July - December 2004
16th December - Captain Pete Curtis To Direct at Blackpool
We are delighted to announce that Captian Peter Curtis - Royal Marines, will be directing the band at the Spring Festival in Blackpool in May 2005.
Supporters will be delighted to learn that Pete will also be directing the Band's annual Midday concert on Trevithick Day as part of the preparation for the contest.
Full details about Pete will appear on the Conductors page within the next week.
For those interested in making the 3 day trip to Blackpool with the band, staying in the Norbreck Castle Hotel, please call Jeremy Squibb on 07734 779400.
1st December - Lt Col Chris Davis Sails Into Town
This weekend sees one of the Band's professional conductors arrive into Camborne.
Fresh from directing the Royal Marines at the Royal British Legion Remembrance concert at the Royal Albert Hall, Chris heads west to commence the preparation for the 2005 contest season.
The contest season opener is Yeovil Entertainment Contest, and we hope that plenty of inspiration and innovative music will be brought to the band this year. Following that, Chris will return to Cornwall as the band bid to be crowned Cornish Champions at Truro Contest in April.
For those interested in seeing Chris in action this weekend, rehearsals are 7.45 on Friday, and 6pm on Saturday. If you are after a very special treat, the Principal Director of Music for HM Royal Marines, will put his white helmet and baton aside, and pick up anything from cornet to tuba on Saturday lunchtime. Yes, in an unprecedented appearance, Chris will be joining members of the band playing carols at 12 o’clock on Saturday lunchtime.
On Sunday evening, the band perform their annual concert at the Salvation Army Fortress in the Town. Commencing at 7.30pm, the programme will feature both new music from the band, and all of your Christmas favourites. All proceeds are in aid of the Salvation Army Christmas hamper appeal.
24th November - Contest Season and Conductors Announced
We are delighted to reveal exclusively to cambornetownband.com the band's contest line up for 2005.
February
Yeovil Entertainment Contest - Conducted by Lt Col Chris Davis
March
West Of England Area - Torquay - Conducted by Frank Renton
April
Cornish Brass Band Association Contest - Truro - Conducted by Lt Col Chris Davis
May
British Open Spring Festival - Blackpool - Conducted by Captain Pete Curtis
June
West Of England Bandsmans Festival - Bugle - Conducted by Frank Renton
16th November - Third Signing Announced
In what can be described as one of the most important signings the band has ever made, we are delighted to announce exclusively via the website that we have agreed a three year lease on a temporary home for the band.
Over the last sixty or so years, the green wooden hut in the corner of the Community Centre development has been home to Cornwall’s most successful band. Over the last decade or so, despite having a new roof fitted, the traditional home of over 100 musicians has started to show its age.
Over Christmas, the band will lock stock and barrel into the Tuckingmill Pavilion, the band’s new home for the next three years, whilst plans are drawn up, and a new bandroom is built on the existing site.
Said Chairman Reg Bennett earlier this week “…this is the opportunity we have been waiting so long for. In the past, we have had several opportunities to secure the long-term future of a bandroom, but for one reason or another, none of them have come to fruition. Tuckingmill is the ideal venue for the next three years, and gives us the breathing space to build a bandroom fit for the quality of music which is made there…”
Reg went on to say “…since the Band’s fine performance at London last month, we have made a series of strengthening moves, with Graham Barker taking up the post of Musical Director and second horn for contests, Mark Letcher joining on Solo Horn, and Kate Bullock joining the back row. Securing Tuckingmill however represents a major achievement for the organisation as we now look to substantially improve our facilities for the future of the bands…”
For those interested in viewing the new bandroom, it is anticipated that the first rehearsal will take place on Thursday 6th January 2005. The following weekend, soprano legend Peter Roberts will join Camborne (no not another signing) for a concert at the Penventon Hotel on Sunday 16th January – Tickets are now available for £10, please e.mail enquiries@cambornetownband.com
15th November - Super-Sub Commits to Band
Not signing number 3, that is to be announced tomorrow, but a long term fix to the second horn vacancy.
