Lyme Regis Town Band

Welcome to the Christmas Break!

roger — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 22:07:34 +0000

The band’s busy Christmas period finally came to an end on Christmas Eve, when they entertained shoppers to carols in Broad Street, Lyme Regis. Since the beginning of December, their engagements included four residential homes, as well as the St Michael’s Primary School carol service, not to mention their own Annual Christmas Concert.

On Friday 23^rd, they provided carol accompaniment to the Rotary Carols around the tree in Broad Street, which was attended by a very large crowd. There now follows a period of rest and recuperation, before the next practice on 3^rd January, by which time the Christmas turkey will have been worked off!

Christmas Concert’s surprise package!

roger — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 09:40:37 +0000

There was more than a touch of the unexpected at the band’s recent Annual Christmas Concert at the Woodmead Halls, sponsored by AJ Wakely and Sons. Their varied programme included two unusual solos, for tuba and triangle and plenty of audience participation.

Off we go!

It also featured annual awards to members of the band. Stuart Broom once again presented the Gordon Broom Memorial Shield in memory of his father. This year it went to Nikki Herbert who was responsible for setting up the Training Band at the beginning of the year, which is now well-established. Chairman Paul Snowball was presented with the Bandmaster’s Award.

Those in the audience expecting the usual mix of music from the band will have been both surprised and amused by what actually took place. Paul Snowball’s solo ‘Tuba Smarties’ was preceded by an announcement from compere Alan Vian that Paul was unable to be present, but had instead sent his maiden aunt, a Countess with an exceedingly long name. All of this was as much a surprise to the Musical Director John Powell as it was to the audience! When the Countess arrived on stage from the back of the hall, she bore, of course, more than a passing resemblance to her nephew.

There was also a very finely judged solo on the triangle from bass player Eric Hodder, after several false starts and several of the audience were ‘invited’ to step into the limelight to accompany the band on percussion instruments for the finale of the first half. However, one member suddenly found greatness thrust upon her, when the Musical Director left her with his baton to conduct the band while he focused on the percussionists. The stand-in maestro, Sandra Porter, later commented ‘I really enjoyed myself on stage; the whole evening was great’.

Maestro Sandra in action!

Even the band’s performance of the ‘Sneewaltzer’, the ‘Snow Waltz’, was graced by the appearance of two unexpected visitors, dressed in alpine costume and carrying beer steins. They performed a graceful dance in time to the music, but there was something very familiar about their appearance – some definite likenesses to Paul’s maiden aunt and a trombonist called Adrian!

Alan Vian, making his debut as compere, ensured that proceedings moved smoothly and obviously had prior knowledge of the many diversions during the concert. The large audience present were kept busy with the singing of well-loved carols, accompanied by the band.

The band is grateful to all who supported this concert in any way. The proceeds will enable the band to develop its activities and continue to provide live local music. Two engagements remain in this busy Christmas season: Carols around the tree in Lyme Regis at 7 p.m. on Friday 23rd and carols in Broad Street on Christmas Eve from 10 – 12 noon.

Wishing you all a very Happy Christmas and prosperous 2012!

OUR 2011 CHRISTMAS CONCERT GALLERY

We’re not dreaming of a White Christmas!

roger — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 11:41:42 +0000

Last Christmas may have been memorable for its snow, but the freezing weather was sadly responsible for the cancellation of our Christmas concert. So this year’s concert is a must if you really want to get into the Christmas spirit!

The band are performing at the Woodmead Halls next Saturday evening 7.30p.m. Entertainment is always guaranteed, whatever your taste and as usual, the varied programme combines old and new, sacred and secular. Our programme contains a host of seasonal favourites, including ‘Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, When a Child is Born, White Christmas and Rockin’ around the Christmas Tree’.

Finale: 2009 ~ Christmas Concert

There are a few surprises in store too, with some strange guests arriving in the band’s performance of the ‘Schneewaltzer’, (Snow Waltz), and when Paul Snowball performs his solo ‘Tuba Smarties’ anything can happen – as the Musical Director well knows! The Principal cornet player Peter Hurdwell will demonstrate his skill and dexterity in the challenging piece ‘Willow Echoes’.

As usual, there will be plenty of audience participation through the singing of well-loved carols during the evening. The Training Band will be making another appearance and further attractions are a licensed bar, raffle and lucky programme number.

Following last year’s cancellation, Alan Vian finally makes his debut as compere. Band Secretary Gilly Warr commented, ‘the band is delighted that Alan is leading our Christmas celebration. He is well known for his tireless work with several local organisations and the evening is sure to go with a swing!’

So why not start Christmas week with the best evening’s entertainment around? Tickets are only £5, available from Martin Diplock Estate Agents in Broad Street, any band member or by telephoning 01297 442719 (evenings). See you there!

