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7/7/11 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.

22/5/11 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.

10/4/11 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.

16/3/11 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.

16/3/11 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

21/2/11 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

24/1/11 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

29/09/10'Band starts new season'

After a busy summer, Nottingham Concert Band starts rehearsals for its Autumn/Winter season. Preparations are already underway for concerts in Bunny on 23 October and Radcliffe-on-Trent on 19 December.

‘Anyone interested in joining us for the season ahead is welcome to get in touch,’ says band chairman Jeff Fry, who can be reached via newmembers@nottinghamconcertband.org or by calling 0115 923 5652. ‘We’re particularly keen to hear from experienced brass players in order to balance our strong woodwind section.’

Some 65 musicians covering woodwind, brass and percussion rehearse on Tuesday evenings at Jesse Gray School in West Bridgford under Conductor & Music Director Robert Parker. The band performs formal and informal engagements all over the area throughout the year, drawing on a repertoire which embraces a mix of light classics, swing-band numbers and challenging contemporary works together with seasonal favourites and medleys from stage and screen musicals. The band’s biggest event this summer was the annual Proms in the Park, an open air concert staged in Bridgford Park at the invitation of Rushcliffe Borough Council in July, which attracted an audience of about 2000.

26/07/10'Community Flocks to Hear the Band in the Park'

A well-prepared crowd brought both sunshades and umbrellas to Bridgford Park in West Bridgford in order to make the most of ‘Proms in the Park’, a free, open air concert staged by Nottingham Concert Band at the invitation of Rushcliffe Borough Council. Special guests for the evening were the Radcliffe-based Bridge Singers, led by Lynne Holland.

Despite looming thunder clouds and the occasional splash of rain, an audience of some 2000 people revelled in a programme of British-themed light classics and Proms-night favourites. All were performed with polish and enthusiasm by the 50-strong band under the baton of Conductor & Music Director Robert Parker, who steered the proceedings from an impressive new podium, bought by the band thanks to a grant from the East Midlands Airport Community Fund.

A stirring march marked the opening of the programme in the form of Kenneth Alford’s Standard of St George. A delightfully eclectic mix followed, including Little Suite No 1 by Malcolm Arnold, Albert Ketèlbey’s exotic parlour piece In A Persian Market, the elegant La Calinda by Delius and Elgar’s stately Nimrod. A medley from musical favourite Mary Poppins brought a loud cheer from an appreciative audience, and the first half closed in true Proms-style spirit as Robert Parker encouraged the audience to join in with Strauss’ Radetzky March, transcribed for concert band by Tohru Takahashi.

The British theme continued into the second half with two pieces by Hucknall composer Eric Coates – the Dam Busters march and the cheery London Suite – together with Neville’s selection of Sea Shanties, where the audience and band competed for speed during the last few bars. Lynne Holland and the Bridge Singers joined Nottingham Concert Band for the final set, and the crowd rose to its feet to sing along with Jerusalem, Rule Britannia and the evergreen Land of Hope & Glory.

Organised by the Community Arts & Events team at Rushcliffe Borough Council, the Rushcliffe ‘Proms in the Park’ has become a regular fixture in the community calendar. The band was welcomed this year by the Mayor of Rushcliffe, Councillor Marie Males, and supported by vocalist Sarah Simmonds and the Bohemia Ukulele Band.

19/07/10 'Podium Makes Debut at Band’s Impressive Summer Concert'

Nottingham Concert Band Conductor & Music Director Robert Parker was able to lead the band from an impressive new podium on Saturday when the band staged ‘Music for a Summer Evening’ in St Mary’s Church, Lowdham.
‘Thanks to a grant from the East Midlands Airport Community Fund, we were able to buy the podium in time for this concert and it proved particularly useful given the long and narrow stage area which we had to fill,’ explained Robert Parker. ‘The extra height allowed me to see – and be seen by – the brass and percussion sections, whilst the back rail meant I could turn and talk to the audience without fear of toppling into the front row!’

The band delivered an exciting and diverse programme for the concert, opening in rousing style with Sousa’s Washington Post march and then adopting a more exotic mood for Albert Ketèlbey’s parlour piece In A Persian Market.This was followed by two delightfully reflective works - La Calinda by Delius, and John Cacavas’ Corsage for Winds, which was a showcase for the band’s fine woodwind section. The band then launched into its first full performance of SPQR, an ambitious and imposing three-movement suite by Guy Woolfenden which evokes the threat of invasion by Roman legions and their gradual incursion across Britain.

Another stirring march marked the opening of the second half in the form of Kenneth Alford’s Standard of St George, followed by Little Suite No 1 by Malcolm Arnold and Eric Coates’ London Suite, and the concert programme was brought to a close by Highlights from Oliver!, a lively selection of favourites from the stage and screen musical by Lionel Bart, arranged by Ted Ricketts. After expressing the band’s thanks for the support shown by the enthusiastic audience, Robert raised his baton for a final romp through swing-band favourite That’s a Plenty, which rounded the evening off beautifully before the podium was rolled away.

Special guest for the evening was vocalist Sarah Kay, accompanied by Angela Kay, who delighted the audience with her selection of light classics and show tunes. All proceeds from the evening have been divided between St Mary’s Church funds and the Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance.

