BASBWE weekend

I think we all has a great time at this event. Great music making and time spent "bonding" together. We didn't spend the whole weekend playing, we had to eat too! Thanks to Fiona for organising the trip.

BASBWE weekend 30/31 October 2010

The band went to Manchester for the BASBWE weekend, and performed Ronde for Isolde, Jubilation and three from the Suite of Old American Dances. We also listened to other bands, attended workshops and master classes, and had group curries etc. For me the best bits were the sessions with John Miller and Hakan Hardenberger, but the whole weekend was very stimulating.

Jonathan's Wedding

Yesterday morning, Saturday 24th July, the band played at St Mary's Church Andover for the wedding of our tuba player, Jonathan Hodgetts and his bride Mei.

Jonathan and Mei greet the band after the ceremony

It's a big church, and the band fitted fairly easily into the south transept, where we were joined by two of Jonathan's tuba friends.

We'd been uncertain just how long it would take for the couple to walk up the aisle, and had prepared for various contingencies when we played the Bridal Chorus from Lohengrin.

No worries though: bride and groom made a perfect and beaming progress to our bright and sonorous accompaniment!

And doubtless they enjoyed the choice selections from Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera, and Fiddler on the Roof we played before they processed.

Jonathan with tuba, Enborne 2009

During the service the band accompanied the hymns, and to end we played Jonathan and Mei out of the church to Mendelssohn's famous Wedding March.

Welcome Mei, and congratulations and best wishes to you both from everyone in the band!

Ann Zebedee MP?

I see from the Reading Chronicle that Ann Zebedee, who used to play euphonium with Beenham Band, is making a bid for a political career.

Beenham now falls within the Wokingham constituency, and Ann is standing as Wokingham's UKIP candidate in the general election.

GetWokingham says:

The 67-year-old mother-of-three, who lives in Reading, said she is incensed at the ineptitude, mismanagement and behaviour of the existing Members of Parliament and believes she has what it takes to make a change.

It is the first time Miss Zebedee, who is a keen musician and is associated with the Waltham St Lawrence Silver Band, has been put forward for the position of MP, but she is relishing the challenge.

She said: “I have always been politically minded – my father was a councillor in Bethnal Green for 34 years and I have always been interested and would spend many an hour as a youngster talking to him about politics.

“But this is all new to me and I have never done public speaking before, but I will just try to be pro-active.

“If I see something needs doing I will try to action for it to be done. But I think something needs to be done to improve the image of the politicians of today and without trying to sound big-headed I think I could actually do something.”

I wish her luck!

Wind Weekend in Manchester

Mel, Fiona, Jim and I went up to the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester last weekend (24/25 October 2009) for the Wind Weekend, organised in conjunction with BASBWE. It was fantastic! There were scratch wind bands, which anyone could play in, performances by amateur wind bands, specialist master classes and concerts by the students (conducted by Tim Reynish), plus trade stands for instruments and music. Adam Gorb was there and explained some of his music.

The buzz of being amongst several hundred people with the same interest was incredible, and I am enthused to practice every day for the rest of my life! Here's a picture of Jim being helped to breathe by the head of brass.

Beenham Band at the Rec 17 July 2009

This year's end of year concert on the recreation ground at Beenham was a little earlier than usual so that we could fit it in before our conductor Robert Roscoe headed off for a well earned holiday in the Antipodes. What a great idea that was - so nice to play in fine weather (unlike the downpour of last year!) and watch our audience enjoying relaxing in their outdoor chairs.

Here are a few comments and ideas from our audience:

"We think they are brilliant" (Mr & Mrs Breslin)
"A good wide repertoire" (G & S Dunsford)
"Keep it going. Fantastic!" (P Leijten)
"Absolutely wonderful" (A Jarman)
"Love the band on the Rec and the Carol evening. Why not do a concert at Beenham School in Spring or Autumn and have children singing?" (J Humphreys)
"Great night" (R Ilott)

and the winner of the prize draw for 2 FREE tickets to our major concert in 2010 was Mr M Barham. Congratulations to him.

Message from Katie Roehl

Thanks for the update about the Band`s 10th anniversary celebration this weekend. How I wish could be there! Please give my love and best wishes to each and every member of the band. Take lots of pictures and put them on the website!

Michael & I were married last fall, and will be moving to China to
teach English this fall. More updates later...

Until then, love to all, and have a wonderful concert!

Katie

Lloyd Coleman rehearses Jublilation

The band had great fun on Friday when Lloyd Coleman came down from Chetham’s for his first rehearsal of Jubilation, which he wrote especially for us.

