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Band Promises an Evening of Festive Music for all the Family
Nottingham Concert Band promises something for everyone on the evening of Saturday 3 December when it presents a special Christmas
concert in Grange Hall on Vicarage Lane, Radcliffe-on-Trent.
Playing under Conductor & Music Director Robert Parker, the 60-strong band is planning a seasonal mix of show tunes, festive favourites and community carols for the occasion,
which is being staged at the invitation of Radcliffe-on-Trent Parish Council.
A Family Christmas with Nottingham Concert Band starts at 7.30pm. A licensed bar will be provided and tickets (£5) are available in advance from National Dry Cleaners
in Radcliffe or from the parish council office on 0115 933 5808.
Another first for Nottingham Concert Band
Following its first performance of 'A Nottingham Festival', the work commissioned by Nottingham Concert Band to celebrate its 20th anniversary this year, the band has announced
another debut.
As part of Autumn Winds in the church of St Mary the Virgin in Bunny on Saturday (22 October), Music Director Robert Parker will lead Nottingham Concert Band through the
premiere of a new version of Elgar's 'So Many True Princesses Who Have Gone' for wind band.
Otherwise known as 'Queen Alexandra's Memorial Ode', the work has been recreated by Elgar Society member John Morrison some 80 years after the original manuscript went missing,
and Saturday evening will see its first public performance.
In May 1932, Sir Edward Elgar - then aged 75 and Master of the King's Music - was given less than a month to compose a musical setting for the poem So Many True Princesses Who
Have Gone. The verses were written by the Poet Laureate, John Masefield, as a tribute to the late Queen Alexandra and the piece was needed for the unveiling of Sir Alfred Gilbert's
Queen Alexandra Memorial at Marlborough House on 8 June 1932.
Elgar originally set the poem to an orchestral accompaniment. However, the last-minute replacement of the orchestra by a military band led to a hasty re-arrangement for wind band
and choir, with a be-robed Elgar conducting the chorister children of the Chapels Royal, the Choir of Westminster Abbey and the Band of the Welsh Guards in the first performance.
'Both the orchestral and band scores have since been lost,' explains John Morrison. 'My arrangements for wind band and for band with chorus are based on the vocal score in Elgar's
own hand, which lies in the library of St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle.'
In addition to 'Queen Alexandra's Memorial Ode' and 'A Nottingham Festival' - which was composed for the band by Philip Sparke supported by funding from Flint Bishop Solicitors -
the programme for Autumn Winds includes a selection of light classics, lively show-time medleys and spirited examples of contemporary wind band music. Tickets
(£8, or £4 for under 16s) include a glass of wine or soft drink at the interval and can be reserved by contacting Kate Hunt on 0115 984 7090.
Première Steals the Limelight at 20th Anniversary Concert
In a program featuring pieces by such luminaries as Elgar and Coates, Finzi and Grainger, it was a new work by British composer Philip Sparke which stole the limelight at the 20th anniversary concert by Nottingham Concert Band in Ruddington.
The world première of A Nottingham Festival did not disappoint. Conductor & Music Director Robert Parker led the band through a memorable debut performance of the specially-commissioned piece which left the audience cheering and the players beaming with pride.
The evening's programme also featured some of the band's own favourites from the last 20 years, including Frank Ticheli's beautiful arrangement of Shenandoah – voted on to the playlist by the members themselves - and the Dam Busters March by Hucknall's Eric Coates, which was all the more exciting for being taken at the band's habitual brisk pace. A selection of recent additions to the band library included Finzi's Lyric Suite (arr. Moss), Grainger's Green Bushes (arr. Daehn), the bustling New York (Hess) and Goldilocks, a fairy tale with a twist narrated by guest presenter David Machell.
It was an evening of contrasts - from the stately Nimrod to the rocking Queen in Concert, from Street's Goose Fair to Badelt's Pirates of the Caribbean - showing the band's versatility and ability to handle swift changes in both mood and pace. In a surprise move, the delicate Windfall for Woodwinds (Holcombe) was followed by Paul Hart's Sunrise for horn and band, when Robert Parker entrusted his baton to David Machell in order to take the solo spotlight himself.
Robert was on sparkling form, as were the evening's other soloists, who included founder members Sue Cornish and Christine Ranson (clarinets) in Fillmore's Lightning Fingers and Holly Cornish (drums), Barry Garner (trumpet) and Tony Bell (alto sax) in the jazz-style Nearly Fabulous. This was penned by composer Andy Hampton during his time with the band's sax section.
