Robert Morgan
Secretary

The summer is here, the weather is mixed and like bands all over the country Lydbrook have started their summer engagement schedule.

A very pleasant afternoon was spent in Ross Bandstand last weekend with very good weather and a sizeable crowd in attendance.

Our next engagement on 5th July is at Goodrich (about 4 miles from Lydbrook) when the band will play at the opening of the new “green space”. They will perform from 3.30 p.m. to 5.00 p.m. so if it’s a nice afternoon, just turn up and listen to the band.

A few of the senior band members and the Training Band will be taking part at the Forest of Dean Solo Contest which takes places on 6th July at Lakers School - good fun this and we look forward to an enjoyable day.

Malvern Bandstand is on 13th July from 2.30 p.m. to 4.30 p.m. – always a good job this in very pleasant surroundings and a good audience is usually in attendance.

To draw the month to a close the band will be at their Garden Party at Lydbrook House on Saturday 26th July from 2.30 p.m. to 4.30 p.m. when they will perform with members of the Training Band. Last year’s event was cancelled owing to the floods - what a terrible couple of weeks.

Congratulations to Chris Toomer (Baritone) and Laura on their wedding which took place on 26th May. We wish them well for their future life together.

Lydbrook Band, as always, continues to encourage its youngsters into the senior band and during the summer months debuts will be made by Rhiannon Symonds (Trombone), Otis Williams (Cornet), Jack Neale (Horn) and Bethan Jones (Cornet). We hope they all have a long and enjoyable banding career.

Congratulations to Kate and Chris following the birth of their son Josh. Mother and baby are doing well I hear, but tough on the dad as normal!!

The Training Band gave a very successful concert at Highnam Court on Monday evening when they played at a charity fund raising event for breast cancer. They were joined by Drybrook Ladies Choir and the highly amusing Pam Ayres for a very pleasant evening in the spectacular grounds at Highnam Court.

Finally, we are pleased to announce that the Lydbrook Bandsman of the Year award was presented this year to Dan Moss for his contribution to the band following the tragic death of his mum, Kaye, in August last year. The award, in memory of Trefor Evans, was presented at the band’s Proms Concert on 10th May. Tref would have been proud of you Dan; well done.

More news later in the Summer.

Robert Morgan
Secretary

Well, what a day we had in Torquay - 5th place in the Championship Section - our best ever result at the West of England Regional Championships.

First of all I would like to thank the members of the band for their time, dedication, patience and performance during the week leading up to the contest.

It was an inspired decision by the committee to invite Tom Brevik to Lydbrook to conduct the band at the Championships and I’m sure that everyone was inspired by his conducting and musical abilities during the week. His humour also was well received although Brooksy’s humour left most of us scratching our heads; is Paula getting as bad?

Thanks also to Anne-Grethe for helping us out on Solo Horn. It was great to have you along and we all hope that maybe you can come back one day with your family and meet up with us again.

So there we are, fairly safe in the rankings for another year but something very positive to build on during the next 12 months. We start again on Sunday with Steve Sykes and we look forward to welcoming Steve back to work with us during the summer months.

So, well done to everyone - a great day for Lydbrook Band and a great day for us all.

Thanks Tom - brilliant!

Robert Morgan
Secretary

Just a short update for the website as we approach the 2007 Area Contest in Torquay when the band will play Eric Ball’s ‘Festival Music’.

Rehearsals are going well under our Norwegian Guest Conductor, Tom Brevik and we will, I’m sure, have an enjoyable week working with Tom.

Also from Norway we have Tom’s daughter, Anne-Grethe Brevik Amland, who is helping us out while our Solo Horn player, Kate Buffrey is in the last months of her pregnancy.

I’m sure the band will go to Torquay with plenty of confidence and hoping for a top half finish.

On a personal note I would like to thank everyone in the brass band world from near and far for their congratulations following my nomination for an MBE in the Queen’s New Year Honours. I have been overwhelmed with the number of congratulations that I have received from bandsmen and women from all over the country.

Prince Charles, who presented me with the MBE medal on 28th February, was genuinely interested in the future of brass bands and was very pleased to hear that the banding scene is in a fairly healthy condition.

Once again, thanks to everyone and a further update will be posted after the Area Contest.

Robert Morgan
Secretary

Next Concert

‘Music from the Shows Visits the Proms’

Saturday, 10th May @ the Forest Theatre

Tickets £6.50 each - Contact: Barbara Morgan
01594 860944

Robert Morgan
Secretary

Congratulations are being given to Robert Morgan, the Band's Secretary, following the announcement that he has been awarded the MBE.

Robert said he was delighted at being awarded the MBE for "Services to Brass Band Music" in the latest New Year's Honours List.

He said: “I’m deeply proud, privileged and pleased to both be nominated and to receive the MBE."

Nominated by friend and Drybrook Band member Mary Harris over 13 months ago, Robert received official notification of the award within the last six weeks. He will find out when he will be presented with the honour in a few months time.

