News

New MD at Kidlington

29 March 2010

Kidlington Concert Brass are pleased to announce the appointment of Duncan Wilson to the position of Musical Director.

Duncan said "I am delighted to be invited to conduct the band. There is such a great atmosphere around the stand and I've been made to feel very welcome. I am looking forward to a busy schedule of concerts and contests."

The band would also like to take this opportunity to thank their outgoing musical director, Catherine Underwood, who has left the band owing to time pressures at work and to spend more time with her family. Her dedication and hard work over the last eighteen years have been hugely valued and it is hoped that the band will still work with Catherine from time to time in the future.

The band are very much looking forward to this new phase and hope that the new partnership with Duncan will be long and fruitful.

Kidlington meets Chicago at the wettest Whits on record

07 June 2009

Chicago Brass Band, with help from their friends at Kidlington Concert Brass, made their first appearance at the Whit Marches last Friday. Despite the howling wind and unforgiving rain, the band achieved a more than creditable set of results for their premiere at the event, giving an overall ranking of 25th.

Not content with a great day out, the obligatory trip to the Delph chippy at the end of the night, and the 4am return home, Kidlington and Chicago came together again for a joint concert the following night before heading off to the airport!

Delph	58
Diggle	15
Dobcross	10
Greenfield	9
Lydgate	20
Scouthead	14

All Change at Kidlington

13 October 2008

Kidlington Concert Brass are pleased to announce a number of additions to the ranks; some new faces and some old friends.

We welcome Tom James and Ali Howes on Bb cornet and Nick Collier on Eb bass, while Emma Farrow adds a touch of class to our Euphonium lineup. Old friends of the band, Ed Clark and Karen Burton, join us on soprano cornet and front row, with our previous soprano player, Alex Elderfield, moving onto Bb cornet.

Front row cornet Pete Howell is leaving us for a year whilst on sabbatical in the states, whilst Hannah McGuffie returns from her travels in Africa.

In sadder news, our principal trombone, Robert Marsh, is leaving us to pursue other interests. We wish him the best of luck, and our thanks for the dedication he has shown over the years.

Band Wedding

20 July 2008

Congratulations to Jo Webster on her marriage to Carl Major this weekend. After a private ceremony, Jo and Carl partied the night away with family, friends and members of the band to the sound of Souljacker.

Jo is Kidlington's multi-talented percussionist, cornet player and even occasional horn/baritone player.

New baby for former flugel

08 July 2008

Congratulations to Kidlington Concert Brass former flugel player Alison Wakley and husband Martin on their new baby. Thomas Arthur was born on 6th July, weighing 8lb 15oz.

New conductor at Kidlington

23 June 2008

The band is pleased to announce that Captain Dave Barringer has accepted the post of conductor while our usual musical director, Catherine Underwood, takes a well-earned break to concentrate on work commitments and to spend time with her family.

As well as numerous appointments with the forces musical services, Dave has previously conducted Yeovil Town Band and SWT Woodfalls. We look forward to benefitting from his extensive experience!

A disappointing result at the 2008 Areas

16 March 2008

Playing off a number 3 draw, the band came off-stage feeling confident, generally pleased with our performance. We came away with 10th place, perhaps the only consolation being that 4BR would have had us higher in the results.

A full review is available at 4BR.

More silverware at Leicester

23 November 2007

An "impressive treatment" of Harmony Music was rewarded with both second place overall and the special prize for best trombone section. A full review is available at 4BR.

Blenheim Festival of Brass 2007

25 June 2007

After the somewhat soggy success of last year's Brass Fest, we were determined that no matter what the weather threw at us, the show would go on! The session started in the dry but with some distinctly threatening clouds looming over us. Having learnt from last year's downpour we set up in the entrance quad, fortified by the biggest gazebo known to mankind. True to form, the skies opened, and by the end of the afternoon players from various bands were pinning down the corners of the gazebo. Even with all the rain and wind, we had a good audience for all the bands and even the dampest bandsmen had a great time.

Fourth Place at the 2007 Areas

18 March 2007

Full results and retrospective can be found at 4BR.

Blenheim Festival of Brass 2006

30 July 2006

The newly instigated Blenheim Festival of Brass was a great success with four local bands putting on a show despite a period of torrential rain which failed to dampen any spirits. Thanks to all the musicians who participated - Abbey Brass, Marsh Gibbon Band, The Wantage Silver Band - and also to Catherine Underwood, ODBBA, and Blenheim Palace.

Third place at the Areas

19 March 2006

Kidlington reinforces its place in the Championship Section and narrowly misses qualifying for the national finals with a splendid delivery of Journey to the centre of the Earth. 3rd Place awarded! Strong "slip free" solo performances and a controlled and balanced sound was what the adjudicator was looking for and he commented on the strength of all the bands performing, but particularly the top three bands.

Annual Christmas concert a fine final concert for Danny

20 December 2005

Many thanks to everyone who came and supported the band for our annual Christmas concert.  Once again Danny did a splendid job entertaining the audience and conducting the concert. This was his last public outing with the band and we are grateful for all of his help over the last few months. Solo features included the back row with Cornets a Go Go, Alex with Flowerdale on Sop (a triumph), Jeff on Tenor Horn with A Celtic Promise - a very atmospheric solo - , and David on Bass Trombone with Frosty the Snowman - a performance which left no room for doubt as to the range and versatility of this instrument in the hands of an accomplished musician.