Band Secretary Vacancy

roger — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 09:04:15 +0000

The band is currently looking for a new Secretary, as the present post-holder, Gilly Warr, is stepping down at the end of the year after five years of excellent service. Gilly comments “I have greatly enjoyed my role as Band Secretary, but having decided to become a playing member three years ago, I need to spend what free time I have practising”.

Gilly receives 2 awards: April 2011

This is a voluntary post and could appeal to anyone with a flair for admin, who would like to join the band as a non-playing member. The workload is not arduous, with the committee meeting only once every six to eight weeks. In addition, the Secretary, handles all band correspondence, maintains the band engagement list and is the first point of contact for all bookings.

For further details please contact Gilly on 01297 442719 (evenings) or email gwarr@woodroffe.dorset.sch.uk. Information on the band’s activities can be found on this website: www.lymeregistownband.co.uk

Rehearsals are now in full swing for the Annual Christmas Concert which this year takes place at The Woodmead Halls, Lyme Regis on Saturday 17^th December 2011, at 7.30 pm. Tickets at £5 each are available from the Tourist Information Centre in Lyme Regis, Martin Diplock Estate Agents and from band members. This is always a great start to Christmas and a very popular event, so be sure to book early!

Band contributes to local Acts of Remembrance

roger — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 08:57:46 +0000

Royal British Legion Festival

November is always the start of a busy time for Lyme Town Band. The Remembrance period began with the Lyme Regis British Legion Festival of Remembrance, which took place at the Woodmead Halls. As well as accompanying the hymn for the Act of Remembrance, the band contributed several appropriate pieces, including the marches from 633 Squadron and The Great Escape and a selection of well-known wartime songs. The band were joined by the audience for the finale – a rousing performance of ‘Land of Hope and Glory.’

Lyme Regis Parish Church was the venue on Remembrance Sunday, where the band provided accompaniment for the hymns at the annual Remembrance service which was very well attended. The Last Post and Reveille were played by our principal cornet Peter Hurdwell.

Band brings Seaton to its feet!

roger — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 13:31:37 +0000

After a successful summer of concerts in Lyme Regis, the band recently brought their popular brand of entertainment to Seaton Town Hall with many of the numbers which had entertained holidaymakers in Lyme throughout July and August. This was their first concert in Seaton for many years and their music was enthusiastically received by the audience.

And the next piece is........

During the evening, there were solo contributions from band Chairman Paul Snowball, with ‘Tuba Smarties’ and principal cornet Peter Hurdwell, playing the well-known ‘Post Horn Gallop’. The Training Band played three pieces, directed by Nikki Herbert and the audience clearly appreciated the progress made since their formation at in January. After the break, compere Mary Bowles expertly led the audience sing-along in well-loved favourites.

A special inclusion in the programme was an arrangement of the Welsh march ‘Men of Harlech’ by Seaton resident Gordon Langford and the band were delighted that he was able to be present. Mr Langford ranks among the most well-known arrangers of brass band music and he also enjoyed a successful career with the BBC and was a regular arranger and performer on the popular ‘Friday Night is Music Night’.

Before the finale, Musical Director John Powell thanked all who had contributed to the success of the evening, particularly compere Mary Bowles and Seaton’s Voice for their support and hospitality. Thanking the audience for their enthusiastic singing, he invited them to join in the traditional finale of ‘Land of Hope and Glory’. The audience duly obliged and then demanded an encore. Their choice was a Marine Parade favourite, Offenbach’s Can Can’, which brought many of the audience to their feet and provided a lively and rousing end to an entertaining evening.

The band now turns its attention to preparing for the Annual Christmas Concert at the Woodmead Halls Lyme Regis on Saturday 17^th December. Watch the website and the local press for details!

Don’t miss the Seaton concert!

roger — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 08:16:30 +0000

Training Band debut

The band will be breaking new ground on Friday 7th October, with a Grand Concert in Seaton Town Hall in aid of band funds and the Parkinson’s Society.

Following a very successful summer season on Marine Parade in Lyme, they are bringing their popular brand of entertainment to a wider local audience. Throughout July and August, the band entertained thousands of holidaymakers with their wide range of styles. This concert will feature much of the music enjoyed during the summer and there is bound to be something to suit all tastes.

Principal Cornet player Peter Hurdwell will be showing his expertise in his own interpretation of the ‘Post Horn Gallop’, whilst band Chairman Paul Snowball will demonstrate his agility on the E flat bass in ’Tuba Smarties’, a piece guaranteed to amuse the audience.

The programme includes a musical tribute to one of the brass band world’s greatest musical arrangers, Seaton resident Gordon Langford, who plans to be present. During a distinguished musical career, Mr Langford enjoyed a close association with the BBC, for many years contributing arrangements for Radio 2’s ‘Friday Night is Music Night’ as well as performing on the piano. In recognition of his contribution to brass band music, the band will play his arrangement of the Welsh march ‘Men of Harlech’.

