News
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25/11/2021 A tribute to Des Yeates
It is with great regret that we have learnt of the death of Des Yeates. Des played in the band on BBb Bass for many years and was Vice Chairman until he decided to retire from playing about 5 years ago. He was well known around the Forest of Dean and had connections with other brass bands and was, in the past, well known for singing at concerts and as a member of local choirs.
Des was involved in the resurgence of Lydney Town Band when the band membership dwindled to a few loyal players. He played in, and always supported, Lydney Training Band when it was re-kindled in 2005. Without the encouragement of members such as Des the Lydney Band organisation would not be what it is today - an established team with an ethos of playing together, enjoyment, fun and learning.
Rest in peace Des
Des was involved in the resurgence of Lydney Town Band when the band membership dwindled to a few loyal players. He played in, and always supported, Lydney Training Band when it was re-kindled in 2005. Without the encouragement of members such as Des the Lydney Band organisation would not be what it is today - an established team with an ethos of playing together, enjoyment, fun and learning.
Rest in peace Des
21/10/2021 Bandroom Roof Renovation
A recurring problem for the Band in recent years has been leaks in the bandroom's roof. This is partially due to its design and storm damage from the previously overhanging trees. This has led to problems with damp in the rehearsal rooms as well as aesthetic damage to the ceilings. In early October Band Committee approved the appointment of roofing specialists to undertake extensive repairs. The work was completed on Thursday 21st October.
15/10/2021 Preparations begin for the 2022 WEBBA Regional Contest
Lydney Town Band has had its first run through of Facets of Glass, the 2022 3rd Section Area test piece, written by the late Gordon Langford. With its dramatic and brooding opening, gorgeous baritone solo and the ‘drunken trombones’ moment, Facets of Glass is going to be a great challenge for the band over the next few months.
18/09/2021 Lydney Community Centre 10th Anniversary
Lydney Training Band helped the Lydney Community Centre celebrate their 10th anniversary on Saturday 18th September. The Community Centre was one of the local venues that provided a suitable space for the Town and Training Bands as they returned to socially distanced rehearsals earlier this year. The concert featured a solo from Dougie (pictured).
04/09/2021 Lydney Community Event
Lydney Training Band gave their first public performance since February 2020 at the Lydney Community Event on Saturday 4th September. The event, held in Lydney's Bathurst Park, was very well attended and benefitted from fantastic weather. The band, led by conductor Kevin Ford and new principal cornet Luna, played a half hour. It was a public debut for the band's new members and those who have recently changed instruments.
Organiser Councillor Tasha Saunders commented: "We were so fortunate to have had beautiful sunshine that bought so many Lydney residents out to support the event. Thank you, Lydney Training Band, for opening the event, seeing the smiles and admiration on people faces was just fantastic. Hearing live music really does lift the soul. Thank you so much for supporting the Lydney Community Event. I think after a tough 18 months having a safe outdoor event it was so much needed."
Organiser Councillor Tasha Saunders commented: "We were so fortunate to have had beautiful sunshine that bought so many Lydney residents out to support the event. Thank you, Lydney Training Band, for opening the event, seeing the smiles and admiration on people faces was just fantastic. Hearing live music really does lift the soul. Thank you so much for supporting the Lydney Community Event. I think after a tough 18 months having a safe outdoor event it was so much needed."
02/08/2021 Lydney Training Band resumes bandroom rehearsals
After nearly 18 months Lydney Training Band has resumed rehearsals in our bandroom. Following the lifting of lockdown restrictions the Training Band initially rehearsed in small groups outside before being able to rehearse in larger indoor spaces at Lydney Town Hall and Lydney Community Centre.
Since its return to rehearsals the Training Band's lineup has undergone a reshuffle. Luna has been promoted to the Principal Cornet position whilst Sam, Dougie and Dillon have moved from their back-row positions to complete the front row team. In addition three cornet players from Lydney Town Band have joined the Training Band on new instruments to bolster the lower sections. Rory, Mark and Ian have taken on playing the trombone, bass and baritone respectively.
Band Chairman and Training Band Conductor, Kevin Ford, said "Yippee! Lydney Training Band has finally got back to the band room after such a long time away. After lockdown the use of Lydney's Town Hall and Community Centre served really well but it is nice to be back home. There have been a few changes in members leading to the promotion of various players within the band, which has worked tremendously well. With the addition of new players coming on board, the band now has a strong and happy team, so all bodes well for the future".
