Sunday 8th November - Open Meeting For All Players and Supporters
On Tuesday 24th November 2009, Camborne Town Band Music Society will be holding an open meeting. It will be held in the Magistrates Room at the Basset Centre, Basset Road, Camborne. Topics to be covered will include the trustees and management teams roles, membership types, election of officers, the financial structure and band plans for 2010.
All players and supporters are warmly invited to attend and meet the Society Trustees, Management Teams and Musical Directors.
Saturday 31st October - Camborne Proms Night a Great Success
On Saturday, Camborne Town Band held their annual proms concert at Camborne School. In the first half, the band played pieces including 'An Untold Story', played superbly on tenor horn by Mark Letcher, 'That's A Plenty' and 'Vitae Aeturnum' by Paul Lovatt-Cooper. With the audience having consumed some wine during the interval, the band then continued in the second half with the usual prom items, which the audiece thoroughly enjoyed taking part!!
During the concert, the band's President, Mr David Roberts, presented Leonard Adams with a life members certificate of the Camborne Town Band Music Society.
Thank you must go to our compere of the evening, Paul Triggs, who once again did a sterling job. Also, a big thank you must go to our sponsors, Walters & Barbary, and to everyone who supported the evening. The band look forward to repeating this concert again next year.
Wednesday 28th October - Camborne Make Their Way Up the Rankings
After Camborne Town Band's excellent Result at the 2009 National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain, they have moved up 16 places in the World Brass Band Rankings to number 31 - their highest placing for some time! Camborne 'B' Band have also made an appearance in the rankings for the first time, entering at number 176! Camborne Town Band Music Society congratulates both bands on this excellent achievement!
Sunday 18th October - Excellent 8th Place for Camborne in London!
Yesterday, Camborne Town Band competed in the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain at the famous Royal Albert Hall in London. Conducted by Richard Evans, they were placed 8th out of 20 by adjudicators David King, Derek Broadbent and David Read.
Competing amongst some of the best brass bands in the World, let alone the Country, Camborne drew to play number 12, between Carlton Main and Fairey, taking to the stage of the magnificent hall at about 2pm. After a successful performance of Peter Graham's 'The Torchbearer', the band were delighted to be awarded 8th - Camborne's highest placing at the contest since 1990! The full results of the contest are below, courtesy of 4barsrest.com.
Result. Band, Conductor, Draw
1. Black Dyke, Dr. Nicholas Childs, 5
2. Fodens, Garry Cutt, 9
3. Cory, Dr. Robert Childs, 6
4. Rothwell Temperance, David Roberts, 19
5. Reg Vardy, Stephen Roberts, 3
6. Carlton Main Frickley Colliery, Russell Gray, 11
7. Flowers, Paul Holland, 14
8. Camborne Town, Richard Evans, 12
9. Co-operative Funeralcare, Michael Fowles, 1
10. Newstead Brass, Duncan Beckley, 20
11. Fairey, Philip Chalk, 13
12. Zone One, Richard Ward, 18
13. Hepworth (Cookson Homes), Frank Renton, 10
14. Tredegar, Ian Porthouse, 17
15. Redbridge Brass, Jeremy Wise, 4
16. Desford Colliery, James Gourlay, 7
17. Kirkintilloch, Selmer Simonsen, 8
18. Northop, Thomas Wyss, 2
19. Pemberton Old Wigan DW, Mark Bentham, 16
20. East Yorkshire Motor Services, Jason Katsikaris, 15
Best instrumentalist:Glyn Williams, Foden's
Camborne Town Band Music Society wishes to congratulate the band and Richard on such a fantastic result and the band wish to thank Richard and their Musical Director, Kevin Mackenzie, for all their hard work in the lead up to the contest. The band had a fantastic time in Richard's company and look forward to welcoming him to back Cornwall again in the future. Camborne also send their congratulations to the other West of England representatives, Flowers, for their excellent 7th placing - a great pair of results for the South West!