As well as 50 years service to Lydbrook Band, Robert has also served the brass band movement in a number of other positions, including as Chairman of the British Federation of Brass Bands, as a founding member of the European Brass Band Association, and member of many other committees.

New CD to be released by Lydbrook Band.....

Lydbrook Band spent the weekend of Dec 1 and 2 recording their latest CD, "A Forest Symphony", at Dene Magna school, in Mitcheldean.

The band, conducted by Dave Williams, will be releasing the album in February 2008.

The CD features the first recording of "A Forest Symphony", which was written by Forest born composer Gavin Higgins. The piece was originally commissioned for the Voices in the Forest Festival, held at Beechenhurst in June.

Voices in the Forest has partially funded the production of the Lydbrook CD due to the presence on it of Gavin's work, which was recorded alongside pieces such as "Heart of Lithuania", which the band performed the British premiere of at Newland Church, near Coleford, earlier this year.

Other pieces featured include euphonium solo "Endearing Young Charms", played by Les Pearse, and soprano solo "Bring Him Home", from Les Miserables, played by Tracey King.

Cornet feature "The Tops" and "76 Trombones" have also been recorded, alongside the band's signature march "Lydbrook", written especially for the band by David Morgan in 2003.

"With One Look", from Sunset Boulevard, "Shekinah", and the "John Dunbar Theme", from Dances with Wolves complete the recording.

Band secretary Robert Morgan said: "The CD should be very entertaining and we look forward to receiving the finished product from the engineers at Dolce Productions early next year. "We had an enjoyable weekend recording it, which should come through in the playing."

A sell out audience enjoyed the concert hosted by Lydbrook Band at the Forest Theatre, Five Acres, to celebrate 50 years of service by band secretary and cornet player Robert Morgan.

In what was arguably the finest display of brass soloists ever to play on the same programme at a Forest concert, soprano player Steve Barnsley, tuba soloist Steve Sykes and trombonist Brett Baker took to the stage to perform two solos each.

There were vocal performances of Viljia, from the Merry Widow, and Czardas,
from Die Fledermaus, from good friend of the band Sue Black, and Robert
himself proved he still has what it takes when he performed traditional
cornet solo "The Nightingale".

Conducting duties for the evening were shared by another long term friend of the band, Brian Howard, and Steve Sykes, and the compere for the evening was former band chairman and player Nigel Morgan.

Both the training band, which Robert runs and conducts, and senior band joined together for two numbers, and Robert was presented with his 50 years service pin by fellow band member Yvonne Hamblin, while his 50 year certificate was presented by Gloucestershire Brass Band Association chairman Mike James.

Robert's years of service not only to Lydbrook Band but also the banding scene locally, regionally, nationally and internationally were paid tribute to by Lydbrook Band's chairman Trevor Moss.

Robert said the evening had more than lived up to his expectations, and thanked everyone who had help to make the event such a success. He said: "I am extremely grateful to our guest soloists and conductors who all made themselves readily available to perform at this special concert.

"My thanks also go to the band's president, Mrs Jeanette Street, and her company Allstone Sand and Gravel, for sponsoring the concert, and to our compere Nigel, and both the senior band and training band.

"I would finally like to thank my wife Barbara and the rest of my family for their support over the years because without them behind me none of what I have achieved would have been possible."

Robert

Another successful day was had at the GBBA Contest on Sunday, 14th October.

Although there was only a small entry all day there were some closely fought battles between a number of bands.

A message on the guest book from Les, Marie and Thomas all the way from Chicago has prompted me to update the website.

As you are all aware the band played at Kaye’s funeral in August and we were all proud to be able to help Trevor, Dan and Rob through such a difficult day in their lives.

It’s a strange thing to say, but it was a most uplifting funeral with a packed church and a moving eulogy from Trevor and Rob. Dan played in the band for the hymns and the singing was tremendous in the wonderful old church at Berkeley.

Our summer break followed but then straight away it was into rehearsals with Dave Williams for the Cathedral Concert on 15th September with 5 choirs to keep us company.

It was a good concert with an excellent audience who enjoyed all the music being performed.

We are now in training for the GBBA Contest on 14th October at the Forest Theatre when the band will again be conducted by Steve Sykes.

This year is my 50th year with Lydbrook Band and I am organising a concert for band funds on 27th October also at the Forest Theatre. Guest artists include Brett Baker on Trombone from Black Dyke Band, Steve Barnsley on Soprano from Tredegar Band and Steve Sykes on Tuba.

To ring the changes the lovely Sue Black will perform some vocal solos in her own special way. Conducting will be Lyndon Baglin, Brian Howard and Steve Sykes.

Tickets for the event are £6.00 and can be obtained by ringing Barbara Morgan on 01594 860944.

Further details to follow.

