News
04/08/2010 Cowes Concert Band make the Nationals - Newspapers that is....
Not often that we make it into a National Newspaper - least of all into the Sports Section... but please take a look at this piece in the Daily Telegraph
13/07/2010 You learn something new...
From CCB MD Andy Norman:-
You learn something new everyday... At last night's concert at Holy Trinity Church, Ryde, I was told that Cavatina was originally from a film called the Walking Stick and only used later in the Deer Hunter. I would like to thank the lady who shared this gem of information and no doubt I will use it in my "patter".
06/07/2010 Band boosted by new recruit
The band welcomes Jane Pelham who joins on back row cornet. Jane played in several 4th section bands on the mainland before taking a break from playing. But she is spending more and more time on the Island and has taken the opportunity to resume her playing career locally. Musical director Andy Norman said: "Jane made her debut with us at Rysltone Gardens on 5 July and we hope she enjoys her time with the band." Jane is the second cornet player to join in recent months, following Robin Sivaplan who moved to the Island from London.
21/06/10 Summer Season
Summer is finally here.
Having had one Rylstone rained off and another which took place on a rather chilly June evening, the Band has had its first good night on the bandstand.
Solos from Maria (Posthorn) and Ivan (Baritone) and section features for Cornets and Trombones were the highlights of the programme.
Thank you to everyone who turned out to support us.
03/05/10 Spring Concerts
The Band's series of Spring Concerts which started in April at St. Mary's, Cowes then went to Ryde and Wootton Methodist Churches in May kicked off the new concert year.
The Band replaces its concert repertoire every year with about 35 new titles (new to the band at least).
Highlights of the Spring Concerts were new Overture arrangements of "Stradella" and "The White Queen", a cornet feature "Mexican Wave" and a trombone trio "Swanee River".
New drummer, Denis Bradbury let his hair down (?) in "Born Free" and euphonium soloist Chris Teague played stunningly in Reginald Heath's "Springtime".
28/04/10 Band Hits Headlines In India
Cowes Concert Band has been making the news in India.
The band hit the headlines in four newspapers in Goa when musical director Andy Norman was asked to hold several brass band workshops while holidaying there.
So successful were the workshops, attracting up to 70 youngsters, they soon caught the attention of local media.
The articles referred to Andy’s role with Cowes Concert Band and included photos of the players in their new uniforms.
Andy said: “I have been to Goa for the past few years and have made a few contacts in the music world out there. This year they asked me to get involved in musical workshops for youngsters which turned out to be very successful.
“The youngsters were keen to hear about the brass band world in the UK and were keen to learn bout Cowes Concert Band.”
He added: “I was amazed at the publicity that was generated – there can’t be many UK brass bands that make headlines in India.”
20/04/10 Band welcomes new cornet player
The band welcomes a new cornet players to its ranks - Londoner Robin Sivaplan. Robin moved to the Island last year has taken the opportunity to resume his playing career.
He spent most of his youth playing with Brent Brass and also helped out on the contest stage with Regent Brass. Musical Director Andy Norman said: "We are delighted that someone with Robin's experience has joined the band and hope he enjoys a lengthy stay with us."
16/04/10 Concert season hots up
As the summer season draws ever nearer the band is preparing for two concerts in quick succession.
For the first time in many years the band can be seen at Garfield Road Methodist Church, Ryde, which is renowned for its superb acoustics. The concert, on 26 April, starts at 8pm.
And just a week later on 3 May the band returns to Wootton Methodist Church, Station Road, where it always receives a warm welcome. The concert starts at 7.45pm.
Admission to both events is free, with retirning collections in aid of church and band funds.
15/03/10 All set for first concert of 2010
The band is gearing up for its first concert of 2010 at St Mary's Church, Cowes on 22 March.
The varied programme will include some brand new arrangements and some old classics. Admission is free, with a retiring collection in aid of church and band funds.
22/12/09 Band's Christmas programme ends on high note
Cowes Concert Band's Christmas concert season has ended on a high, playing to a packed St Faith's Church, Cowes, on December 21. The event was supported by Cowes Rotary, raising funds for their nominated charities.
Musical Director Andy Norman said: "The concert was a wonderful way to end what has been a successful season of four concerts across the Island. With so many in the audience, the atmosphere was terrific and the band rose to the occasion with some excellent playing."
10/11/09 Band welcomes talented young duo
Two talented teenagers are the latest additions to the band. Sixteen-year-olds David Medland and Harrison Marsh join on cornet and Eb bass respectively.
David, who also plays for Vectis Brass, has progressed through the youth bands within the IW Music Centre and has recently played with the IW Symphony Orchestra.
Harrison is a member of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain, having been principal Eb bass for the National Children's Brass Band of GB for the past two years. He also spent several years with the IW Music Centre.
Cowes Concert Band Musical Director Andy Norman said he was delighted the young duo had chosen to join. "David and Harrison are both very talented individuals and I hope they enjoy their time with the band. They have joined just in time for our busy programme of Christmas concerts across the Island. Together with our other younger players, Dan and Rob, they have almost brought the band's average age down into double figures..."
Pictures of the two will appear on the site soon.
05/10/09 New concert venue
The Band had to get out their Sat Navs as they travelled to Whitwell for a concert at the church of St. Mary and St. Rhadegund. This proved to be a delightful new venue and we hope to back again next year.
The concert featured solos by Sue Hancock (Cornet), Keith Carden (Horn), Ivan Jackman (Baritone) and Chris Teague (Euphonium).
01/10/09 More instruments for Mbale
In a joint effort about 20 cornets, horns, trombones, euphoniums and basses donated by The IW Youth Concert Band (IWYCB), Vectis Brass (VB), Cowes Concert Band (CCB) and jazz musician Jack Tait were handed over to Philip Monk of ugive2uganda, a small charity which delivers a variety of aid and support in the Mbale area in the east of Uganda.
