23 February 2017 - News Update

Christmas has come and gone and we are now well into the New Year.  2016 seemed to go by in a flash with the band being very busy all year round.

We started 2017 in fine fashion with the marriage of our band Chairman Trevor Moss to our Flugel Horn player Tracey King.  They had a marvellous wedding evening and we were all very lucky to be able to join with them for their big day.  We wish them a long and happy marriage.

Early in February we hosted the Cory Band in a concert at the Forest Theatre.  The world’s No. 1 brass band didn’t disappoint, delivering a concert of sublime quality to a sold out hall.  The band’s MD Philip Harper was in fine form too, entertaining the audience with his usual good humour.  It was a great afternoon and we were pleased to join them on stage for a couple of massed band items at the beginning of the second half.

We are now working hard preparing for the Area Contest which takes place on Sunday 12^th March in Torquay.  The test piece is the wonderful ‘Pageantry’ written in 1935 by Lydney composer Herbert Howells.  The Area Contest is very important for all bands nationwide as this is the measure used for promotion and relegation.

Following this contest the band will move on to rehearsals for the Spring Festival in Blackpool on May 13^th where the test piece is Gilbert Vinter’s ‘Salute to Youth’.  For both contests the band will be conducted by Glyn Williams, the principal euphonium of the Cory Band.

Summer bookings are already in place which will keep us busy in the months ahead and it will be a pleasure to welcome back our principal conductor Ian Holmes for the majority of these engagements.  See our events list here.

Please note my 60^th Anniversary Concert on Sunday 30^th September at the Forest Theatre when many guest soloists and conductors will be in attendance.  Barbara is now taking orders for tickets at £9.00 each on 01594 860944.  It should be a great evening and I hope you are able to come along.

You may also be interested to read our Training Band update.

That’s all for now folks - more news soon.

Robert Morgan

Secretary