As we move into the month of August all of our summer jobs are now finished and it’s been a busy time, especially for the Training Band, who have given concerts raising funds for the Orchard Trust and Sue Ryder, as well as playing at our own band garden party and Proms in the Park.

 

Talking of Proms in the Park, what a great success it was; unbelievable weather, large crowds, RSVP Bhangra and the ABBA Tribute Band, Revival really getting the crowds ‘rocking on the grass’ and great performances from the Rock Choir, Pandemonium Steel Pans and, of course, our own Training Band.

 

The senior band finished off the evening with the traditional Last Night of the Proms and were joined by guest euphonium soloist Glyn Williams and leading the singing, Emma Dawson.  All of this was expertly directed by Ian Holmes and compère for the day was the one and only Philip Harper.

 

So it’s a month off now for us all before we start work on a very special autumn programme.  September 29th will see us at St. George’s Hall in Bristol for a concert celebrating the Art of Flight in the Bristol area.  We will be joined by our own Training Band, Lydney Training Band and City of Bristol Learners Band, plus the Gurt Lush Choir of over 200 members.

 

The concert will finish with a performance of Liz Lane’s Innovation 216 and all of this will be directed by the band’s principal conductor, Ian Holmes.  Tickets are now on sale from the St. George’s website for the two performances which take place at 3pm and 5.30pm.

 

We then move on to October and ‘A Night at the Movies’ concert conducted by our Associate Conductor, Glyn Williams.  With the unbelievable and unexplainable closure of the Forest Theatre, this concert will take place at Dene Magna School in Mitcheldean.  Joining us for ‘A Night at the Movies’ will be the Allegra Choir conducted by Emma Dawson.  There is plenty of parking at the school as well as disabled access and tickets at £8.00 each will be on sale from early September from Barbara Morgan on 01594 860944.

 

November 10th will see the band travel to Trinity College at Cambridge University for a concert that includes the evocative Silver Rose, composed by Liz Lane.  We have performed this in 2014/15/16/17 and it tells some of the stories from the First World War taken from the poems of Bristol poet Isaac Rosenberg who was killed during WW1.

 

The band feels very proud and privileged to have the opportunity to perform in such a prestigious venue.  Founded in 1546, it is believed that Lydbrook Band will be the first brass band to perform in this historic venue.

 

December will see us at Dene Magna School again for our annual Christmas Concert with the very popular Blaenavon Male Voice Choir - more details to follow.

 

Finally, the Training Band will be competing at the GBBA Contest in the autumn which is again being held at All Saints Academy in Cheltenham on 18th November.

 

That’s all for now folks - I hope the sun comes back again soon.

 

Robert Morgan

Secretary