Our conductor, Neil Chapman, is a serving member of the Royal Air Force, playing bassoon in RAF Central Band. I’m pleased to be able to congratulate Neil on gaining a promotion and advancing his career.
Unfortunately, along with the promotion he is being posted to another RAF band in Lincolnshire, and will no longer be able to be our Director of Music. This is a bitter disappointment both to us and to Neil. Although he has only been with us a year, he has grown in confidence and is popular with the members of Aylesbury Band. In that short time he has continued to help the Band develop and grow, and has proved to have an easy rapport with our audiences. Sadly, his further plans for the Band will now come to nought, and he will be sorely missed.
We wish Neil every success in his future career. He will surely find other outlets for his talents, and I’ve no doubt that he will make a name for himself in the wider musical world. When that time comes, we can say proudly that he was once our conductor before he became famous.
I’ve really enjoyed the last 12 months. Neil’s eclectic musical taste has delivered a programme that has kept us on our toes.
We never would have considered Paris Sketches without Neil – it’s done us good!
Perhaps Neil can be persuaded to come back and conduct us during our next band weekend away?
Neil’s easy relaxed style with both band and audiences have made him a natural “front man”. He came to us with a wealth of enthusiasm and has challenged us with some difficult pieces. All good fun! I’m sad to see him go but wish him every success for the future.
Alan on 10 February 2011 at 4.00pm
I fully endorse the above comments and share in the disappointment of Neil having to leave us after such a short stay. His pleasant demeanour, quick wit and sound musicianship was inspiring for the musicians which, in turn, resulted in the expected high standards of the Band’s perfomances being maintained. Neil’s contribution to the life of the Band was much valued and will be sorely missed. As he moves on he can take with him the grateful thanks for a ‘job well done’ and the best wishes from all of us at the Aylesbury Concert Band.
Neil,
I am sorry you are leaving us, our loss is ‘their’ gain.
Thank You soo much for motivating me in my practise and expanding my knowledge of Wind band music. I also understand what a ‘quodling’ is !!!
The Danceries and Paris Sketches were a revelation to me, I ‘liked them so much I bought the album’.
Dare I say it but you even had us playing ‘p’ and’pp’ on occasions.
Thank You and Good Luck in you meteoric career promotion.
Jacky
I have loved every minute of my time with Aylesbury Band. I am very sad about having to leave. I wish you all the best for the future and thank you for all of your support over the last eleven months.
Neil