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Band News 2003
News Flash: CPB raises £1677 at the December Christmas Charity Concert. Click for review.
Band Newsletters
Spring (3) - Summer (4) - Fort William - Autumn (5) - Winter (6)
Picture Galleries
Hove - Hever Castle - Norton - Herne Bay -Broadstairs -Fort William - Greenwich - Xmas Gala Concert
2003
After the annual Epiphany concert at St Michael's
Church, Sydenham the band continued with
their 2003/4 Contest Season. Various members
of the band participated in the 110th SCABA
Quartet/Ensemble contest on 16th February
at Lewes. Three ensembles took part, playing
arrangements of Weber’s ‘Euryanthe’, Mozart’s
‘Cosi Fan Tutti’ and Handel’s ‘Hallelujah
Chorus’. The results were:
1st Section Quartets, 4th place; Open Section
Quartets, 2nd place; Section "A"
Ensembles, 2nd place.
Click for SCABA results page.
The band consolidated its position in the
National Second Section with 7th place at
the Stevenage Area contest on 15th March.
Click for results.For a Review of all the Second Section performances,
click here (courtesy of 4BarsRest.com).
At the SCABA Contest at Hove on 13th April,
a good performance resulted in a disappointing
equal 5th place for the March and 6th place
for the Test Piece. Click for results page. For pictures, click.here.
In April the summer season began with a performance in Canterbury, at the
Dane John Bandstand. It was well-attended and surprisingly warm! This occasion
was also the premiere of the Band's display board. Designed to notify listeners
of future engagements and provide a little background information on CPB,
it contains a leaflet dispenser and has so far proved to be a great success.
The board was kindly donated to the Band by the Props Department at ITV's
'The Bill' (thanks, Dave!), where it previously advertised 'Halal meat
and tropical fish' in one episode! A little redesigning and it was as good
as new - ready for another starring role.
In May it was back to business with our Spring
Concert on 17 May at St John's Church, Penge,
and a chance to entertain our regular supporters
in South London. Golders Hill Park Bandstand
in Hampstead Heath was another sunny day,
and a good opportunity to try out some new
pieces (see Current Repertoire). The front
row cornet section gave a superb performance
at Canbury Gardens, Kingston, under difficult
circumstances - but it was yet another gorgeous
day, and the sunshine drew an enthusiastic
crowd.
The Band was fortunate to have fantastic
weather again for Hever Castle on June 29,
and enjoyed a picnic beforehand (pix) - no-one got lost in the maze at half time,
and most people remembered to apply their
sun cream.
July proved to be another busy month for
the band. The Old Coulsdon Village Fair on
the 12th was scorching, and the Band kicked
off their programme with 'The Great Escape'
- rather apt considering the heavy traffic
delays! The fair's sixties-theme was reflected
in the choice of music, with Roger Clements
and Ian Whittaker standing in for conductor
Mike Gray.
Then it was over to Norton, near Sittingbourne,
for St Mary's Church Flower Festival. Built
in 1089 in a secluded orchard, the church
was host to an amazing display of flower
arrangements. Previous CPB Secretary, Paul
Newman, had booked the Band and thoroughly
enjoyed hearing us again - and then it was
off to the pub to cool down! (Pix) What a complete contrast to the weather
at Broadstairs. Nigel Waites
valiantly battled
on through his debut soprano
cornet solo
with the band as he got soaked
- but sadly
the job was abandoned. A band
cannot play
as their music runs off the page!
The Band summer trip this year was to Fort
William in August and a good time was had
by all. Click for Maggie's report.
The Band operates an open door
policy at
rehearsals and is specifically
seeking Cornet
players. If you are interested
in coming
along to a rehearsal, please
contact the
band secretary, Rachel Bleach.
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