At the concert last week we sadly said a farewell to Karen Toomer, our first horn player, who later this month sets off on a 12-18 month trip to Australia and New Zealand.

Karen has been a great member for many years and we wish her and Jim all the best for their visit down under.

News on new members to follow in the next week or so.

Robert Morgan
Secretary

Robert Morgan
Secretary

The 2nd annual Forest of Dean solo, duet and quartet contest

was held in Coleford on Sunday July 8, and the event saw some great performances from members of Lydbrook Senior and Training Bands.
Lydbrook players walked away with five prizes, with Otis Williams, who plays cornet in the training band, winning a first place in the air varie years 4-9 section.

20th June 2007

The band has a busy weekend ahead on Saturday June 23 and Sunday June 24. We
are performing alongside other Forest bands and performers at the Voices in
the Forest Festival - Exciting Minds, at Beechenhurst, on the Saturday.
During our 30-minute programme we are proud to be playing a brand new
composition by Forest born composer and musician Gavin Higgins. Gavin, 24,
who used to play tenor horn with the band, studied French Horn and
composition at Chethams School of Music, and then won a scholarship to
continue his studies at the Royal Northern College of Music. He has won
various awards and accolades for his work, and will be taking up a place at
the Royal College of Music, in London, later this year.
Gavin's piece, A Forest Symphony, is proving an enjoyable and interesting
piece to rehearse and we had BBC Radio Gloucestershire visit us at our last
practice to see how we were getting on and interview some of our members,
along with Gavin.
We look forward to giving the piece its first public airing at Beechenhurst.

We are then playing at the band stand in Ross-on-Wye on the Sunday afternoon
from 2 until 4pm. Our programme will include the usual range of entertaining
pieces, including Punchinello, Tancredi, Chanson de Matin, March of the
Peers, English Folk Song Suite, and Star Wars.

Future Concerts

We have two concerts coming up shortly. The first one is at The Cathedral of the Forest - Newland Church on Saturday, 21st April.

Tickets for this event, in aid of church funds, are £8.00 each and can be obtained from me (01594 860789 or 860944).

It should be a good evening. Conductor Steve Sykes has chosen a varied programme of music to suit all tastes, with solos from Stuart Pollard (cornet), Les Pearse (euphonium) and Stephen Sykes (trombone).

The concert starts at 7.00 p.m. and includes a glass of wine within the ticket price.

On 12th May we have our annual concert at the Forest Theatre, Five Acres when the theme this year is “Music from the Movies visits The Proms”. Following a successful visit last year the band will again be joined by the John Kyrle High School Choir from Ross-on-Wye. The concert starts at 7.30 p.m. and tickets are £6.00 each and are available from Barbara Morgan on the same number as above.

Dates for your Diary

Elgar Concert - Sunday 3rd June - Malvern Park Bandstand

Voices of the Forest - Saturday 23rd June at Beechenhurst, with a new composition from Gavin Higgins - “A Forest Symphony”.

More details on these two events shortly.

We look forward to seeing you at Newland and the Forest Theatre.

Robert Morgan
Secretary

We have had two major events since my 8th March posting

- the Area Contest and a visit to Lithuania.

Let’s have a look at the Area Contest first.

As you all know it was our first time back in the Championship Section since 1998 and only our third time ever. Isaiah 40 was a difficult piece of music and I think that was generally accepted throughout the country. We found it difficult but always challenging and enjoyable. Dave Williams, as always, was a pleasure to work with and we had a great time rehearsing the music.

Thanks to everyone for putting in the effort required. A couple of places up the ladder would have been better for us, but from a number one draw we didn’t do too badly.

No one was hired in for the contest, it was our own band and we were in the section by the rules of the National Championships, and we are proud of that. Our young players, Lauren, Sam, Rhyddian, Dan and Andrew can only have benefited from the experience and we look forward to next year with added enthusiasm.

Lithuania

Within a few days we were off to Lithuania again - 6 from the band, plus Derek Barnes, Tref’s sister, Pam and Mark from ‘up t’north’.

We really did have a great time and were well looked after by Remi, who made sure that we were kept busy from the time we arrived in Panevezys - a big thank you to Laurynas (Remi’s son) for help with the translating.

You had to be there to appreciate the emotions of the presentation. We first had coffee with the Deputy Mayor and Deputy Ambassador before being ushered into the hall where the press were assembled. There were flash lights and TV cameras - we felt like David Beckham!!

The curtains were closed on the stage and the words “Trefor Evans Foundation” were projected onto them. Jo and the Deputy Ambassador to the UK, Keith Shannon, were asked to draw the curtains back. Imagine our surprise when we saw the instruments beautifully displayed on the stage, all lit up and looking absolutely brand new.

The emotions of those few moments can’t be described in words (well not by me anyway). I think we were all stunned and realised that Tref’s last wish had been achieved. I then had to explain to the press and TV what it was all about, with the help of an interpreter from the City Council.

