The Wilsden Band 30th Anniversary Concert.

Last night The Band played probably its best concert ever in the Bingley Arts Theatre to probably its best audience ever.
It was one of those fabulous brass band nights where everything seems to ‘gell’ – the band is on exceptional form and the audience reciprocate with great enthusiasm.

Three of the players on stage were present in 1981 when the band was reformed; Matt and Dennis Renshaw and Bill Marshall.

The band has come a long way since those early days, when green jerseys were the uniform, to being as well dressed as the best bands in the land with maroon/gold concert jackets.

The band continues to go from strength to strength and the spirit of camaraderie is great – possibly much envied by other bands. It has to be a testament to the atmosphere ’round the stand’, that whenever we need a guest player, it only takes one phone call and the ‘dep’ is with us.

A true story about a ‘dep’ playing last night highlights this commitment. A week after agreeing to join us, this player received another invitation to attend a very prestigeous event which occurs only once every two years. In the fantastic spirit of banding, the player decided to honour his first commitment and played a large part in making our concert such a success. Ladies and gentlemen, This is true banding!

Last night’s programme contained marches, big band pieces, comical items, relaxing music and a full blown rendering of Zambesi with five percusionists. Wow!

Mr & Mrs Lee ( MD. Ken and his wife principal cornet Shelley) thrilled the audience with a very well played beautiful cornet duet Playmates.

Hand on heart – the audience left looking very satisfied, some still whistling or clapping to Radetski.

Congratulations to The Wilsden Band!

If you’re a frequent visitor to our website, you may have noticed you’re seeing more on a page than you used to – this is because we’ve lengthened the amount of screen space that we use in order to give you a better browsing experience!

When the current incarnation of the website was created, most people browsed the internet on smaller resolution screens, however we’ve noticed that more users are using larger displays on their computer and so were seeing a large amount of ‘blank space’ at the bottom of our website.

If you experience any problems in using the website, please email tom@wilsdenband.co.uk.

Many of today’s brass bands are well over a 100 years old, originating in the latter part of the 19^th century.

Our band in Wilsden also falls into this category, if one takes into account the fact that a band in Wilsden is mentioned in a publication of 1876.

Sadly, this band ‘stopped playing’ in 1956, and thus, lost its continuity.

However, with support from the Village Society, a re born Wilsden Band came into being in 1981. This group was a true village band with local players of both brass and wind instruments, which meant that it didn’t fall entirely into either description.

Over the years, the band fulfilled it’s engagements as a ‘mixed’ band. This make up somewhat limited the type and quality of ‘jobs’ offered and taken.

One important change was the ‘binning’ of our green woollen long sleeved ‘V’ necked jerseys, to be replaced by maroon/gold trim blazer type jackets, complete with the band logo on the top pocket and green ties.  We were becoming to look like a ‘proper’ band!

Over the forthcoming years the players of wind instruments left the band, and in early 2008 we became a 100% brass band in all respects.

With a change in Musical Director in September 2006 the band began its present period under the guidance of the talented Ken Lee, himself a long time soprano cornet player of vast experience.

Not long after Ken’s arrival, the band made a massive change in its appearance and equipped everyone with very expensive concert jackets, again in maroon with even more gold trim. Additionally, a full set of modern banners for our music stands was purchased. The effect of this ‘modernisation’ was that we could look as good on stage as any band in the land. WOW!

Now the emphasis was to improve our playing ability to match our good looks. In this regard, Ken really works his socks off, giving us the benefit of his musical skill and expertise. We have improved vastly, evidenced by the more ‘quality’ jobs we are offered, and the fact that we are now a registered band under the national organisation of UK Brass Bands, and have competed in the last three years in the Yorkshire Area Championships at the prestigious St. George’s Hall Contest, Bradford.

