Monday 28th April - Camborne Looking for New Musical Director
After a successful term with Camborne Town Band, Jeremy Willcock will not be continuing his position as Resident Conductor by mutual agreement.
Jeremy prepared the band for successes at Bugle (1st) and, more recently, Yeovil Entertainment Contest (2nd) as well as good performances at the Scottish Open and more recently at the Area Contest in Torquay. We take this opportunity to sincerely thank Jeremy for his contribution to the band, especially for his contest preparations and many concerts at a variety of venues across Cornwall.
Kevin MacKenzie has been appointed to prepare the band for the Spring Festival at Blackpool on Saturday 10th May. The band's Professional Musical Advisor, Frank Renton, will be returning to Cornwall on Monday 5th to rehearse the test piece which is "An Epic Symphony" by Percy Fletcher.
The band now welcomes applications for the post of Musical Director by email (enquiries@cambornetownband.com) or by phone to Marcus Dunstan, Chairman on 01209 842384. The band also currently has vacancies for Solo Cornet, 2nd Euphonium, Bb Bass and Percussion.
Tuesday 22nd April - Wedding Reception for Chris Leonard
Camborne's solo and formally principal cornet player, Chris Leonard, recently got married with the backing of the best of Cornish banding offering musical support. He was married to Kaye Astles, at St. Mewens church, near St Austell, on Saturday. The couple had met when Kaye worked at the St. Austell Band Club, and it was that band's bass trombone player, Ben Menear, who had the duel roll of leading the composite band, and acting as one of the three best men.
The ceaseless rain couldn't spoil the day, and the celebrations continued with a reception at the Atlantic Hotel, in Newquay. The band would like to take this opportunity to congraulate Chris and Kaye and wish them all the very best wishes for the future!
Thursday 17th April - Law Firm's Big Boost for Camborne Town Band
Two long-established Camborne Institutions have joined forces for the benefit of the town in general and for brass band followers in particular. Walters and Barbary Solicitors have agreed to formalise their support for Camborne Town Band by providing sponsorship for a number of concerts. In addition the firm's Basset Road premises will provide an outlet for advance ticket sales for concerts and for band merchandise, including compact discs. Walters and Barbary will help the band with promotional and fund-raising activities as well as providing band members and their families with legal services at preferential rates.
These two institutions, which have each served the community since the 1800s, have not shied away from the technological age and have set up a reciprocal link between their respective websites. On Trevithick Day, as well as being a major sponsor of the celebrations, Walters and Barbary will be fund-raising for the band and also will be providing band members with refreshments at their offices.
Stephen Rutherford, partner at Walters and Barbary, said: "We are pleased to have formed a close association with Camborne Town Band and are confident that band followers and our clients will feel that we continue to hit the right note. Although we are the only legal firm supporting and sponsoring the band we want to encourage other members of the business community to become involved. It is very much a community project."
Marcus Dunstan, chairman of the band, said: "The band is always looking to work with local businesses for the benefit of all concerned and is grateful to secure substantial support from a major business in Camborne itself."
Tuesday 11th March - Disappointment for Camborne in Torquay
On Sunday, Camborne Town Band, conducted by Frank Renton, competed in the Championship Section of the West of England Regional Contest at the Riviera Centre in Torquay. Drawn to play first, the entire band gave an excellent, musical performance of the set test piece, "Festival Music" by Eric Ball which gained much favour with the audience that afternoon. The men in the box, Alan Hope and Colin Hardy, awarded the band 187 points and a very disappointing 6th place. Below are the full results, courtesy of www.4barsrest.com.
1. Mount Charles, A. Duncan, 8, 193
2. SWT Woodfalls, Dr. N. Childs, 7, 192
3. PolySteel, P. Harper, 3, 190
4. St. Keverne, S. Chappell, 11, 189
5. Lydbrook, T. Brevik, 9, 188
6. Camborne Town, F. Renton, 1, 187
7. St. Austell Town, Dr. R Newsome, 12, 186
8. Yeovil Town, D. Barringer, 5, 185
9. Poole Borough, P. Randell, 10, 184
10. Bournemouth Concert Brass, Major P. Parkes, 4, 183
11. Hyde, P. Wise, 2, 182
12. Aldbourne, M. White, 6, 181
Congratulations must go to Paul Saggers who swapped from cornet to flugel one week before the contest as Andrew Mitchell unfortunately perforated his ear drum during a rehearsal. Paul, as well as all of the band's other soloists, did a stunning job on Sunday. The bands second baritone player, Ross Buist, did manage to make a recovery for the contest after an accident while skydiving to raise funds for the band with Paul in which they managed to raise over £1,500. Along with Ross, Kevin Mackenzie also made a fast recovery for the contest after an accident whilst ice skating!