A cheque for £2,000 was also presented to help with the development of their young players.

For those who had helped with the cleaning, when the curtain was drawn back the smell of brasso was almost overwhelming!!

The Mayor explained that there were currently 8 villages with bands. The instruments we took over would enable another 4 villages to starts new bands and the municipality of Panevezys would provide funds for the teachers.

Remi had arranged for a local Blacksmith to make an iron cross with a plaque engraved with the words “In Remembrance to Trefor Evans” and we set out on an hour’s drive to The Hill of Crosses. Well, once again we didn’t know what to expect, but we suddenly arrived at a mound rather than a hill which was covered with crosses, hundreds of thousands of them in all different shapes and sizes, laid in memory of loved ones. Jo and Pam placed Trefor’s cross at the top of the hill and again the emotions flowed. It was almost as if we had reached closure in a strange sort of way and that we were now able to move forward, but of course, never forgetting.

For Remi to arrange this for us was a lovely thought and proved to us what a great and understanding man he is.

We visited about 6 villages, played in the bands with the young people, helped them with a few master classes and had a lot of fun. There was plenty of schnapps and brandy available, if you were that way inclined, but being true bandsmen we didn’t touch a drop!!

Thanks to the band members who were able to make the trip; Barb, Paula, Jo, Phil and a special thanks to Chairman, Trevor for his help with the speeches during the trip.

Well, there we are; I’ve tried to paint a picture of the visit for you all. Thanks to Jo of course, and everyone who in any way helped with the event.

I feel we have a special relationship with Panevezys and I’m sure that one day we will go back again to see how much progress has been made and maybe take part in a Summer School in 2008.

Robert Morgan
Secretary

After many months of hard work by members of the band, the instruments for Lithuania were finally despatched on Sunday, 4th March for Panevezys.

Robert Morgan
Secretary

Robert Morgan
Secretary

As promised, just a short update prior to the end of the year.

Robert Morgan
Secretary
20th December, 2006

The day started with the Training Band and how well they performed. We had a number of new members performing for the first time and they included:-

Maizie Morgan, Sam Howell, Stephen East, Alex Isles, Otis Williams,
Jack Neale and Rhiannon Symonds

They all did exceptionally well and, of course, they are the band’s future. I wonder how many of them will come through to the senior band - time will tell.

The day continued with the main band playing T.J. Powell’s march, “The Contestor” and Goff Richards’ “Voyage of Discovery”.

Steve Sykes worked the band hard all week and just because it was the Association Contest, no stone was left unturned. Four rehearsals in the week before the contest had us all on peak form.

Excellent performances were given of both pieces and adjudicator Philip Harper was very impressed with the band’s playing and duly awarded us two first prizes, with Marie Pearse winning the best Flugel player of the day.

The Percussion section also won the best Percussion of the day and Rhydian Griffiths, Angela Shepherd and Andrew Brooks were more than pleased with their performance, and are looking forward to the challenges of Isaiah 40 at next year’s Area Contest.

It’s been a terrific 18 months of contest success for the band with prizes at every contest we’ve entered, including the National Finals.

Of course it now gets even more difficult with our promotion to the Championship Section next year, but who knows, we have great camaraderie within the band and if we believe in ourselves, anything is possible.

Once again, thanks to Steve Sykes for his hard work and dedication to the band. He’s a terrific person who has the respect of everyone within the band.

Our next concert with the band is on Saturday, 16th December at the Forest Theatre, where our guests will be the Forest of Dean Male Voice Choir. Tickets for this event are available from Barbara Morgan on 01594 860789 (Day) and 860944 (Eve) and are priced at £6.00 each.

I’ll try and give a final update before Christmas, time allowing.

Harrogate Finals

“Well done the band” is a saying used often by one of our committee members, Eric Jones, and well done it was on Sunday at the National Finals.

A creditable 5th place in the National Championships of Great Britain is a great achievement. It means the 5th best 1st Section band in the country (England, Wales & Scotland) - a great achievement for our proud village band.

Drawn to play 17, the last of the competing bands, we put on an excellent performance which just fell away a touch in the last minute or so. One adjudicator commented that we seemed to “sound tired” and I’m sure he was correct, when you think that we were on the go from 7.30 in the morning until we actually took the stage at 8.15 in the evening.

The band was conducted and trained for the occasion by Steve Sykes on Major Peter Parkes’ arrangement of Gustav Holst’s ‘Ballet Music from The Perfect Fool’. I’m sure that everyone in the band would like to join me in thanking Steve for his hard work and dedication to the rehearsals and performance and we look forward to our next project together.

A special mention is due to all our young players who performed so well and worked hard before the event.

Sam Davis on Repiano
Daniel Moss on 2nd Cornet
Andrew Manning on 3rd Cornet
Lauren Howell on Solo Trombone
Rhydian Griffiths on Percussion

They were all players at their first National Finals and were a credit to themselves and their families.