Another concert to remember

11 November 2005

After a busy morning on parade the band put on a successful annual concert organised by the British Legion. Conducted and compered by Danny Dullforce, the band dressed down in the second half to supply the audience with a variety of big band numbers and the finale of Pomp and Circumstance. Solos included principal cornet Nigel playing Georgia, Dick on flugel playing I’ve Got You Under My Skin, and Rob on trombone playing A Nightingale Sang in Berkley Square. The programme also included a variety of film music from epics set the second world war, including Saving Private Ryan and The Dam Busters.

An excellent weekend at Pontins

06 November 2005

Led by Major Barry Wassell, the band headed off to Prestatyn Sands for the annual Harry and Margaret Mortimer championships. Some excellent preparation was in place and the contest performance was one the band could be pleased with. We were fresh and eager on Sunday morning following an early night, but came away with 13th place: a philosophical end to the weekend!

Wedding Bells in the band

06 August 2005

Congratulations to Alex (our soprano player) and Alex (one of our top supporters) who married today in St Michaels church, Blewbury.

Hymns and entertainment at the service were provided by Blewbury Brass band, the village band Alex started with at the age of seven. Kidlington Concert Brass took over at the reception and, before partying the night away, supplied an afternoon's entertainment with selections of music also owned and admired by the wedding DJ and selective audience!

New conductor at Kidlington

29 July 2005

The band is pleased to announce that Danny Dullforce has been appointed as resident conductor while our usual musical director, Catherine Underwood, is on maternity leave.

Danny is an old friend of the band, having played alongside many of its members through his formative years, and we thoroughly look forward to having him on board!

Victory at Weston for the second year running

16 May 2004

 

We were extremely pleased to retain the trophy with our performance of Tristan Encounters. Congratulations go out to runners up, Swindon Pegasus Band, and third placed Shirley Band.

A cracking result at Blackpool Senior Trophy

08 May 2004

The band were very pleased to receive an invite to this prestigious contest. We had three weeks' notice and only a few full rehearsals to prepare Concerto for Band by John Golland.

A prior concert involving half the band meant a marathon day for many: two rehearsals back-to-back on Friday, a 5am start to the Winter Gardens on Saturday, rehearsal and early draw and a journey straight back to Oxford after the performance in time for a late afternoon rehearsal and a fine brass ensemble performance of West Side Story!

Blackpool was logistically a "pressure gig" and we felt glad to be on stage, hopefully prepared for a performance that would merit our invitation. The concensus was that we had delivered as we came off stage. Derek Broadbent, in his summing up, suggested the piece demanded a fien observation of dymnamics, strong solo performances and tight playing. He and ian Brownbill placed us 7th of 19. A good result, we think!

Christmas at St Mary's

13 December 2003

St Mary's Church provided an excellent setting and wide acoustic for our annual Christmas concert. Instantly recognisable Christmas pieces such as Sleigh Ride, The Snowman and White Christmas were combined with the less traditional sounds of Blades of Toledo, Summon the Dragon and even Sandpaper Ballet (featuring our percussion section).

Most memorable, perhaps, was the aerobatics from the resident bat during the theme from Harry Potter and the Sorceror's Stone!

Poppy Appeal concert a success

09 November 2003

The Royal British Legion and Kidlington Concert Brass raised over £500 for the Poppy Appeal in a well-attended concert given by the band in Exeter Hall, Kidlington. The varied programme included an arrangement of Glinka's Russlan and Ludmilla, as well as music originally performed by Tom Jones, Neil Diamond, Quincy Jones and Cole Porter. To round the evening off, the concert audience joined in with some spirited singing of Land of Hope and Glory and Jerusalem.

The Poppy Appeal concert is a long-standing traditional event for the band, and they also support the British Legion each year by marching in the morning as part of the Rembrance Sunday commemorations.

Victory at Weston

14 May 2003

The band came away with the Championship/1st Section trophy at the annual Weston-Super-Mare own choice test piece contest, adjudicator Goff Richards awarding them 194 points for their performance of Of Men and Mountains by Gregson. The band enjoyed rehearsing and performing this test piece; its many technical passages, rich textures and demanding solos ansured that everyone worked hard to secure the top prize.

Safe Result at the Areas

16 March 2003

The band was awarded 6th place in the Championship Section of the London & Southern Counties Area qualifying contest. The set test piece was Judith Bingham's Prague, and the adjudicator for the day was Alan Morrison. This result leaves us in 5th place in the regional grading table.

Rotary Club concert raises over £1000

21 February 2003

The band performed to a very appreciative audience at Exeter Hall, Kidlington in a charity concert that has raised well in excess of £1000 for the Oxford Chilton Air Ambulance. The event was organised by the North Oxford Rotary Club, who have greatly assisted the band with its administration.

During the concert four soloists were featured: Alex Lakeland, playing Leoncavallo's On With the Motley on soprano cornet; Marilyn Elliot playing Evergreen on tenor horn; Kevin Mackie playing Blaydon Races on euphonium; and, complete with cabaret, Ian Lovell-Meade playing Mr Lovell's Carnival, his version of the famous Carnival of Venice on Eb bass. A special mention goes to Marilyn for her excellent performance as it was the first solo she had played with the band.

A trumpet-playing competition was held for non-players in the interval, when icecreams could be purchased from (male) usherettes in traditional costume.... Much of the raised funds came from some spirited audience bidding on which of several pieces should be played during a particular second-half slot: The James Bond Collection won, raising an additional £300 for charity.