contest in Stevenage playing "The Dark Side of the Moon" by Paul Lovatt-Cooper. They
missed out on an appearance at the National Finals by just one point. However, because of the
average of positions over the past three years the band have been promoted to the 2nd section
from January 2009. This is good news for both the band and music service – well deserved for
all the hard work they put in, particularly since they have to compete against bands that
rehearse twice a week for often fifty weeks of the year. Life will be tougher in this section
but they seem very ready for the challenge.
The band were grateful for the input of Laurence May and Heather Britton, together with Richard Colson and Philip Wilson who have both now joined on a permanent basis. The band also welcomes Duncan Bruce from Towcester Band (joining father Alan and brother George), and were delighted when Keith Underwood (founder member) offered to take on the challenge of tuned percussion.
January saw the band competing at the Butlins Championships in Skegness on "Symphony for Brass". Due to work commitments the band had to engage some guests to compete, namely Pauline Richards (Hemel Hempstead Band), Chris Johnston (MD, Bradwell Band) and David Rose & Andrew Hughes (Broseley Brass Development Band). We were most grateful for their help. The band came a respectable 6th out of eleven bands, but generally felt that they were not at their best on this occasion. However they had a great weekend.
December was busy as usual with very successful concerts being given at Olney Parish Church and Lovatt Fields Care Home. One of the soloists at these concerts was Stephen Kenny, who played "Georgia on my Mind" and has now left to concentrate on his A level studies. We were also pleased to welcome back for a short while ex-member Andrew Rosier (Trombone) who is now experiencing life in South America. We wish them well.
Carol collections this year meant that the band could donate over £900.00 to Willen Hospice. Many thanks to parents, friends and Daphne Clifton who coordinated the collections, for all your help.
The band moved into new rehearsal premises at the new music service site in Simpson. After trials acoustically, it was agreed that the Hall at the site was going to be an improvement for rehearsal purposes, particularly since all the percussion was at hand.
Welcome to two new members, Sam Scotney and James Cosby, who have graduated through the music service ensemble structure.
Craig Greene joined Stantonbury Brass in 2001 and over the next seven years became a valuable solo cornet player, obtaining his Grade 8 (Distinction) when he was 13. In 2003, Craig won a music scholarship to Stowe School and in 2006 acquired the Diploma of the ABRSM with distinction, following the same distinction the previous year on piano. After A levels he was offered scholarships to study at the RAM, RCM and RNCM. He however accepted a place at Christ College, Oxford where he is now studying for his music degree.
We wish Craig well in his future career and thank him for his commitment and input over such a long time, even through his A level studies.
The band excelled themselves once again at the Music Service's annual concert in the MK Theatre. After Fanfare40 composed by Alan Jenkin to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Milton Keynes, the band played "Riverdance" and concluded with Elgar Howarth's arrangement of "Great Gate of Kiev" from Pictures at an Exhibition by Mussorgsky.
The band would like to extend a very warm welcome to Paul Cartmell, Alex Chapman, Jonathan Dryer, Christine Petty, Jenni Walmsley and Jane Willmott who have recently joined us, and will undoubtedly strengthen the band even further for our forthcoming concerts and contests next season. We were sorry to lose Peter Eales due to pressure of work recently, as well as students Sarah Garry and Daniell Gray due to A-Level exams. Thank you for all the commitment you have given the band over the last few years.
Area Contest: The band gave gave a fine performance of Daryl Barry's Prelude & Jubilate to come 6th out of a field of 15 bands. Many thought our performance justified a higher placing including the 4barsrest correspondant who wrote the following:
"For our money Stantonbury Brass can count itself as the unluckiest band of the day. A relatively early draw (No.4) saw our pre-contest favourites turn in a performance of considerable style. The music flowed with ease and with some experienced players around the band, individual contributions in the Prelude, noteably from Soprano, came off well. The band's conductor shaped the music particularly well and all things considered we would have had Stantonbury in our top three"
Adjudicator Philip Harper thought otherwise and that is what counts. A pity since a higher placing would have seen promotion to the 2nd section.