We are a busy band with a good variety of events throughout the year. Players from other bands who occasionally ‘deputise’ when one of our own players is unable to play, are impressed by our friendly atmosphere and welcome, and make us an offer ‘just call me, and if I can, I will’. This overall attitude, that we don’t have any ‘prima donnas’ – every player is equally important, may not be unique to The Wilsden Band, but it is something which we try very hard to maintain. Playing in a brass band is just like being in a team. Success and good development is all down to teamwork, and we have a first class team led by MD Ken Lee and principal cornet player Shelley (Mrs Ken Lee).

What a difference now to 30 years ago, really something to celebrate. That is why we feel like telling you our story. We are proud to be The Wilsden Band.

P.S; All players are welcome at our 9.30am Sunday morning rehearsals in Wilsden Village Hall. If you don’t play, please pop in, have a cup of tea and listen to us.

For enquiries and availability, please call Shelley on 01535 658945.

Our own web site is; www.wilsdenband.co.uk

For only the 3rd time in it’s history, our band entered this contest, held at St George’s Hall, Bradford on Saturday, 5th March 2011.

Although we improved on last year’s position, we didn’t come away with any prizes. Since the New Year, Ken and Shelley have filled all playing positions within the Band, and we did perform with 25 brass players plus 2 percusionists. This was quite a commendable feat in itself!

Ken had trained the Band to what we all considered to be our very best playing standard ever. This will be evident in all our forthcoming engagements. If the players worked hard, Ken worked even harder, taking hours in extra section rehearsals, and doing a ‘lot of thinking and planning’ mainly in the early hours of the morning.  We haven’t tried the other 999,999 musical directors, but we’re sure that we have ‘the one in a million’ already looking after us.

The members of the Band are ‘on a high’ and pleased with our effort. Our playing together and friendly teamwork is something we can all be proud of.

Well done, The Wilsden Band, under M.D. Ken Lee!

On Sunday afternoon, 23rd January 2011, the Band went out ‘on tour’ to another part of the village, and granted a wish for an 80 year old resident, as requested by his wife.

Anne wanted the Band to ’suddenly appear’ outside their house and play a mini concert of selected items as part of Bob’s 80th birthday celebrations.

Ken and Shelley organised everything down to the smallest detail, and the Band  duly performed in style. Please read on and let Anne tell you the story;

As usual, December arrived to give the Band its busiest month of engagements – 12 in all, ranging from The Wilsden Senior Citizens’ Christmas Party, through 14 hours ‘stood standing’ for our charity collections at various supermarkets, 2 proper sit down concerts at Cullingworth Methodist Church on behalf of Manorlands, and our own Christmas Concert in the Village Hall, 2 private functions in Bingley Parish Church and Yeadon House, Sutton, a very prestigious concert in Bradford Cathedral, and, finally a real winter ‘extravaganza’ playing outside in about 6° freezing for a local Christmas event at Sandy Lane.

2 jobs are singled out for ‘special mention’.

1) For the first time ever, our own Christmas Concert was held in the afternoon on a trial basis. The thinking was that a winter afternoon’s daylight would be preferable for our audience, rather than face  any possible snow/ice during the night hours. Fortunately, contrary to last year’s cancellation, the somewhat smaller than normal audience enjoyed a wonderful afternoon’s entertainment of Christmas music, with Ken and The Band on top form. Our ‘very own, Miss Christmas, 2nd baritone player Charlotte Hansen,  became a star on the Wilsden Band Christmas Tree with her super solo singing, accompanied by dad Andy on the piano, with mum Amanda turning the pages.

However, we are still undecided on making our Wilsden Concerts afternoon or evening. If you have any views, please let us know.

2) True Dedication – The Show Must Go On!

The late afternoon setting of the outdoor scene at Sandy Lane was perfect ‘Christmas.’ The park had a covering of pure white snow, a large tree complete with lights, and various stalls supplying food and drink. The band had our own stage with awning, chairs and plain/coloured lights. A scene to warm anyone’s heart – and boy was it needed.

Except for just one thing, the whole setting was like a film set. The exception was the degree of cold, rumoured to be about -6/7°.  The trombone slides were actually frozen solid, as were some valves especially on the larger instruments. By various means, this stalwart band of players got their instruments in full working order, and completed the job, to a big round of applause from the fairly large audience. This proved to be a truly memorable engagement!

