Lydbrook Band News
9th February 2012
I mentioned to you all in the last news update of a busy time ahead for the Training Band and what a successful couple of weeks it was too.
First of all we attended the contest at Crosskeys, competing against eight community/independent bands, where we were awarded a very creditable third prize from adjudicator Brian Buckley. Otis Williams, our principal euphonium player, gave a magnificent performance of Grandfather’s Clock which won him the best soloist in the section prize plus some outstanding praise from the adjudicator.
It’s always a pleasure for me to conduct and work with the Training Band, but this performance was really outstanding and one of the best contest performances from the band in recent years.
The following week we attended the GBBA Entertainments Contest in the new venue at Ross-on-Wye where again the Training Band gave an excellent performance and were awarded a Gold Certificate from adjudicator, Philip Harper.
At both events George Stratford and Ieuaf Griffiths gave excellent performances of “The Elephant” from Carnival of the Animals and Ollie Pugh a superb rendition of the solo in “Highland Cathedral”.
Stephen East gave his first solo performance playing “I Don’t Know How to Love Him” and Ryan Morgan also his first contest solo performance with “The Acrobat”. They both played very well indeed and were highly praised by the adjudicator.
Well done to the Training Band, the soloists and a special mention to the new members, Adey Wildin, Sam Horton and Reuben Arnison, who did very well in their first contests with the band.
Thanks to the members of the band and committee who at short notice provided refreshments for the GBBA Entertainments Contest at The Larruperz Centre, Ross-on-Wye.
Finally, the band is pleased to announce that they have secured the services of John Parkinson to play soprano with them at the Area Contest in Torquay on March 11th. John, who has played with Rothwell, Yorkshire Imps & Hammonds, will be a great addition to our cornet section during our rehearsals on “The Devil & The Deep Blue Sea”.
More news soon.
Robert Morgan
Secretary
26th January 2012
A belated Happy New Year to you all and many thanks to everyone who supported the band over the Christmas period. We worked really hard to raise money for our instrument fund and are grateful to all those who contributed in any way.
A very enjoyable New Year’s Day walk followed by a pie and a pint at the Courtfield was a good start to the New Year with 30 members and friends of the band enjoying the morning stroll.
The Training Band has two busy weeks ahead of them taking part in the Gwent Music Festival at Crosskeys on Saturday 28th January before competing at the GBBA Entertainments Contest on Sunday 5th February. The GBBA have a new venue this year - the Larruperz Centre in
Ross-on-Wye. If you fancy going along, the contest starts at 11.30 a.m. More information can be found on the GBBA website.
Arrangements are now ongoing for the huge Diamond Jubilee event we are planning for Saturday 2nd June in the field adjacent to the Speech House Hotel by kind permission of the owner, Mr. Peter Hands. There will be an afternoon and evening of entertainment on the covered stage with a Last Night of the Proms finale and firework display. Other attractions are planned on the field and families are encouraged to bring their picnics and settle down for a once in a lifetime Diamond Jubilee celebration.
We plan to have a page on the website soon where all the information for the day can be found. Tickets will go on sale in mid March and will be advertised in the local press and via the internet.
Thanks again to Sally and Mark for their work with the band website. There are now hundreds of photographs on the gallery and the history section should be really interesting for ex-members and their families.
I hope you like the new music on the site from a 1993 recording by the band and I’ll try and dig out some even earlier music in the next few months.
More news soon.
Robert Morgan
Secretary
Click here to read all the news from last year.