News
Two more bandstand performances
On Saturday August 7th we joined the riverside visitors in a busy Henley and played on the bandstand to an appreciative audience. We were lucky with the weather as it didn't rain while we were playing, so people could stop to listen. The only shower was in our 'ice cream' break in the middle! Highlights which were much enjoyed were our Selections from Les Miserables, The Greatest Showman and Beauty and the Beast.
We travelled to Brighton on Sunday August 22nd for a hot and mostly sunny afternoon on the Victorian bandstand, playing to an audience of people who were passing along the seafront and many stopping to listen. Mobile phone cameras were frequently pointed in our direction, taking photos and video recordings of the music they were enjoying. It was wonderful to be part of a typical seaside scene and add to the holiday atmosphere.
On Saturday August 7th we joined the riverside visitors in a busy Henley and played on the bandstand to an appreciative audience. We were lucky with the weather as it didn't rain while we were playing, so people could stop to listen. The only shower was in our 'ice cream' break in the middle! Highlights which were much enjoyed were our Selections from Les Miserables, The Greatest Showman and Beauty and the Beast.
We travelled to Brighton on Sunday August 22nd for a hot and mostly sunny afternoon on the Victorian bandstand, playing to an audience of people who were passing along the seafront and many stopping to listen. Mobile phone cameras were frequently pointed in our direction, taking photos and video recordings of the music they were enjoying. It was wonderful to be part of a typical seaside scene and add to the holiday atmosphere.
First performances of 2021
After a year without performing, we began with 2 outdoor bandstand-style events. On July 17th we were at Alton Town Gardens (pictured) as part of an larger event with Morris Dancers, story times, and lots of market stalls. We then went to Basingstoke's Eastrop Park on 1st August, luckily avoiding most of the showers.
After a year without performing, we began with 2 outdoor bandstand-style events. On July 17th we were at Alton Town Gardens (pictured) as part of an larger event with Morris Dancers, story times, and lots of market stalls. We then went to Basingstoke's Eastrop Park on 1st August, luckily avoiding most of the showers.
Rehearsals Restart
We were so thrilled on Friday May 21st 2021 to hold our first in-person rehearsal for 15 months. We relocated to the Community Hall in Tadley to allow us enough space for the 29 people present to be socially distanced and we all had a most enjoyable evening. It was so lovely to be able to play together and to chat to people in the break, although we had to be outside for that in a light drizzle to allow ventilation into the hall. We hope that more of our players will be able to join us gradually over the next few weeks as soon as they are feeling safe to return.
We were so thrilled on Friday May 21st 2021 to hold our first in-person rehearsal for 15 months. We relocated to the Community Hall in Tadley to allow us enough space for the 29 people present to be socially distanced and we all had a most enjoyable evening. It was so lovely to be able to play together and to chat to people in the break, although we had to be outside for that in a light drizzle to allow ventilation into the hall. We hope that more of our players will be able to join us gradually over the next few weeks as soon as they are feeling safe to return.
Online rehearsals
Band members have been missing rehearsals as we have been unable to meet for almost a year due to coronavirus. At our recent AGM we discussed a new plan to start some online rehearsals to give us all a chance to meet (via Zoom of course) and play some music together. We had our first rehearsal on 5th March.
Band members have been missing rehearsals as we have been unable to meet for almost a year due to coronavirus. At our recent AGM we discussed a new plan to start some online rehearsals to give us all a chance to meet (via Zoom of course) and play some music together. We had our first rehearsal on 5th March.
Keeping the music going during lockdown!
Many of you are trying new things while socially isolated, and so we want to share some of our more recent musical recordings for you to enjoy. Keep checking back for more links each week!
We asked also band members to tell us some of their favourite music, to give some insights into the many influences we all have. Have a listen and let us know what you think.
Many of you are trying new things while socially isolated, and so we want to share some of our more recent musical recordings for you to enjoy. Keep checking back for more links each week!
We asked also band members to tell us some of their favourite music, to give some insights into the many influences we all have. Have a listen and let us know what you think.
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19 December 2020 Our Virtual Christmas Concert brings some seasonal cheer with a compilation of videos performed by South Berks Concert Band, mainly based on Mortimer's Christmas Concert in 2019. The concert is narrated by South Berks Concert Band's Director of Music, Paul Speed. |
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20 September 2020
Members' Recommendations #6: Do you play video games? Have you ever thought of the way the music makes the game more exciting? The music from Final Fantasy VII first inspired one of our clarinet players into taking up an instrument, and she connected with it much more than to the pop music that many children were listening to at the time. Like the majority of the Final Fantasy series, the music, by Nobuo Uematsu, is scored as though it was a film and it shows, providing a high level of drama, story telling and complexity. This is an example of Final Fantasy VII – J-E-N-O-V-A & Sephiroth, performed by L’Orchestre de Jeux. |
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5 September 2020 New release from Sf Sax A new production of "12th Street Rag" has been made by the Sf Sax members from their own homes again. Let us know if you like it. More information can be found on their YouTube channel |
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29 August 2020
Members' Recommendations #5: Music can feature in everything from adverts to blockbuster films, and many of us have been unknowingly introduced to classical music in this way. This recommendation was made famous in the hilarious Bugs Bunny cartoon episode where he conducts the orchestra. Can you picture that when you listen to Franz von Suppé's Overture to "Morning, Noon, and Night in Vienna"? Our trombone player also says "I love the Suppé overtures. They are completely over the top, but who wouldn't want to experience Vienna in the 1840's given the chance?" |
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22 August 2020
Members' Recommendations #4:
If you are missing your seaside visits this year then perhaps this piece of music might help you feel like you are there! One of our trumpet players recommends the brass band piece "Morning in Cornwall", with both a cornet solo and a tenor horn section feature. She says it makes her think of sunny days by the sea in Cornwall. This recording is by Pendeen Silver Band.