A word too for the soloists - congratulations to everyone for such great performances and especially to Marie, named as our star player by 4 bars rest.

A special mention also for Jo on Baritone - it’s been a difficult week for Jo but she played brilliantly and did her bit for Tref’s memory.

The contest was deservedly won by Kibworth who were conducted by John Berryman. Congratulations from us all to John and the band.

Many congratulations also to Bream Band who came 5th in the 4th Section out of an entry of 22 bands.

So there we are; a successful visit to the Nationals. Congratulations to everyone and we look forward to our challenge in the Championship Section next year.

Robert Morgan
Secretary
26th September, 2006

It’s less than a week to go now before our biggest contest for some years - the National Finals at Harrogate on Sunday, 24th.

Rehearsals are going well and it’s a great feeling to have a full band at rehearsals. Everyone is keen and raring to go.

The dedication from all players at this time is something to be admired. You move heaven and earth to be at band practice and how some of you manage it with your family commitments, goodness only knows.

I think we have done everything we can at this stage and we are now relying on Steve Sykes to get us up to standard for next Sunday’s competition.

It should be a good weekend - it’s what we all aspire to - it’s our cup final and we’re going to enjoy it.

Robert Morgan
Secretary
18th September, 2006

The highs include a 2nd Prize at the regional contest, qualification to the National Championships and promotion to the Championship Section from 1st January next year. This was followed by our very successful tour to Latvia and Lithuania, which was enjoyed by us all.

Then we have the lows - the sad passing of Trefor - our band Vice President, David Beard and then a couple of months later, our band President, Ken Beard (David’s dad).

As always, the band did what they needed to do, providing music for all the funerals, plus the music for Barb’s mum’s funeral. Kath had been a great supporter of the band for many years and a few players made it to Welsh Newton to play for the hymns. Thanks are due to Brian Howard for conducting us at the funerals of Ken, David and Kath.

Jo tells me that Tref’s Trust Fund is progressing well, with over 50 instruments now collected and donations of over £3,500. Thanks are due to all those who played at Frocester Beer Festival (arranged by Frampton Band and Brian Ireland) and for everyone agreeing to donate the fee to Trefor’s Trust Fund (www.treforevans.co.uk). Well done Jo, keep up the good work.

The National Finals, Harrogate

September 24th is fast approaching and the next 3 weeks are going to be hectic to say the least. Ten rehearsals are arranged with Steve Sykes plus sectional rehearsals, as we try to get to grips with Gustav Holst’s Ballet Music from “The Perfect Fool”, arranged by Peter Parkes.

The band will depart Lydbrook on Saturday, 23rd at 9 a.m. and head towards Brighouse where they will spend the night, before proceeding to Harrogate on Sunday morning for the afternoon contest.

It will be a late night, with us probably getting back to Lydbrook after midnight. I’ll try and post an update at a later date.

Robert Morgan
Secretary
30th August, 2006

Over £600.00 was raised for the fund which is working towards raising money for the young brass players of Lithuania.

The County Youth Band were in good form and were conducted by Steve Legge, while Lydbrook Band were pleased to welcome back Steve Sykes as their conductor, who also treated the audience to a tuba solo (Bass in the Ballroom).

Our aim is to donate 100 instruments to Lithuania and everyone is encouraged to look in their attics for their old brass instruments. If you can help please contact Jo Millin (07855 424550) or Robert Morgan (01594 860944).

National Finals - Harrogate (Sunday, 24th September)

The band is pleased to announce that they have engaged Steve Sykes to conduct them at the National Finals in Harrogate on Sunday, 24th September. The set test piece is Ballet from The Perfect Fool by Gustav Holst, arranged by Peter Parkes. More information will be posted as we get nearer the date.

Robert Morgan
Secretary
22nd June, 2006

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT; DAVID MORRIS Office: 01457 874778
Mobile: 07971 662115 e-mail: david@davidmorris-whistler.com

It’s certainly been a roller coaster ride for the members and friends of Lydbrook Band over the past 4 weeks. It seems like an age really with so much taking place.

Robert Morgan
Secretary
13th April, 2006

I write these words for the band’s website with great sadness following the untimely and sudden death of Trefor Evans, our band’s solo horn player. Tref was a great friend to us all and we shall miss him tremendously. Words cannot, I’m afraid, express the sadness that we all feel.

To Jo and all Tref’s family we extend our sincere condolences and support at this sad time.

Tref came to Lydbrook in May 1997 and over the years made the solo horn chair his own. He soon became a committee member and would often volunteer to carry out jobs that no one else wanted. Tref was a “doer” not a talker and was certainly a man to get the job done.

His playing standard was of the highest level, his attendance second to none and being a tall chap, always looked resplendent in his band uniform.

Tref and Jo were a good partnership - they looked out for each other and Jo knew exactly how to look after Tref.

