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Recent News | |
| Here are some snippets of news about the band. Keep visiting the site to see what has happened recently and occasionally a look ahead to future events. Click on the "what's new" graphic in order to find out news about the website itself. | |
2010 | |
| 1st March | Another doctor - John Meredith has been awarded a PhD in composition for his thesis Discovering Concepts, Colour and Texture in Music Making. The research based doctorate also included the composition of two pieces for brass band, a jazz caprice for alto sax and symphonic wind band, a sonata for tuba and piano, a psalm setting for choir and orchestra and a brass quintet. Congratulations to John on this achievement. |
| 26th February | Once again our open night with the band reservist's and friends was a great success. Around 150 people joined with the band and were treated to the usual varied programme - ranging from requests for some 'old' pieces that the band have not played for many years to pieces that are new to the repertoire that the band have not played in public before. Some photos of the event are on our gallery page. |
| 19th February | We are saddened to announce that Ged Whittingham was Promoted to Glory at
lunchtime today after a long fight against cancer. Over the last few months Ged has been an absolute inspiration to all
he came in contact with and it was an honour for us all to know him and serve with him in the band. There will be a celebration of Ged's life on March 4th at 1.15pm in our own hall followed by a service at Bournemouth Crematorium Now God has called him home saying "Well done good and faithful servant". |
| 21st January | We start the new year on a rather sad note as we have to announce that our Flugel Horn player, Ged Whittingham, has had to step down from active service in the band due to his continuing fight against cancer. Since his diagnosis, Ged has been nothing short of an inspiration to the band in the way that he has continued to serve in his own inimitable style despite the considerable difficulties caused by his health. We shall miss his playing, his humour and his dedication. We shall also miss him as Band Librarian. As a result, Ray Jones will get 'promoted' to that post, with Garry Lawrence resuming duties as Deputy Bandmaster. We wish them both well in their new responsibilities. Our very special thoughts and prayers are with Ged and his family at this time. |
2009 | |
| 26th December | The end of the band's active year came, as always, late morning on Christmas day after we once again had the privilege of playing to those unfortunate enough to be in hospital at this festive time of year. Some pictures from the hospital and from our hotel visits on Christmas Eve are now on the gallery page. |
| 10th December | A good crowd witnessed the annual Rotary Carol Concert - an event that has been happening for over thirty years now! The band were joined by the Boscombe Timbrels and the choir from Epiphany Church of England primary school. Although the band are old hands at this, for the choir it was their first public performance - and how well they sang for us. The programme had something for everyone. Nine year old Alexander Francis treated us all to a lovely rendition of O Holy Night on the saxophone. As always a good sum was raised by the event - this year going to Help for Heroes - a worthy cause, and one close to everyone's thoughts this Christmas. |
| 8th December | Like all Salvation Army bands around the world, Christmas is a very busy time for the band - starting with the regular Wednesday night 'Turkey and Tinsel' carol playing at the Savoy hotel from the end of October. Since last Thursday's concert in the Priory we have done our usual Saturday carolling in Bournemouth town centre, our Corps' Toy Service on Sunday Morning, the lighting of the Christmas tree at Hurn on Sunday teatime and tonight, with the songsters, our annual carol service in Lymington. On Thursday we continue the busy programme with the carol concert for the Boscombe and Southbourne Rotary Club - another annual event. |
| 3rd December | The fact that this item of news is about the band's annual Christmas concert at Christchurch Priory means that we have completed a full year of reporting the band's progress on this website. As always, the Priory Church was crowded for this popular event that seems to mark the start of Christmas for many people. The programme contained a variety of music linked to the season - old and new. Music of Bach, Handel and Pachelbel (albeit in relatively 'modern' arrangements for Brass Band) was alongside arrangements of 'traditional' Christmas music by the likes of Morley Calvert, Peter Graham and Richard Philips. For me, the highlight had to be Len Ballantine's arrangement of Morten Lauridsen's O Magnum Mysterium which sounded wonderful in the superb accoustic of the ancient building. The date is already booked for next year. |
| 20th November | The Americans came to town in the shape of the Fountain City Brass Band - have a look at this report written by Ramsay Caffull and see the programme - there are also pictures on the gallery page. |
| 14th November | An excellent evening at Winton in aid of the Ukraine Project. The band, together with soloists Liz Healing (Soprano) and Alex Ramsay (Cornet) entertained and challenged the audience with a varied programme. For both soloists it was a bit of a homecoming - Alex returning to his home corps of Winton and Liz performing with her home corps band. |
| 8th November | The band were again honoured to take part in the town's remembrance parade and service at the war memorial in Bournemouth. There are some photos on the corps website and hopefully we will have some more on our own site soon. |
| 26th October | The band were the hosts for the sunday concert last night and once again provided an evening of film music. It was great to have almost 200 people in the hall on a sunday evening and we hope that they each received some message from our ministry. |
| 11th October | On November 20th the band will be hosting the Fountain City Brass Band - see full details and enquiry form. |
| 4th October | A fabulous weekend in South Wales with a concert in the Waterfront Community Church on Saturday evening as well as holiness meetings at both Swansea Citadel and Morriston Citadel. See the programmes and read a brief report - and there are some pictures on the gallery page.. |
| 9th September (yes 9/9/9) |
The band go on a trip to Butlins - it is the Salvation Army's week long holiday camp - New Horizons - and the band gave a very well received programme. You can listen again to one of the pieces we played - Leslie Condon's "Gift for His Altar" - on our recordings page |
| 5th September | Half of our 1st Cornet section get married! Best wishes from the band to Karen and Adrian. Check out the pictures on the gallery page and this report on 4barsrest. |
| 19th July | Another dry - if rather blowy - visit to Keyhaven. Check out the pictures on the gallery page. |
| 10th July | A great partnership festival with Woodfalls band. Ramsay Caffull has produced a report on this 'Gala Concert' and there are pictures on the gallery page. |
| 27th June | Over 1000 pounds raised for the charities on our visit to St. Paul's, Weymouth. |
| 26th April | Our cornet playing brothers - Kevin and Adrian Whittingham - both succesfully completed the Flora London Marathon today - well done to you both. |
| 20th April | Another great weekend away with the band, this time to visit Birmingham Citadel. As always we were well looked after and hope to have brought blessing and encouragement to those who heard us. You can view the programmes and visit Birmingham Citadel's website to read what they say about our visit. |
| 12th March | Our annual band reservists and friends night as always featured a programme of music old and new. |
2008 | |
| 4th December | The band took part in their annual Christmas concert at Christchurch Priory. As always, the event was very well attended and raised a considerable sum of money. In keeping with tradition the programme mixed a variety of christmas music from the band with carols for everyone to sing and the always welcome contribution from Andrew Post on the Priory organ. |
| 1st December | The band were pleased to hear that our bandmaster is now Doctor Howard J Evans. Congratulations to Howard on this achievement. |
| October | The band enjoyed a pleasant and successful weekend at the Kettering Corps |