Heartfelt thanks to Nottingham Concert Band members and supporters were expressed from the rostrum, with particular tribute paid to Flint Bishop Solicitors, sponsors of A Nottingham Festival. The work will feature in all the band's formal concerts during the 2011-2012 season.
Formed as Trent Concert Band in 1991, Nottingham Concert Band has grown into one of the largest community wind-bands in the area. Now comprising 60+ regular players, the band rehearses weekly in West Bridgford and has a busy year-round programme of formal concerts and outdoor events across the East Midlands.
Nottingham Concert Band Does it Again!
Community Gathers for Proms in the Park
Despite looming storm clouds, an audience of some 2000 people revelled in the annual 'Rushcliffe Proms' in Bridgford Park, south Nottinghamshire. Staged by Nottingham Concert Band as the finale to Rushcliffe Borough Council's Armed Forces Day, the concert included a fine collection of British-themed light classics and Proms-night favourites, all performed with gusto under the baton of Conductor & Music Director Robert Parker.
The band is now readying itself for its next major event: 'Celebrating Communities' is a special concert being staged by Nottingham Concert Band to mark its 20th anniversary.
Taking place in St Peter's Church in Ruddington on Saturday 16 July, the event will be the platform for the public world première of A Nottingham Festival, a new piece composed for Nottingham Concert Band by Philip Sparke and sponsored by Flint Bishop Solicitors.
Celebrating Communities starts at 7.30pm. Tickets (£8 for adults, to include a glass of wine/juice, or £5 for under 16s) are available from the Church Office (0115 878 0579) or by e-mail to music@nottinghamconcertband.org
Proceeds from the concert will be donated to church funds.
A Playday and a Preview for Players and Guests
As part of its 20th anniversary celebrations, Nottingham Concert Band staged a special ‘Playday’ enabling 60 enthusiastic members and guest players to
work on some challenging additions to the band’s repertoire.
Heading the day’s vibrant programme was a new work by British composer Philip Sparke. ‘A Nottingham Festival’ has been commissioned by Nottingham Concert Band to mark
its anniversary, thanks to funding from Flint Bishop Solicitors.
Held in Wollaton’s Kingswood Methodist Church, the Playday was steered by Nottingham Concert Band’s Music Director and professional horn player Robert Parker,
supported by a team of instrumental specialists. Annette Negus worked with the flutes and oboes, Chris McDouall with the clarinets and bassoons, Colin Smith with the brass
section and Ashley Parnell with the percussionists, whilst Robert himself ran sectionals for the horn and saxophone players.
The day closed with a celebratory tea party and an informal performance for band friends, families and the local community. The audience were treated to some exclusive ‘bites’
from ‘A Nottingham Festival’, supported by extracts from Finzi’s ‘Lyric Suite’, ‘New York’ by Nigel Hess, the Wasson arrangement of Badelt’s themes from ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’
, and ‘Goldilocks’ - a fairy tale with a twist featuring guest narrator David Machell.
Nottingham Concert Band rehearses weekly in West Bridgford and performs across the East Midlands. The highlight of the 2011 season will be the band’s Anniversary Concert in
St Peter’s Church in Ruddington on 16 July, when the programme will be headed by the official world premiere of ‘A Nottingham Festival’. Other summer events include the annual
Proms in the Park for Rushcliffe Borough Council (25 June), Proms-style concerts in Harby (9 July) and Beeston (13 August), and bandstand appearances in Melton Mowbray (5 June),
Loughborough (24 July), Newark (7 August) and Nottingham’s Arboretum (4 September).
To enquire about tickets for the 16 July concert, call Jeff Fry on 0115 923 5652, e-mail music@nottinghamconcertband.org
Pictures of the day are on the Gallery page.
Packed Church for Band's 'Spring Fever'
St Mary’s Church in East Leake was full to capacity on 2 April for ‘Spring Fever’ by Nottingham Concert Band.
Under Conductor Robert Parker, the 60-strong band made light work of a challenging programme. The evening opened in stirring style with A Huntingdon Celebration by Philip Sparke,
the British composer who is currently working on a special piece to mark Nottingham Concert Band’s own 20th anniversary this year.
This was followed by the band’s first performance of Peter Warlock’s Capriol Suite, an intriguing six-movement work composed in 1926 and based on Renaissance-style dances
from Arbeau’s Orchésographie.
After contrasting pieces from the band’s clarinet choir and the saxophone duet of Sylvia Berry and Tony Bell, Robert Parker raised his baton again for James Curnow’s rousing
The Spirit Soars, and the first half closed with music from Pineapple Poll, a comic ballet by Charles Mackerras based on extracts from familiar Gilbert & Sullivan operettas,
which the band tackled at breathtaking speed.