The last 6 months had been a proud time for Tref - wins at Wychavon, GBBA, Porthcawl and qualification to the National Finals two weeks ago were just about all that mattered to him. He wore the Lydbrook badge with pride.

Come Sunday night’s band practice somehow we will have to share our emotions and try and move forward. It will be difficult I know, but try we must.

To Jo, what can we say - we will give you all the support we can over the next few weeks and months and try to help you through this very difficult time.

We’ll all miss you ‘ol’ mate’ - rest in peace.

Robert

P.S. If you would like to put together a few words on your memories of Tref, please do so on the band’s guest book.

The following is an extract from 4BarsRest - click here to see the full report.

For the second time in a week, John Berryman conducted a band into a qualification spot for Harrogate. Lydbrook played number ten on the day (a cracking draw for them) and never really sounded in trouble.

Malcolm Wood

West of England Area Contest

The band continued their remarkable run of success on the weekend when they gained the runners up prize in the West of England Regional Championships in Torquay.

A good performance of Voyage of Discovery by Goff Richards was produced on the day, with excellent contributions from all the soloists. Thanks are also due to Andy France who stepped in two days before the contest, following a bout of flu suffered by principal trombone, Linda Purvis.

And so it’s off to the finals at Harrogate in September and, of course (I nearly forgot) we will also get promotion to the Championship Section from 1st January next year. What a great last 6 months for us all - Training Band as well.

Robert Morgan
Secretary
20th March, 2006

Thursday morning, 23rd March at 4.30 a.m. will see the band head for Heathrow Airport to jet off to Latvia & Lithuania for a 5-day tour of these two Baltic countries. The band will fly into Latvia where they will perform in the capital city, Riga.

On Friday evening the band will travel to Panevezys in Lithuania where they will play at the city’s Music Conservatoire. On Sunday the main concert of the tour will be performed in the Gala Concert at the Lithuanian Brass Band Championships.

The last day of the tour will be on Monday, 27th March and before setting off for home the band will be hosted at a reception by the Mayor of Panevezys.

Masterclasses will be given in both venues by the band’s conductor and Tuba player, Steve Sykes.

Hopefully we’ll find time to celebrate our success at the Area Contest as well as our promotion to the Championship Section.

Robert Morgan
Secretary
20th March, 2006

Porthcawl Contest

Another weekend, another contest and another victory; all a bit unreal to be honest, but enjoyable none the less.

Robert Morgan
Secretary
20th February, 2006

On 23rd March the band will be off on tour again, this time to the new brass band countries of Latvia and Lithuania. We will be leaving Lydbrook early on the morning of the 23rd for a 9.30 a.m. flight from Heathrow to Riga in Latvia.

Following a concert and an overnight stay in Riga we will then travel down to Panevezys in Lithuania and play in the Gala Concert of the first Lithuanian Brass Band Championships.

Another concert will follow on Sunday before our return home on Monday, 27th March.

The band will be conducted by Steve Sykes, who will also appear as guest soloist for the Gala Concert.

Unfortunately a few of our own members are not available for the tour; Sam Davis, Lauren Howell and Rhydian Griffiths, plus teacher Chris Toomer; all busy with exams and school work. Hopefully they will all be available for our next tour.

More details will be posted as they become available.

Robert Morgan
Secretary
19th February, 2006

MORE SUCCESS FOR LYDBROOK BAND

Sunday, 12th February was the day the band completed the “hat trick” - three first prizes at successive contests. Let’s be absolutely clear on this - winning a contest any day is difficult, but to win three “on the trot” is pleasing to say the least.

The GBBA Entertainments Contest took place at the Forest Theatre, Five Acres where adjudicator, Stan Lippeatt, awarded the band first prize from a small but strong field of bands. Runners up were Swindon Band, with City of Bristol third and Lydmet Lydney coming in fourth.

The band also won the trophy for the most entertaining programme of the day. This was from 15 bands in all four sections.

Once again the band was conducted by Steve Sykes, whose meticulous attention to detail no doubt impressed the adjudicator.

Earlier in the day the Training Band gave another fine performance in the unregistered section, finishing a very creditable second from the much more mature Marshfield Band. These youngsters really rise to the challenge and although five players short due to holidays, the band once again performed to a very high standard.

The senior band is off contesting again this week when they take part in the South Wales Miners Eisteddfod in Porthcawl. Most of the Welsh “big guns” are out this weekend in a section of 11 bands, combining Championship and First Section. The adjudicator is Roy Roe and we all look forward to an interesting day at the seaside.

Robert Morgan
Secretary
14th February, 2006

Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal

A successful series of concerts saw Lydbrook Band present a cheque for £2,000 to the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal last weekend during our annual Festival of Remembrance.

Our photographs show the band preparing for the concert with conductor, Nigel Seaman and band Chairman, Trevor Moss, presenting the cheque to the Royal British Legion, together with Craig Risbey from the Forest of Dean Branch of “The Glosters”.