A new training band was formed in January under the direction of Nikki Herbert and they made their debut at the popular St George’s Day concert in Lyme. They also performed on Marine Parade in the summer and this concert will mark their third appearance in public.

The compere for the evening will be Seaton’s own Mary Bowles, well-known locally for her involvement in drama and music. Mary will be bringing her warm and friendly style to the evening’s proceedings and will be contributing some songs of her own, with an invite for the audience to join in such classics as ‘There’ll always be an England’ and ‘Rule Britannia’.

To round off the evening, what finer and more fitting finale could there be than ‘Land of Hope and Glory’? The audience will be invited to join Mary and the band to end the evening in true patriotic, ‘Last Night of the Proms’ style.

This is definitely a concert not to be missed! It begins at 7.30 p.m. and tickets are available from Seaton Town Hall Box Office, open Monday to Saturday from 10 -1 daily, from any band member or by telephoning 01297 442719. There will also be a licensed bar and raffle.

Rousing End to Final Concert!

roger — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 09:43:44 +0000

The strains of ‘Land of Hope and Glory’ echoed across Marine Parade last week, marking the end of a very successful season of summer concerts for the band, a season which had begun early in July with the opening of the refurbished shelters.

As ever, a large and appreciative crowd provided strong support, particularly enjoying the regular children’s spot, when youngsters are invited to come forward and join the band in playing a wide range of percussion instruments. For this final concert, Musical Director John Powell chose ‘Is this the way to Amarillo?’ and led his young volunteers on a conga to the band’s lively accompaniment and the obvious delight of the audience.

Collections during these summer concerts have been very encouraging and will help provide the band with financial security through the winter months. Throughout

Lucky winners Heather & Sue

the series, raffle tickets were sold in aid of band funds, organised by Val Mahoney, and it certainly proved a hit with holidaymakers. The draw took place at the end of the final concert and the lucky prize winners were:

1^st prize (£150) Ian Kirk from Alvaston, Derby – ticket number 1259

2^nd prize (£100) Sue May from Crewkerne – ticket number 1291

3rd prize (£50) Heather Prior from Lyme Regis – ticket number 0951

Before the final piece, MD John Powell expressed thanks to all who had supported the band throughout the summer concerts. Gifts were presented to regular collectors Steve Mahoney and Ralph Herbert, to Ken and Ann Courtney for selling the raffle tickets and to band member Catherine Voysey, playing in her final concert before concentrating on her A level studies.

Following ‘Land of Hope and Glory,’ the audience were invited to link arms for the singing of ‘Auld Lang Syne’ bringing the summer season to an appropriate close. We now now return to our regular Tuesday practices and our next concert is at Seaton Town Hall on Friday 7^th October. Tickets are available from Seaton Town Hall box office, Monday – Saturday from 10 – 1 p.m. or from band members.

The Training Band has continued to rehearse throughout the summer and anyone of any age interested in joining them will be warmly welcomed. We also have vacancies for experienced players and full details of both groups can be found on this website.

IMAGES OF SUMMER 2011

Are you a cornet player?

roger — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 13:18:00 +0000

We are currently looking for a front row cornet player to join our busy, friendly band as soon as possible.

Do you have solo cornet experience? Our Musical Director John Powell would love to hear from you on 07899 008985.

If you would first like to know more about the band, please take time to enjoy a look around our detailed website.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Young Maestro (age 2) Conducts the Band

roger — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 13:46:08 +0000

A young holidaymaker took the baton at a recent concert in the band’s 2011 series of Tuesday evening concerts ‘Music by the Sea.’ To the appreciation of the large audience, he directed the band in a performance of ‘Is this the Way to Amarillo?’

Follow my beat!

Stefan, aged two and a half, was spotted earlier in the evening by members of the band, conducting in time with the music, complete with his own baton. When volunteers from the audience were invited to join Musical Director John Powell in a performance of ‘Amarillo’ on percussion instruments, Stefan needed little persuasion to come to the fore and take charge. A search for a platform for him to stand on proved fruitless. Undeterred by this, he pressed on, with support from his mum.

John Powell commented afterwards, ‘I was most impressed with my stand-in, as were members of the band and audience. He showed an excellent sense of rhythm for one so young. Who knows? Perhaps we might have seen a future ‘maestro’ in the making!’

At the end of the concert, the band said farewell to cornet player David Baldwin, a member for the past two years. During this time, he proved his versatility, having also played the double bass, acted as deputy conductor to the Musical Director and arranged several pieces for the band.

He is shortly moving to Ross-on Wye and was presented with farewell gifts and best wishes for the future. MD John Powell expressed thanks on behalf of all band members for the support David had given in so many areas. He then invited David to take the baton for the final time to conduct his own arrangement of the ‘Hamiltonian March‘.