Philip, who has lived in Uganda for two years, has created the country’s first sitting-down, reading-music brass band and has a long waiting list of youngsters keen to learn to play.
He said: “We’re only restricted by a shortage of instruments and the lack of a building in which to rehearse.”
Over the last two years, Philip has been supported by Andy Norman, musical director of CCB, who has supplied brass band music which he has composed and arranged himself, as well as several surplus instruments for the project.
“Old instruments which are not usually worth repairing or which are battered can be put to good use and they are checked over before shipping, with repairs being done free of charge by another of Philip’s contacts,” said Andy.
“It is hoped that the Mbale District Schools Band will visit Britain in 2010 or 2011 to take part in the Whit Marches.”
Mary Teague, musical director of VB, said she had been moved by the achievements of Philip and the young Ugandan musicians.
“I know all three Island bands are very keen to assist our fellow budding Ugandan musicians,” she said.
Ben Bartram, IWYCB band manager, added: "We are delighted to be able to help these youngsters. We fully understand the benefit that comes from introducing chidren to music and musical performance.”
21/09/09 Concert for Chernobyl Children Lifeline
Just a week after moving to Cowes the Band was back at its old home in East Cowes to play a concert for the Chernobyl Children Lifeline. The concert and raffle raised much needed funds for the charity and the collection was shared with the Band.
The concert featured solos by Steve Millichamp (Cornet), Ivan Jackman (Baritone) and Chris Teague (Euphonium).
07/09/09 New rehearsal venue
On 14th September the Band moved into new rehearsal premises at St. Mary's Parish Hall at Cowes. Rehearsals remain at the same time, 8pm on Mondays.
06/09/09 Cowes Parade
The band will be back at Cowes Parade on Sunday 6th September at 3pm for another Concert sponsored by Cowes Town Council.
27/07/09 Cowes Week concert
Next up for the band is a special concert during Cowes Week - the world famous sailing regatta. The performance, at St Mary's Church, Cowes, on Monday 3 August, starts at 8pm. Admission is free, with a retiring collection in aid of church and band funds. It is the first concert there by the band since it performed to a capacity audience to 'launch' its new uniforms in March.
03/06/09 More support for Mbale Youth Band
A further selection of old Cowes Concert Band instruments and a cheque from the sale of old band jackets were handed over to Philip Monk for his project in Uganda.
Philip says " There is more to life than just existing. Millions of children sit dull-eyed outside their houses staring at nothing all evening and during the protracted school holidays. They have no toys, TV, books, or mental stimulation of any kind. Even their food is the same every day. But, like most children, they are naturally inquisitive and want to learn! Nothing I do in Uganda gives me greater satisfaction to see some of my best instrumentalists playing a solo piece with a sense of pride in what they have achieved in such a short space of time. Many of them (especially the girls) were shy and completely lacking in self-confidence before they began to learn to play music and the transformation in the personality of these children is remarkable."
Hear the band playing Andy Norman's Another Day.
31/05/09 Cowes Parade Concert a success
Our thanks to Cowes Town Council for sponsoring the band at Cowes Parade. It was a baking hot afternoon without much shade - even Keith seems to have gone off for an ice cream in this pic - but it was well received and we look forward to returning on Sept. 6th.
20/05/09 Band welcomes new recruit
The band's tenor horn section has been strengthened with the arrival of Sarah Wilson.
Sarah has been a cornet player since a young age but this is her first venture on horn. She said: "I have been made to feel very welcome and am looking forward to the band's busy summer season ahead."
17/05/09 Contest success for Vectis Youth Brass
Our friends at Vectis Youth Brass - featuring our talented duo Rob Nicholson and Dan Calcutt and directed, of course, by CCB Principal Cornet Mary Teague - attended the Southern Counties Brass Band Association's Entertainment contest and came 5th over all. They were the only children's band entered and were judged against 8 other adult bands. They obviously won the Best Youth Band but also won Best Unplaced 3rd Section Band. They achieved this be beating three 3rd section adult bands and a 2nd section adult band.
04/05/09 Concert at Wootton
The Bank Holiday Concert at Wootton Methodist Church was the usual full house and the band played very well with many of the pieces receiving their first public performances. A collection raised over £265 which was split between the church re-building fund (possibly to replace the roof that the band "blew off") and the band .
27/04/09 Band website launched
Cowes Concert Band has entered the world of cyberspace and launched its long-awaitied website.
Musical Director Andy Norman said: "I am delighted that the band now has its own dedicated website where our members and supporters can keep up to date with our activities.
"The website is yet another milestone in our recent resurgence. We have come a long way in the last few years with brand new uniforms and stand banners, and we are almost up to full strength on the playing front."
23/04/09 Cowes Town Council to sponsor Concerts on the Bandstand, Cowes Parade
Cowes Concert Band will be playing on Sunday May 31st and Sunday September 6th at 3pm (weather permitting).
20/03/09 Old instruments donated to new Youth Brass Band in Uganda
Cowes Concert Band has donated some old instruments to the Mbale Youth Band in Uganda. The instruments would have been uneconomic to repair for use here but they are already providing a starting point for youngsters in Mbale. Hear the band on YouTube.
14/3/09 Cowes Concert Band hold a Concert to show off their new uniforms at St. Mary's Church, Cowes
A new piece, "Celebration", written by Musical Director Andy Norman, is to be premiered at the Concert. Proceeds from the evening will benefit The Earl Mountbatten Hospice and the IW Kidney Patients' Association. Read IWCP review of the Concert.