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Newspaper Articles - 2005
Thanks to John Friend our band Publicity Officer
for writing these for local newspapers.
29th September
The summer season has sadly passed but we were very lucky to have performed for the last concert in John Coles Park bandstand on Sunday. This was held in league with Maureen Lloyd’s Heritage Fund Peace Party. We had a somewhat captive audience - now did they come to hear us or just for the free food parcels? After a little encouragement we managed to get them dancing some good old favorities such as Rock Around The Clock, Ellington, The Muppet Show, Vera Lynn Selection and popular marching songs. The high light of the day was Alan Horner’s rendition of the Post Horn Gallop in the Malmesbury - Dennis style. This method of playing allows the pitch, tempo, style, order etc or even miss bars out. The conductor and the band then have to guess where to come in again. It is very effective at keeping the audience’s attention and stopping the musician’s falling asleep. The method is apparently dedicated to a certain Barry Dennis, who infamously conducted at twice the arrangers speed of the most agile member of the band. There were two excellent solos: Chanson d’ Amour on Alto Saxophone by Morwenna Cross and Basin Street Blues on Trombone by Mark Bisping (Played as a tribute to the city of New Orleans). Praise too must also go to flautists Dawn Salsbury and Tracey Evans for having to endure a barrage of brass behind! Three members Liz Logan, Dave Evans and John Friend, assisted the RAFA Band on Saturday at the international Clowns Convention at Weston -Super -Mare. If you would like to find out more about us, or would like to join, please visit our website. www.communigate.co.uk/wilts/chippenhamtownband
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13th October
Our big event this week was to play at Lackham College on Sunday for the close of the Apple Day. The rev Sally Wheeler headed the open air service and we played the usual thanksgiving hymns such as We Plough The Fields and Scatter and other popular tunes such as Amazing Grace and Come Ye Thankful People Come. The music was followed by the auction of produce and the usual, the resident flora and fauna expert, Howard Harding, put in some hard bidding. He didn’t win the massive pumpkin though, it must have measured at least two feet across and it is hard to amagine how anyone could get it home without a wheel barrow. One member of the band was so overwhelmed at the success of the service that he walked off in elation right past his car for another half a mile before realising! Given the congenial environment of Lackham College, it is quite understandable. The band is now preparing for the Winter season, the annual party and lots of carol playing. We shall also be performing at The Neeld Hall on November 30 for The Gateway Club. If you are interested in joining us why not give Alan Horner, our Musical Director a ring on (01249) 657654. We are a reed and brass band and we have some instruments for loan.
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20th October
On Saturday evening The Cause at Chippenham was taken over for Barry Dennis’s farewell party. Barry and Brenda are off to Spain. Malmesbury Concert Band and Chippenham Town Band both played suitable selections of music, to a full audience. As soon as Malmesbury Concert Band, under the conductor Trevor Batham, played an absolutely perfect tuning note, followed by the march Heroes Of The Air, the audience knew it was in for a professional performance. Each band played a small choice of favorite pieces, including Seventeen Come Sunday, Sunny Day Selection, Rock Around The Clock, Ellington, Teddy Bears Picnic. Barry has played and conducted in both bands and is an extremely versatile musician. He had a unique laid back style and a great deal of wit and he will be sadly missed. We all wish Barry and Brenda well. Barry’s departure means we now have a vacancy for a cornet player, why not pop along to The Cause on a Monday night and try us out? Ring Alan on (01249) 657654 for full details.
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23rd December
Another year is almost over and the band has finished all its Christmas carol commitments. The money collected is shared equally between the band and Cancer Research UK. We held our annual carol concert at the Neeld Hall on December 14. The highlight was Vivaldi's A Winter Largo, featuring very distinctive solos by Jill Webster (Flute) and Morwenna Cross (Alto Sax). The more senior citizens among us will recall that this was the signature tune for the 1938 film Adventures of Robinson Crusoe. Other favourites played included Spencer Willams' Basin Street Blues, and Prokofieff's Variations on a Theme from the Lieutenant Kije suite - frequently played at Christmas because of its sleigh bell element. On Sunday a small section of the band played carols at The Neeld Hall for a civic dignitary charity event. Some players, as it customary assisted other bands at their Christmas Concerts. There is a sort of Camaraderie among voluntary musicians that somehow ensures they drift back or are invited back to bands they have previously played for, especially when players are in short supply due to illness. We are now enjoying a rest, returning for rehearsals on January 9.
Unfortunately we have to say goodbye to our solo baritone saxist, Eric Alden, who is leaving because of other more pressing commitments. Eric will not mind it if we mention that he is 83 years young, very much the respected as the "Father of the House" . He is as versatile as any 20 year old. Finally thanks must go to Alan Horner, our musical director, for putting up with us all, and to Martin Duncombe for all the work he does behind the scenes preparing music programmes and other essential chores.
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