XMAS
The Band would like to wish all our supporters a very happy Xmas and a healthy and prosperous New Year and hope that 2012 is good to you all. If you see us out Caroling during our annual Xmas tour, please drop a coin in the box!
Bandroom News 18.12.11
SCOTTISH OPEN CONTEST
The Band enjoyed our annual visit to Perth for the contest. Directed by the excellent Alan Morrison, the Band played a very good performance again being drawn to play last on the day, of Music for Battle Creek by Philip Spark, who just happened to be one of the adjudicators! We were awarded a disappointing 11th place out of 17 Bands despite the good performance although we had the satisfaction of being the highest placed North East band.
Bandroom News 02.12.11
DR MARTIN BEQUEATH CONTEST & STOKESLEY SHOW
The Band gave a very good performance at the Contest again under the direction of Huw. The Band were required to play a March (The President), a Solo (Violin Concerto for Horn played with aplomb by Michael Franey) and a test piece (English Heritage). The contest this year was based at Middlesbrough Town Hall. Playing off a last draw, the Band were awarded a satisfying 7th place from a very strong field. The Band had the privilege of being asked to play at the Stokesley show the following week and had a great time entertaining the thousands of visitors to the event. Next up is the annual visit to Birtley to play for the remembrance parade, service and last post.
Bandroom News 22.09.11
TROON
The Band had a great trip to Troon and played extremely well under the direction of Huw Thomas gaining a confidence boosting 3rd place amongst some very good Bands. The varied and enjoyable programme was recorded by a member of the audience and placed on You Tube for those who want to catch up with the performances or visit our facebook pages to see the links.
Bandroom News 22.08.11
CONDUCTORS
Following John Ward's move to London, the Band engaged Mark Sidwell to take the Band on a number of rehearsals and concerts, along with the Easingwold Contest were we gained a credible 2nd place. We have since appointed Huw Thomas to take us to the concert in Whitby Spa and the entertainment contest in Troon, and have engaged Alan Morrison to take us once again to the Scottish Open in Perth. This fine array of talent gives the Band a lot of motivation to work hard and strive for improved performances and hopefully gain some well earned contest results.
Bandroom News 06.08.11
WEDDING
The Band had great pleasure in playing at the wedding of Andy Pickover and Anna Mitchinson at Kirklevington Church on Saturday 30 July.
The couple were blessed with good weather for the day and the Band played outside for the gathered guests before the reception during which Anna (who learnt to play cornet during her years at Eaglescliffe school) played an impromptu part when sitting in with the Band to play cornet in Dave Collins specially arranged 'Guadete'. Dave presented Anna with a copy of the score which acknowledged the arrangement in celebration of their wedding.
Bandroom News 06.08.11
DURHAM MINERS GALA
Another great day was had by all when the Band made it's annual trip to the Durham Miners Gala on 9th July. The weekend started with a concert in the Fishburn Club on the Friday night conducted by Mark Sidwell, with a well attended and appreciative audience. On Saturday morning it was up at the crack of dawn to march around Fishburn before heading back to the club for 'refreshments' prior to the treck into Durham.
We were once again assisted by our regular visitors from 'down South', led by Cornet player Chris Bowser who brought Bass player Andy and Horn player Dawn with him on this occasion. We are assured that they thoroughly enjoyed the occasion (especially the refreshments!).
Judy and Peter made their annual sponsored walk from Fishburn to Durham on behalf of the band funds, which is subsequently doubled by Barclays Bank, for which we are very grateful.
Bandroom News 11.07.11
FANTASY FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Well, once again, the football season is over for another few months. The main winners this year were Audrey Gill and Jayne Bateman and their team 'St Magners' pipping Martin Armstrong and his team 'Cunning Stunts' to the top spot in the league.
The full results of the season are:
League 2010-11
1 St Magners Audrey Gill and Jayne Bateman
2 The Cunning Stunts MartinArmstrong
3 Norfolk N' Chance Neil Simpson and Ronnie Bannister
4 Agger Two Two Two John and Kieran Gill
5 The Haggis Hunters Jane Baillie
6 Second XI Mal and Helen Usher
7 Deportivo Lack A Talent Michael Franey
League Series Competition
1 St Magners
2 Second XI
3 Norfolk N' Chance
4 The Cunning Stunts
5 Agger Two Two Two
6 The Haggis Hunters
7 Deportivo Lack A Talent
FA Cup
1 St Magners
2 Second XI
Custom Cup
1 St Magners
2 The Cunning Stunts
Bandroom News 31.05.11
PLAYER CHANGES
The Band are delighted to announce the signings of Richie Wallace on Euphonium and Gavin Lee on Percussion, and the re-signing of Judd Downs on Cornet. Richie, Gavin and Judd are all excellent players who will help to strenghten the ranks of the Band.
