New Player Vacancies

Chalford Band

Following the return from Covid-19 lockdowns, the Senior Band is looking for new players to join its very experienced ranks; in particular, kit percussion. However, if you’re an experienced brass player and interested in joining the band please email vacancies@chalfordband.co.uk

Pete Hendy

Chalford Band

Chalford Band are extremely sad to announce passing of stalwart member Pete Hendy.

Pete will be missed by all members, young and old.

Pete’s towering figure was well suited to playing the BBb bass in the Academy Band where he learned to play as a ‘mature student’.

As a former teacher with a wealth of knowledge and always a story or witticism to share, Pete was a natural successor to take over as Christmas Concert compere, where most of our audience, members, families and friends will remember him.

Pete was a true gentleman. On behalf of all members, thank you for your friendship and your contribution to the Band over many years.

Our sympathies and best wishes are extended to his family.

John Hemming 1934-2020

Chalford Band

It is with deep regret that I have to share the sad news that John Hemming, the band’s president and great friend for many years, sadly passed away last evening (12th May) at 11:30pm.

Jean, his wife, shared the news with me this morning and asked me to make band members aware.

Obviously at this difficult time the funeral plans will be of an intimate nature, but Jean has asked that when we return to some degree of normality that the band will play on their lawn to remember John and pay our respects.

In Jean’s words “He would have loved that”.

On a personal note I have considered John and Jean great friends for many years, and was always so appreciative of the support and guidance that he gave me in my role as Musical Director of his cherished Chalford Band.

I know he was extremely proud to be associated with us, and I with him.

He will be sorely missed.

Steve

The whole of the Chalford Band organisation passes on their condolences to Jean and the rest of the family.

Christmas Concert 2019 Review

Chalford Band


Tickets had sold out earlier than ever this year for the annual Christmas concert and a packed Sub Rooms enjoyed a very Christmassy programme from Chalford Band.

Unusually, the show started with a march: The Wonder of Christmas by Peter Graham.  The Christmas Song by Torme & Wells followed, with some super playing from Emily Godwin.  The sprightly Star Carol by John Rutter came next, before the audience were encouraged to their feet to sing along with A Carol Fantasy – which they did rather well!

The Youth Band took to the stage with Alan Fernie’s arrangement of Let It Snow.  The next piece, Gøta by Peder Karlsson, was performed by the senior band the previous year – which goes to show how capable the Youth Band are. They finished their section with Ding Dong Christmas, by Derek Broadbent.

The Senior Band started their set with a rousing fanfare: Christians Awake by Paul Lovatt-Cooper.  He also arranged the next piece, a traditional Ukranian Carol, The Carol of the Bells.  Philip Sparke’s big band style arrangement of Winter Wonderland came next, before a Nordic Polska. Although this also featured in last year‘s concert, there have been several new players introduced, largely from the Academy Band, and it’s a testament to them that this year’s performance was just as good.  The band’s president, John Hemming, hasn’t been well this year, so the next piece, A Glenn Miller Christmas, was dedicated by Steve Tubb to John.  Anyone who knows John wouldn’t have been surprised at the banter from him in the audience that followed – we wish him well for 2020.  The set closed with Stephen Bulla’s Symphonic Highlights from Frozen.

After the break came the act – OMG! (Enough said!)

The combined band took to the stage again, for a couple of Christmas favourites, Fairytale of New York & Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.  Steve announced the end of year award winners – this year he has encouraged some players from the Academy Band to step up to the Senior Band, and he highlighted the success of this, calling out all of those younger players.  Jaz Williams was named Young Player of the Year, and Dave Gandy Senior Band Person of the Year.

The “Showstopper Finale” was Gavin Somerset’s arrangement of excerpts from Les Misérables. The audience demanded more, so Chris Jones and Will Hurn led the band with Do You Hear The People Sing, also from Les Misérables.







SWBBA Annual Contest 2019 Results and Report

Chalford Band

After missing out in November 2018, the senior band were back in a breezy Torquay for the 73rd Annual SWBBA contest.  Build up to the contest had been unusually disjointed, but despite that the band had pulled together a solid performance of Etienne Crausaz’s Sinfonietta Number 3.  Most importantly it had provided an opportunity for some former academy & new players to perform in a contest on the difficult Riviera Centre stage.  To their and the whole band’s credit everyone performed really well on the day, and were rewarded with a third placed finish.

1st Cambourne Town Band
2nd Roche Brass
3rd Chalford
4th Helston Town
5th SW Comms
6th Soundhouse Brass

Comments

[Top]-[26] Too aggressive and intonation in troms isn’t great.  Good cornets. Detail 18 & 19?
[26]-[45] Good effort Solo Horn.  Perhaps more space into [45]
[45]-[60] We miss some of the runs in Euphs & Baris.  Bell effects work
[60]-[112] Builds well. Balance in horns is good, just a bit frantic
[112]-[132] Good effort
[132]-[151] Missing detail in the middle of the band. Cornets good.
[151]-[172] Ok
[172]-[220] Lower dynamics need more care
[220]-[257] Good effort troms!! Drives well in kit!
[257]-[280] Bravo Baris!!
[280]-[Cadenza] Balance is good
[Euph Cadenza] Confident Euph! Well done. Accomp works well
[298]- Check intonation.  More 1st & 2nd horn needed
[Cornet Cadenza] Well done!
[310]-[321] Could be smoother & more time space. Just seems hurried.
[321]-[330] Builds well
[331]-[340] Good effort cornets (more back row needed).  Good attempt at the detail too.
[344]-[368] This grooves well – rhythms are good! Careful not too much perc.
[368]-[380] Troms good at [372]
[380]-[392] Time changes work well!
[392]-[404] More horns needed. A touch messy in cornets & euph
[404]-[End] Intonation suffers a tad as we get nearer the end

Good effort on a great piece! There is so much detail in this piece it is difficult to get it all in.  The slow movement could have done with more space.  Try not to overblow the FFs.
Thank you
CHRIS BINNS

 

Untidy to open and gets a little hard.
Nice horn at [26]
Good playing before [60]
[60] I don’t hear everything.
Well handled at [112] It just lacks clarity in semiquavers and 6/8 quavers.
Confident Euph Solo super sound.
Not balanced [298]
Good cornet cadenza. 
Could be smoother around [310]
Sounding tired around [331]
Good allegro at [344]
[392] not balanced.
Now very tired towards end.

Some impressive playing, but some very loose sections.  Solos were excellent.
DEREK GREENWOOD