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"Ad Pontes
Prospicimus" - "At the Bridges We Look Forward"
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Latest News
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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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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