A big thank you to all who stopped to listen and applauded at our two concerts in Uxbridge (outside the Pavilions and inside Intu)– our playing wouldn’t have been worth it without you! If you would like to know where you can catch us playing next, please see our website for details, watch out for posters in shops or look out for info posted on Facebook on the West Drayton and Yiewsley Community Page or the Hillingdon Community Page.
Author Archives: Chris
Uxbridge Live Music Festival – Summer 2018
16 Oct
Southlands Live! – 21st July 2018
16 Oct
A truly unique experience and very close to home! The band played on the main stage at the Southland Arts Centre in West Drayton on an extremely sunny day to many chilling, picnicking families along with many other local arts and bands of all genres.
Annual Concert – 7th July 2018
16 Oct
Our Annual Concert was held during the heatwave this year (!) although still very much appreciated by the audience. Held in St. Matthew’s Church, Yiewsley, we wowed the audience with a variety of music and received a rapturous encore. It also featured our very own Training Band expertly guided by conductor Anna Murray. Well done everyone!
Thanks to Louise for creating very appealing raffle prizes!
This year’s prizes went to Paul Miller (Best Performance), Alan Couch (Most Improved Player) and Anna Murray (Bandsman of the Year).
The Training Band’s super performance! July 2018
16 Oct
The Training Band is growing! We are having more and more young (and not so young) members of the local community wishing to join our ranks, and sounding fabulous! They recently showed off their fabulous talent and months of hard work by featuring in our Annual Concert. Fabulous work guys!
Interested or know someone who is? Check out of Training Band section on the website.
Open rehearsal, new players, growing ranks – Spring 2018
16 Oct
April this year, we held an open rehearsal and threw our doors open to anyone who could play a brass instrument or percussion. This was a very successful evening and we managed to recruit several new players.
We have also recently had a new wave of members, of all abilities (including complete beginners) joining the Training Band, our band’s future. Welcome all!
We operate an ‘open door policy’ and welcome anyone who would like to join us:
The Main Band rehearse on Wednesdays and Fridays, 8-10pm in St Matthew’s School. We are a friendly band and many socialise on Fridays afterwards in a local pub.
Please see the Training Band section for further information on our beginners and intermediates.
A Contest Poem
24 Mar
Our multi-talented Solo cornet player Haley wrote a poem after our great performance at Stevenage!
To Stevenage contest we went to play
On a dreary, drizzly Saturday
For the Areas contest to win not lose
Despite the fact Kevin didn’t buy new shoes
—
Practising for months to perfect the parts
In the concrete building for leisure and arts
To the old folk we present our ID card
Hoping the piece just isn’t too hard
—
Not splitting notes or coming in late
Wondering if results are just up to fate
But what a surprise, fifth place, hurrah
Now it’s time to celebrate at the bar!
—
Well done to all for working so hard
And the nervous soloists who’s parts were starred
Top of the table, three points clear
Let’s hope we can do the same next year!
Intu Uxbridge Christmas Lights Switch On
05 Mar
The band took part in the annual Christmas lights switch on and parade in Uxbridge town centre on November 27th, passing through the shopping centres with Santa and his elves!
Santa comes to Yiewsley!
24 Nov
On Saturday 3rd December, Santa will be coming to Yiewsley to turn on the Christmas lights, and we’d love for you to join us!
There’s lots going on, so bring the whole family along!
Addlestone Challenging Brass Contest
24 Nov
On 30th October, the band competed in Addlestone at the Challenging Brass contest.
There was a mixed programme, including ‘Sing, Sing, Sing’, the set march ‘The Mad Major’, the Euphonium Solo ‘Benedictus’, played by solo Euphonium, Paul Miller and a cornet trio ‘Trumpets Wild’, played by Sean Kelly, Jenni Hughes and Matthew Ruel.
Overall, the band came a very close second place, but won a prize for the cornet feature. Here’s our players with their trophy!
The band also took part in a massed bands performance of The Mad Major, with all the players from all four bands on the stage at once – I’m sure the audience’s ears were ringing with all that powerful playing by the end of the afternoon!
The band had a good day out, and enjoyed listening to all the other performances too.
Another great year at Biggin Hill!
13 Sep
The band performed at the annual event at RAF Biggin Hill airbase on Saturday 10th September.
The rain during the afternoon unfortunately lead to an indoor verison of the usual sunset ceremony and a cancellation of the Spitfire fly-past, but it was still well received by the cadets and the rest of the audience.
After the usual delicious bbq (and a break in the rain!), we sat down for the evening concert in the chapel. The concert featured some last night of the proms style pieces, including Jerusalem and Pomp and Circumstance, and some readings throughout from Cadets about the Battle of Britain and the role RAF Biggin Hill played in this. The night ended withan encore of ‘Those Magnificent Men on their Flying Machines’!
The band always like playing this event and we look forward to going back next year too!
