News from 2014

We are looking forward to seeing what 2015 will bring for the band.  Already we know that we will be joined by 3 new players at our first rehearsal.

At the start of the year, the band will be busy working hard on the area test 'An English Pastorale' composed by Dean Jones, so we can improve on our placing last year. A good result could see us near the top of the table and hopefully pushing for promotion next year. 

We start the year with an almost full complement of players. This is something that has not been the case for the last few years, but it just shows what the determination, enthusiasm and commitment from the players and Musical Director can achieve.

On Wednesday 17th December, members of the band, their friends and families, along with invited guest players who have supported the band throughout the year, attended the band Christmas social evening. Everybody enjoyed a fun evening consisting of food, fun and a lot of laughs.    

As usual one highlight of the evening was the award ceremony, in which members of the band received certificates and thanks in recognition of their contributions in helping the band run smoothly. This year's recipients were :

Band player of the year - Willie Allan

Attendance Award - Andrew Ellis

Hard work and determination award - Keith Underhill

Most improved player/s - The whole Oram family (Steph, Ady, Max, Joe & Daisy)

Band person of the year - Tony Wheeler

Band person of the future award - Madelyn Ellis      

Well done to all the winners.

Our latest engagement was performing at St. Andrew's Church fete in Brigstock.  It was a lovely sunny day, so we were pleased to be able to play under a marquee, out of the glare of the sun, and made the decision not to wear our band jackets.  Thankfully the marquee was large enough to just about fit in all 27 of us. 

There was lots of complimentary remarks from the organisers and members of the public who were attending the fete. We played a varied selection of music including Mallyan, Breezing down Broadway, Out of Africa and Pirates of the Caribbean, which is always a crowd pleaser !!

On Friday 28th February, 9 players from Corby Silver Band, along with the band chairman and band secretary travelled to the Derngate Theatre in Northampton to feature in the opera - La Boheme.  After attending a short rehearsal to confirm our stage position and a quick practise of the music with the singers, we headed out for a bite to eat before going back to the theatre for the actual performance in front of a packed theatre.  It was a fun evening, certainly very different to anything we have ever been asked to do before.  Our involvement in the production was a huge success and was enjoyed by all involved.

Our summer season of engagements has started with a performance at the Market Overton Open Day on 31st May. The band, all 29 of us didn't quite fit under the tent, but luckily it was a dry day and the audience enjoyed our selected repertoire of music.  

Last year a young man had requested that we play the 'Dam busters' march, so this year we rehearsed the music in preparation and played it as part of our performance with the gentleman who requested it being our guest conductor for that piece.

We also featured euphonium and Eb bass solos, a flugel and soprano duet and a horn section feature as part of our musical programme.

On Saturday 17th May, Corby Silver Band took part in the Wood Farm Brewery Entertainment contest. This is a newish contest that only started last year, and we haven't recently taken part in any entertainment contests, and so we thought why not enter?

Well, a great day was had by all, sitting in the glorious sunshine, listening to programmes of music being performed by other local brass bands, performing 5 pieces from our own current repertoire, what's not to like?  After a massed band performance of Castell Coch, it was time for the results ......

Not only did we WIN first prize in the 3rd/4th section,(receiving a wonderful trophy), but our principal euphonium, the fabulous David Parker,  picked up the best soloist prize for the 3rd/4th section too.  
Well done David !!! 

We would like to welcome one new player and two returning players to the band.

Hayley Angell has joined us on 3rd Cornet; also re-joining the back row is Michelle Beeby, who used to play with the band previously before taking a break from the band to focus on her family and work/study commitments.  We also welcome back Kerry Spence to the band.  Before Kerry left to attend university she was a valued member of the trombone section and after playing trumpet for the last three years, has returned to the band taking a position in the cornet section.

We also welcome a whole family of players.  Cornet players Steph, Max and Daisy, flugel player Ady, and baritone player Joe, have progressed from the development band to join in with the senior band rehearsals.  They have made the transition from development to senior band extremely well and took part in their first concerts with the band over the festive season.

We recently received a visit from a local reporter who works for the Evening Telegraph, who wanted to write and publish a report about the band, focussing on our new Musical Director, Cathy Fountain, as Cathy is Corby Silver Band's first ever female Musical Director. 

To see the article click HERE

We would like to extend a warm welcome to our newest member, Andrew Ellis, who has recently joined Corby Silver Band on BBb bass.   
We would also like to welcome David Parker who will be taking up the Principal euphonium seat and also welcomed Ian Anderson back to our horn section.

We wish them all a long and happy time at Corby Silver Band.