There’s nothing like a win to spur you into action and update the band website, and what a great win it was. Competing at the Wychavon Festival of Brass at Pershore on Sunday, 2nd October, the band was awarded 1st prize out of a strong field of 10 bands from the Midlands and Wales. And just to put the icing on the cake, euphonium soloist Les Pearse was awarded the prize for the best soloist of the day by adjudicator John Berryman.

It’s been a roller coaster couple of weeks for the band with a number of bouts of sickness striking down various players and affecting rehearsals. However, preparation was not affected too much and a good performance was achieved on Sunday.

Sincere thanks are due to “old boy” Nigel Howard who stepped in to help out on Trombone at the last minute and to Steve Ruck on cornet and tuba player Carlton Sykes, making his first ever appearance at a band contest.

Of course all good performances come from the inspiration and enthusiasm of the conductor and Sunday’s performance was no exception, the band having engaged the experienced Steve Sykes to conduct them. Steve’s attention to detail is second to none and it’s true to say that he inspired the band to one of their best performances in recent years. Thanks Steve, it’s been a pleasure once again to work with you and to meet up with Joanne, Stephen, Carlton and yourself again.

And so we move on - a concert at St. Matthews Church in Stroud is the next engagement, when the band will be conducted by Nigel Seaman, principal tuba of the BBC Symphony Orchestra. It’s many years since Nigel conducted the band and we’re looking forward to his visits during the next couple of weeks.

Concerts are booked at the Forest Theatre, Five Acres for Saturday, 12th November and again we will be joined by members of the Forest of Dean Branch of the Gloucester Regiment for our annual Remembrance Concert. It starts at 7.00 p.m. and tickets are available at the door. Saturday, 17th December sees us back at the Theatre again for our annual Christmas Concert when our guests will be the Chepstow Male Voice Choir with our old friend Brian Howard conducting. Tickets are £5.50 each and available from Barbara Morgan on 01594 860789 (Day) and 860944 (Eve).

It was good to get back to Kingsholm recently, providing the pre-match entertainment for Gloucester Rugby Club. Hopefully we will be performing at a number of home matches in the future with our new bass drummer “Ludo” alias Chris Toomer, who managed to get a mention in the club programme the following week.

Well, that’s it for now. As I said at the beginning, there’s nothing like a win to give you some inspiration and this one at Pershore will keep us going on high octane for a few weeks to come yet.

Robert Morgan, Secretary
5th October, 2005

The band played to a capacity audience and, with compere Nigel Morgan, shared the stage with a variety of guest artistes.

One of the guests - tuba player Steve Sykes - found himself a lot busier than he had anticipated when the band called upon his conducting skills, after resident conductor Rhodri Griffiths was unable to attend due to urgent work commitments.

Steve, who has conducted the band on several occasions in the past, agreed to step into the breech and still managed to wow the audience with virtuoso performances of solos El Cumbanchero, by Rafael Hernandez, and He Wipes the Tear from Every Eye, by Don Morrison.

Steve was not the only member of the Sykes family to dazzle the audience as both his sons Stephen, 14, and Carlton, 12, took to the stage for solo performances as well. Stephen, playing the trombone, performed Roy Newsome's Tenor Trombone Rag, while Carlton, following in his father's footsteps on
the tuba, played Forty Fathoms by Harold Walter.

And as if proof were needed that musical talent is in the Sykes family gene, Steve's wife Joanne joined the family on cornet to perform a quartet with band accompaniment of William Himes' When I Think About Jesus.

Also performing during the evening was vocal soloist Sue Black who, with accompaniment from Rose Lewis, sang Bizet's Habanera from Carmen, and Gounod's Waltz Song from Romeo and Juliet.

The band's programme was itself varied, with classical pieces such as Gymopodie No. 1, by Erik Satie, and French Military March, by Saint-Saens, being performed alongside contemporary music such as that from the Lord of the Rings, by Howard Shore and arranged by Andrew Duncan.

The programme ended with the usual patriotic renditions of Jerusalem, by Hubert Parry, Fantasia on British Sea Songs, by Henry Wood, and Pomp and Circumstance, by Elgar.

Sharing the stage with the band, and singing along in fine voice with Sue Black and the audience for the final numbers were the Springfield Singers and pupils from Soudley School.

Band secretary Robert Morgan said: "Our Proms concert is our most popular and successful concert of the year and this year's concert more than lived up to expectations. The performances by Stephen and Carlton Sykes were particular highlights and I am sure we are going to be hearing much more
from them in years to come."

First of all apologies to all our readers for not receiving information about the band activities just recently.

Our web-master Martin, has been moving house (I think the kitchen is finished now) and the secretary has had a couple of very busy months.

The band completed a fairly busy summer of activities with a concert in Stratford Park, Stroud on a very beautiful and hot summer day on Sunday, 1st August. However, the week before the band was privileged to play at the wedding of euphonium player, Kate Nelmes and Chris Buffrey at The Abbey Hotel, Tintern.

