News

Sunday 13th August

Come and enjoy an evening of fine music at The Rising Sun at Moseley Green.  We will be playing for 6pm - 8pm.

See you there 

The band has said a fond farewell to M.D Phil Turner and his wife Elaine (1^stBaritone). Phil has successfully led the band over the last 5 years, in which time the band has firmly established its place in the 2^ndsection of the West of England area – the highest position the band has ever achieved it its long history. The band would like to thank Phil for his commitment, dedication and musicianship over the last 5 years.

Phil passes the baton over to our new M.D, Hugh Bamford. Hugh is no stranger to the band, having played for the band for many years in the past. We would like to welcome Hugh back to the band in his new role as M.D and look forward to working together.

On a hot summers evening, we reflect on what has, so far, been a busy summer of concerts for the band, with a mixture of bandstands, fetes, pubs and proms concerts. The band has enjoyed large audiences for these outside concerts, no doubt helped by the gloriously hot weather with not a drop of rain to be endured. On many occasions the heat has unprecedentedly caused band members to remove their signature red jackets and reach for cool water.

We started our summer concerts at Ross-on-Wye bandstand, where we performed a new programme of music we had been practising for the summer season. The programme was well received, with several members of the audience commenting on the bands “lovely playing”.

Following on from a successful start to the bands summer engagements, we were pleased to be invited back to play at Penalt fete, based in the beautiful grounds of Moorcroft House in Penalt. We always enjoy being part of this small village fete and this year was no exception.

Next we performed on bandstands in the picturesque locations of Stratford Park in Stroud and Priory Park in Malvern. Once again we enjoyed an appreciative audience, many of whom offered complimentary words about the band’s sound.

The annual proms concert at Lydney Town Hall was a great evening of music, where the band was joined, once again, by the Chepstow Male Voice Choir. The performances of “Fantasia on British Sea Songs”, including “Sailor’s Horn Pipe; “Jerusalem”; and “Pomp and Circumstance” (“Land of Hope and Glory”) proved popular with the audience.

Continuing our busy summer period, the band went on to perform at Lydney hospital fete and The Rising Sun at Moseley Green. We now look forward to completing our summer engagements with a second performance at The Rising Sun on 12^thAugust and the annual Parkend Carnival march on the bank holiday Monday (27^thAugust).

Test Piece - Rhapsody in Brass (Dean Goffin), Placed 8th from 17.

The band gave a very confident and musical performance in which the adjudicators praised the basses, and all soloists with several mentions for the Soprano (Tim Hamer).

The adjudicator summary said it all

"Despite a few mishaps - a properly delivered musical performance from a fine toned band. A little heavy on the quieter dynamics but a detailed reading nonetheless"

A good result which positions the band very nicely going into the 2018 contest joint third in the rankings table.

The band competed at the annual West of England regional championship contest in Torquay on 13th March. Despite a difficult number 1 draw, the band performed well and were pleased to be placed 6th out of 16 bands competing. The band has made excellent progress over the past year and reaps the rewards with this great result. The credit goes to all the players for their efforts and commitment, the band’s M.D, Phil Turner, for his dedication, leadership and musicianship and finally our avid supporters who cheer us on.

The adjudicators’ remarks are on the contests page.

The band are pleased to welcome 3 new players to the band. Michael Brown joins on back row cornet, Steve Morley on Bass Trombone and Miet Vandorpe on Euphonium. These new members fill some vacancies and prepare the band well for the upcoming contest season and Christmas concerts after a very busy summer schedule.

The band are delighted to announce that Tim Hamer has returned to the band to strenghten the solo cornet bench.

Bream Silver Band and the Chepstow Male Voice Choir

Bream Silver Band, under the baton of Musical Director, Phil Turner, were delighted to host the Chepstow Male Voice Choir at Lydney Town Hall last Sunday (26^th) at what proved to be a rousing musical performance of traditional and contemporary music for the “Night at the Proms” concert. Compliments were plentiful as the audience showed their appreciation to both band and choir.

The opening band piece, “The Cossack” got feet tapping to this lively march which was followed by the glorious Rossini overture “The Barber of Seville”. Jenny Lane on principal cornet enthralled the audience with a beautiful rendition of a simple original theme by composer Goff Richards entitled “One Day”.

Taking up the baton next was Musical Director of Chepstow Male Voice, Frank Jones, recently appointed to this role. “What a Wonderful World”, “Unchained Melody” then favourites such as “Speed Your Journey” and “Cwm Rhonda” heard this sixty strong choir raise the roof. One of the very best choirs in the area, they demonstrated not only strength but finesse in their sensitive portrayal of these popular numbers, ably accompanied by pianists Kirsten Watson and Rosemary Lewis.

The stand out performance of the night was by euphonium player, Duncan Robertson who delivered a note perfect performance of the well-known solo “My Grandfather’s Clock”. Wife Julia and son James, who both play tenor horn were especially proud. This family commitment is typical with membership boasting several husband, wife, son, daughter and other relationships in this longstanding village band.

Advertised as a “Night at the Proms” Concert, the audience were not disappointed with the band delivering “Fantasia on British Sea Songs” including the ever popular “Sailor’s Horn Pipe” – a piece that gets progressively faster so that finally the audience have a job to keep up, and they’re only clapping! On to the patriotic tones of “Jerusalem” and finishing with a stunning delivery of “Land of Hope and Glory”, (part of “Pomp and Circumstance”) the combined forces of the band and choir had the audience cheering loudly and calling for more.

Bream Silver Band would like to thank everyone who attended for such warm and appreciative support. This is an annual concert and just one of the many that are given by the band during the course of the year. More information on the band, its members, future engagements and of course, how to become a member are on the band’s website at www.breamband.com

Left Frank Jones, Conductor of Chepstow Male Voice Choir enjoying a chat during the interval with Phil Turner, MD of Bream Silver Band.

Having recently formed a training band under the tutelage of Elizabeth Forster, herself a talented tuba player, Bream Silver Band extend a warm invitation to young and old who would like to learn to play a brass instrument or percussion kit. Instruments are provided. Likewise, experienced players who would like to become part of this exceptionally friendly and dedicated organisation are welcome. Please make contact through the website.

Elaine Turner (Press Officer)

In readiness for the forthcoming Area Contest, we are pleased to annouce that Jenny Lane is appointed as the bands principal cornet. Matthew Blore and Rob Walkerdine have moved onto the front row. Mollie Gwynne-Duggan moves upto 2nd Cornet and Alice Gwynne-Duggan leaves the percussion section to play 3rd Cornet. These moves also demostrate our commitment to developing our young players.

We said goodbye to Jack Lythaby at the end of December who left to take up a position in the Lydbrook Band. We wish him good luck for the future and thank him for his contribution over the last 18 months.

We also said goodbye to John Pretious who has retired from playing after a period of ill health. We thank him for his contribution and wish him a speedy recovery.

Julia Powell returned to the band on 1st Horn and Ann Henderson moved from Horn to 2nd Baritone to fill these vacancies.

Our only critical vacancy is 2nd Euphonium.

We are delighted to annouce that Mollie and Alice Gwynne-Duggan have returned to the band on back-row cornet and tuned percussion respectively. As well as filling 2 vacancies, they have swelled the younger contingent of the band.