We've got a couple of updates to our summer schedule!
Next weekend, Lydney Training Band had been due to perform at Yorkley Flower Show. Unfortunately due to the recent inclement weather, the organisers have taken the tough decision to cancel the event. In its place though, the Training Band are really excited to have been invited to perform at Taurus Crafts on the same day! The weekend after that, on Sunday 28th July, you can join Lydney Town Band as we return to perform at The Rising Sun Inn as part of their Brass Band Sessions programme. There's still lots to look forward to from us this summer (fingers crossed the weather improves!) If you have ever attended one of our rehearsals, you might have noticed two stalwarts of the band: Ken and Roger Powell. They're two of the band's longest serving current members having joined over 60 years ago. Since the establishment of Lydney Training Band in the mid-2000s, they have also acted as tutors guiding well over 100 players at the start of their musical journeys. We found out this week that in recognition of their years of service to developing the next generation of brass players, they have been shortlisted for the 2024 Brass Bands England Services to Youth Award!
Last night, Lydney's Principal Cornet attended the beacon lighting at the D-Day Commemoration Service in Alvington.
Later this month, Lydney Town Band will be helping the Lydney Branch of the Royal British Legion mark their centenary with a special event at Lydney Rugby Club. Today, we’re taking time to remember the 80th anniversary of D-Day. There are a range of events happening across the Forest of Dean to mark this event, including a special lighting of the beacon on The Mesne on Primrose Hill in Lydney this evening at 9:15pm.
We had a special Bank Holiday rehearsal last night, with players from the Town and Training Bands plus some very welcome guests. Several players took the opportunity to swap from their usual instruments for a bit of fun!
Shout out to Kevin for picking out some cracking pieces for the evening, including Neverland and Dance of the Tumblers (which left us all spinning when we took it at speed!) Shout out to two members of Lydney Town Band: Kerry and Tim, who took part in a swimathon in support of the Great Oaks Hospice at Bathurst Pool today!
It was great to kick of the 2024 Bands in the Park concert programme in Ross-on-Wye yesterday. This is one of our highlights of the summer season. The bandstand is nested in a beautiful park and the event is always well supported by the local community. We were able to feature four brilliant soloists: Rory (Tico-Tico), Louise (A Little Star Went Out), Samantha (Lark on the Clear Air), and Neil (Mr C Takes a Stroll). Many thanks to Jim Mason for standing in on Soprano Cornet.
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.
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.
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.
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NewsNews stories from the Lydney Town and Training Bands, and Starter Group! Archives
July 2024
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