News
Mortimer's Christmas Concert
We were delighted to play to a virtually full house at Mortimer's Christmas Concert on 7th December 2019. Audience members enjoyed listening to some dramatic pieces such as Philip Sparke's Hanover Festival, and Eric Whitacre's beautiful October in the first half. The 2nd half had many Christmas favourites, and the inevitable sleigh bells, which got everyone into the Christmas mood.
We were delighted to play to a virtually full house at Mortimer's Christmas Concert on 7th December 2019. Audience members enjoyed listening to some dramatic pieces such as Philip Sparke's Hanover Festival, and Eric Whitacre's beautiful October in the first half. The 2nd half had many Christmas favourites, and the inevitable sleigh bells, which got everyone into the Christmas mood.
Bandstand - Henley
We were fortunate enough to have the opportunity to play at Henley Bandstand on 29 June 2019, a most picturesque location in a park beside the Thames. It was a warm summer's afternoon and the band on occasion had the chance to "duet" with singers and musicians boating down the Thames. We sensibly decided to wait until they had sailed past before playing. We had an appreciative audience who enjoyed the music we played, which included The Lion King. An ice cream parlour was open so audience and band alike had refreshments in the short interval. Our bandstands are always enjoyed by the band members and the locations mean that there is plenty for our audience to see and do as well as listen to our music.
Bandstand - Armed Forces Day
Forbury Gardens in Reading town centre was host to the Armed Forces Day celebrations on 7 July 2019 and several bands performed at this event. We had a slot on what seemed to be the hottest afternoon of the year, though luckily we had some shelter in the bandstand. The gardens were packed full of people enjoying the lovely weather, looking at the various stalls displayed and listening to the music. One thing we did not have to worry about was our music trying to escape off the stands as there was very little wind - we usually have to keep a very tight hold on the music on our stands! We played some rousing pieces, including some band marches and also played some film music. A wonderful afternoon of music.
Instrument "Have-a-go" try-outs
At our recent concert in June 2019, we offered audience members the opportunity to try out instruments before the concert. Those audience members who tried our instruments very much enjoyed having a go on the array of instruments available, including a percussion kit, a trumpet, a bassoon and saxophones. Trying out an instrument at a session such as this is a lovely chance to try out an instrument that interests you, without the formality of attending a music school or other musical environment. Audience members are often able to get a remarkably good sound out of the instruments they try out, we may have some future band members in the making!
At our recent concert in June 2019, we offered audience members the opportunity to try out instruments before the concert. Those audience members who tried our instruments very much enjoyed having a go on the array of instruments available, including a percussion kit, a trumpet, a bassoon and saxophones. Trying out an instrument at a session such as this is a lovely chance to try out an instrument that interests you, without the formality of attending a music school or other musical environment. Audience members are often able to get a remarkably good sound out of the instruments they try out, we may have some future band members in the making!
European Tour
South Berks Concert Band goes on tour every 2 years, and in May 2019 we went on a Three Countries Tour, which included Germany, Belgium and The Netherlands. We had an epic journey in a coach packed full of our instruments and musicians, leaving from Reading in the early hours, arriving at our destination in The Netherlands some 12 hours later. Our performances in open air venues outside restaurants and, slightly unusually, near a maze, included music from James Bond, a medley of classical pieces, film music by John Williams and some charming band stand classics including Barnard Castle. Before and after our concerts we had the opportunity to sightsee, including looking around the charming town of Valkenburg, admiring the splendour of Aachen Cathedral and caving in Maastricht. The tour was a joyful event, band members very much enjoyed the performances, and the tour itself was also a wonderful opportunity for band members, who often only see each other weekly at rehearsals, to spend more time together.
South Berks Concert Band goes on tour every 2 years, and in May 2019 we went on a Three Countries Tour, which included Germany, Belgium and The Netherlands. We had an epic journey in a coach packed full of our instruments and musicians, leaving from Reading in the early hours, arriving at our destination in The Netherlands some 12 hours later. Our performances in open air venues outside restaurants and, slightly unusually, near a maze, included music from James Bond, a medley of classical pieces, film music by John Williams and some charming band stand classics including Barnard Castle. Before and after our concerts we had the opportunity to sightsee, including looking around the charming town of Valkenburg, admiring the splendour of Aachen Cathedral and caving in Maastricht. The tour was a joyful event, band members very much enjoyed the performances, and the tour itself was also a wonderful opportunity for band members, who often only see each other weekly at rehearsals, to spend more time together.
Bradfield Mayfayre
The band did its first outdoor performance of the year on Bank Holiday Monday 6th May.
Squeezed into a small marquee on a rather chilly afternoon, we brought some new music to the audience, with La La Land and The Greatest Showman now added to our library. We also played some regular favourites including Sinatra in Concert, Disney Movie Magic and The Lion King.
The band did its first outdoor performance of the year on Bank Holiday Monday 6th May.
Squeezed into a small marquee on a rather chilly afternoon, we brought some new music to the audience, with La La Land and The Greatest Showman now added to our library. We also played some regular favourites including Sinatra in Concert, Disney Movie Magic and The Lion King.
Life Savers
Two members of the band were presented with awards to recognise their part in saving the life of another band member in September 2018. Clarinettists Barbara Still and Stella Gibbons performed CPR and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation on bass trombone player, Noel Sanders, after he suffered a cardiac arrest and collapsed in rehearsal one evening. Noel contacted the Royal Humane Society, who granted the awards and presented the two band members with their certificates at our Spring Concert on March 23rd.
Two members of the band were presented with awards to recognise their part in saving the life of another band member in September 2018. Clarinettists Barbara Still and Stella Gibbons performed CPR and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation on bass trombone player, Noel Sanders, after he suffered a cardiac arrest and collapsed in rehearsal one evening. Noel contacted the Royal Humane Society, who granted the awards and presented the two band members with their certificates at our Spring Concert on March 23rd.
Spring Concert Review
The “Music for a Spring Evening” concert was an exciting event. The music selection from guest conductor, Peter Cole, showed off the talent and ability of the band, with many complimentary comments being received from the audience during the interval and after the concert. “Méditation” from the opera Thaïs, a flute solo by Molly Roworth, was received with rapturous applause, as was the clarinet feature from Glyn Thomas playing “But Not For Me”. The Dixie group’s rendition of “Tiger Rag” and the brass choir performance of “When the Stars Began to Fall” were very well received by the appreciative audience.
The “Music for a Spring Evening” concert was an exciting event. The music selection from guest conductor, Peter Cole, showed off the talent and ability of the band, with many complimentary comments being received from the audience during the interval and after the concert. “Méditation” from the opera Thaïs, a flute solo by Molly Roworth, was received with rapturous applause, as was the clarinet feature from Glyn Thomas playing “But Not For Me”. The Dixie group’s rendition of “Tiger Rag” and the brass choir performance of “When the Stars Began to Fall” were very well received by the appreciative audience.
