Spring 2024
We started our year with a one-day workshop lead by Michael Fowles who is the resident MD of the No.1 Band in the world (Fodens). Mike worked the Band hard and, as ever, we gained so much from the day.
We then went to Stevenage for the Qualifying Round of the National Brass Band Championships. The Band were promoted this year and acquitted themselves well in this higher section. Being competitive at this level is a real challenge as we face Bands who are able to rehearse more than we can (some Bands rehearsing every night in the lead up to the contest), there are also Bands who recruit the services of a professional Conductor and some who bring players in just for this one performance. These are not steps we would ever take, but feel next year we will be more able to compete at this level.
The Band gave its first concert performance of the year on Sunday 28th April, with our annual “Baking with Brass” concert, helping to raise funds for St. Francis Church.
The Band were in excellent form as they presented a concert of familiar pieces, new music and an emphasis on Solo performances.
Our thanks go to Father Michael and his team at St. Francis for their help in staging this concert, and to the ladies who made the delicious home-made cakes which were enjoyed during the interval.
A packed Church, the largest audience we have ever had for this concert, raised the fantastic sum of £662 for the Church.
We now look forward to our next Concert – Brass on the Grass on Saturday 29th June at St. Nicholas Church, Kelvedon Hatch. Ticket details will be displayed on our website, please be aware only 100 tickets are sold in advance in case of inclement weather (this is the maximum of people the Church can accommodate) but there will be an unlimited number of tickets available on the day.
Plans are now in the final stages for our tour to The Netherlands in August, and just to scare you all we are already starting to arrange our Christmas concerts!!!
In other news, we are very proud of our former trombone player, Nat Dye, who ran the London Marathon to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support. Nat has raised nearly £30,000 and he completed the course in just under 6 hrs, which may not sound great, but he did play his trombone during the whole race!!
Finally, the recent horrific attack in Hainault was only a few hundred yards from where we rehearse. Our condolences go to the family and friends of those involved.
Kevin Jordan
Musical Director
Fairlop Brass