Many thanks must go to Dave Barnes, who took Paul's place on the front row; Frank Renton, for his work in this last week; and Jeremy Willcock for rehearsing the band prior to Frank's arrival. Congratulations to Mount Charles and SWT Woodfalls bands who will be representing the West of England at the National Finals in October. Camborne Town Band are now preparing for a recording session on the 30th March for BBC Radio 2's "Listen to the Band" programme.
Sunday 10th February - Awards Presented at Annual Dinner & Dance
Last night, several members and friends of Camborne Town Band enjoyed the annual dinner and dance at Sandy Lodge Hotel in Newquay. After the meal, the band's Resident Conductor, Jeremy Willcock, addressed the crowd in the absence of the Chairman, Marcus Dunstan, who was away on holiday. He thanked everybody for the effort and support given in 2007, highlighting the band's successful performances at Bugle in June, the Scottish Open in November and at Yeovil last weekend.
Jeremy then presented various awards to members of the band. The Best Solo Performance of the Year Award was presented to Andrew Mitchell for his excellent flugelhorn solo in "Macbeth" at the Scottish Open last November. Barry Buist, the band's solo trombonist, was voted Player's Player and Paul Saggers (Solo Cornet) was awarded Bandsman of the Year. James Sturges, who moved from Eb to Bb bass last November, was awarded Most Improved Player. A bouquet of flowers was also given to Angela Netherton for her excellent work as the band's engagement secretary.
Over the next few weeks, Jeremy will be rehearsing the band for the West of England Regional Championships, with Frank Renton returning to Camborne at the beginning of March to add the finishing touches to Eric Ball's "Festival Music".
Sunday 3rd February - Great Start to 2008 at Yeovil Contest!
Yesterday, Camborne Town Band, conducted by Frank Renton, competed in the 31st Yeovil Entertainment Contest which was held in the Octagon Theatre in Yeovil. Once again, the contest was excellently organised and run by the Yeovil Town Band. Adjudicator, David Hirst, awarded the band 196 points and 2nd place; Camborne's highest placing at the contest since 1996! They drew to play 9th out of 13 bands and gave an outstanding performance of their 25 minute programme. Below are the full results, courtesy of www.4barsrest.com.
1. PolySteel, Philip Harper, 5, 197
2. Camborne, Frank Renton, 9, 196
3. Mount Charles, Andrew Duncan, 10, 195
4. SWT Woodfalls, Melvin White, 4, 194
5. Friary Guildford, Chris King, 8, 193
6. Tredegar, Ian Porthouse, 2, 192
7. Parc and Dare, Richard Evans, 11, 191
8. BTM, Graham O’Connor, 190
9. Bournemouth Concert, Chris Davies OBE, 12, 189
10. Jaguar (Coventry), Dave Lea, 1, 188
11. Sovereign Brass, Stephen Roberts, 3, 187
12. Zone One Brass, Paul Archibald, 14, 186
13. Aldbourne, Melvin White, 185
Hyde, 13, and Tongwynlais Temperance, 15, withdrawn
Best Soprano: Steve Barnsley, Tredegar; Best Section: Percussion, Friary Guildford; Best Soloist: John Small, Mount Charles
Camborne opened their performance with the "Funiculi Funicula Rhapsody", which was arranged for brass band by Michael Garasi (MD of the Brass Band of Central Florida). Stevie Wonder's "You Are The Sunshine Of My Life", arranged by Goff Richards, followed. This featured thee flugel players (Andrew Mitchell, Kayleigh Rowe and Paul Saggers) and the band's trombone section (Barry Buist, Nick Abbott and Neil Murley) playing completely from memory.
