News - Bournemouth Concert Brass

BCB New Year concert 2017 - The Regent Centre, Christchurch

BCB started the new year with their version of the New Year Viennese concert at The Regent Centre, Christchurch.
They opened with Fucik’s march Entry of the Gladiators which was followed by Mozart’s overture to The Magic Flute.
Soloists for the day were John Starkes – Euphonium who gave a delightful rendition of the 2nd movement of Mozart’s clarinet concerto, and Alf Hughes – Cornet who played the evergreen Alleluia also my Mozart. Both soloists were on top form.
Schubert was represented with his Marche Militaire. The bulk of the programme was of course populated by the Strauss family and the audience were provided with the usual mix of overtures, waltzes and polkas (Dei Fledermaus overture, waltzes; Roses from the South; Wine, Women and Song; and of course The Blue Danube. Polkas featured were Chit-Chat, Pizzicato, Champagne, Express and Lawsuit. The afternoon was rounded off by the obligatory Radetsky march by Johann Strauss senior.

Southern Counties Amateur Brass Band Association

Own Choice Test Piece Competition 2016 The Hawth, Crawley.

The competition was split into two parts, firstly a hymn tune and then a test piece, both being adjudicated by Denis Wilby.
The band, conducted by Matt Brown, had chosen to play the hymn tune Melita and Philip Sparke’s The Year of the Dragon and played off the number 2 slot.

With a quartet starting the hymn tune before the whole band then joined in after the opening 2 stanzas, producing a big warm sound in the final verse.

The Year of the Dragon consists of three movements, and the 2nd movement of the piece has a demanding Trombone solo. Congratulations to Cam for a very good assured performance.

When the results were announced the band were placed 1st for ther hymn tune and 2nd for the test piece, with the Basses being awarded the best Bass section prize. A successful ‘day at the office’.

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Autumn 2016

BCB performed their annual Last Night of the Proms concerts in Christchurch and Swanage and it was great to have responsive crowds.
The concerts under the direction of the band’s resident conductor, Bill Willis, started with the march Death or Glory which certainly got the audience in the mood for the night's proceedings.
With the band preparing for a number of forthcoming contests, the band were able to give a run out of some of the pieces. A big band item, Los Hermanos de Bop, the march Circus Days and A Song for Japan, written for the people of Japan in the aftermath of the Tsunami that occurred 5 years ago. Other items performed were the Finale of Dvorak’s Symphony No.8 and a new composition by Peter Hartley, the band’s 1st Baritone player called Song for R. Soloists on display were Cam Smith with the Trombone solo, The Londonderry Air, John Starkes with the perennial favourite, Grandfather’s Clock and an Eb Trumpet duet, Vivaldi’s Concerto for Two Trumpets played by Nick Jarvis and Stuart Gaudion.
With the band preparing for an own choice test piece completion on the Sunday following the Swanage concert, the band gave a rendition of Philip Sparke’s The Year of the Dragon, this being conducted by the band’s Professional conductor, Matthew Brown.
To finish of the concerts the band provided the Proms trilogy of Fantasia on British Sea Songs, Jerusalem and Pomp & Circumstance with much audience participation.

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Heroes of the Skies concert

BCB concert on Sunday 19 June 2016 at the Regent Centre, Christchurch was a great success with following the theme of 'Heroes of the Skies'. Opening with Paul Lovatt Cooper's 'Walking with Heroes' and then moving into Walton's 'Spitfire Prelude & Fugue'. The band's soloists were in good form with Principal Cornet Denis Curlett playing 'Emerald Skies', Alf Hughes on Flugel played 'Fly me to the Moon' Colin Williams, Bass Trombone played 'Song for the Skies' and Denis was then joined by Nick Jarvis and Stewart Gaudion in the cornet trio 'Three Jolly Airmen'. Glenn Miller was featured in the 'Glenn Miller Suite' and 'Big Band Tribute'. Other music provided was 'Our Boys will Shine Tonight', 'Dambusters', 'Out of the Blue,' 'Life on Mars' as a tribute to David Bowie who died earlier this year, 'Battle of the Plannets', 'RAF March', ending with an encore of '633 Squadron'.

The audience were very receptive and was one of the largest we have had for our annual summer concert, the band are looking forward to retuning to Christchurch for a Last Night of the Proms on 18 September.

