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0 BBB plays for Santa, carollers and the children of Blewbury
Thank to all who turned out on such a chilly night to entertain the parents and grandparents as the children of Blewbury received their presents from Santa.
The band was bolstered by past players and friends. A special thank you to Mrs Alex Elderfield for simultaneously conducting (with glow stick) and covering the cornet line. Blewbury villagers commented that it was one of the best Christmas Playclose bands we had in years.
Thank you also to both supporting parents and Mary and Judith for sorting the carol sheets for our massed, slightly rowdy but enthusiastic singers.
0 Sainsbury’s Shoppers Serenaded
Shoppers were given a Christmassy welcome in Sainsbury’s, Didcot today. The band took it in shifts to complete four hours of festive carols and songs. We took requests from passers-by and entertained the children with favourites including Jingle Bells and Rudolf.
Thanks to everyone who has contributed to our fund-raising over the Christmas period. Money raised will help to further develop the band and its activities. This includes supporting our Learner and Beginner Bands, buying instruments and music, and paying for rehearsal and concert venues.
Merry Christmas to all our band members and supporters!
0 BBB a sensation at village concert!
St Michael’s Church, Blewbury was treated to festive delights from the main band and learner ensemble this evening.
Building on its success at local businesses Infinium and Ipsen, Blewbury continued our Christmas programme to huge acclaim. A packed congregation were charmed by the learner ensemble’s swinging ‘Jingle bells boogie’. The main band filled the church with Christmas cheer as the audience sang along to ‘The twelve days of Christmas’, expertly led by our musical director, Ian.
Our Christmas season is drawing to a close; come and see us tomorrow at Didcot Sainsburys, or at the Playclose in Blewbury village on Christmas Eve.
0 BBB brings Christmas cheer to Didcot workforce
BBB entertained the workers of IPSEN and Infineum at lunchtime today with our Christmas carol show. Employees enjoyed singing along to a selection of our favourite carols, swayed along to ‘Schneewatlzer’ and were thoroughly confused by a hectic rendition of ‘The twelve days of Christmas’.
0 BBB play carols in Wallingford
Shoppers in Wallingford were entertained by BBB’s favourite Christmas tunes outside Waitrose today. We were joined by returning university students, Andrew and Kathryn, on cornet. Passers-by were delighted to have their requests played and local children danced to Rudolf and Jingle Bells.
0 BBB plays for Crowmarsh PTA Christmas Fete
The Band played to a packed hall at Crowmarsh School to add some Christmas spirit to the annual fete. We provided background music whilst parents and children enjoyed the stalls and cafe and then played for a noisy singalong. Thanks to the PTA for inviting us and we hope to see you again next year.
0 Happy Birthday, Norman!
BBb bass player Norman Webb began his 80th birthday celebrations yesterday when the band presented him with a card and present.
Norman began playing 69 years ago, at the age of 11, and has been playing with local bands ever since. His enthusiasm, good humour and determination is an inspiration to all and we hope that he continues playing for many more years.
0 BYB on top form in Christmas rehearsal
A great rehearsal from Blewbury Youth Brass in preparation for our tour to Boppard in Germany next summer.
Thanks to all the players for their hard work and enthusiasm. We tackled some challenging pieces, including Hootenanny and Eine Kleine Oompah Musik, and made good progress on the solo items. Well done to Conor and Rory who played their solos with the band for the first time.
Thank you to Lauren, Megan, Grace and Rose who even found time within the busy schedule to play carols for the ‘Santa Fun Run’ that was also taking place at the school.
A big thank you to Ian, Lauren and Jon for their support with the rehearsal.
Looking forward to seeing you all again in January.
Judith
0 BBB ensemble entertain at RAF Benson
A group from the main band played a selection of carols at the Officers’ Mess at RAF Benson as pre-dinner entertainment. Diners gathered outside a beautifully decorated Mess and listened to the band playing Christmas favourites including ‘O Come All Ye Faithful’, ‘Once in Royal’ and ‘Away in a Manger’. The band enjoyed a spectacular fireworks display which formed part of the evening’s entertainment.
0 Learner and Beginner Band Christmas Cracker!
Well done to the players of our Beginner and Learner Bands who put on a hugely enjoyable concert last night to round off a busy term of music making. The Beginner Band opened the concert with a fanfare and the rousing ‘Battle Pavan’ which was enhanced by some lively percussion playing from Thomas and Adam. They then played a selection of Christmas carols. The Learner Band entertained us with some Christmas songs before the bands combined to play ‘Jingle Bells Boogie’ and ‘We Wish You a Merry Christmas’.
Thank you to Annabelle who performed ‘Rudolf the Red-nosed Reindeer’ as her first ever solo. Rory and Jasper Tidmarsh also performed solos; Rory a compilation of his own making and Jasper a lively version of ‘Frosty the Snowman’.
We now have about 30 young players attending the bands regularly including five recruits from last year’s ‘Brass in Class’ lessons at Blewbury Primary School. In the new year we hope to encourage some of this year’s group to attend. All our young players are going from strength to strength. Ben (trombone grade 3), Katie (horn grade 2) and Annabelle (cornet grade 1) all took ABRSM exams this week and three players, David (horn), Adam and Michael (percussion), will also be playing with the main band in the new year.
If you are learning a brass instrument and would like to get involved in Blewbury Brass Band please contact Judith Atkins md-learnerband@blewburybrassband.org.uk
