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"Ad Pontes
Prospicimus" - "At the Bridges We Look Forward"
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Latest News
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11th July 2010 What a difference a year makes!
The band performed a varied programme of traditional & popular pieces which went down well with the large audience. Soloists for the day were Keith Maxwell (Trombone), Simon Angel (Tenor Horn), Richard Pemberton (Flugel Horn), John Spencer (Soprano Cornet) & Johnny Sproule (Euphonium).
6th May 2010 St George raises funds for 'Help for Heroes'
The concert began with Staines Brass performing a range of pieces by English composers including Elgar, Vaughan Williams & Holst, opening with a contemporary but very suitably entitled piece 'Walking with Heroes' by Paul Lovett Cooper.
The
second half of the concert began with the 18th Century Band of H
The band are pleased to announce that we raised £1000 for 'Help for Heroes' which is largely thanks to the money taken for the raffle, ticket sales & donations, with thanks to the generosity of local businesses Roberts & Co florists & The Bells pub & restaurant. Also, Staines Brass would like to thank the musicians of the Band of HM Grenadier Guards for helping to make the event a great success which added a different element to our concerts as well as donating 4 tickets for this year's Queen's Birthday Parade to the raffle.
25th April 2010 Friends of Staines Brass & Staines Lammas Band Prize Draw The prize draw took place during Staines Brass' concert on Friday night. For the results, click here.
22nd March 2010 Contest News Yesterday, Staines Brass competed in the 1st section London & Southern Counties Regional Finals in Stevenage. Although the band didn't perform to our best capabilities, we still managed a very respectful 4th place out of 17 bands. On hearing the recording of our performance, we can hear that there were some quite splendid musical moments. Our congratulations go to our neighbours, Friary Guildford Band & Egham Brass Band, who were placed 1st & 3rd respectively, who now go on to represent our region in the National Finals of Great Britain in Harrogate.
13th March 2010 St George's Day Concert in support of 'Help for Heroes'
As around a third of the band's members are linked to the Armed Forces, we felt it would be appropriate to raise funds for 'Help for Heroes'. The band is also pleased to welcome along the Woodwind Ensemble of the Band of Her Majesty's Grenadier Guards to perform during the concert which starts at 7.30 pm & tickets are priced at just £7.
2nd March 2010 Mayor's Charity Concert On Sunday 28th February, Staines Brass performed at St Peter's Church in Staines for the Mayor of Spelthorne, Cllr Caroline Spencer, to raise funds for her chosen charities. Her charities were One-to-One, Help for Heroes, and Guiding in Spelthorne. The concert included the successful programme from the band's recent competition in Porthcawl & a second half tribute to the Armed Forces.
21st February 2010 Sun, Sea & Silverware!!!!
Yesterday, Staines Brass ventured over the Severn
Bridge into South Wales to compete in the 13th Welsh Open Brass Bands
Entertainment Championship. After an early start from the bandroom in the Lammas Park, the band arrived at the rehearsal
venue, the Royal Air Force Association Clu
The band was drawn number 10 to play which meant we would be playing around 5.30pm so we had a little while to take in the scenery. Although it was a little cold, the sun was shining & the views of the sea looking across to the snow covered mountains was stunning. So, the time came for the band to perform our short entertainment programme on the very hot stage which was a sharp contrast to the somewhat freezing marquee that was erected outside for the bands to change in & leave instrument cases! Our first item was Ravel's 'Bolero' which has been arranged by the band's Musical Director Melvin White. The piece begins with a solitary drummer in the form of John Parks, stood alone at the front of the stage. The Tubas soon provided the bass line before John was joined by the Flugel Horn which was being played today by Jason Pickin. Next to take over the melody line of the piece were Euphonium, Johnny Sproule, & Tenor Horn, Simon Angel. The Trombone section were next, followed by Soprano Cornet & the Tenor Horn section. Once each section had completed their turn, they made their way to their usual seats which was at sometimes a little difficult as the stage was quite compact. Eventually, the whole band was on stage & the piece reached it's climax. The second piece was an arrangement by Chris King of Chick Corea's 'Spain'. This piece opens with the adagio from Rodrigo's 'Concerto de Aranjuez' & then switches to a fast, steady samba-like rhythm in which the main theme & an improvisation part are repeated. Our third item featured Susan White on Trombone in a rendition of 'Shout' which was written by Rob Wiffin. It is a Latin-jazz piece that is also influenced by the tradition of including a 'shout' chorus towards the end of a jazz arrangement. The adjudicator David Read congratulated our fine soloist on her playing which was outstanding. 'Mother of God, Here I Stand' was the band's penultimate piece & featured Jason Pickin (Flugel), Simon Angel (Tenor Horn), Tony Howes (Baritone) & Johnny Sproule (Euphonium). The piece is part of John Tavener's 2004 work 'The Veil of the Temple' & is a piece of simple elegance. From Mr Read's adjudicator's remarks, this was his favourite piece & complimented the soloists & band on creating a wonderful atmosphere. The band's finale piece was the last section of Dean Jones' 'Glorifico Aeternum' which is built around a combination of traditional & contemporary worship songs including 'Now thank we all our God' & 'The King of love my Shepherd is'. The audience gave us great applause throughout our performance but a special thanks has to go to our Number One fan, Adrian Manic! I'm sure he felt very lonely being our only supporter in amongst the rather large Welsh audience!