Bandroom News 25.05.11
DAVE COLLINS - ARRANGER IN RESIDENCE
Fishburn's Cornet Player Dave Collins, has been appointed as arranger in residence for the Band.
Dave, who is studying for his Degree at Durham University, has produced a number of pieces which the Band intend to use in our concert and entertainment contest programmes.
Bandroom News 20.05.11
SPRING FESTIVAL CONTEST
The Band played Peter Graham's 'PRISMS' in the 91st Spring Festival of the British Open Brass Band Championship (Senior Cup) at the Winter Gardens, Blackpool on 14th May and produced a very confident and enjoyable performance. The result received allows us to compete in the Senior Cup in 2012 where we hope to go one better and qualify for the Grand Shield.
The Contest also proved to be Conductor John Ward's final engagement with the Band as he relocated to London. We wish John all the best for his future career in the Capital and hope he keeps in touch with the Band.
Bandroom News 20.05.11
STOCKTON PARISH MUSIC FESTIVAL
The Band were honoured to play a concert at Stockton Parish Church as the finale of the Music Festival which was held to raise funds for the children of Chernobil, on 2nd May. One highlight of the evening was Solo Euphonium player, Stuart Shields singing 'Love Changes Everything' as his solo spot which was well received by the audience and Band alike.
Bandroom News 20.04.11
MASSED BANDS CONCERT ~ SAGE
The Band joined forces with Reg Vardy and Leyland Bands in an excellent massed bands concert at the Sage on 17th April. The guest soloist was Brett Baker, Principal Trombone of the Black Dyke Band who was on top form for the event. The event was conducted by the excellent Ray Farr and was enjoyed by a large appreciative audience.
Bandroom News 20.04.11
AREA CONTEST
The Band gave a very good performance of Phillip Wilby's Paganini Variations under the baton of John Ward who prepared the Band thoroughly but we were given a disappointing 6th place in the Contest. We can take some good experience from the contest which will serve particularly the newer members well for future endeavours. Read our Contest remarks here.
Bandroom News 21.03.11
BANDROOM
The Band made a welcome return to the Bandroom on Sunday 20 February following the unfortunate flooding over the period of bad weather. Refurbishment works were carried out to an excellent standard by Fishburn Cornet player Jayne's husband, Trevor Bateman.
Trevor has his own Building Company and is based in Eaglescliffe. We can not praise Trevor highly enough and would like to thank him very much for acting so promptly and efficiently to help us in our plight and would recommend his services to anyone requiring building works. Trevor is also a bass player with the Easington Band, so we're sure he fully understood the urgent nature of the works to enable us to get back to our base (pardon the pun!)
We would also like to thank everyone at Fishburn Club for once again helping us out in our hour of need by providing rehearsal facilities and storage whilst having to move out of the Bandroom over the recent weeks. It is much appreciated.
So, we're now getting ready for the area contest with John Ward once again at the helm, putting us through our paces on the excellent 'Paganini Variations' The newly refurbished rehearsal facilities help to give us the means to prepare fully for the contest to produce an excellent performance and obtain a good result.
Bandroom News 21.02.11
FANTASY FOOTBALL
The Fantasy League mid season auction took place on 20 February and an excellent evening of tactical bidding was had by all. Each manager obtained a good selection of players, even if some had to pay over the odds for the likes of Terry and Lampard (Boo!!)
To see the restructured teams, please visit our Fantasy League site, click here
Bandroom News 21.01.11
FANTASY FOOTBALL
The Fantasy League is at it's mid season point and the leading lights are Audrey and Jayne with their team St Magners. We are due our mid season auction soon, so we're sure they'll be trying to keep their best players!
To visit our Fantasy League site, click here
Bandroom News 20.01.11
PLAYER CHANGES
The Band have recently signed 2 new players for our already strong Cornet Section: David Collins and Jenny Andrus.
Patrick Garner has also returned to his position on Flugel having spent some time on Cornet, and Anthony Taylor has returned to the Band on Eb Bass. All players and have settled in very quickly and we look forward to reaping the benefits of their playing abilities..
Bandroom News 20.01.11
NEW YEAR
We wish all our supporters a very Happy New Year and a healthy and prosperous 2011. Unfortunately, we experienced a calamity in the Bandroom over the holiday period, when we suffered a flood following the recent bad weather. We are therefore temporarily located in the Fishburn Club for rehearsals and await the repair and refurbishment of the Bandroom.
Hopefully, once we get over this spell, the Bands fortunes will improve this year and culminate in a successful year of 'Banding'
Bandroom News 10.01.11
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This page was last updated: July 28, 2012