Cath Lovegrove (aka Mrs Pob) has agreed to fill the second horn seat on a semi-permanent basis with the exclusion of contests. The arrangement suits both Cath, who remains a registered player with Bodmin, and MD Graham Barker, who still wishes to play at contests.
Said Cath “… it is great for me to be able to play with Camborne, whilst staying registered with Bodmin. Even though things are a little difficult at Bodmin at the moment, I wish to continue to play for them at contests. In the meantime, I can keep my lip in good form by playing with Camborne..”
Musical Director Graham Barker told us “… Cath committing to the band has meant that for contests, we can field one of the strongest horn sections imaginable. I now have the best of both worlds, conducting the band for most of the year, but not missing out on the expertise of our professionals – Frank Renton and Chris Davis. I am looking forward to 2005 with great relish.”
10th November - 2nd Signing Announced
Following the appointment of Graham Barker as Musical Director last month, the band have been in search of a replacement solo horn player. We are delighted to announce that Mark Letcher, formerly of Bodmin Band has joined Camborne.
Described as a ‘massive’ signing by Graham Barker, Mark has become known around the country as both a fine horn player and ‘great’ character. ‘ He is the perfect person to fill the solo horn chair in the band’.
‘I am delighted to be joining Camborne, I have admired the band for many years, and am thrilled to have been selected from a list of potential candidates to take over from Graham’.
This means that despite Graham hanging up his horn on a full time basis, he will return to playing for contests in the second horn chair.
9th November - 1st New Signing Announced
The first of three major signings this week comes in the form of Katie Bullock on Second Cornet.
Starting her playing career in St Austell Youth Band, Katie soon established herself as a prominent cornet soloist. After several successful years with St Austell Youth, picking up many soloist awards along the way, Kate moved to Bodmin Band.
As soon as the flugel position became available at Bodmin, Katie jumped at the opportunity, and again established herself as a fine soloist.
We are delighted for Kate to be joining the band, and see this as a move to strengthen the back row in preparation for 2005.
17th October - A Blooming Good Result At London
Following our fourth consecutive appearance at the National Finals in London yesterday, Camborne Town Band were awarded an excellent ninth place. Beating the 2003 All England Masters – Leyland, the 2002 and 2003 National Champions – Faireys, the 2004 Scottish Champions – CWS Glasgow, and the world famous Brighouse and Rastrick amongst many others, Frank Renton directed a superb performance to equal the Band’s best result for 10 years.
A comprehensive update, and adjudicators’ remarks will appear over the next few days, along with a London Photo Gallery.
12th October - New Musical Director Appointed
We are delighted to announce that Camborne Town Band have appointed Graham Barker as their new Musical Director.
Having performed the role of bandmaster and Solo Horn player for the last few years, Graham has decided to put his horn away, and concentrate on conducting on a full time basis.
At the age of 6, Graham started playing with Indian Queens Band, the band which over 20 years later he was to return to as Musical Director. After playing for St Austell and Mount Charles, Graham moved to Camborne on Cornet. A few years later, Graham's talents on the tenor horn were discovered, and has since held the Solo Horn position.
In recent years, Graham has been instrumental in the Band’s progress and continuous improvement, and now, working alongside Professional Advisor Frank Renton, will continue his sterling work into the future.
Graham’s final playing engagement will be the Goff Richards’ 60th Birthday Concert in the Hall For Cornwall on Sunday 6th November, and his first concert as Resident Conductor of the Camborne Town Band will be on Sunday 28th November at the British Heart Foundation charity concert in Newquay.
7th October - 11,000 Hits Since July 2003
Yes surfers, it is true, the Camborne Town Band website has attracted over 11,000 visits since we launched a little over 16 months ago. Over 45,000 page views have been recorded during this time, and traffic is showing a 34% increase in 2004.
