| Lydbrook
Training Band |
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Training
Band News, Feb 20th, 2006 |
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| It’s been a hectic few weeks
since Christmas with the Training Band competing in two contests.
First of all, on 27th January a very pleasant day was spent in Cross Keys at the Greater Gwent Youth Band Contest. Although the band was not placed in the first three, I was extremely pleased with their performance. We only had 22 players on the stage and the winners, Camborne, fielded 50 players, in what was a stunning performance. Our soloist, Matthew Kibble, performed extremely well (as normal) and a good day was had by all. The following week, on Sunday, 4th February, we competed in the GBBA unregistered contest and again played an outstanding performance. This was rewarded with a second prize by adjudicator Brian Buckley. Rhyddian Griffiths won the solo prize on percussion and Stephen East was awarded the trophy for the youngest player of the day. We’ve been attending the GBBA contest now for about 6 years with the Training Band and this is the first time that we have had a prize in a section that included some very mature bands and players. As usual we are always looking for young players who are interested in learning to play a brass instrument. If you know of anyone please get in touch. It’s a great pleasure to work with the Training Band and it never fails to amaze me how they always come good on the day. As Eric Jones, our committee member, often says, “Well done the (Training) Band”. Robert Morgan |
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Training
Band News, 18th October, 2006 |
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| It has taken us a little
while to get going again with the Training Band following the summer break.
However, we are now up and flying.
We have two exciting jobs coming up. First of all we are playing at the Gloucester Salvation Army Citadel on Saturday, 4th November starting at 7 pm. It’s a pay at the door event and all parents etc. are welcome - £5 and £4 concessions. On Sunday, 3rd December the Training Band will be playing at Highnam Court for a charity event for the Cobalt Unit - times and details at a later date. Please click on the Training Band engagement list for dates of future events and coming soon a new list of training band members. Robert Morgan |
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Cross
Keys contest sucess |
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Following the Training Band’s 1st prize at the Cross Keys contest last year, this year’s visit meant promotion to Class I and an even greater challenge. However, the youngsters at Lydbrook Training Band, together with their adult helpers, rose to the occasion once more. An excellent performance gained them 2nd prize from a class of nine entries from England and Wales. The winners were the Swindon School of Music Band with Mid Rhondda Juniors in 3rd place. The Training Band’s programme was Star Lake, Wiederkehr (Soloist: Matthew Kibble), Walkabout, Swing Low Sweet Chariot and Dad’s Army. As usual the Training Band was conducted by Robert Morgan who was absolutely thrilled with their performance; a good result being the icing on the cake.
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As part of their Autumn programme the Training Band organised their own concert in Lydbrook Church on Friday evening, 21st October, when their guests were the Springfield Ladies Choir, conducted by Pam Howell. The band performed very well, as did the choir and in particular the soloists all gave outstanding performances. Matthew Kibble was the first soloist of the evening playing Rimmer’s ‘Wiederkehr’. This was a first public performance of this piece by Matthew and he played it with great maturity. Matthew is at present having lessons with Clive Lewis who has a tremendous reputation of teaching young people in the area. Well done Matthew. Next up was Lauren Howell with a trombone solo, “The Acrobat”. This also was very well played by Lauren, who later on gave the audience a vocal solo ‘What If’ from the animated film ‘A Christmas Carol’, performed by Kate Winslet. This was again first class. Lauren’s young brother Samuel, a learner for only a few weeks, played “Oats & Beans” which he coped with very well considering he is only 8 years old. Ben Loughlin performed the percussion feature “Drummer’s Delight” which delighted the audience too. Ben’s wicked smile and presentation had the audience enthralled. Senior band cornet player and Training Band Flugel player Andrew Manning then surprised everyone with his virtuoso performance on the piano of Scott Joplin’s “The Entertainer”, complete with all repeats and without music. Well done Andrew. The solos were completed by Joe Loughlin who gave the audience a stunning performance of “I Don’t Know How To Love Him”. Joe’s pure cornet sound will no doubt see him move to greater things as he gets older. Other young people taking part in the band were Claire Howell, Poppy Ferrugia, Anna, Sam Davis, Bethan Jones and Kieren Bradley; and, of course, thanks are due to the “old ones” who help the Training Band week in week out - Brian Jessop, Clive Bevan, David Glew, Paul Loughlin, Anita East (her husband Rob, who helps out when required), Paul Loughlin and last but not least, Ken Ogden on percussion. Followers of the Training Band over the years will be interested to know that a few weeks ago I met up with James Yemm, the brilliant young cornet player who used to play with the Training Band. He now lives in Hertfordshire with his cornet playing mum, Julia. James is a member of the National Children’s Band of Great Britain and is still playing a ‘mean’ cornet. Well done everyone. Robert Morgan |
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| One of Lydbrook's success stories in recent times has been the formation of its Training Band. The Band meets on Monday Evenings in the Lydbrook Bandroom from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm. The Training Band consists of about 30 players ranging in age from 8 to 70 (a few retired players help the youngsters out on a few key instruments - Bb Bass for instance). All players are welcome from Grade 2 upwards, but we really never turn anyone away. |
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| Lydbrook
Training Band Members |
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| Co Principal Cornet | Matthew Kibble |
| Sam Davis | |
| Solo Cornet | Bethan Jones, Elodie Gwynne, Kirsty Dumbell, Otis Williams |
| Soprano | Kristyann Symonds |
| Repiano | Clare Howell |
| 2nd/3rd Cornet | Stephanie Mills |
| Daniel Moss | |
| Poppy Farrugia | |
| Maizie Morgan | |
| Alex Isles | |
| Sam Howell | |
| Stephen East | |
| Rob East | |
| Flugel Horn | Andrew Manning |
| Solo Horn | Anita East |
| 1st Horn | Jack Neale |
| 2nd Horn | Sam Villis |
| Euphonium | Janine Mahon |
| 1st Baritone | Kieren Bradley |
| 2nd Baritone | |
| 1st Trombone | Rhiannon Symonds, Lauren Howell |
| 2nd Trombone | Chris Gwynne |
| Bass Trombone | |
| Eb Bass | Dave Glew |
| Bb Bass | Brian Jessop |
| Clive Bevan | |
| Percussion | Vacancy |