The
Wilsden Band are proud to release a series of concert dates for 2008.
The band will be playing a total
of 21 engagements over the course of the year, with more to be added as
booked. To see a full list of engagements, please take a look at our Concerts Page.
Tickets for our Annual Spring
Concert on Saturday, 12th April at Wilsden Village Hall are available
now from Derek Dyson. Please telephone 01535
272216 to book yours now.
| Chairman: |
Colin Holt |
| Treasurer: |
Derek Dyson |
| General
and Concert Secretary: |
Shelley Hodgson |
| Musical
Director: |
Ken Lee |
| Friends
Controller: |
Derek Dyson |
| Uniforms: |
Glenice Sykes |
| Equipment: |
Raymond Dickerson |
| Website: |
Tom Holt |
Christmas 2007 was a good time for the Band, good jobs and good earnings. However Christmas also left us a little saddened with the retirement of long time player Helen Blowes.
Helen has
been on ‘the back row’ for over 20 years, a regular attendee and nice
person at both rehearsals and ‘jobs’, even allowing for bringing up two
small children.
For a good
number of years, not quite as long as 20+, Helen has also held another
important position with the Band – that of Treasurer. As many people
will know, a management position in a brass band is not an easy task.
Looking after the money needs a lot of chasing, performance
fees and the weekly ‘subs.’, finding a 2nd signature for an
urgent cheque, plus a good banking system, balancing of the books, and
coping with all the other little ‘aggravations’ connected with being
‘Treasurer’.
Helen, you
will be missed for all your skills! Don’t forget us completely. You
know where we are on Sunday mornings. Please call in and ‘adjudicate’.
We may even let you count the ‘subs’ and ‘canteen’, chance you have
withdrawal symptoms.
A Happy New Year to all
friends and followers of the Wilsden Band. We hope you all experienced
a Merry Christmas and a rather joyous New Year. Many would agree that
2007 has been a great year for the band. We're aiming to make 2008 even
better! So watch this space!!
However, we are sorry to
lose one of our long serving players, Keiron O'Brien, who has retired
from the band. We wish Keiron all the best for the future.
David Brewster and Tom Holt
played with the band in our recent charity collections at local
supermarkets.
On Friday 14th
December, The Band finished their concert season with the annual
Cullingworth
Christmas Concert for Manorlands, played to a very enthusiastic and
warm
audience.
On this occasion, the
Band shared the stage with the Cullingworth Cadets and wonderful
soloist
singer, Julia Williams, plus some spirited carol singing from the
audience!
Due to the unforeseen
sudden hospitalisation of principal cornet Shelley Hodgson (we wish
you ‘Get
well Soon, Shelley, we need you.’), the principal cornet chair was
taken at
very short notice, by Dennis Green, who did a superb job. Our grateful
thanks to Dennis.
Again this was a
wholly Christmas programme, featuring 'Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer'
and 'Jingle Bells' to
convince
everyone that Christmas truly is coming!
The
Band received very positive comments on both the
standard of playing and programme choice.
The Wilsden Band
played yet another first on the 8th December 2007, when they
presented their very own first Christmas Concert ever. The choir from
All the music had a
Christmas theme – with the Band on superb form, playing ‘Christmas
Song', 'The
Snowman', and a wonderful arrangement of ‘In the Bleak Midwinter’
(featuring
principal cornet Shelley Hodgson), amongst a host of Christmas
favourites.
The children were a
huge success and sang brilliantly in all their songs, including ‘Little
Donkey',
'Away in a Manger' and 'Jingle Bell Rock’.
The musical directors
for the night were Ken Lee with the Band and Rachel Gillam with the
children.
Mince pies, wine and
orange juice were served at the interval – all with the complements of
the Band.
Judging by all the
favourable comments received, the audience were highly delighted and
went home, full of Christmas cheer! This has become a
normal accepted standard of the Band's concerts during the past year,
and Musical
Director, Ken lee had this to say in his programme notes:
“As we approach the
end of what could prove to be the most eventful and successful year in
the
history of our band, we would all like to thank you for your continued
loyal
support. Our three major 2007 concerts held here in Wilsden have all
been ‘sell
outs.’
As a musician of long
standing, I know that it means a great deal for a band to be greeted
and
appreciated by an enthusiastic, happy audience. Your support for the
band has
been fantastic – no band could have a better group of ’Friends.’
The Band and officials
wish you all ‘A Very Merry Christmas & A Prosperous New Year.’ We
look
forward to seeing you again in 2008.”
The
up and coming Wilsden Band once again played to a capacity audience
last Saturday night, on the occasion of their 14th Annual 'Friends'
Concert.
MD Ken Lee devised a varied and well received programme of music, and,
according to audience reaction and comments, the band did him proud.
Extra surprise
A little bit of extra 'arranging' by Ken Lee saw Thomas Holt make the
journey from Leicester University to the surprise of his grandfather
Colin and take his place alongside Bob Warnock on percussion.
Featured soloists
The Band featured four of its 'corner players' - Shelley Hodgson
(principal cornet) and Jayne Godden (principal euphonium) combined in
the duet 'All I ask of You', whilst principal horn Raymond Dickerson
performed 'He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother', and principal trombone
Matthew Renshaw enthralled the audience with 'Blue John.'
MD Ken Lee presented Raymond Dickerson with 'The Most Improved Player
of the Year' award, whilst elder statesman Colin Holt was awarded 'The
Bandsman of the Year' award.'