October 2011
A full band of 29 players, together with Musical Director, Stewart Lewins, and supporters, left Pangbourne at 6.15 am on 26 August to begin its Parisian Concert Tour: the first time the Band had been abroad since the East German tour in August 2005. The next day, we visited Disneyland and played to a large crowd in the Videopolis Concert Hall as part of the Magic Music Days series. Sunday, the 28th, saw a tour of central Paris, with a bateau mouche trip along the Seine, or individual trips, such as to the Cathedral of Notre-Dame to take part in the annual celebration Mass for the Liberation of Paris in 1944. In the afternoon, we gave an outdoor concert in the fin de siecle bandstand of the Jardin du Luxembourg, with its superb acoustics, to several hundred people, as the conkers began falling from the chestnut trees.
Then we had a communal dinner in a nearby restaurant and a trip up the Eiffel Tower as dusk fell. For a few minutes, we saw the whole of Paris bathed in the rays of the setting sun. On our last full day, we were the guests of the Twinning Association of Houdan. We were met by their Chairman, Jaques Pflieger and his Committee, who treated us to a guided tour of the castle keep, the ancient houses (including a coaching inn, which boasted probably the world's first "drive-in takeaway window") and the Church of Ss John and Christopher, with its beautiful stained glass windows and Cliquot organ of 1739 - the oldest in France. We played to the residents of the Hospital in the afternoon and were then treated to a joint concert in the Salle des Fetes with the wind band of Houdan's Ecole de Musique and a party with delicious local food and drink. Then, regretfully, a bientot, because we had to leave the next morning to return to Pangbourne.
Our engagements for the rest of the summer included playing and manning a stall at Pangbourne Village Fete (11 June) - thank you all for supporting us. Then "Music for a Summer Sunday" in the garden of the Old Boot, Stanford Dingley (26 June), our summer showcase concert in the Forbury Gardens, Reading (10 July), the delightful setting of Sulham Fete(6 August) and playing in Victoria Park, Newbury (7 August). Our Autumn and winter programme is still tentative as I write, but we can confirm playing carols in Reading town centre on 14 December, at the Old Boot, Stanford Dingley on 22 December and in the foyer of Sainsbury's, Calcot from noon until 4 pm on Christmas Eve. We hope to see you in the Square and streets of Pangbourne just before Christmas. On 18 October, we have been invited to play at the annual event organised by the Greenham Common Trust, who have supported us generously with grants over the years.
The Band will hold its annual workshop for brass players at Englefield School on the weekend, 29-30 October, under the guidance of the renowned brass tutor and composer, Derek Broadbent.
Our Golden Jubilee year, 2012, will be celebrated with a grand concert and reunion evening in a local school, most probably on Saturday, 27 October. We shall be writing to invite all past players and supporters. Meanwhile, watch this space for details and do not hesitate to contact us for more information.
We have relaunched the Pangbourne Youth Band to cater for all who would like to make music - any age, ability or instrument and restyled it as The Pangbourne All-Comers' Band. It is meeting in the Village Hall on Wednesdays at 6.30 pm. Just turn up with your instrument or ask us to loan you a brass instrument.
Comments (0) Added by stewart October 9, 2011 (12:43PM)
December 2010
The Band had an enjoyable summer with no days spoilt by rain (unlike last year). Our first engagement, 17 June, was providing hymns and incidental music for Woodcote village's celebration of the 90th Anniversary of the unveiling and dedication of their War Memorial. The hymns we played were the same as those used in 1920. Three days later we presented our annual 'Music for a Summer's Sunday' in the garden of the Old Boot Inn at Stanford Dingley. Pangbourne Fete, 26 June, saw us with a stall of plants, books and household items and playing to the passers by. We thank you all for stopping to have a chat and purchasing things, which will be a great help to our funds. Our major outdoor concert in the summer was at the bandstand in Forbury Gardens (Sunday 11 July), where we played to a large gathering of visitors relaxing in the sunshine. This event is a favourite for discerning local bandsmen and a chance for us to renew past acquaintances and talk to friends of the band. Our last concert before our August recess was playing with five other bands in the Oxford and District Brass Band Association in the quadrangle at Blenheim Palace. At the conclusion we united in a massed performance of favourite pieces.
We do enjoy playing at weddings and other private functions and on 4 September we were delighted to be able to play at the wedding of our front-row cornet player, James Ford and his bride Lynn at Sindlesham Court. James couldn't resist breaking off and 'having a blow' during the feast.
The Pangbourne Youth Band celebrated the end of its second year by holding a 'Strawberries and Cream Concert' for parents and well-wishers in the Village Hall, 21 July. Each of the nine children played a party piece and then a programme of eight pieces, with strawberries and cream served in the interval. The children wore their new polo-shirt uniform, which was donated by James Ford of JF Kitchens. Neil Easter, our oldest player and a founder member, presented a new cup, the Neil Easter Cup, to the most improved player, Ethan Coffey (euphonium).
The band's autumn concert was once again held at St Peter's Church in Earley on 27 November. It was well received by an enthusiastic audience on the evening before Advent began, signalling the start of a very busy few weeks. The band's Christmas programme was once again a full one with the band engaged to provide the music at the Carol Service at Tyndale Baptist Church in Cressingham Road, Reading as well as appearing at the Henley Christmas Market, Reading and Pangbourne for the Christmas shoppers and also a number of appearances providing incidental music in the foyer of Sainsbury's. The band rounded off its Christmas activity with a house-to-house collection, playing carols under the street lamps and the next day, Christmas Eve, collecting in the local public houses. We are most grateful for the generosity of the public, whose donations are vital for the running of the band.
Finally, we have decided to make a tour of Paris and its environs over the summer holiday, 26-30 August 2011 and give four concerts. Look out for details and news here.
Comments (0) Added by stewart January 23, 2011 (2:02PM)
All-new Band Website !
We are delighted to unveil our revamped website, designed by Alex Dunn, a.k.a. Alks Webdesign. The new website is much smarter and easier to navigate and it will continue to be updated with news and information so do please keep looking.
Comments (1) Added by stewart September 5, 2010 (11:06PM)