Jubiliation is a dynamic work, with plenty of ebb and flow in its development, and drama in its conclusion: something for the band to get its teeth into, and much for the audience to enjoy.

Lloyd knew how he wanted us to perform, and through his good humour, and meticulous and energetic conducting, communicated that to the band.

Anyone who wants to hear Jubiliation’s premier performance - with Lloyd conducting - should book tickets for Beenham Band’s anniversary concert at the Newbury Corn Exchange on 20th June, when it will feature in our spectacular and wide-ranging programme.

Friday 6 February 2009 - Snow report

Tonight is cancelled! As I write, it is snowing in Thatcham, and although the roads here look OK, access to Beenham is not good, and will probably get worse tonight as it freezes. Pity!

José Marshall

José Marshall died peacefully on Sunday morning, 14 September 2008.

She joined the band as a clarinettist in March 2000, and was an active and cheerful member. She will be missed by all of us.

The funeral service will be held on Monday, 22nd September at St John the Evangelist in Newbury at 11.30. At Jo's request, if people wish to do so they may make donations to Cancer Research or if preferred, flowers may be sent. The full details of arrangements, including the name of the undertaker to whom flowers or donations may be sent will be in the Daily Telegraph on Wednesday or in the Newbury Weekly news on Thursday 18 September 2008.

New Start!

The first rehearsal of the new year on Friday 5 September 2008: 7.30pm in Beenham School.
There will be lots of interesting new music!

Isabella Welfare

Hello everyone. A child is born, 2 weeks early as it turns out! After a long labour (23hrs from arriving at hospital, but “only” 14hrs from the gas & air stage), Jo gave birth to our first child at 2.41 this morning – a little girl who we have named Isabella Agnes Lesley (middle names after both grandmothers!), weighing in at 7lb 10oz.

Isabella needed a little assistance to come out from forceps as she was the wrong way round, but everything is perfect – although her head is a little bit pointy at the moment (like her dad), but she does have a lot of hair (unlike her dad). Anyway, mother and baby are doing well and here’s a photo to be going on with. Dad is currently assembling a buggy and carseat but will be going back to visit the girls very soon, and hopefully they will both come home tomorrow.

So I won't be at Englefield and will return to playing with the band in Summer 2009. Sure I will be along before then, though.

News from Katie Roehl

I am doing quite well - working and living in Dallas, TX. I work as the Managing Director for the Orchestra of New Spain (www.orchestraofnewspain.org). Unfortunately it is all administrative and no conducting, but I'm still practicing and taking lessons! And in case you were wondering, I am still dating my beau of 1 1/2 years, Michael Fiddler. We were sweethearts at Wheaton College, and he is also in Dallas. He lives about 30 minutes away and is getting his masters degree in applied linguistics. I've attached a picture of us (a bit old, but the only one I have on my work computer. He's only 6" 6'!). I don't have a ring yet, but I expect one before the end of the year. (!)

Laura is also doing well. She moved back to Minneapolis from California to take classes at the uni close to my parents' home. Please pass on my update to the band, and invite them to email me at this address (katieroehl [AT] gmail.com). My life has slowed down some now, and welcome some updates!

Love in the band!

We shall soon be celebrating two weddings:

Marcus Allum (our official fixer) with Tessa
Matt Butcher (erstwhile trombonist and conductor) with Jen (erstwhile cornettist)

Belgium Tour

The Band had a great time in Belgium.

Tom Verrier

I met with Tom Verrier and his family on Tuesday 3 June 2008. His wife, Lisa, is charming, and his children, Katherine (7) and Christopher (5) were exceptional. We went to Windsor Castle and Legoland. He was on his way from China to Italy. He has strong links with wind bands in Valencia, so that may be a tour option?

Beenham Church on Saturday

There will be a concert by the band on Saturday at Beenham Church, 2pm - 4pm.

See you there!

Band Plays in Newbury

Last month the band played all night in a Guinness Book of Records record attempt.

They were almost successful in beating the Tooting Brass Ensemble's 13 hour 15 minute non-stop toot set on 21st January 1892, but unfortunately managed only 13 hours and 12 minutes.

Oh well, try again soon!

Beenham Band on TV

It wasn't mentioned in the Annual Report, but on 21 December 2001 the band was televised live, playing carols outside The Bell at Aldworth. Meridian TV were let down by another band, and rang us the day before to see if we could do it. We managed to get a respectable group together, although doing it live was a bit scary!