Well a Happy New Year to everyone. I had a dream that on the first rehearsal back there would be three people turning up and things were looking like that during the day as most schools had shut and quite a few of the band had left their apologises that they could not make it safely in the snow.
So Tony and a few others had just resolved to turn up to sort out the new library and all the equipment. Erm, twenty minutes later virtually a full band was sat down ready to play. So we had a good thrashing (yes I took the tempo rather fast to warm us all up in the frozen snow and cold hall), we played ticket to ride arranged by a friend Ian Mitchel.
We next went onto something a bit more of a relaxed paced “Shenandoah”. This was arranged by Cyril Coglan and is a lovely setting to the traditional tune, always moving and something interesting to play for everyone.
Next we had to have a march “The Middy” oh dear tuning problems and balance needs sorting out on these marches!
We broke for chocolates and coffee, erm, we just about worked out the boiler!
So we finished the night off with “A Welsh Rhapsody” by Clare Grundman”. This is a lovely setting to some popular tunes, even with some instruments missing it still sounded very musical and full in the arrangement. It also gave the quieter instruments the chance to sound out, bassoon and bass clarinet.
Thanks everyone!
My highlight of the evening was standing in the car park later looking up at the sky and being able to make out all of the Orion constellation with the procyon star and “Mars” in the Cancer constellation, all as the steeple lit up as a backdrop. What a good start to the year!
Well done and thank you everyone who performed with the Preston Concert Band this year. We have performed in quite a few new venues in areas where we are not particularly well known. We started the year and finished the year raising money for local charities.
If you look at the events there are quite a few;
“St Leonard’s Church”, - Fantastic turn out thanks!
“Avenham Park”, Fun day had by all (errrmm eggs!!!)
“Clitheroe Castle”, Sunny chilled and started to swing
“Preston Minster”, Last night of the proms eat your hearts out
“St Peter’s Primary School”, Cool afternoon before the rain came!
“Preston Riversway Docks”, Breezy and squeezy on stage!
“Morecambe Happy Mount Park”, Sun, Sun beautiful sun!
Fantastic audience, thank you!
“Thornton little theatre”, Warming up those swing concerts
“Lowther Pavillion”, Swings kicking in by now
“St Michael’s and All Angels Church”, We finally licked that swing
“Blessed Sacrement Social club”, Duel of the live against recorded music
“St Leonard’s Church”, Great audience, well recepted, erm wine!!
“Preston College” More carols it’s Christmas! and finally
“Royal Preston Hospital”! It is the law - that we finish the year with
“Christmas Festival” and a mince pie, or seven!
Phew that sounds like a rock band tour!
Talking of rock bands, we have been asked more than once to provide dance band music for events only to find out that the event is too small (we have 35 members sometimes!). I feel at times like a roadie with all that gear to lug about. But I am quickly feeding my son with royal jelly at every opertunity to build him up with muscles so he can lug the gear, and play the drums!
PA Probems!
We used the PA quite a lot this year and even managed it with “The Brothers of Swing” at Clitheroe Castle. Some things worked and others didn’t. So we fine tuned the performances and for this year have taken audiences comments into consideration – “More music, less jokes” – thanks a bunch! Did I tell you the one about a one legged frog? Well perhaps wait for the next concert.
Who knows what the band will achieve next year but there are some very exciting announcements, first the band has a new rehearsal premises which is larger and better suited to the size of a growing concert band.
St Walburge's Church Hall
Weston Street, Ashton-on-Ribble,
Preston, Lancashire,
PR2 2QE
Plus we will be holding an opening evening were you can come along and listen or perform with the band to see how you get on. We rehearse on Thursday evenings 7 till 9pm and all are welcome – ring Graham or Sue to check on 07525352891
Finally to all the band, thank you for all your hard work and efforts as this year has been outstanding and I have thoroughly enjoyed every concert (even when I had a massive migraine!)
Upwards and onwards!!!!
Thanks Graham
The band has peformed at some fantastic events and sadly the photos that I have seen have not been the best. So if you have come to visit us and you have taken some photographs could you email me them please as we need a good group of new photographs.
The band has also got a group page of facebook just search for Preston Concert Band on Facebook and you should be able to join where you will be sent the latest concerts and information about the band.
Here are a couple that I have taken, they are not brilliant but show the band at St Michaels and All Angels church on the last of the swing concerts.
Also is a picture of our alto sax players (left to right- Sue, Nicki, Ketran and Dave).
Hope all the band supporters are well and are freeing their diaries for the 14th of December which should turn out to be another wonderful evening of entertainment with the spirit of Christmas at St Leonards, details to follow.......
Graham (MD)
Yes, Preston Concert Band are actively looking for passionate people to perform with the band, and not only on a once off event. We need the following musicians to play with the band on a long term basis if possible;
Kit - percussionist
Tuned percussionist
Bass Guitar
Horns (Eb or F)
Trumpet or cornet players
Plus other wind players to augment the ranks!
The band do perform a wide range of pieces to a high standard and pride their ability to create a fun entertaining concert.
Other guests are welcome - just give us a bit of planning time.
So pop along, Thursday evenings 7pm till 9pm at the Friends meeting hall st georges road. Just google Preston Concert Band to get a map or phone for direction 07525352891 or go to the website at www.prestonconcertband.co.uk
Thanks Graham (MD)
The Minster - Proms night.