Sunday 17th December 2023 Christmas Candlelight Concert
We were invited to play for the Elim Church at their new venue in Fairfield. Rather than a traditional carol service, the event was described as a 'Christmas Candlelight Concert'. There was a good turnout of band members and some folk from other churches joined the congregation.
Of course there was lots of carol singing, but we also played some other items from our Christmas repertoire. Some of the church members contributed musical items as well as an ‘impromptu nativity’ – don’t ask! Happily the tradition of mulled wine and mince pies also featured during the interval and, as they say, a good time was had by all.
Friday 24th November and Friday 1st December Late Night Shopping Broadway
Lights, Camera, MUSIC! It was an exciting week for members of the Concert Band. We were invited to play our usual slot at the two Broadway Late Night Shopping Events but this year we were approached the week before by a film crew doing a one off special for channel 5 'Christmas in the Cotswolds'.
We were filmed during our rehearsal at the Lifford Hall by the lovely and very professional Helen and Gareth and again on the night of the 24th November. With temperatures in Broadway one degree above zero it was difficult to keep the instruments in tune, we even had to do a ‘take two’ on one carol. It is to be broadcast on Channel 5 on Friday 15th December at 9:00pm hopefully we will make the ‘final cut’. I hope the fame doesn’t go to our heads, just think how many star dressing rooms we will need!
Sunday 27th August 2023 - Bands in the Park
Today many of the band members fulfilled a long standing wish. We played in the bandstand in Abbey Park as part of the Bands in the Park programme. Running on Sunday afternoons from May to August we had the opportunity to take the last spot. We played from 2:30 to 4:30 starting with a lively march, Sons of the Brave. We continued with an upbeat play list to entertain our audience who had gathered on the surrounding benches and some had brought their own chairs and picnics.
As an added bonus the promised thunderstorms didn't materialise and we had sunshine instead giving the audience a chance to enjoy the music and the band members the chance to have an ice cream during the half hour break.
Sunday 23rd July 2023 - Songs of Praise St James Church Harvington
Just one week after our last performance we were back in St. James for the Evesham Churches Together Songs of Praise. We had learned from the previous week that the long deep seating arrangement between the choir pews had not been best for sound as we could not easily hear each other, or see the conductor. There was also going to a choir and of course the church representatives doing their readings and introductions.
We arranged ourselves rather snugly at the rear of the Church so we were behind the congregation and less likely to be tripped over by passing choristers and readers. The resulting sound was much better integrated. We can’t say if they enjoyed it because we couldn’t see their faces, but I’d like to think a few a still wondering where the heavenly music came from.
Saturday 15th July 2023 - Ellendon Farm Shop or not!
As part of the Harvington festival we were all geared up to perform at Ellendon Farm shop from 2:00 to 4:00. We envisaged an enraptured audience sipping tea and eating scones while we serenaded them from the comfort of the marquee erected to keep the sun off us. Then we remembered we were in England! The threat of thunder, lightening, rain and high wind was making all parties nervous of ripped marquee and soggy performers. The performance was saved with just one day to go by a change of venue to St James Church Harvington.
We performed the original program and were delighted that the news had got out about the change of venue so we actually had an audience. No tea and scones though, so some made their way to the pub across the road, in the rain!
Friday 2nd December 2022 – Broadway on The Green
Our second week Late Night Shopping Event in Broadway was chilly and dry like last week. We started and finished a little later than usual so as not to compete with the carol singers by 'The Tree of Light' then worked through the same mixed programme but unfortunately due to circumstances we were without a conductor. Just as well we were well rehearsed. The Broadway Business Association were raising money for Air Ambulance and we were happy to help by having a donations bucket by our pitch. The band members enjoyed the opportunity to perform and hope to be back next year.
Friday 25th November 2022 – Broadway on The Green
Playing again at the Broadway Late Night Shopping Event from 6.00 until 8.00 with a 30 min break. During the break we had tea, coffee and hot mulled wine which went down well with lebkuchen. Peter conducted us as we worked our way through Christmas Carols, Christmas Songs and some of our new non Christmas pieces. We were pleased to attracted an appreciative audience throughout the evening despite the numbers attending being down because the event coincided with an England world cup match.
Saturday 19th July 2022 - Stow on the Wold Motor Show
Car in Show It was a scorching hot day when we turned up at Stow on the Wold cricket club to entertain the visitors to the car show. Two members had even decided to put their own cars in the show! The organisers had provided us with a large marquee which maintained social distancing and allowed some movement of air to keep cool. The weather being as it was, the instruments didn't need much warming up! We played for about two hours with a short break for tea/coffee in the middle and a chance to look at the cars and stalls. Our programme included many of our old favourites but also some of our new pieces like Poker Face, Second Waltz, Somebody Loves Me and Summertime. The visitors seemed to enjoy them.
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