07/07/10 'Band given a hand for stands'

Nottingham Concert Band is looking forward to a smarter future after receiving a grant from Nottinghamshire Community Foundation.
Formed originally in 1991 and now a registered charity, Nottingham Concert Band is the largest adult wind band in the area and performs throughout the year for community events and charitable causes across the East Midlands. The £3,146 which the band has received from the Foundation will enable each of its 65 members to be equipped with a specially-made stand banner to improve presentation, thereby contributing to the creation of a strong visual impact to support the musical experience. The money came from the Nottingham & Nottinghamshire Grassroots Grants Programme, which receives its income from local benefactors, business and government agencies.
Go to our grants and sponsorship page for more information

07/07/10 'Music for a Summer Evening' coming to Lowdham

Nottingham Concert Band promises some special 'Music for a Summer Evening' when it performs in St Mary's Church in Lowdham on Saturday 17 July. Leading the band will be Conductor & Music Director Robert Parker and the guest for the evening will be vocalist Sarah Kay. All proceeds from the event will be divided between church funds and the Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance.
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 challenging new pieces from the contemporary wind-band repertoire.
'Music for a Summer Evening' by Nottingham Concert Band starts at 7.30pm and tickets (£7/£5) are available in advance from The Bookcase in Lowdham on telephone 0115 966 4143 or by e-mail via janestreeter@thebookcase.co.uk.

24/04/10 Band and Choir on Top Form for St George

Nottingham Concert Band and the Nottingham Bluecoat Singers were on top form when they staged the 2010 St George's Day Concert at the invitation of the Royal Society of St George in the city's own Albert Hall. Compère for the evening was BBC Radio Nottingham commentator Colin Slater MBE.

Under Conductor & Music Director Robert Parker, the 60-strong band had compiled an exciting English-themed programme for the evening, blending traditional patriotic favourites with a selection of light classics and popular music from the last 100 years.
After Kenneth Alford's Standard of St George heralded the entry of flags and banners, the band filled the Albert Hall with the soaring harmonies of Westminster Meditation by Hucknall-born Eric Coates, followed by a glorious rendition of Walton's challenging Crown Imperial march. Johann de Meij's arrangement of James Bond themes took the audience by surprise, though the mood changed quickly again with Albert Ketèlbey's light-hearted In A Persian Market. The band was joined in this by the Nottingham Bluecoat Singers before they stepped into the spotlight with their own delightfully eclectic selection, which included pieces by John Rutter, Edward German, G&S and Gordon Sumner – aka Sting.

The second half opened with more from Eric Coates: a full and enthusiastic percussion section means that Nottingham Concert Band's interpretation of The Dam Busters March is always a crowd-pleaser, and it was made all the more exciting for St George's Day this year by the overlay of rarely-heard words sung by the choir. A medley of Sea Shanties, Nimrod from Elgar's Enigma Variations and Allan Street's local favourite Goose Fair then set the scene for a stirring finale, with an exciting evening brought to a close in flag-waving fashion by Rule Britannia, Jerusalem and Elgar's Land of Hope & Glory.

20/03/10 Band and Choir Stage Successful Fund-Raiser in Hucknall

In one of the largest musical events in Hucknall this year, over 50 musicians from Nottingham Concert Band and 25 singers from local chamber choir In Accord performed in St Mary Magdalene Parish Church on Saturday (20 March) to raise funds for Victim Support in the county.

A full and appreciative audience heard Nottingham Concert Band deliver an accomplished British-themed programme under Conductor & Music Director Robert Parker. The evening opened with Kenneth Alford’s spirited Standard of St George, followed by Frederic Curzon’s Robin Hood Suite, the dramatic Fosse Way from SPQR by Guy Wolfenden and an emotion-packed transcription of Morten Lauridsen’s choral masterpiece O Magnum Mysterium. The first half closed with Highlights from Oliver!, a lively selection of favourites from the stage and screen musical by Lionel Bart, arranged by Ted Ricketts.

The British theme continued into the second half with William Walton’s classic Crown Imperial, London Suite by local composer Eric Coates and Albert Ketelbey’s light-hearted yet evocative In a Persian Market. This contrasted with a moving rendition of folk song Shenandoah in the 1999 arrangement by Frank Ticheli, and the concert finished with an explosive finale in the form of Johan de Mey’s James Bond 007. With the audience still cheering, Robert Parker steered the players – and audience - through Strauss’ Radetzky March by way of an encore

The band’s programme was interspersed with two sets by In Accord. Led by Jon Wakefield, the choir performed a delightful variety of numbers, including several lively gospel songs
Based in West Bridgford, Nottingham Concert Band is the largest community wind band for adults in the area and performs at charitable and community events all year round. A busy summer season is planned, and the band has also been invited by the Royal Society of St George to head the St George’s Day Concert in Nottingham’s Albert Hall on the evening of Friday 23 April.

14/12/09 Band Members Mingle in Manchester

Members of the West Bridgford-based Nottingham Concert Band mingled with symphonic wind ensembles from around the country to stage the world premiere of Cedar, a new two-movement piece by Mark Francis.
Performed by some 120 musicians, the premiere was the opening event in the first Wind Band Festival run at the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) in Manchester by BASBWE (the British Association of Symphonic Bands & Wind Ensembles).

Later in the day, Nottingham Concert Band, under Conductor & Music Director Robert Parker, was invited to present a programme of five pieces from its own repertoire, which was followed by a workshop with the RNCM’s Director of Contemporary Music and Head of Conducting Clark Rundell.

Afterwards, Robert Parker expressed the band’s thanks to Nottinghamshire County Councillors Barrie Cooper and Gordon Wheeler, who had approved funding to enable the band to travel to the event. ‘As a self-financing organisation, we rely on support like this to extend the range of playing opportunities we offer to our members,’ Robert Parker explained. ‘We were proud and delighted to represent the county at this prestigious event.’