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The Band performed a highly successful "Last Night of the Proms" concert in Market Square Aylesbury on 23rd September. The local newspaper, the Bucks Herald, reported that "Market Square was packed with a thousand people during Aylesbury's millennium Charter Day", and continued...
"The highlight of the day was Aylesbury's own Last Night of the Proms with the town's Community Concert Band conducted by Alan Mossford, performing a musical programme for all ages. People came to the square not just from the town and the Vale, but from further afield including Chesham, Thame and Milton Keynes."The story was accompanied by pictures of the band and of singer Jill Neenan, and of enthusiastic people in the audience waving flags.
The day's events raised money for the Mayor's charities, the Calibre Talking Book Library in Weston Turville, and Stoke Mandeville Hospital's Scanner Appeal. A great success, which has done much to enhance the Band's reputation, so much so that the organisers are already talking about repeating the event next year.
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Bledlow Fête wasn't so lucky with the weather, but we only had to stop once for rain. Thanks to all who turned out, especially as it was the same day as...
...The "Song for the Vale" concert. The band was in the spotlight for the climax of the festival of music and arts in Market Square, Aylesbury, organised by the Aylesbury Vale Arts Council, at which we accompanied soprano Jill Neenan in the world premiere of the "Song for the Vale". Written by Denise Erlandsen, the song won a competition out of 26 entrants. The band played a half hour concert beforehand and was on top form, doing much to boost our reputation. Well done everyone.
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It looks as if we shall lose our rehearsal premises in September. Greenhill Church is moving to a brand new building on the new Coldharbour estate, but although this will not be ready until next year the existing building is already up for sale and they hope to complete in September, after which they plan to worship in a school hall or community centre until the new church is ready. Needless to say the committee is actively searching for somewhere else to rehearse, and we shall move as soon as we are able to find a suitable hall.
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Several new engagements have been received, see the engagements page for details.
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Those members who remember John Caldicott will like to know that he sends his best wishes to everyone. John has been unwell for some time now, but hopes to get along to the band again in the near future. We look forward to his return.
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Concert Band Festival Despite the later arrival of the coach at Watermead we arrived in good time, and before we knew what was happening we were on the stage. It was disappointing that there wasn't a larger audience but we did slightly better than the band who preceded us, who began their performance to an audience of four. As our first experience of this event, we received some very favourable comments, and were pleased to have been awarded a Bronze in the Community Band Class. This is a considerable achievement as it is the first time the Band has ever entered such an event. The Band's program consisted of:-
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| Before this date the news is arranged with the oldest news first. |
As our reputation grows and we attract even more important bookings, we will be under more pressure to ensure that we put out a full band. We can fill any gaps in the lineup if we have adequate notice, so please let us know as soon as possible if you are unavailable. This is essential to maintaining and developing our standard.
To ease communication and facilitate this we are considering a number of ways in which band members can contribute. A first step will be to define sections and section leaders who will have responsibility for ensuring all parts are covered.
Watch this space and, in the meantime, thank you once again for your continued support.
LAST MONTH'S EVENTS
William Harding School Fete Well this year it didn't rain. It looked threatening when we arrived so we took the percussion's lead and set up inside. This didn't attract the required audience, so the second half was performed outside. This a small turnout, so thank you to everyone who made the effort.
Mayor Making We were promised that this would not be a repeat of last year and they were right! We didn't sit through all the speeches this year, only half of them. We did get the opportunity to play much more than last year, but it was still extremely hot.
Bletchley Rotary Concert Well, the stage canopy looked like a big bouncy castle, would it have protected us if it had rained? Luckily the rain held off, although it was a little chilly. The audience was around 250, which didn't quite fill the field, and was a little disappointing for the organisers who, undaunted, are talking about a repeat performance. Despite several last minute changes in instrumentation the concert went well with plenty of positive feedback received. Many thanks to everyone for their efforts.
Women's Institute Concert This was a marvellous evening, and I'm sure everyone will
agree that the atmosphere was ideal and this must have been our largest audience so far.
Lots of kind words afterwards and lots of praise for our choice of programme. Well done and
thank you to everyone.
The committee considered suspending rehearsals over the summer, but decided that there is still plenty that can be achieved, and we have two important events in September. We know it is the holiday season, but please attend whenever you can.
Plenty of events have been added to the diary, both for the autumn and next year, and the committee hopes that you will all agree that the coming year looks to be quite exciting, what with the National Wind Band Festival in the autumn, and also with another concert tour next year.
December looks busy as usual, please make a note of the dates now, but all the regular jobs are already booked so we don't anticipate anything else cropping up. I'm especially looking forward to the warm welcome and lovely food at Cherry Trees!
LAST MONTH'S EVENTS
Bucks County Show. If the amount of traffic was anything to go by, the Show was very
popular. The trailer did turn up at the car park to transport the equipment and those
members unable (or unwilling) to walk to the bandstand! The percussion equipment (and
Matthew's uniform), finally got to the right place, albeit a little late. There was a small
but steady audience listening to us who appeared to be enjoying our performances and feedback
was good. The day was long and hard work due to the heat, but hopefully everyone found the
experience worthwhile. Many of the band took time off work to play, and it shows that we
have a lot of dedicated people who are willing to give up their time for the good of the
band. Well done and thank you to everyone. Unfortunately, they have turned down the offer
of our services next year.
Recording at St. Mary's Church. I don't know about anyone else, but I found it very strange sitting in a nice cool church on a glorious September day (and we don't get many of those, do we?), playing Christmas Carols! I'm not sure I appreciated having to play twice as much as everyone els, playing both brass and woodwind verses! By all accounts this was a very successful session, so again, many thanks to everyone who gave up their time.
Recording at Aylesbury Grammar School (of further tracks towards a Christmas CD). Well, we did fit into the room - just. I'm sure everyone will agree (particularly Trevor, whose legs as well as his lip were probably tired by the time we finished), that recording is not an easy activity and requires a lot of patience and hard work. Thanks must go to Craig Nathan and his assistants for their time.