Since its return to rehearsals the Training Band's lineup has undergone a reshuffle. Luna has been promoted to the Principal Cornet position whilst Sam, Dougie and Dillon have moved from their back-row positions to complete the front row team. In addition three cornet players from Lydney Town Band have joined the Training Band on new instruments to bolster the lower sections. Rory, Mark and Ian have taken on playing the trombone, bass and baritone respectively.
Band Chairman and Training Band Conductor, Kevin Ford, said "Yippee! Lydney Training Band has finally got back to the band room after such a long time away. After lockdown the use of Lydney's Town Hall and Community Centre served really well but it is nice to be back home. There have been a few changes in members leading to the promotion of various players within the band, which has worked tremendously well. With the addition of new players coming on board, the band now has a strong and happy team, so all bodes well for the future".
26/07/2021 Lydney Town Band returns to public performance
On Sunday 25th July Lydney Town Band gave its first public performance since March 2020 at Bell's Field, Coleford.
Opening with Prismatic Light and under the baton of Musical Director, Thomas Dunne, the band played a new concert repertoire featuring fast-paced crowd pleasers such as Mr Blue Sky and A Grand Day Out, as well as slower melodies such as Prelude on Quem Pastores. The concert included a number of solos including Rory Gordon with Mood Indigo and Samantha Ford with Somewhere Out There.
The concert marked a return to public performance for the band, which had only returned to full rehearsals in mid-May, as well as a debut for our newest members. Thomas Dunne commented afterwards "Our recent performance in Coleford was a fantastic experience for all of us. We've attracted a number of new players and I'm delighted with the great progress we have made as a band. Having the opportunity to showcase our efforts to an appreciative audience after such a long gap due to the pandemic was a real treat. We are all looking forward to more performances to come, and working to develop the band even further in the future."
The band's opening number, Prismatic Light is available to view on YouTube.
Opening with Prismatic Light and under the baton of Musical Director, Thomas Dunne, the band played a new concert repertoire featuring fast-paced crowd pleasers such as Mr Blue Sky and A Grand Day Out, as well as slower melodies such as Prelude on Quem Pastores. The concert included a number of solos including Rory Gordon with Mood Indigo and Samantha Ford with Somewhere Out There.
The concert marked a return to public performance for the band, which had only returned to full rehearsals in mid-May, as well as a debut for our newest members. Thomas Dunne commented afterwards "Our recent performance in Coleford was a fantastic experience for all of us. We've attracted a number of new players and I'm delighted with the great progress we have made as a band. Having the opportunity to showcase our efforts to an appreciative audience after such a long gap due to the pandemic was a real treat. We are all looking forward to more performances to come, and working to develop the band even further in the future."
The band's opening number, Prismatic Light is available to view on YouTube.
21/07/2021 Congratulations to Lily
Huge congratulations to Lily on attaining her Grade 7 on cornet, with Distinction. Kerry Ford, Lily's cornet tutor, said "I was so pleased with Lily's distinction at Grade 7. She has always been great at preparing for exams but this was an exam in a different place, under Covid restrictions and with no pianist. She had just finished her A-Levels and had to pull out all the stops to get her self "exam fit". She did it of course, and we are all very proud of her achievement. Doing music exams is a great way to earn extra UCAS points for university, and Lily is all set to go to Bath University in September".
23/5/2021 Back to Banding, and Welcome to New Members
With the continued lifting of restrictions, we have been able to slowly return to banding. Throughout April we managed to have ten outdoor rehearsals with limited numbers. Watch this space for more updates as restrictions lift further.
We would also like to welcome the following new members who have recently joined us. We are really excited to have them on-board and hope they will enjoy playing music as part of the band.
We would also like to welcome the following new members who have recently joined us. We are really excited to have them on-board and hope they will enjoy playing music as part of the band.
- Jessica Netherway – Baritone in the Senior/Training Bands
- Emma & Herbie Simpson – Cornets in the Starter/Training Bands
- Nicole & Scott Lewis – Horn and Bass in the Starter/Training Bands
- Sean Donegan - Eb Bass in the Senior Band
1/4/2021 Lydney Town and Training Band Spring Showcase
At the start of April we launched our Spring Showcase. This featured some of the fantastic performances from our Facebook Open Mic sessions, and All Through The Night, recorded last year during one of our Covid-secure outdoor rehearsals. This was shared amongst our online community via Facebook and our YouTube channel. It was also sent out to our friends and supporters in the local area.
