Christmas Concert.Saturday 4th December.
The weather was kind to us this year,remember last year when we had to cancel ? The Christmas Concert is very much a home fixture and as such the band needed to be at their best. Before the off the MD admitted to being nervous - home supporters and all that - but there were enough guests to swell the ranks and put on a good show. Mission Impossible kicked us off - the MD counting us in with an interesting variety of time signatures but the quality of the piece set the tone for the concert. One - nil to the band, so far - so good.
The concert proceeded smoothly and was warmly received - but Colonel Bogey threatened to disrupt things,until the MD - in a brilliant exhibition of intuition - cut it. Two - nil to the band. With " Those Magnificent Men...' percussion was in his element, leading him to his tour de force - Ravel's Bolero which he accompanied with metronomic precision.
Half time and a well earned cup of tea. The MD professed satisfaction with the performance so far and relaxed enough to switch off her mobile 'phone - crikey !! The second half saw the band in full swing - playing unrehearsed carols to an unrehearsed audience - Lion King was cut, three - nil to the band and then - the big one ! Silent Night - arranged in 6 flats and 4 sharps. The MD concealed her nerves but the kitchen was standing by with the magic sponge and mince pies. The result - magnificent , four - nil and from there the band romped in to a well earned home success.
Many thanks to the numerous guests who turned out to swell the sound and with that we wish you a Merry Christmas.2nd Bari.
See and hear the band at a variety of locations over the festive season. Like brass ? Love Warbleton Brass Band !
Burwash Village Hall, Concert for Remembrance.
Saturday 12th November.
Nice to be performing in a traditional village hall with a proscenium arch stage,lighting and a green room. The audience may be forgiven for thinking that the band were suffering from jaundice - one of the flood lights was bright yellow - and traversing the front of the stage was not for the faint hearted. Notwithstanding this,the band were shoehorned into position and off they went with a mixed and varied first half which was very well received by a large and appreciative audience.The percussion for Bolero was metronomic ! The second half reflected the serious nature of the concert - that of Remembrance for the Fallen. There was a palpable hush as the last notes of Nimrod faded and with the band's recent loss,the rendition of Evening Hymn and Sunset was particularly poignant.Our thanks go to guests who swelled the sound and to the flugly and her husband for arranging the concert which was warmly applauded. Devotees can see and hear the band on Saturday December 4 at Dunn Village Hall,starting at 3pm. Like Brass? Love Warbleton Brass Band ! Second Bari.
Harvest Festival Celebration St. Philips Church, Burwash Common.
Sunday 2nd October.
In the writer's opinion there is nothing more challenging and satisfying than small ensemble playing,especially in a traditional setting of a rural harvest festival. Judging from the comments received from the congregation they were well pleased with the contribution from the band and the acoustic of the church enriched the sound of the brass. Tea and cake afterwards was very welcome and on a personal note,it was good to be back among friends. See and hear the band at Burwash village hall on Saturday November 12 starting at 3pm.
Like brass? Love Warbleton Brass Band !
2nd Bari.
Cowbeech - Dig For Victory
Sunday 7th August 2011
Sunday afternoons saw us once again, playing at the Merry Harriers, Cowbeech. Our illustrious MD made up the numbers in the bass section while our principle cornet (her husband) lead from the front on what proved to be a most enjoyable afternoon. The band played a good selection of wartime favourites along with some more up to date numbers and the odd stone age hit. The event was packed with visitors and the weather managed to remain dry. A chocolate creation, provided by myself, was gratefully devoured in the interval!! Thanks must go to our visiting players who came along and contributed admirably to the afternoons performance. Next stop, Chiddingly!
Flugley (in the absence, again, of 2nd Bari)
Hampers & Champers on the Green
Sunday 31st July 2011
When a picture says it all.......
The band performed at its second annual Hampers and Champers Proms on the Green on Sunday following the Flower Show. It couldn’t have been a better evening as the sun shone the entire time. Promenaders gradually wandered onto the Green with picnic baskets, chairs, blankets etc until there were about 130 in all. We were joined by Mezzo Soprano Sidonie Winter and the evening opened with a cracking rendition from ‘Phantom of The Opera’ and there followed a variety of tunes both rousing and solemn. Sidonie sang two solos – The Last Rose of Summer and Bless This House and joined in with all the old favourites including Fantasy of British Sea Songs, Rule Britannia and of course the obligatory and much loved ‘Pomp and Circumstance’ better known as ‘Land of Hope and Glory’. Our immaculately arranged fly past took place as planned with the 8.30pm Cathay Pacific Flight from Hong Kong to Heathrow leaving the vapour trail (planned to the second you understand) across a perfectly blue sky. Sadly, the conditions were obviously not perfect for a loop the loop!! As the sun started to sink towards the horizon and the popping of corks diminished, the band played ‘Evening Hymn and Sunset’ as an encore. It was a fantastic evening, enjoyed by so many and a good deal was raised for the band in generous donations. This will help significantly towards the maintenance of instruments, new jackets for our valued new arrivals and towards our many opverheads. A big thank you to all who attended and to some of our good friends who came along to play with us – it was much appreciated. So, next year, bigger and better! Put it in your diary. The Sunday after the Flower Show which is always the last Saturday in July. Thank you to everyone who made the evening so special.
Love Brass? love proms? Love Warbleton Brass Band!
Love from Flugey. (In the absence of 2nd Bari)
Warbleton & District Flower Show
Saturday 30th July 2011
A very small gazebo welcomed us onto the Green! Another was on it’s way but there was a fight to get into the shade for a while there!! Fortunately, nobody was hurt and it was all very friendly.
The weather was fabulous and and everyone was very appreciative of the performance.
Two short-ish sets were played with some of the old favourites and one or two later additions to our repertoire. The blue caps were out in force (some entire and some topless).
The traditional tea was served up to the band after the show and a fine spread was enjoyed by all and for which we thank Jean and her helpers. We would also like to take this opportunity to wish our MD and her husband, principle cornet extraordinaire, a very happy Wedding Anniversary for 1st August.
Flugley.