Thursday 8th October - Camborne Prepare for London Appearance
Camborne Town Band are midst their preparations for their appearance at the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain to be held in the Royal Albert Hall in London next Saturday. The set test piece for the contest is a new commission entitled 'The Torchbearer - Symphonic Variations on a Theme by Eric Ball' by Peter Graham.
The band have been very busy rehearsing the piece under Muscial Director, Kevin Mackenzie, however, at the weekend they were fortunate to welcome professional conductor, Richard Evans, back to Cornwall as he will be leading their performance in London.
Richard ran rehearsals last Saturday and Sunday and will be returning next Monday for the contest week. If you are unable to make the trip to London next weekend but would like an opportunity to hear the band and Richard's performance as well as see them rehearse, there will be an open rehearsal next Wednesday (14th October). This will take place at Camborne Wesley Methodist Chapel at 8:00 pm and your support will be greatly appreciated!
Sunday 27th September - Kevin Leads Cornish Band to National Victory
Camborne Town Band wish to congratulate their Musical Director, Kevin Mackenzie, on leading the St Breward Silver Band to victory at 4th Section National Finals in Harrogate yesterday afternoon.
An outstanding performance by West of England Area champion St Breward gave the Cornish band the Fourth Section title on Saturday in Harrogate. Conducted by Kevin, they delivered a superbly secure and very musical account of Bruce Fraser demanding ‘Alta Vista’ test piece to take the title back across the Tamar River – and become the fourth ‘Saint’ Band to take a National title in the last few years. The reults of the contest are below, courtesy of 4barsrest.com.
1. St. Breward Silver, Kevin MacKenzie, West of England, 17
2. Dronfield CMW, John Davis, Midlands, 7
3. Rivington and Adlington, Malcolm Wilson, North West, 6
4. Wantage Silver ‘B’, Danny Dullforce, London and Southern Counties, 13
5. Fairfield (Buxton), Charles Kitchen, Midlands, 8
6. Cheshire Constabulary, David Woollam, North West, 9
7. Kirkby Lonsdale Allan Greenwood North of England, 5
8. Pontypool Brass Patrick O’Leary Wales, 1
9. Eccles Borough Les Webb North West, 10
10. Maltby Miners Welfare Terry Clifford Yorkshire, 18
11. Ebbw Vale Town Ceri Thomas Wales, 4
12. Battle Town Jon Penton London and Southern Counties, 11
13. Test Valley Brass Steve Large West of England, 2
14. Brass Sounds Inverclyde Gareth Bowman Scotland 19
15. Downton Roland Wright West of England, 16
16. Whitwell David Fretwell Midlands, 3
17. Thurcroft Welfare Ken Vernon Yorkshire, 15
18. Peebles Burgh Silver Alan Fernie Scotland, 12
19. Kingsway Printers Cleethorpes Steven Askew North of England, 14
Kevin was something of a last minute replacement for the champion, as regular MD Derek Greenwood had to pull out of leading the band to the contest due to other commitments. Kevin was able to lead the band through 10 rehearsals prior to the day, but the last minute work clearly paid off in fine fashion. An interview with Kevin can be seen at http://4barsrest.com/vision/play.asp?id=193.
Camborne's congratulations also extend to Camborne 'B' Band and Alan Pope, who yesterday gained an excellent 3rd place in the Second Section! Kevin will be making the long trip back to Cornwall today to lead Camborne in a concert tonight at Camborne Wesley Chapel.
Monday 21st September - Camborne Return to Refurbished Bandroom!
Following a £58,000 facelift, Camborne's championship winning town band is back in its bandroom after the completion of the Camborne Town Band Bandroom Project. The refurbished and extended bandroom was officially reopened on Friday 4th September by former bandsman Tom Ruse, whose father helped erect the building almost 70 years ago. Mr Ruse and Mark Cotton, regional head of the Big Lottery Fund, unveiled a plaque to mark the occasion.