Members' Recommendations #4:
If you are missing your seaside visits this year then perhaps this piece of music might help you feel like you are there! One of our trumpet players recommends the brass band piece "Morning in Cornwall", with both a cornet solo and a tenor horn section feature. She says it makes her think of sunny days by the sea in Cornwall. This recording is by Pendeen Silver Band.
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15 August 2020: VJ Day
"We Remember", a reflection of the emotions of war, was the winning entry to our 2013 Young Composer Competition, written by teenager Elspeth Manders.The piece is a commemoration of the First World War, and the various sections of the music portray the onset of hostilities, the height of battle, despair by those left at home, and the aftermath of war. The music brings out the emotional impact of the conflict, and the connection to VJ Day is compelling as you listen to the composition. |
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8 August 2020 Members' Recommendations #3: This week's musical choice is the Tempest Sonata in D Minor by Beethoven. Selected by one of our clarinet players as a "must listen to" piece, he describes it as "My favourite piece of music by perhaps the greatest composer of them all. I think this recording by Daniel Barenboim, who is the master when it comes to Beethoven is the definitive one. I love everything about the first movement, and the delicacy with which he plays the third movement is also sublime.". Do you agree? |
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25 July 2020
Members' Recommendations #2: This week's choice comes from one of our flute players, who has chosen Saint-Saens' Organ Symphony in C Minor. The first time she heard this symphony performed live she was utterly immersed and captivated. Saint-Saens himself said of composing this piece: "I gave everything to it I was able to give. What I have here accomplished, I will never achieve again." Using an organ with the orchestra in this way is unusual, the organ being usually used in a choral capacity or as a solo instrument. It is a brilliant instrument, with enormous depth and of course enormous volume, but also able to be subtle and enchanting, as can be heard in her favourite part, the 2nd movement. |
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18 July 2020
Members' Recommendations #1: This is a favourite selecion from one of our oboe players, who also sings in a choir, and her choice is 3 pieces of music that are available as both windband and choral music:
Hymn to the Fallen by John Williams,
Seal Lullaby by Eric Whitacre,
O Magnum Mysterium by Morten Lauridsen.
This link is to a cd 'Eventide' by Voces8, which is a group of just 8 voices who make a fabulous sound. It includes their fantastic versions of all 3 pieces (and more). We hope you enjoy listening to them.
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8 July 2020 Remembering the prolific and innovative composer Ennio Morricone who died this week at the age of 91. One of the band's favourite pieces is Moment for Morricone, which we performed at our autumn concert in 2016. Here is our tribute to him. He will be sadly missed in the music world. |
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13 June 2020 Our Saxophone quintet, Sf Sax, have been busy again producing another lockdown video of them performing. Here is The Socially Distanced Teddy Bears' Picnic for you to enjoy. |
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30 May 2020 As we get closer to the first stage in relaxation of the lockdown rules, we can start to look forward to enjoying 2m distance meeting up with some of our less vulnerable friends and family in our gardens. Enjoy Pastime with Good Company, recorded at our summer concert in 2019. |
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23 May 2020 From nurses and careworkers, supermarket staff and delivery drivers, volunteers around the country helping people out, and everyone who has been so patient keeping themselves socially distanced and is still doing so - you are ALL incredible, so this is dedicated to YOU. This is Music from the Incredibles, recorded at our summer concert in 2019. |
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15 May 2020 This week's video features one of our small groups, Sf Sax. As everyone was stuck in their own house and unable to get together to play, the group members each recorded their parts at home and then put them together with a video to produce "Lockdown Liberty Bell". We hope you enjoy their first attempt at distance recording! |
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8 May 2020 As we come together within our own homes and gardens to celebrate 75 years since VE Day, we bring you some music from the time - Doris Day's Hits includes “The Black Hills of Dakota”, “The More I See You”, “The Deadwood Stage”, “Secret Love” and “Que Será Será”. |
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3 May 2020 With us all looking for new ways to keep ourselves both entertained and fit, how about a dance? Our performance of Dance Away should get those feet moving and toes tapping! This was recorded at our Summer 2019 concert in Tadley. |
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29 April 2020 A video of the band from our Christmas Concert in Mortimer, Berkshire in 2019. This piece is October, by Eric Whitacre, and was included in the programme in memory of a much loved band member. The music is very moving and touches one's emotions, especially so for the band members remembering a fellow community band musician. |
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18 April 2020 This recording of Perthshire Majesty was made during a fun and exciting day at a recording studio at the University of Surrey in Guildford in 2017, helping out the music students with our large band. This is one of our favourite pieces, and features a solo soprano saxophone. |
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