Considering the types, locations and numbers of Christmas events completed, The Wilsden Band gave of its best, and are to be thanked and congratulated.

Our solo horn player Ruth and partner Danny are pleased to announce the arrival of ALFIE JAMES @ 7lbs, born at 1.48am on Boxing Day 2010. Congratulations and Best Wishes!

At this morning’s rehearsal, Head percussionist Bob Warnock proudly rolled out our new toys.

A  pair of magnificent new copper coloured fibreglass bodied Majestic branded Concert Series timpani, 26″ and 29″.  These are the absolute latest models, complete with all mod. cons., tuning guages, fold up legs (for ease of moving) and zipped carrying cases.

Our very old pair of copper metal ‘timps’ are now instock awaiting their ‘fate.’

Other recent additions to the percussion equipment are; a complete Mapex drum kit in burgundy/chrome -  our band colours – a 32″ metal Tam-Tam (like a large gong) with stand – a pair of concert/marching clash cymbals -  a large ‘Sizzle cymbal’ (the one containing rows and rows of loose fitting rivets.) – and finally, a pair of half full size Conga Drums.

We now  have quite a formidable range of percussion ‘hardware’ to keep Bob and his team on their toes and challenged.

You can’t fail to hear them at our future concerts.

Whilst playing ar Harden Beck recently, the Band was approached by a young man who showed an interest in our music.

The young man was in fact Bill Marshal, who actually played with us in the early 1980s when The Wilsden Band was reformed, and finished his playing days with Keighley Band about late 1980s.

 Bill was invited to our next rehearsal, liked what he saw and heard, and, we are very pleased to say, is now a valued member of our cornet section.

Thanks for ‘coming home’, Bill. We wish you a long and happy time as a member of The Wilsden Band.

Saturday, 16th  October was the occasion of our  17th Concert for The Friends of The Wilsden Band.

After arranging the hall and seating in the morning, it was thought prudent to put a stack of extra chairs at the rear of the hall. Great forsight! A capacity audience was treated to another superb concert by the Band, trained and conducted by Maestro Ken Lee, in a very well balanced programme.

In musical content, the items played reflected the continued  improvement Ken has brought about in the Band’s playing standard. Opening with ‘On Richmond Hill Baht’at’, the programme continued with ‘Songs of the Quay – He Ain’t Heavy He’s My Brother ( a beautiful tenor horn solo by solo horn Ruth Maguire), the classical Howard Snell arrangement of ‘You’ll never Walk Alone’ – Great Western Themes – and the novelty ‘Jamie’s Patrol’ ending the first half.

This item proved a great favourite with both the players and the audience – it actually allowed the band to be the first people in to the refreshment area.

A notable playing of ‘MacArthur Park’ welcomed the second half of the concert. Solo euphonium Andy Hansen then thrilled everyone, including the band and Ken, with a faultless rendering of Blaydon Races, relying only on his ’superior’ memory – without any music.  A humerous version of ‘When I’m 64′ was next, followed by ‘Light as Air’, concluding with ‘I Got Rhythm’.

As a called for encore, the Band gave its’ all in ‘The Finale from Gounod’s Faust.’

During the concert, Ken presented the Band Awards – Ruth Maguire deservedly won ‘The Most Improved Player’ – ‘Bandsman of the Year’ for overall commitment to the smooth running of the Band went to founder member Dennis Renshaw. Both awards were very well supported by audience and Band.

Another full year to prepare for our 18th annual Friends’ Concert. Bring it on!

As can be seen from our list of events (now updated to cover 2011 and even our Christmas  Concert 2012), the Band is now entering the Winter schedule of indoor concerts. We start with our own ‘FRIENDS CONCERT’ on Saturday, 16th October in The Village Hall. Always a popular and well supported concert, it gives MD Ken Lee and The Band an opportunity to put away the ’summer park pieces’ and ‘explode’ on the concert stage with a different programme to suit all tastes.

On the next day, Sunday 17th October, we play away from home as guests of the Oxnop Singers in a joint concert at Oxenhope.