An exciting and speedy circus march from the pen of Henry Fillmore then followed in the form of "Rolling Thunder" which was greatly enjoyed by the band, adjudicator and audience. The band's Principal Euphonium player, Rob Jose, was then featured in a piece by Paul Lovatt-Cooper, "Donegal Bay". Howard Snell's fun arrangement of "Anyone Can Whistle" followed before the band brought their programme to a close with an exciting, musical performance of the finale from Eric Ball's arrangement of "Checkmate" by Arthur Bliss.
Many thanks go to the band's Resident Conductor, Jeremy Willcock and their Professional Musical Advisor, Frank Renton for their combined work in preparing the band for yesterday's successful performance. The band also wish to thank Rory Abbott from the 'B'/Youth Bands, once again, for helping in the Percussion Section as well as Mark Rosewarne. Lastly, thanks must go to the band commitee for organising the trip.
Friday 1st February - Open Rehearsal for Yeovil Contest Tonight!
This week, Camborne Town Band have been working with their Professional Musical Advisor, Frank Renton, in preparation for the Yeovil Entertainment Contest on Saturday.
If you are unable to make it to Yeovil, but would like to hear the band's 25 minute programme, they are holding an open rehearsal tonight. Starting at 8:00 pm, the rehearsal/concert will take place at the Penventon Park Hotel in Redruth where your support will be greatly appreciated!
Saturday 12th January - Professional Conductors for 2008 Announced
Camborne Town Band are extremely fortunate to engage the services of their Professional Musical Advisor, Frank Renton, to conduct them for the Yeovil Entertainment Contest in February, the West of England Regional Qualifiers at Torquay in March and the Senior Trophy of the Spring Festival at Blackpool in May.
May will also see the band work with the esteemed conductor, Richard Evans, as they join forces, once again, with the Redruth Amateur Operatic Society Trust Singers for a third 'Showtime Spectacular' at the Hall for Cornwall in Truro.
Under their Resident Conductor, Jeremy Willcock, the band are currently rehearsing Frank's chosen programme for the Yeovil Entertainment Contest on the 2nd February, before his arrival in two week's time.
Wednesday 28th November - Camborne Placed 5th at the Scottish Open
Last weekend, Camborne Town Band competed in the Scottish Open Brass Band Championships which were held in the Perth Concert Hall. The hall was a perfect venue for the contest which was organised fantastically by the Scottish Brass Band Association. The band were awarded 5th place for their performance of the set test piece, "Macbeth", by the adjudicators who were composer of the test piece, Peter Meechan, and principal cornet player of Grimethorpe Colliery Band, Roger Webster. Once again, the band was conducted by their Professional Musical Advisor, Frank Renton, who described their performance as the best for him to date!
1. Whitburn, (Andy Duncan) - 98
2. Scottish Co-op Band, (Allan Ramsay) - 97
3. Carlton Main Frickley Colliery, (Russell Gray) - 96
4. Yorkshire Imperial Urquhart Travel, (Jim Davies) - 95
5. Camborne Town, (Frank Renton) - 94
6. Newmilns & Galston, (Alex McCutcheon) - 93
7. Fishburn, (Ray Farr) - 91
8. Dalmellington, (Archie Hutchison) - 90
9. Kingdom Brass, (John Hinckley) - 89
=10. Newtongrange, (Derek Broadbent) - 88
=10. RMT Easington Colliery, (Norman Law) - 88
=12. Kirkintilloch, (Howard Taylor) - 87
=12. Unison Kinneil, (Colin McKenzie) - 87
14. Bon Accord Silver, (Bruce Wallace) - 86
Awards:
4Barsrest.com award for Best Instrumentalist: Jim Chamberlain, Whitburn
The band had a fantastic weekend, which began on Friday with a one and a half hour flight from Newquay to Edinburgh, and thanks to Scotline Tours, had a lovely bus to transport them around Scotland over the weekend. The contest took place on Saturday afternoon and the band returned to Newquay on Sunday afternoon. The members would like to thank the organisers of the trip and the van team, who transported all of the instruments and uniforms to Scotland, for their hard work to make the weekend run smoothly. The help from guest players, Kevin Bragg on Bb Bass, Chloe Abbott on solo cornet, and Rory Abbott on percussion (who was only asked to play on Thursday due to illness), is also greatly appreciated. Lastly, thanks must go to the musical directors, Frank Renton and Jeremy Willcock, for rehearsing and preparing the band!
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