With limited rehearsal time the band turned in an excellent performance of Keith Wardl's "Edwin of Northumbria" to take 4th prize out of a field of 14 bands at the Butlins Championships on January 20th. Everyone had a great weekend which included taking part in a "massed blow" of a march specially written for the event by Andrew Duncan, with some 1000+ players taking part. This culminated in a world record for the "largest brass band in the world". Proceeds organised by "Band Aid" all went to the Ethiopian Famine Relief.
The band now look forward to The Area contest in Stevenage on March 18th and a special lunchtime recital concert at the Church of Christ the Cornerstone on March 3rd. The band would like to thank those who have helped during events over the last 3 months - in particular Tina, Pat & Miles Kenny, Matthew Ball (Broseley Brass), David Rose, Jenny Walmsley, Jan Bower, Alex Chapman & Karen Boote (Woburn Sands Band).
The band decided this year to enter the Leicestershire Brass Band Contest on the 19th November and turned in a good performance of Gilbert Vinter's "Entertainments" to gain 3rd prize out of a field of 10 bands.
The Christmas period was busy as usual, the highlight being the annual Carol Concert at Olney Church where some 200 people heard the band in good form playing some new arrangements of Christmas music. Guests from the Music Service were Louise Maltby (Flute) and James Maltby (Clarinet), accompanied by Sam Dochree (Piano). They also played an arrangement of Silent Night with the band, which was most effective. Carols at Olney's "Dickens of a Chistmas", the MK Dons Christmas show and Milton Keynes Station realised a substantial sum of money for Willen Hospice.
Concert at the City Church on 17th June was a great success with guest artist Chris Jeans, ex-principal trombone with Black Dyke, Grimethorpe Colliery and Yorkshire Building Society, in fine form. Chris played Stardust and Thoughts of Love in the first half and followed with Londonderry Air and a blistering performance of Goedicke's Concert Etude (normally played on the cornet) in the second half. The band turned in what was probably their best concert performance ever with the Overtures to Magic Flute, Nabucodonosor and Sibelius' Finlandia in a new arrangement by Alan Jenkin. The concert ended with Howard Snell's arrangement of "Procession to the Minster". We were very grateful to Chris Jeans who provided fantastic entertainment and was very complimentary about the band's fine sound.
Welcome & Thanks
We extend a warm welcome to one of the band`s former principal cornet players, Tim Sell, who has recently
returned from university. We have been grateful for the help over the past few months of Bob Stradling (Kibworth Band),
Matthew Ball (Broseley Brass), Nicky Davy (Brackley Band), Janet Bower, Pat & Tina Kenny and Sam Goode.
We also said goodbye to Murray Picton who will enter Hertfordshire University in October, and Vicky Eales who has moved to Oxfordshire - many thanks for all your commitment over the last five years. Mark Green has also left to concentrate on the Intermediate Brass at the music service.
The band played at the annual Sausage Festival at the White Hart Hotel, Sherington where some 500 people came from far and wide to savour the delights of various sausage fillings and Stantonbury Brass.
An excellent weekend was had with Russell Gray in February. Russell took three rehearsals on Gilbert Vinter's "Entertainments" as well as working with students at the Saturday morning Music Centre School and masterclasses in the afternoon with senior students.
Many congratulations must go to Craig Greene on obtaining his Advanced Dip.ABRSM on Trumpet with distinction. Craig (Solo Cornet player with Stantonbury Brass) had to play a 35 minute recital at St.Hilda's College, Oxford before a panel of Associated Board Examiners.
The band came a creditable 7th at Stevenage on 18th March but were disappointed not to have achieved a higher placing since they felt they played very well on the difficult "Entertainments". However, the band continues to improve and that's what matters.
The band are looking forward to working with Russell Gray who this weekend (11th) notched up another win at the Norwegian Championships with Stavanger Brass.
We are also grateful for the help for the forthcoming Area Championships of Janet Bower (Horn), David Rose and Gianni Bruno (Cornets).
The band came a creditable 5th at the Butlins Championships and a great weekend was enjoyed by all. We were very grateful for the help of Janet Bower (Horn) and Jenni Walmsley (Timpani) for this Contest. The band are also very grateful for the commitment given by two members: David Wolfson and Kevin Greene, who recently left us after several years of loyal membership. We wish them well.
A warm welcome to Malcolm Nevin (Eb Bass), who now joins us on a full-time basis.