Bandroom News

The band performed at the Gala Charity Concert, Hermitage Leisure Centre, Whitwick, on Saturday 4th June2005.  The concert was in aid of The Rainbows Children's Hospice and included the combined Male Voice Choirs of Coalville, Leicester, Loughborough, Melbourne, Melton and Tamworth, Helen Cawrey (soprano) and Ibstock Brick Brass.  The band performed two sections of the concert and played a wide range of music including Gaelforce by Peter Graham and Procession to the Cathedral.  The band also featured the Cornet solo Cleopatra by Damare, performed by Ian Dickman and the Euphonium solo La Belle Americaine by John Hartman, performed by Daniel Cheadle.  The band was well received by the large capacity crowd.  The band then joined the choir and Helen Cawrey in the proms section of the concert.
Pictures of the concert can be seen by clicking on the following here.

The website is currently having an update and revamp. If you have any suggestions for the website please email me and I will take your ideas on board. . Daniel Cheadle(Webmaster)

The band performed at St Theresa's church in Birstall. The concert was well received and included a trombone trio, and solo spots from Ian Dickman (principal cornet), Elaine Dickman (flugel) with assistance from Barry and Daniel Cheadle (Solo Euphonium).

Grading

With a respectable result of 7th at the Midlands Area contest section, the band has secured its status as a First Section band for 2006.

Players

We welcome back to the band Daniel Cheadle on Solo Euphonium from Derwent Brass and welcomes Dave Lucas on B flat bass also from Derwent Brass. Both look forward to playing for Ibstock.

Concert for our Sponsors

On the 10th of this month, Ibstock Brick held a customer Open Day and the band entertained the guests in the evening by providing music in the marquee.

Following the recent departure of the band's regular conductor, Paul Northey, to Unity Brass, the band was conducted by Colin Jones, who very kindly stepped in at short notice.

Players

We welcome back to the band Dave Monkhouse on Solo Cornet. Dave has recently moved back to the Leicester area after a while working down South.

This month we also say goodbye to our Bass Trombone player, Richard Orme who has been offered a position at Kibworth Band, and we wish him well for the future.

CD Recording

The band recorded it's first ever CD this month at Hugglescote Church, Hugglescote, Leicestershire. For photos taken on the day click HERE. Watch this space for details of the CD's release date and how to buy a copy.

1st place at Leamington

A wonderful result for the Band at the West Midlands Brass Band Association Contest, at Leamington Spa, on the 2nd.

The band won the First Section, playing Kenneth Downie's "Purcell Variations", no mean feat for a band who were only promoted from the Second Second this year.

30th Anniversary re-union

The band held a reunion at the Ibstock Working Mens Club on 25th November for players and conductors past and present to celebrate its 30th anniversary.

Former members were given the opportunity to play a few concert items with the band, with Paul Northey, the current MD, giving up the baton for ex-conductors Trevor Broom and Phil Lewsey.

Photos of the event can be seen in a new page in the photo gallery

Pontins Contest

The band came a creditable 12th out of 22 bands, at Prestatyn, in its third contest since promotion to the First Section.

Players Update

A few changes in personnel to report this month. We say goodbye to Jayne & Ian Wright (Repiano Cornet & Solo Euphonium) who depart for pastures new and hello to new signings Daniel Cheadle (Solo Euphonium) and James Cleveley (2nd Cornet).

Rain Stops Play!

The band's second performance of the afternoon at the Ibstock Country Fair was cut short by a sudden downpour which started shortly after the band played an arrangement of 'Singing in the Rain'!

The band retired to the shelter of a nearby marquee and finished their performance undercover with the 'RAF March past.'

New players

The band welcomes two new players - Kevin & Janet Davison. Kevin fills the 2nd trombone spot, whilst Janet joins the bass section on Eb bass.

Gala Charity Concert - Whitwick leisure Centre

The band played at this very successful Gala Charity Concert organised by the Coalville & District Male Voice Choir. As well as individual performances from the Coalville Choir and the band, there were also short programmes from two further male voice choirs, those of Bestwood and Melbourne. The evening ended 'Proms' style with band and massed choir performing 'Jerusalem' & 'Land of Hope and Glory'. A total of £1,500 was raised for the Link Up charity

Whitwick Contest

There was a disappointing turnout of bands at this year's Whitwick Contest. Only four bands performed in the combined Championship/First section, with three bands in each of the 2nd and 3rd sections.
The band played an own choice test piece, Eric Ball's 'Journey Into Freedom' and came 3rd, only 1 point behind Ratby who came second with their performance of 'Prometheus Unbound'. The winners were Ireland Colliery who played Eric Ball's 'Sinfonietta, The Wayfarer'.

Sell out at St Denys's

The band played to a full house at St Denys' Church, Ibstock on the 19th May. All available seats in the church were filled, with some last minute arrivees having to be turned away as there was simply no more room!
The concert programme was started with a performance of Eric Ball's 'Journey Into Freedom', followed by a selection of light music including the Euphonium solo, 'Grandfather's Clock', played by Ian "Smokey" Wright. The second half of the concert was 'proms' style and included the traditional 'Fantasia on British Sea Songs', 'Jerusalem' and 'pomp and Circumstance'.
The Ibstock Event Committee, organisers of the concert, promised to look into a larger venue for the next concert to allow room for all those who wished to attend.

Grading

With a result of 10th in the Band's first area contest since being promoted to the First section, and two average marks of 9.5 and 10, the Band find themselves a comfortable mid table in 10th position out of 18 bands.