So, its a busy weekend. After which, back in rehearsals, we can expect those familiar yearly favourites to start coming out of the library -  Yes, Christmas is coming!

Our own Christmas Concert is In The Village Hall on Saturday, 11th December. This is an ideal time to meet friends, old and new. Hope to see you there! 

It was a V.I.P. outing on Saturday, 24^th July, on the occasion of the wedding of our M.D., KEN LEE to our principal cornet player, SHELLEY HODGSON, at St. James’s Church, Silsden, West Yorkshire.

The weather was perfect and the whole day was fantastic.

The bride processed to ‘Trumpet Voluntary’, superbly played by brass musician Jamie O’Brien, with organ accompaniment.

After the service, the bridal party left the church through a ceremonial arch of 6 trombones formed by band members, to be whisked away by a vintage car to meet with their coaches and horses for the journey to the Ilkley hotel for a magnificent reception, releasing of doves and a thoroughly enjoyable evening.

The Players and Management Team of The Wilsden Band wish Ken and Shelley a long and happy life together.

We are very pleased to welcome LIZ DINSDALE to the Band. Liz joins the back row of the cornet section, adding still more ‘Girl’ power.

No problem, Liz, we’re delighted that you have chosen The Wilsden Band to further your playing career. Glad to have you!

Continuing in the policy of attracting young people to our Band, we are very pleased to announce the arrival of a possible bass trombonist for the future.

Our highly esteemed bass trombonist Liam O’Neill and his wife Lyndsey have received the welcome gift of baby James, coming in at 7-10 ozs.

The players and management team send Liam and Lyndsey our very sincere  congratulations.

On only their second rehearsal of the New Year, The Wilsden Band received a marvellous highly beneficial gift, in the person of three new cornet players, all in one go!

Experienced player Liz Davies came along to rehearsal along with daughter Bethan and son James, a very accomplished addition to the ranks of this forward looking West Yorkshire band.

At the end of the rehearsal, Liz declared, on behalf of them all, that Family Davies was definitely highly pleased with the way MD Ken Lee took the rehearsal, and, especially with the wonderful friendly welcome given them by the members of The Wilsden Band.

It just goes to prove that the Wilsden policy ’strikes the right note.’   

Without wasting any time and not having an over long Christmas break, THE WILSDEN BAND are back in their Village Hall bandroom on Sunday, 3rd January 2010, at 9.30am.

MD Ken Lee is keen to introduce the 2010 Area Test Piece into rehearsals, and work on a new set of music for 2010 concerts.

We thank all players for their hard work, excellent team spirit during 2009, and look forward to seeing the current band on their customary seats in 2010.

For any new possible players, come and see us – you will be given a true Wilsden welcome, not to mention a cup of tea/coffee and ‘luxury’ biscuits. 

The Band came into December with far more Christmas engagements than previous years. We played at Church events , our annual Cullingworth concert on behalf of Manorlands, and our mid December visit to entertain the members at a prominent local golf club.

The addition of a third major supermarket to Keighley more or less tripled our supermarket carol playing. The collections so far should give a good result for our charity donation, which this year, is The Neo-natal Ward at Airedale General Hospital, Keighley.

However, one unfortunate feature of this year’s Christmas effort was the cancellation of our own Christmas Concert at The Village Hall, Wilsden on Saturday 19th December. This was due entirely due to the condition of the car park and approach road not having been ‘cleared’ and the likelyhood of further snow falling on the concert night. Although the concert was virtually sold out, we felt that, considering our audience, this was a wise move. We hope that our patrons will understand and continue to support us in the future.

On the same weekend, with the temperature likely to drop below minus, it was decided that asking the players to stand outside one of the town’s supermarkets for 2/3 hours was asking too much, even though we do have a 100% loyal effort from our players.

At the time of writing, we have only one more Christmas job left to perform – a 3 hour play on Christmas Eve from 11-2pm at ASDA supermarket in town.  Should you happen to be Christmas shopping at that time, please say ‘hello’ to us.

