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0 ODBBA Festival success for BBB
Congratulations to the sixteen members of Blewbury Brass Band who took part in this year’s ODBBA Spring Festival. We entered 10 categories with a grand total of 20 entries all together.
The morning started with Jasper, our youngest entrant at only 11 years old, playing in the slow melody category. As the day continued, our learner band players picked up several prizes including third place for Rory, Rachel, Jasper and Thomas with the hymn tune ‘Hursley’; second place for Alice and Grace with their duet ‘Hey Jude’; third place for a quartet of Alice, Rose, Samuel and Grace playing ‘Go down Moses’; third place for Rose in the open under 11 solo Championship with her upbeat performance of ‘Funk’; and third for the junior ensemble with ‘Jurassic Park’.
Our under 14 quartet were awarded 1st place for their stunning performance of ‘Redhead’, but were sadly disqualified for a minor rule infringement.
It was then time for the main band to take to the stage. Jon Warwick in the adult improver class played ‘Hornpipe’ with spirit and determination; Rose and Ian were narrowly beaten into 2nd place with a lyrical euphonium duet; Bruce, Lauren, Alice, Rose and Ian came 2nd with Ian’s arrangement of ‘One Hand, One Heart’; and a 10 piece ensemble finished 2nd with a lively rendition of ‘Singing in the Rain’.
It was a great experience for all the players involved and we made lots of friends amongst the Brass Bands of Oxfordshire. They showed a great team spirit, turning out in force to watch each other play, and demonstrated
great sportsmanship in applauding the winning efforts of other bands.
Thank you to everyone who took part and made the day so enjoyable. Particular thanks to all our young players: Aidan, Ben, Rachel, Rory, Jasper, Thomas G, Samuel, Grace, Alice, Megan and Rose. Thanks to the parents who came along to support: Amanda K, Amanda G, Anne, Roland, Deborah, Jolyon and Lindsay (apologies if I have forgotten anyone!)
We look forward to taking part again next year with more players, and may even pick up some silverware!
Judith and Ian
0 St George’s Day Concert a huge success!
Blewbury Brass Band performed to a packed audience of friends and family at our annual Spring Concert. Our St George’s Day themed concert opened fittingly with ‘The Standard of St George’, a rousing march, and was followed by a musical tour of England.
Neil Slater treated us to a fine euphonium solo playing ‘Blaydon Races’ and Alice Knight, our solo horn player, enjoyed the premier performance of her own composition, ‘Camelot’, which featured an off-stage fanfare from our solo cornets. We were then entertained by our Learner Band who performed a selection of lively pieces. Samuel, making his final appearance with the band, played a beautiful solo of ‘Killing Me Softly’.
The second half featured a lighter selection of music including the toe-tapping ‘Floral Dance’, ‘Singing in the Rain’ and ‘Eleanor Rigby’. The highlight of the evening was the joint performance between our Learner and Main bands, who closed the concert with an energetic rendition of ‘Hot Stuff’.
We would like to thank everyone for joining us, and hope you enjoyed your evening.
0 Come to our Concert!
Please come along to our St George’s Day concert. We will be playing an exciting variety of music with an English theme including The Standard of St George, The Vicar of Dibley, Floral Dance and lots more. Enjoy our Learner Band and great soloists! A wonderful evening out for all the family.
0 St George’s Day Concert
Saturday 23rd April at 7pm in Blewbury Village Hall.
St George’s Day Concert
Come and enjoy an evening of English music with Blewbury Brass Band inspired by St George’s Day when we will be holding our annual spring concert.
The programme will include the popular march The Standard of St George, traditional English melodies and hymns, singing in the Rain (inspired by English weather!), Beatles and more.
Musical Director, Ian Barlow, says, ‘The concert will build on the success of our spectacular Christmas concert. The band has some new members and continues to go from strength to strength. It will also be an opportunity to hear out fabulous Learner Band’.
Tickets are priced at £7 (adults), £5 (seniors) and £1 (children) and are available on the door. To reserve tickets or for more information contact Judith Atkins johnandjudith8@virginmedia.com
0 Come to Our St George’s Day Concert Saturday 23rd April 2016
Please come along to our St George’s Day concert. We will be playing an exciting variety of music with an English theme including The Standard of St George, The Vicar of Dibley, Floral Dance and lots more. Enjoy our Learner Band and great soloists! A wonderful evening out for all the family.
0 Learner Band Entertains Shoppers
The Learner Band entertained shoppers outside the Cornerstone Arts Centre in Didcot today. We were joined by our friends from Dawkes Music who provided us with a selection of brass instruments for passers-by to ‘have a blow’ on. Ian Barlow, from Brass in Class, encouraged local youngsters and hopefully will have attracted some new members to the band.
The band were on top form and could be heard throughout the town centre! The weather was not great but we carried on regardless with a varied programme which eventually brought the sun out. We heard beautiful solos from Samuel and Jamie on cornet and a quartet of Emily, Rachel, Katie and Natalie who played Amazing Grace with style and feeling.
Thank you to all the players for their hard work and enthusiasm and to their parents for supporting.
0 Learner Band at Cornerstone, Didcot
On Saturday 16th April, the Learner Band will be entertaining shoppers with an open-air concert outside the Cornerstone, Didcot. The band will be playing a selection of its favourite pieces including ‘Rock around the Clock’, ‘Grease’ and ‘Florentiner March’.
As well as hearing the band, there will be an opportunity to try an instrument at our ‘Have-a-Blow’ table. Perhaps you might be inspired to take up an instrument and join the band? Leaflets will be handed out publicising the band and tickets will be available for our upcoming St George’s Day Concert on Saturday 23rd April.