Again we were blessed with a lovely day. A quartet of Stuart Pollard, Marie Pearse, Trefor Evans and Mandy Norman played before the service, while baritone player and bridesmaid Karen Toomer played the keyboard to accompany Kate's sister Lucy, who sang a beautiful solo.

The new Mrs. Buffrey, together with her dad, Brian and guests from BTM, Black Dyke and YBS Bands joined in the playing after the ceremony before a very enjoyable afternoon and evening relaxation.

Congratulations to Kate and Chris and we all wish them a successful and happy married life.

Probably the hottest day of the year (Sunday, 5th September) saw the band recording a CD of Christmas music at Bishopswood Village Hall. It is hoped that the CD will be available from mid-November at a cost of £6.00. Ideal Christmas presents!!

The Treorchy Male Choir were our guests on Saturday, 18th September at the Forest Theatre, Five Acres for an excellent concert. The hall was packed to the rafters and the choir was again on great form.

Lydbrook Band's quintet made its first public appearance during the concert and were enjoyed by the audience and choir alike. The members were:-

Cornet/Trumpet - Stuart Pollard & Phil Storer
Horn - Trefor Evans
Trombone - Linda Purvis
Tuba - Trevor Moss

We hope to hear more of them in the future.

On Sunday, 20th September the band competed at the Wychavon Festival of Brass. Playing last of 10 bands we finished joint 4th under the baton of guest conductor, Wayne Rushton. The band played well considering the adjustments we had to make owing to holidays and congratulations to Kate and Mandy for their work on euphonium. Thanks also to Jo Millin for helping out on baritone and Bob Toomer on percussion.

Forthcoming events include the following:-

Sunday, 10th October at 2.00 p.m. the Training Band will be performing in the Festival of Brass at Lakers School, Five Acres, organised by the Gloucestershire Brass Band Association.

If you would like to support the Training Band and the other two bands taking part, the entry is free and the event should last about 2-2½ hours.

The year we have a change to our annual Remembrance weekend concert. For the first time for 35 years the concert will not be held on Armistice Sunday but on Saturday, 13th November at the Forest Theatre, Five Acres. Under the banner of "The Forest of Dean's Festival of Remembrance" the band will organise the event in conjunction with the Forest of Dean Branch of the "Glosters" Regiment. Proceeds will go to the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal.

Tickets are unreserved at £4 each and can be obtained from Barbara Morgan on 860789 (work), 860944 (home), or from members of the "Glosters" Forest of Dean Branch.

A number of standards from the Forest of Dean will be presented and the Act of Remembrance will be led by the Rev. Andrew Jones (Chaplain to the Regiment).

The Christmas Concert will take place at the same venue on Saturday, 11th December when our guests will be the "Wye Valley Swing Jivers". Not to be missed and an excellent evening of Christmas entertainment is promised. Tickets are £5.50 for reserved seats and again can be purchased from Barbara Morgan on 860789 or 860944.

Last but by no means least, the band is proud to announce the appointment of their new Resident Conductor, Rhodri Griffiths, who took up his position on 1st September. The band look forward to working with Rhodri and a profile of his banding career is shown elsewhere on our website.

We welcome messages in our guest book, providing of course they are not rude, and we look forward to contributions from interested bandsmen and band supporters everywhere.

Robert Morgan, Secretary
4th October, 2004

2004 Proms Night

The 2004 Proms night was again a very successful event for the band. About 350 people were in the audience to hear some fine playing by the band under their guest conductor, Wayne Rushton.

The highlight of the evening was, of course, the band's guest soloist David Morris - the Grand Master World Whistling Champion. His unique ability was appreciated by band and audience alike and his repertoire included Czardas, Post Horn Galop, Trumpet Triplets, Londonderry Air and The Sunshine of Your Smile. David and his wife Helen spent an enjoyable weekend in the Forest of Dean as guests of Harold & Pauline Moore, members of the band's general committee.

The audience rose to the occasion, enjoying their annual singalong to I Vow To Thee My Country, Jerusalem, Fantasia on British Sea Songs and, of course, Land of Hope & Glory with 3 encores.

A special thanks to Wayne Rushton for his hard work with the band, which proved to be most enjoyable. We hope to work with Wayne again in the near future.

All in all an excellent event and a pleasant hour or so spent in The Anchor at Lydbrook socialising and chatting to our guest soloist.

This weekend sees the band in Droitwich Park from 2.30 p.m. until 4.30 p.m., before setting off to the Whit Friday March Contest on 4th June - more details at a later date.

Robert Morgan, Secretary
17th May, 2004

The last regional contest of the year took place last weekend (27th & 28th March) with 82 bands making their way to Torquay for the West of England Regional Championships. Competing in the 1st Section we achieved a creditable 6th place this year and have at last achieved a result that we were reasonably satisfied with.