The
journey
was made very worth while as the band won 2 prizes much to all
of our amazement. Firstly we were awarded the Porthcawl Town
Council Cup for the band with
10th February 2010 A Trip To The Seaside!
24th January 2010 December's Update First of all, Staines Brass would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year. December 2009 proved to be quite a busy month for the band. Here is a brief round up of what the band got up to! Sunday 6th December Wraysbury Jazz Club Christmas Concert This was the 1st year that this event had been hosted by the Wraysbury Jazz Club after taking over the event from the Wraysbury Music Society. And what a fantastic job they did! The band was given a very warm welcome by the full to capacity hall & it really felt as if the festive season had begun. Tuesday 15th December Hampton Wick Carols & The Old Red Lion, Staines This night proved to be quite a busy night for several members of the band. It was an early evening start at Hampton Wick to provide the music for carols around the Christmas tree preceded with a short parade. The residents of Hampton Wick seemed to really enjoy the band's playing with many coming up to the players to express their feelings! Then it was off to The Old Red Lion in Staines where the band receives a very warm welcome every year. The singing by the pub's patrons was enthusiastic as always. Thursday 17th December Christmas Concert at St Peter's Church
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Yesterday
on Saturday 10th July, Staines Brass returned to St James Park in London
to give an afternoon concert for the Royal Parks. The band played last
year on the 11th July & on that day the weather was very unkind. What a
complete contrast this year. With temperature in excess of 30 degrees
Celsius, the band decided not to play in their band jackets & bow ties.
Staines
Brass took to the stage on St George's Day, aided by the
Woodwind Ensemble of the Band of Her Majesty's Grenadier Guards,
to raise funds for 'Help for Heroes'. Thanks to the marketing
for the concert, St Peter's Church was nearly full to capacity
with a very supportive audience.
M
Grenadier Guards marching down the aisle in period costume. The
woodwind ensemble then performed their selection of music before
Staines Brass joined forces to provide the evening's finale
which included Sparke's Jubilee Overture.
On
St George's Day, Friday 23rd April 2010, Staines Brass will be
hosting a concert at St Peter's Church, Laleham Road, Staines.
b (RAFA) in Porthcawl
where we received a very warm welcome by Tom the secretary.
Before rehearsal started, the entire band ascended on
Finnegan's, an award winning fish & chip shop. The service we
received from Cheryl Jones & staff was fantastic but that may be
because Cheryl is an old friend of Band Manager Jason Pickin! 
the most entertaining stage
presentation. Before Jason Pickin had time to sign for the
trophy, he had to turn back to the stage to receive
the Eifion W Rogers Cup for the highest placed 1st Section band
not in the prizes. Although we then knew we had not been placed
in the top 3, we were still extremely pleased with the result as
we came away with 2 trophies & more prize money than the band
that came 2nd! At least that contributes to the cost of the
coach! 
On
Saturday 20th February, 
Staines Brass once again hosted their Christmas
Concert at St Peter's Church in Staines & was pleased to see so
many people in the audience. After a packed programme of
seasonal favourites, the band & the audience opened the doors to
a blizzard of snow! During the concert, the prize draw for the