Funding for the work came from the Lottery's People's Millions Award in conjunction with ITV and followed a vote by viewers. Mr Cotton said he was delighted that the project had been so satisfactorily completed. The work was carried out by local architect, Robin Taylor and local builder, Steve Lovelock, whose wife is the granddaughter of Charlie Dower who, along with Ted Wills, also helped build the bandroom.
Over the years its condition had deteriorated and it needed updating as there were no toilets and no disabled access. At the opening the band, under musical director Kevin Mackenzie, played three items.
The ceremony was followed by a reception at which a cake was cut by band president David Roberts and a presentation was made to band supporter Roy Nancarrow and his wife, Dorothy to mark their golden wedding.
Monday 3rd August - Room at the Inn... and on the Bus!
There are still some spaces on the supporters coach and rooms at the hotel available for the band's trip to London in October (16th - 18th). The cost is £140 per person for two nights stay and travel on coach.
This is your chance to see Camborne Town Band at the Royal Albert Hall for the National Finals (tickets available separately) and to indulge in some retail therapy! Please contact Angela Netherton on 01637 870585 for details.
Saturday 1st August - 'Listen to the Band' on BBC Radio 2
Earlier this year, Camborne Town Band took part in a recording session with the BBC for their weekly 'Listen to the Band' programme which is presented by Frank Renton. Last night, the music recorded in that session was featured on the show.
Conducted by Musical Director, Kevin Mackenzie, the band's programme included "Prelude on Tallis" by Peter Graham, Howard Snell's arrangement of "Procession to the Minster", the hymn tune "The Day Thou Gavest" and Paul Drury's "Jubilee March".
Friday 26th June - Double Win for Camborne Bands at Bugle!
Camborne Town Band Music Society had a very successful time at the West of England Bandsmen's Festival last weekend as both the Youth and Senior bands claimed victory at the contest. Camborne Youth Band won the Youth Section and Camborne Town Band were crowned winners in the Championship Section for a record thirty-fourth time!
President of the Music Society, David Roberts, said: "It was a great day for both our senior and junior sections. The band performed very well and showed the dedication and keenness to win like they always do."
Conducted by Alan Pope, the youth band performed 'Spiritual Sounds' by Alan Fernie and claimed 1st place and 90 points from the adjudicator, Steven Mead. This gains yet another title: 2009 West of England Bandsmen's Festival Youth Champions! The bands solo euphonium player, Simon Kendall, was awarded 'best player' in the section and Alan received the E. J. Williams Memorial Trophy as the winning conductor. The band also took part in the traditional marches through Bugle before and after the contest playing 'Punchinello'.
Camborne Town Band competed in the Championships Section under the baton of their Musical Director, Kevin Mackenzie. Steven Mead awarded them 1st place, The Cornish Championship Cup and 95 points for their performance of the march, 'Honest Toil, as well as 1st place, The Royal Trophy and 95 points for their performance of Philip Sparkes' 'Partita'. To add to the title 2099 West of England Champions, they are now also West of England Bandsmen's Festival Champions for record thirty-fourth time! Many players also received special awards. Joanna Rowe received one of the A R Trudgian Youth Awards from Cornwall Youth Brass Band, Les Kneebone was awarded 'Best Soprano of the Day', Mark Letcher was awarded 'Best Solo Horn of the Day', Rob Jose was awarded 'Best Euphonium of the Day', James Sturges, Kev Bragg, Ryan Breen and Graham Barker were awarded 'Best Basses of the Day' and Ryan Breen was also awarded 'Best Player in the Championship Section'!
As the winning band, Camborne performed a short concert in the square at the end of the day under the baton of Kevin once again. After finishing their march up playing 'The Cossack', they performed 'Prelude on Tallis', 'Jubilee March' and wonderful rendition of the hymn tune 'Deep Harmony'.
The Music Society would like to congratulate both bands for this wonderful success and thank both Kevin Mackenzie and Alan Pope for all of their hard work in preparing the bands. They also wish to thank Garry Cutt for his help in rehearsing the senior band and Ryan Breen for playing for the senior band and congratulate him on is 'solo prize'! Photos from the weekend can be seen in the gallery!
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