19/11/2020 Lydney Town Band video: Our 2020 Story
We are really proud with what we have achieved here at the Lydney Town and Training Band, during the challenges of the 2020 lockdown. To ensure our bands’ future we have been keeping busy finding new ways to play together. We have created a video as a celebration of all that we have achieved and way of saying thank you to our members for being part of a great team.
There are more good things to come. We will keep our banding community going so that we are still here when we are allowed to support our Town Community ‘in person’ again.
There are more good things to come. We will keep our banding community going so that we are still here when we are allowed to support our Town Community ‘in person’ again.
23/10/2020 Our first rehearsal in our own band room since March...
On Friday 23rd October, a small group of band members managed to safely rehearse in the bandroom for the first time since March. With a strictly-followed set of attendance instructions, and social distancing rules observed at all times, we continued with our rehearsals of new repertoire.
04/10/2020 Bandroom refurbishment continues apace - huge thanks to all volunteers!
Although we haven't been able to rehearse in the band room, it has been far from quiet. Various volunteers have been conducting refurbishments over the last few weeks and months.
- New wall cladding and insulation in the main bandroom
- New fencing along the public footpath behind the band room
- Painting and decorating
- Electrical works and other renovations
06/09/2020 A tentative re-start to rehearsals!
On Sunday 6th September members of the Senior Band took advantage of the good weather, and a thorough risk assessment by our Safeguarding Officer, to have a socially-distanced outdoor rehearsal. This was the first time we have managed to play together since the Area Contest in March! An enjoyable time was had by all.
This was followed by a second outdoor rehearsal on Sunday 27th September. We are already starting to put together a new repertoire to play as soon as circumstances permit.
This was followed by a second outdoor rehearsal on Sunday 27th September. We are already starting to put together a new repertoire to play as soon as circumstances permit.
15/05/2020 The band plays together - virtually!
Even through we can't rehearse together, thanks to technology we can still play together. Members recorded their individual parts for "Shut Up And Dance" which were edited together into a synchronised performance.
You can watch the result on our band YouTube channel here
You can watch the result on our band YouTube channel here
10/05/2020 Recordings from the Innovation 216 'Concorde' concert
Recordings from the Innovation 216 concert at Aerospace Bristol are now available on the Media page of this website! Many thanks to Dave Jury of Dean Radio for providing them.
24/04/2020 Have you seen Kerry's Tuesday Tips?
Are you struggling to keep a practice regime going during the Coronavirus lockdown? Are you lacking inspiration? Have you seen the excellent instructional videos Kerry has been making to help us stay in practice whilst we're all at home? So far Kerry has given us expert tutorials on Sound, Tonguing, Listening & Aural, and Breathing. Check them out on Facebook or the Media page of this website!
09/04/2020 Show your support for the NHS - Somewhere Over the Rainbow at 8pm on Thursday
Join together with fellow musicians across the country and play Somewhere Over the Rainbow to show our thanks, support and appreciation for NHS workers, at 8pm on Thursday - hopefully whilst your neighbours are clapping!
Check out our Facebook group for videos of band members taking part last week.
Why not video yourself playing next time and share it with the band?
Check out our Facebook group for videos of band members taking part last week.
Why not video yourself playing next time and share it with the band?
08/04/2020 Informational Update for Band Members and our supporters
Rehearsals remain suspended until advised otherwise. This suspension will remain until Government guidelines advise we can return. Engagements for April, May and June have been postponed or cancelled accordingly. Please keep an eye on the EVENTS page where details of our engagements are frequently being updated. Go to our Facebook group for Kerry's Tuesday Tips to keep you playing whilst we wait for conditions to return to normal.
24/03/2020 Lydney Town Band announce Thomas Dunne MMus. as Musical Director
Lydney Town Band are pleased and proud to welcome Thomas Dunne MMus. as Musical Director with immediate effect.
The Town Band will continue its ongoing development by bringing players together within our organisation to compete and perform in concerts under the new direction from Tom.