The Players and Management of THE WILSDEN BAND wish everyone ;

A MERRY CHRISTMAS and A HAPPY NEW YEAR 2010. 

Following their recent almost weekly announcements of new players to the ranks of this lively band, yet another addition to the family that is The Wilsden Band.

The band must be doing something right – two new players have signed up in the last few weeks.

First, the vacant 2nd Euphonium position was filled in the few weeks leading up to our Friend’s Concert. Carole Paley stepped straight into the limelight, performing a duet with fellow Euphonium player, Andy Hansen, at the recent concert.

Secondly, a very experienced and talented front row cornet player, Brian Cleaver, who has helped the band out on occasions in the past, decided to join us for a full time position. Brian also performed at the Friend’s Concert and was featured prominently in a performance of Pachelbel’s Canon alongside the rest of the Cornet section.

Carole & Brian bring a wealth of banding knowledge and experience to the Band, and are already taken into the ‘family’ which is the spirit of The Wilsden Band.
MD Ken Lee still says that no potential players will ever be turned away, and the rest of the band back him with the genuinely friendly welcome given to all visitors/players who call upon us.

If you wish to come down to a rehearsal, whether just to watch, or to take part with a view to join us in the long term, we rehearse most Sundays between 9:30am and 12pm in the downstairs room of Wilsden Village Hall. Please contact our Band Secretary, Shelley Hodgson, to ensure we are holding a rehearsal when you wish to come down. Email enquiries@wilsdenband.co.uk or Telephone: 01535 658945.

For the first time in it’s long history, the Wilsden Band has issued it’s very own CD, entitled BLAST, named after the title track, a march by composer and arranger, Goff Richards. The other 14 pieces cover a good variety of brass band music, solos, marches, swing, big band, pops and finish with a spirited rendering of the band’s ever famous encore piece, ‘Can Can’.

The CD was recorded over the Summer in Skipton, just up the road from the band’s native home of Wilsden. The CD was officially launched at the Friends Concert last week and is selling well.

Instead of just playing the music note for note, the Band injects plenty of style and life into each and every one of the items, which regular concert-goers will be used to, and first time listeners will most easily warm to.

We will be launching an area of the website allowing you to purchase the CD shortly, but for now, please contact MD, Ken Lee and Band Secretary Shelley Hodgson for more information by calling 01535 658945.

Last Saturday, 17th October, the Band gave it’s 16th Annual Concert for the Friends of the Band.

The Village Hall was packed out with followers of this ever improving band, and were treated to what was declared by the audience as the best one yet in terms of playing quality and choice of music.

Our euphonium team of Andy Hansen and Carole Paley gave a moving rendition of Deep Inside the Sacred Temple while Bass trombone Liam O’Neill took us way out west with his playing of Wandering Star, with 2nd Trombonist, and band elder, Colin Holt briefly joining the percussion section on the solo ‘coconut shells’.

As with every Friend’s Concert, MD Ken Lee handed out awards to members of the band who he think had shone in the last 12 months. Glenice Sykes, our wardrobe mistress and backrow cornet, won ‘Bandsman of the Year’ for all her hard work both on the stage and behind the scenes, while Andy Hansen, our solo euphonium, well deserved the award for Most Improved Player.

Ken Lee and the band can be justly proud of themselves after another spectacular concert! (even if we do say so ourselves!)

Our Spring Concert at Wilsden Village Hall last Saturday was voted as ‘THE BEST EVER’ by our audience, the players and M.D. Ken Lee, who asked “What is this band on? You all played out of your socks.”

The programme was a well thought out mixture from ‘Famous British Marches’ through Swinging with Robbie Williams and other popular musical delights, finishing with the theme tune; ‘There’s No Business Like Show Business’. Of course, the audience wanted ‘one more piece’, and what an encore – ‘Can-Can’ in all its full glory, driven through by our super percussionist team of Bob & Tom.

One comment overheard from the audience; “We’re very proud of them and thrilled to have a band like this in our village”. What better sentiment?

This band just gets better! Watch this space!