A few comments received from some of the audience:

'Together with two friends I attended the B.C.B. concert at the Regent,Christchurch, on Sunday 19th June. We all enjoyed the music greatly. Would it be possible for the conductor to introduce and name the instruments at concerts occasionally? I hope to attend the September concert at the Regent, maybe I can leave a little wiser!'.

'My wife & I really enjoyed the concert last night, including the choice of music'.

'A varied and enjoyable programme of music, and the solo contributions were excellent'.

'Being an ex-Flugel player, I thought the flugel solo, Fly Me to the Moon was superb'.

The Orchestral side of BCB

Members of BCB were privileged to play at the Christchurch Priory Music Festival over 17/18th June.
The band were asked to provide a 10-piece ensemble to accompany the Christchurch Festival Choir in John Rutter’s ’Gloria’, and the following evening some of the players provided the brass section of the orchestra in Joseph Haydn’s ‘The Creation’.
Some of the music certainly provided a challenge, but both concerts were a great success and the band are looking forward to joining with the choir for a Christmas concert later this year. Watch this space for further details.

Spring 2016

BCB's next concert is Sunday 19 June 2016 at the Regent Centre, Christchurch. This year the theme of the concert is 'Heroes of the Skies' and we will be featuring music associated with flying and the skies above us and especially recognising the anniversaries of the first flights of the Spitfire and the Lancaster Bomber. We look forward to seeing you there!

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The band recently welcomed bank to the band John Starkes. Starsky has played with the band on many occasions and has agreed to join the band on Solo Euphonium.

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The end of April saw the band's AGM take place and due to the recent retirement of the band's long standing chairman, Ken Taken, that position needed to be filled. The band were very pleased that Ken, who is now Life President was able to attend. In true democratic fashion votes were cast for those offering their services.
The committee that will serve the band for the year to April 2017 is:
Chairman: Nick Jarvis
Secretary: Alf Hughes
Treasurer: John Kidby
Resident: Bill Willis
Committee: Calum Noble-Gresty, Cam Smith, Matt Chiverton

Every year awards are presented to the Player of the year (the most improved) and Bandsman of the year (the person who has done over and above for the band) . This year these awards went to Calum - Player of the Year and Alf - Bandsman of the Year.

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In April BCB joined forces with the Winton Salvation Army Songster Brigade to raise funds for a forthcoming trip the SA were undertaking to the Ukraine to help support the people in that area.
Sharing the stage BCB offered Walking with Heroes, Shine as the Light, Three Little Maids (cornet trio), Big Band Tribute and the clasic SA march - Rousseau. The band are looking forward to such events in the future.

A week later the BCB quintet joined forces with the Bournemouth Community Choir for a joint concert in the East Cliff URC.
This was a fun evening with the choir and band providing much foot tapping music. The groups are preparing a similar concert around Christmas time so watch this space!

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Brad Rouillier - First Baritone

It was with great sadness that the band saw Brad retire from playing with the band. Brad had been a member of the band for many years and also held the position of Chairmen for a period of time. The band has been priveledged to play many of Brad's brass band film arrangements, most as premieres. Brad is now concentrating of his other hobby, painting. The band wish Brad all the best for the future but as we oftern say, 'never say never!'.

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Easter bank holiday saw the BCB quintet perform in the Bournemouth Pinewalk bandstand for the town's Duck race held in the Bourne stream. Unfortunately the weather was not at it's best but a fair number of people came to take part and watch.
With the Mayor leading the proceedings and commenting on the race, the band played suitable music to entertain the crowd.
Mayor's comment:
Dear Bournemouth Concert Brass.
A truly great afternoon, in cold wintery conditions, but, luckily no rain.
Great Team, and a great atmosphere, BCB was as usual the sound that should be playing there, and they were great.
Sincere appreciation,
Councillor John Adams JP, Mayor of Bournemouth

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The band threw a surprise party for the band's retiring Chairman, Ken Taken with former members and Ken's son Nigel, the band's professional conductor in attendance. Music was provided by different members forming a quintet through out the evening. Ken was presented with a plaque to recognise his long service to the band and a special cake was made in the shape of a tenor horn.

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Brad Rouillier - First Baritone

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