On Sunday, Lydney kicked off our summer programme of concerts with a performance at the bandstand in Stratford Park, Stroud. Opening with The Bombardier, the band's set included three solos from Kerry (Cornet - First Light), Louise (Flugel - A Little Star Went Out) and Samantha (Tenor Horn - The Lark in the Clear Air).
We were also able to debut a whole host of brand new pieces including several composed and arranged by our very own David, Malcolm and Tom. The Town Band’s next concert is on Sunday 19th May in Ross-on-Wye, where we’ll be kicking off their 2024 Bands in the Park concert programme! Summer is right round the corner and both Lydney Town Band and Lydney Training Band have been busy putting together our musical programmes for the upcoming concert season. There's loads of opportunities to see both bands in action throughout the summer and across the local area!
Starting on Sunday 5th May, Lydney Town Band will be returning to Stratford Park in Stroud! Two weeks later, we're kicking off the Bands in the Park Summer Series in Ross-on-Wye. Lydney Training Band will be leading the festivities at the St Briavel's Carnival in June before returning to Scarr Bandstand for the Rising Stars Concert. The Town Band will also be helping the Lydney Royal British Legion celebrate their centenary anniversary in June and in mid-July, we're heading back to the Rising Sun in Moseley Green! We can't wait and we hope to see you around and about! A belated welcome to Malcolm who we’re thrilled to say joined our baritone team last month. As well as being a fabulous musician, Malcolm is also an accomplished composer, whose pieces have featured in our prizewinning sets at the Wychavon Festival of Brass in recent years!
It was great to welcome Jess, who plays Solo Horn with the Training Band, along to the Town Band rehearsal last night as a “taster” session.
On Monday evening, the Starter Group (ably assisted by members of the Training Band) continued their Spring Showcase Tour with a visit to Goode Court. There was a full programme of music on offer, ranging from our newest learners to our most experienced players. It was great to have performances from our adult learners too! In total, we entertained the residents with 16 solos, four duets and a trio of ensemble pieces. Highlights included Bobby and Rylan playing their first duet, Etta’s spotless performance of the National Anthem and Kip with his red trombone. We’re so proud of all of them! Thanks to Roger playing the role of photographer.
We’re really excited to be opening the Bands in the Park Summer Programme in Ross-on-Wye on Sunday 19th May! It’s always such a fun concert to do with great support from the local community - it’s a perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon.
Yesterday, Kevin and Kerry were presented with a token of the Training Band’s esteem as a thank you for all their hard work over the last year. Many thanks to Jessica for organising it and Wren for doing the presentation honours!
Congratulations to our latest cohort of young musicians who passed their grade exams earlier this month: Jonah and Wren (Grade 1), Sadie (Grade 3), Millie (Grade 4), Herbie and George (Grade 5).
On Monday 18th March, the ladies and gentlemen at Rodley House, Lydney, were treated to a brilliant springtime showcase of talent by the Lydney Starter Group. The group of 16, including new starters and three adult learners, performed a range of solos, duets and ensemble performances including Abide with Me and Peppermint Tango! Five of the players: Autumn, Shiann, Kaiesha, Cora and Kip made their solo debuts. Kip on his red Trombone looked like he was really enjoying himself.
The band was led by Kerry Ford, with support from tutors Roger and Ken Powell. There was a fun rendition of Wonka’s welcome played by Rhys and Sadie (a brother and sister team) and a wonderful version of the Floral Dance by adult learner Lisa. Our young trombonist Edith played a beautiful rendition of ‘Jupiter’, and there were many more to enjoy. Youth Development Officer Kerry Ford said, “With 15 soloists there was an amazing variety of music and the audience at Rodley House sang along to Daisy Bell and The Pink Panther. It was just great to see some new brass talent in the making”. The Starter Group are appearing at two other residential venues this spring as part of their performance tour. Their next concert will be at Goode Court on Monday 15 April. The tour is a great way to build confidence and develop team working skills, enabling the new players to move on into the Training Band as quickly as possible with their new found skills. Our development programme for young players is thriving and reaping many rewards for the individuals involved. In the last fortnight, six Training Band members took exams ranging from grade one to five! We're happy to report that all six passed with flying colours! Well done to Wren and Jonah (both: grade 1), Sadie (grade 3), Millie (grade 4), and Herbie and George (both: grade 5). We're very proud of you all!
Looking forward to the next few months, Youth Development Officer, Kerry Ford, said: "The place to start is with ‘learners’ and this spring we are taking our Starter Group out three times to perform concerts at our local residential homes. Here they play their solos and ensembles to willing ears, learning essential life skills about preparation, self discipline, confidence and team work." Our grateful thanks to Ken & Roger Powell, Kevin & Kerry Ford for their dedication and patience to make the magic happen. We're very happy to report that Lydney Town Band came third in the WEBBA Regional Championships held in Torquay yesterday!!! This means that the Band have also qualified for the National Championships for the first time in eight years. We would like to pass on our congratulations to Verwood Town and Nailsworth Silver Band who took first and second place respectively.
Enormous thanks to our Musical Director, Thomas Dunne, for all his hard work and dedication over the last few months to get us here. Shout out to our brilliant Contest Secretary, Julie, for all her work on securing rehearsal venues and making sure everyone knew where they had to be at various times! Also, massive thanks to our fellow banders, and the families and friends who’ve supported us as we prepared for this weekend! Our thanks also to WEBBA for another well organised, well-run contest. In addition, we would like to note that the Town Band included nine members who initially started with Lydney Training Band! Today marks International Women's Day! Lydney Town Band is immensely proud of having so many wonderful and committed women who contribute to our organisation, particularly in Lydney Training Band and the Starter Group, where they continue to set a superb example for the next generation of musicians who are coming through the ranks.
The Lydney Town Band Monthly Prize Draw has been a key fundraising tool for the band for many years. In recent times it has contributed funds towards the purchase of the Band's storage unit and its new band jackets, which we were able to debut at the 2023 WEBBA Regional Finals. The draw enjoys support from band members, their families, as well as friends and supporters of the band (even a cat...) and has a guaranteed prize of at least £30/month (see below for last year's winners).
New entrants are always welcome and can join at any time of the year from as little as £1/month. For further details of how to join, please contact Kerry Ford (Band Secretary) We had a busy Monday evening in the Lydney Band Room. The Starter Group had a rehearsal then presented a wonderful 'Mini Concert'. Under the guidance of Kerry Ford, ten of the fourteen players played short solos, some after just a few weeks of joining the group. The supportive audience were also treated to some band pieces to add to the superb evening. The future continues to look very bright for Lydney Band.
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May 2024
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