The Contest Diary pages attract the most regular visits, and the record month to date was October 2003, when we had well over 1100 hits.
According to the latest statistics, we could exceed the 12,500 mark this month, and topping the 2003 record at the same time.
24th September - Frank Aims For Five In A Row
We are delighted to announce that tonight, Profesisonal Conductor Frank Renton has confirmed that he will be conducting the band at the West of England Area in Torquay next year.
Frank, the architect of the bands recent four consecutive qualifications for the National Finals is taking it easy next year, as he only plans to conduct Camborne and Grimethorpe in the qualifying rounds. "This year was far too much, taking three bands really takes it out of you" said Frank shortly after the band's qualification. At this stage we were fearful that we may miss out on Frank's direction for 2005, we are delighted however to have him on board as the band look to eclipse the records of the great Camborne Band of the 1980's.
19th September - Frank Arrives For London and Proms
Professional Conductor Frank Renton arrives in Camborne on Friday for a preparatory weekend ahead of the band’s appearance at the National Finals next month.
In addition to rehearsing the band on the test piece ‘All The Flowers Of The Mountain’, Frank will be directing the annual ‘Proms’ Concert in St Ives on Sunday evening.
Commencing at 7.45pm, the concert in the Guildhall will consist of a wide selection of music, including soloist Karen Hurne, and of course all the traditional Proms tunes – Pomp and Circumstance, Fantasy on British Seasongs, and of course 1812, complete with canons.
Tickets are available on the door at £6.
1st August - Band Fulfil Dying Mans Wishes
Following a phone call last week, Camborne Town Band have fulfilled a dying man’s wishes.
Steffan Schwed, now living in New Zealand conveyed his wishes to niece Juliet Lingham that he would like nothing more than to have Camborne play the Floral Dance at his funeral.
Born in 1911 in Poland, Steffan joined the Polish Army, fighting the Germans during the invasion at the start of WWII, then escaping with a false identity, returning to action with the Polish Free Army in France. Later he joined the English Army, then the RAF when he then moved to Cornwall.
Whilst swimming in the surf at Porthtowan, he met his future wife Rosemary Phillips, marrying her in 1948.
In 1963, they emigrated to New Zealand, taking with him many happy memories of Cornwall, and in particular many happy tunes.
Now suffering through ill health, Steffan stated that he would love the band to play at his funeral – a wish which will be granted through the kind help of our good friends at P M Sound.
Last Thursday, during a special recording session, the band recorded the Floral Dance, to put on a CD along with other favourites – Nimrod, Bilitis and Cornish Through and Through, which has now been sent to New Zealand.
The band wish Steffan and Rosemary happiness whilst they are still together, and trust that they will enjoy the recording.
27th July - Camborne Seeking Resident Conductor
Further to Bandmaster Graham Barker’s recent decision to concentrate full time on playing, the band are now seeking a full-time resident conductor.
The successful applicant will work alongside Musical Advisor Frank Renton and our other various professional conductors. With ambition, enthusiasm and the ability to develop the band to even greater heights being some of the main qualities sought, we hope the new conductor will be in place to prepare the band for the National Finals in October.
With the Band’s busy concert schedule throughout the year, a good audience rapport is essential to further enhance our entertaining style.
Applications will be treated in confidence, and are invited by either post or email to:
Jeremy Squibb, Band Manager,
Camborne Town Band, 15 Carnsew Close, Mabe, Falmouth. TR10 9HE.
Closing date 28th August 2004
9th July 2004 - Summer MD Arrives
We are delighted to announce that the Band's MD for the summer - John Berryman took up the baton last night.
Resident in Cornwall for the summer, the band are fortunate to have ex-principal cornet of Camborne and GUS to guide them through the busy summer schedule. John's first engagement will be at Padstow on Sunday 11th July.
John will be given one week off however as Captain Pete Curtis HM Royal Marines returns to the County when he will direct the band at the annual Sea Sunday concerts and service at Padstow on Sunday 1st August.