Holst’s March on Three Folk Tunes opened the second half, followed by Children’s March, featuring Percy Grainger’s cleverly inter-woven echoes of the nursery rhyme Over the Hills
and Far Away.
After a polished performance of Bernstein’s Overture to Candide, the audience was then treated to three numbers from the NCB flute choir before the band returned to full
strength for Elgar’s Pomp and Circumstance March No 4. This received a roar of applause, as did Lerner & Loewe in Concert, a medley arranged by Warren Barker from shows like
My Fair Lady and Gigi. In a surprise encore, Robert Parker led the band through an exquisite rendition of Leroy Anderson’s Forgotten Dreams to draw the evening to a peaceful close.
Band Invites Musicians to Come and Play on 7 May
Nottingham Concert Band is planning a special ‘Playday’ as part of its 20th anniversary celebrations and is inviting local brass players to get in touch if they are interested in joining the band for the day.
Enabling the band’s 60+ members and guest players to work together on some challenging new pieces, the Playday will be held on Saturday 7 May in Kingswood Methodist Church on Lambourne Drive in Wollaton. Start time will be 9.30am and the day will finish by 5.30pm, closing with afternoon tea and an informal performance for friends, families and the local community.
The Playday will be steered by NCB Music Director Robert Parker, supported by a team of specialist woodwind, brass and percussion tutors. This will enable sectional rehearsals to take place during the day, in addition to run-throughs by the entire band. High on the playlist is a new work by British composer Philip Sparke which the band has commissioned to mark its 20th anniversary.
‘I’m pleased to say we expect an excellent turnout of woodwind players,’ says Robert Parker. ‘However, we would like to boost the brass section to ensure a balanced band on the day, so enquiries from experienced musicians aged 18 or over are particularly welcome.’
For more details, e-mail music@nottinghamconcertband.org or call the Nottingham Concert Band Playday team on 0115 923 5652 or 07518 771526.
Band does it on-line
Nottingham Concert Band Establishes E-Friends Group
Fans of West Bridgford-based Nottingham Concert Band are invited to join the new ‘NCB e-friends’ group to receive news on the band’s forthcoming performances.
‘The band has a busy concert schedule throughout the year and we’re often asked for details of our coming events,’ explains Jeffrey Fry, NCB Chairman. ‘E-mail is an easy and speedy way to ensure that our supporters are kept up to date.’
Under Conductor & Music Director Robert Parker and Associate Conductor Ashley Parnell, Nottingham Concert Band is currently celebrating its 20th anniversary year.
Upcoming events include ‘Spring Fever’ in St Mary’s Church in East Leake, on 2 April, a Playday for band members and guests in Wollaton on 7 May and an anniversary concert in St Peter’s Church, Ruddington, on 16 July. The schedule also includes appearances on bandstands and at community events across the area.
Supporters keen to join the ’NCB e-friends’ group are invited to e-mail music@nottinghamconcertband.org
Spring fever coming to East Leake
Nottingham Concert Band promises to generate some ‘Spring Fever’ when it performs in St Mary’s Church in East Leake on Saturday 2 April.
Under Conductor & Music Director Robert Parker, the 60-strong band is planning a diverse programme for the occasion, including a selection of light classics,
lively show-time medleys and arrangements of familiar favourites, as well as some entertaining examples of contemporary wind-band music.
‘Spring Fever’ by Nottingham Concert Band is in aid of church funds and starts at 7.30pm. Tickets (£7, to include a glass of wine; under-16 £3.50) are available in
advance by calling 01509 856202 (Rosemary) or 01509 853126 (Judith), or by e-mail to stmarys@eastleake.net
Nottingham Concert Band 20th anniversary year
Nottingham Concert Band starts its 20th anniversary year with a full diary of concert bookings and community events, together with news of a specially commissioned composition.
Under the baton of Conductor & Music Director Robert Parker, the band has a year-long programme of performance commitments planned. Events already confirmed for 2011 include
‘Spring Fever’ in East Leake on 2 April, a Playday for band members and invited guests in Wollaton on 7 May and a ‘Celebrating Communities’ anniversary concert in St Peter’s
Church, Ruddington, on 16 July. The band will also keep up a busy schedule of appearances on bandstands and at community events around the East Midlands.
Nottingham Concert Band meets weekly in West Bridgford, and high on the summer’s rehearsal agenda will be a new work by British composer Philip Sparke which the band has
commissioned to mark its 20th anniversary.
To enquire about Nottingham Concert Band events, membership or the ‘Friends of NCB’ group, telephone Jeff Fry on 0115 923 5652 or e-mail music@nottinghamconcertband.org
