Audley Band News
New Musical Director for Audley Brass
Following the departure of our MD Colin Hartley, Audley Brass are pleased to announce that Ian Turner will be taking over with immediate effect. Please join us in welcoming Ian to this new position…. To read more about Ian please see our musical director page.
Endon Christmas Concert 2010
Audley Brass performed once again to a sell-out audience at the annual Christmas Concert organised by the Endonian Society. After opening proceedings with the traditional Endonian Society hymn Crimond it was straight into the popular Christmas Joy march. Interspersed with Carols sung in the most rousing fashion, the audience were treated to some magical playing from the evenings soloists, Katie Middleton on Flugel playing Lady in Red and Mark Woodvine’s glorious rendition of O Holy Night. Other highlights included superb performances of the James Bond Movie Collection, Phil Sparkes’ The Snowman and Alan Fernie’s My Fair Lady. Already booked again for next year, the band can’t wait to return to Endon.
Endon Proms 2010
Opening with the rousing concert march Bramwyn, Audley Brass once again showcased their ever improving team to a packed audience at a concert organised by the Endonian Society on Saturday 18 September 2010. Going on to feature Katie Middleton, the band’s Flugel Horn player in Alan Fernie’s beautiful arrangement of Ashoken Farewell, Eleanor Smith, the band’s principal cornet in Georgia on my Mind and Mark Woodvine playing the Euphonium solo Grandfathers Clock, the audience were treated to real spectacle of musical talent. With the first half being brought to a close with A North Country fantasy it was time to show our very appreciative audience just how things are improving at the Training Band. A truly great rendition of "Cornets A go go" left them staggered by the performance – many of those on stage in the Training band have been playing for less than 2 years – Well done Audley Training Band!! The second half of the concert comprised the traditional Last Night of the Proms repertoire, preceded by the Variations on Saint Saens Organ Concerto – expertly played and thoroughly appreciated. Culminating in a roof lifting performance of land of Hope and Glory the concert once again was heaped in praise by the president of the Endonian Society. The band weren’t allowed to leave the stage until they performed and encore – so proceedings came to an end with a truly unbelievable rendition of New York, New York. We look forward to another great night of entertainment and music making same time next year!
Visit our "Band Music" page to see videos of Audley in action at Endon Proms
Well done James !
Congratulations to James Griffiths, Audley's Sop player on passing his grade 6 cornet exam last week. James passed with merit and gave a good performance, especially with the two well practiced pieces "A Nightingale sang in Berkley Square" and Elgar's "Chanson De Matin"
Welcome Eleanor
Audley Brass would like to extend a warm welcome to our newest member... Eleanor Goodwin who joined us recently on first horn.
Congratulations Emmie
Congratulations to Audley Brass Training band's newest & youngest member, Emmie Shaw-Peake on passing her grade 1 cornet exam this week, with a mark of 121 out of 150. Well done Emmie.
Welcome Back Terry !!!!!
It's always nice to see the return of an old face...Terry Mountford has re-joined the band on Bb cornet after a short absence. Terry previously played baritone with the band, and along with wife Anne was a regular face at both the training & main bands....nice to see you back.
Patrons Concert 2010
After some deliberation and discussion about the availability of the theatre, the annual patrons concert took place on Saturday April 10th this year. Prior to the concert the band room was open for snacks & refreshments, this gave the band members chance to mingle with some of the band sponsors & supporters.
We would like to say a special thank you to this years sponsors for their kind support, especially :
Ken & Pam Purcival of AJK Plant Hire
Dave & Debbie Watson of David Watson Plant Sales Ltd
Martin & Jane Smithson of Scotts Plant Hire Ltd
Mr & Mrs AJ Law of AJ Law Contractors Ltd
Details of all the bands sponsors can be found on the sponsors page
The concert itself was a great success, a rousing opening of John Philip Sousa's "stars and stripes forever" was followed by some great performances including Pirates of the Caribbean, Cossack Patrol, New York, New York and the band's 2010 area's contest piece, Saint Sans variations.
Some other noteworthy performances during the evening included the solo efforts of the younger (and not so younger) members of the band. Super efforts by:
Tim Gidman playing Elton John's Nikita
James Griffiths playing Solitaire
Patrick Marshall playing the Skye Boat Song
Peter
Moxon playing the beautiful Londonderry Air
The
Patrons concert was also the
first public performance for
the bands newest (and youngest) member. Emmie Shaw-Peake, age 10
has been playing 3rd cornet with the band for just one month, and with
a bit of help & guidance from fellow Bb cornet Dave Moulton she's
more than holding her own.......Go Emmie !!!!!!............
Thank you to the Endonian Society
Audley Band have been giving concerts at Endon for many a year and after an impassioned plea from our MD Colin in September, we were bowled over at our Christmas concert there on 5th May to be presented with a generous donation towards our funds. This was such a complete surprise to us, even Colin was speechless for all of 5 seconds. Thank you so much Endon, we will use it wisely.
Audley are back!
We are competing and winning prizes, not bad for a band close to folding 18 months ago. Picture the scene, 29th November, Leicestershire Open Brass Band Competition. "Band number 4 are ready to play Dimensions on your whistle Mr. Adjudicator". Which considering the Adjudicator was a "Mrs" seemed a bit strange.
After what seems like an age, the whistle sounds, a couple of beats in and we are off. Those weeks of rehearsal mean that we know exactly what is going to happen for the next 11 minutes or so. Like a well oiled machine we strut our stuff and enjoy our few minutes of glory, playing to an attentive audience. Within 10 bars or so we know it is going to be a good performance and knowing that raises the standard even more. At the end we come off buzzing and ready for a little something (as Pooh would say).
An hour or so later, results time. Third place...........fantastic..........a result...........Audley are back. the happy band of players, with 3rd place certificate is seen below:-