The enjoyable association with Siôn Rhys Jones will continue as it was obvious the band worked well with Tom and Siôn during the build up to the Area contest. It was very apparent that we enjoyed it and that's a key part of the band's development.
We will continue to work hard to fill the 'gaps' in our line-up to ensure we have a full team.
The Town Band will continue its ongoing development by bringing players together within our organisation to compete and perform in concerts under the new direction from Tom.
The enjoyable association with Siôn Rhys Jones will continue as it was obvious the band worked well with Tom and Siôn during the build up to the Area contest. It was very apparent that we enjoyed it and that's a key part of the band's development.
We will continue to work hard to fill the 'gaps' in our line-up to ensure we have a full team.
16/03/2020 Lydney to compete in the Third Section in 2021
It has been confirmed that in 2021 Lydney Town Band will be competing in the Third Section of the WEBBA Regional Championships. Band Chairman Kevin Ford noted that there will be many positives from the move and that the last two years of competing in the Second Section has given the band a strong foundation of experience with which to move forwards.
14/03/2020 Lydney competes in the WEBBA Regional Championships
Following nearly three months of preparation, guided by Tom Dunne and Sîon Rhys Jones, Lydney Town Band competed in the Second Section of the WEBBA 2020 Regional Championships in Torquay. The band, conducted by Sîon, achieved eleventh place playing The Golden Sabre by Kit Turnbull. The adjudicators particularly noted the band's strong opening of the piece as well as complimenting the playing of the euphoniums, trombones and percussion at various points. Prior to the performance Band Secretary Kerry Ford presented Tom with a bottle of wine, and Sîon with a copy of Wright and Round's Hymn Book score which was signed by the band, as thanks for their hard work and dedication to the band.
15/02/2020 Lydney Training Band plays under the wings of Concorde!
This evening Lydney Training Band joined with Lydbrook, Lydbrook Training, and City of Bristol Learner bands under the direction of Ian Holmes, to perform a number of aviation-themed pieces including 633 Squadron and Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines. The finale of the evening was a performance of Liz Lane's specially commissioned piece, Innovation 216 which saw the bands team up with the singers from six Bristol-based choirs.
Read 4 Bars Rest's write-up of the event here.
Read 4 Bars Rest's write-up of the event here.
08/02/2020 Lydney Town Band announce Sîon Rhys Jones as guest conductor for the area contest
With the regular conductor, Kevin, moving onto Solo Horn for the contest, the baton was passed to Thomas Dunne. Under his expert guidance work has started in earnest and the piece is coming
along nicely. However Tom has other banding commitments on the contest day so we have engaged Siôn Rhys Jones (left) to conduct the band. Siôn is Euphonium of the famous Cory Band and also works for Gwent Music. He also conducts a number of ensembles.
With the Training Band continually improving, having won the GBBA contest for the past two years, things are looking good for the organisation. It's all due to the wonderful team spirit we have.
along nicely. However Tom has other banding commitments on the contest day so we have engaged Siôn Rhys Jones (left) to conduct the band. Siôn is Euphonium of the famous Cory Band and also works for Gwent Music. He also conducts a number of ensembles.
With the Training Band continually improving, having won the GBBA contest for the past two years, things are looking good for the organisation. It's all due to the wonderful team spirit we have.
02/12/2019 Starter Band Christmas Showcase at Goode Court, Lydney
The Starter Band played its last concert of 2019 at Goode Court Residential Housing on 2nd December. The Band played four pieces and many solos — a great way to develop their performance skills and provide a great experience.
The soloists performed really well and we were very proud of them all. Thank you to Ken and Roger Powell for their wonderful support. Special Thanks to Mrs Caron de Burgh for accompanying the soloists.
The soloists performed really well and we were very proud of them all. Thank you to Ken and Roger Powell for their wonderful support. Special Thanks to Mrs Caron de Burgh for accompanying the soloists.
27/10/2019 Annual Brass & Percussion Workshop conducted by Ian Porthouse
This was a really enjoyable, fun day for 48 delegates. Ian Porthouse as conductor was assisted by excellent tutors - Leanne, Ross, Tom and Steve. What did 4Barsrest, the most visited brass band website, have to say about our latest workshop? Click here to find out.
Look out for our 2020 Brass and Percussion Workshop this October - details TBA!
Look out for our 2020 Brass and Percussion Workshop this October - details TBA!
