Monday 24th December - Change of Adjudicator for 2008 Solo Contest
The Camborne Youth Band Solo and Quartet Contest will be taking place on Saturday 19th January 2008 at Camborne Science and Community College.
Camborne Youth invited David Childs (principal euphonium of Cory Band) to adjudicate the contest but unfortunately he is unable to attend due to illness. However, the band is now looking forward to welcoming David Thornton to Cornwall in his place. David has been the principal euphonium of Black Dyke Band since July 2000. Please visit his website, www.davethornton.co.uk, to find out more about his musical career.
The following night (Sunday 20th January 2008), David will also be the guest soloist with Camborne Youth Band at their New Year Concert. The concert will take place at the Penventon Park Hotel in Redruth at 7:30 pm.
A contest entry form and more information is available on the Solo Contest web page.
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!
Tuesday 20th November - Camborne are Open for the Open
This week, Camborne Town Band are rehearsing with their Professional Musical Advisor, Frank Renton, for the Scottish Open Brass Band Championships this Saturday. At the Perth Concert Hall the band will perform the set test piece, "Macbeth", which has been written for the contest by Peter Meechan. He will be joined by Roger Webster to adjudicate.
On Thursday evening (22nd November), Frank and the band will be holding an open rehearsal in the Main Hall at Camborne School which will begin at 8:00 pm. It will be an ideal opportunity to hear the band play the piece before their trip to Perth and also see how the band prepares for contests.
The band fly to Scotland, from Newquay, the following morning and return home on Sunday at 1:40 pm. Your support on Thursday evening will be greatly appreciated and the band looks forward to seeing you there!
Saturday 10th November - Christmas Quiz to Help Fund New Year
Earlier this year, band supporter, Debbie Rowe, created the Camborne Town Band iQuiz to help the band raise the necessary funds for their trip to Scotland in November to compete in the 2007 Scottish Open Championships.
The quiz made a total of £100 profit and was won by Mrs Hillary Manhire with 91 points. Mrs J Biddle came second with 87.5 and Jill Morgan, with 85.5, came third. The band wishes to thank everybody who participated!
Debbie has now designed a Christmas Quiz to help raise funds for the band's busy contest season in the new year! The Camborne Town Band Christmas Quiz is available to download from here as a Microsoft Word Document (please email us if you have any problems downloading the file) with a first prize of £15! Entries cost £1 and the competition is open until January 5th 2008.
All support received is greatly appreciated by the band so please help make next year, not only possible, but very successful!
Tuesday 6th November - Brass Bands Celebrate Gold Awards
Three triumphant Cornish brass bands will be playing at a concert to mark their recent successes. Three of the county's youth bands put in fantastic performances in the National Youth Brass Band competition and now the three will perform together in Truro in a celebration of their achievements.
Leading figures in the brass band movement say that now is a golden age for young players in the county. At the national competition held in April, youth bands from Camborne, Mount Charles and St Dennis were all rewarded with gold awards. The bands will perform both individually and together at a special performance at the Hall for Cornwall on Sunday, November 18.
Philip Hunt, secretary of the Cornwall Youth Brass Band, is an authority on the history of brass bands in the Westcountry. He said: "A lot of people are wondering what is in the water with regards to Cornwall's bands. They were up against all of the best youth bands across the UK so it's a significant achievement."
Out of 14 bands in the competition Camborne, St Dennis and Mount Charles came first, third and fifth respectively, earning gold awards. This was the first time in the competition that three bands from one county had achieved such recognition.
Mr Hunt said: "To have risen to this level has taken a great deal of commitment and dedication, not just from the players themselves, but from their musical directors, tutors, parents, guardians and all those involved in the organisation of their individual bands."
At the Hall for Cornwall, each band will play a selection of pieces on their own before combining in the second half for finale of about 120 musicians. Mr Hunt said that brass bands are flourishing in Cornwall at the moment and points to the fact that the three principal brass players in London's celebrated Philharmonia Orchestra all learned their trade in Cornish brass bands. Trumpeter Mark Harold, trombonist Byron Fulcher and tuba player Graham Sibley all went on from playing in youth bands to successful professional careers.
Alan Pope, musical director of the Camborne Youth Band, is one of those responsible for bringing through the next generation of gifted musicians. He said: "We've got some really good players at the moment and we're doing very well." The youth section at Camborne has more than 100 members aged six to 19. The band is constantly recruiting members through working closely with local schools. Mr Pope said: "We go into local schools and give children an instrument and offer tuition at very good rates."
Tickets for the concert at 7.30pm on November 18 are available from the Hall for Cornwall box office on 01872 262466.
Thursday 25th October - Saggers Skydives for Scotland!
Camborne Town Band's repiano cornet player, Paul Saggers, is taking part in a tandem skydive at Perranporth Aerodrome on Sunday 28th October through www.skydivecornwall.com. Paul is raising funds for the band's trip to Scotland in November where they will be competing in the Scottish Open Championships under the direction of their Professional Musical Advisor, Frank Renton.
Paul has created a website, www.smartgive.com/showpage.php?url=ctb, so that people are able to sponsor him online. Barclay's Bank, which Paul works for, have kindly agreed to double the amount of money that he raises! This is a fantastic way to raise money for the band's trip and any support would be greatly appreciated!
Wednesday 24th October - Golf Day Raises £135 for New Bandroom
On Friday 10th October, nine teams entered a friendly golf tournament at the Tehidy Park Golf Club organised by Society Chairman, Marcus Dunstan, to raise funds for Twenty 4 Twenty. In near perfect weather conditions, teams of three teed off at 10:00 am and by 3:00 pm all had completed the course and were being refreshed at the 19th hole!
Three teams from the ranks of Camborne Town Band Music Society competed and were placed 3rd, 6th and 8th. The competition was won by a team comprising Sam Ward, Shaun Eamer and Dave Roberts, scoring a total of 78 points. In second place, with 77 points, were David Hayhoe, Tony Drew and Barry Lawrence. Third were John Barnes, Steve Lovelock and Neil Murley with 74 points. Thanks to all 27 players for making the day a success!
Saturday 6th October - Results of World Cup Competition Announced
The winners of the 2007 Rugby World Cup Competition have been announced. The competition was organised by one of the band's Eb bass players, James Sturges, to help raise the funds needed to take the band to Scotland in November. Congratulations go to the three winners, Lee Trewhella (1st), Richard Hansell (2nd) and Emma Hirst (3rd). For the full results, click here.
A fantastic £83 was raised through the event and Camborne Town Band wishes to thank James for organising the competition, Nick Abbott for creating the score sheet and everyone who took part for their much-valued support.
Thursday 4th October - Percussionist is Special Guest of Youth Band
The 2007 National Community Youth Champions, Camborne Youth Band, will be in concert on Sunday with special guest, Simone Rebello, at Camborne Wesley Church starting at 7.45pm. Simone began percussion lessons at the age of 12 and played with the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain before auditioning for and being accepted at every major music college in the UK. She accepted an entrance award to study at the Royal Northern College of Music and while at the college won both a scholarship prize and a concerto award.
She graduated with Distinction in 1991 (winning several awards including the Phillip Jones Award and the Gilbert Webster Prize) to embark on a solo career that has seen her recording three albums, touring extensively nationally and internationally, appearing on UK and international radio and television and winning a collection of awards and prizes including the Cosmopolitan Woman of the Year in the Performing Arts.
Simone is the founder member of the highly successful BackBeat Percussion Quartet (formed in 1995) who frequently tour and record internationally.
In addition to performing, Simone is an experienced adjudicator of both percussion events, brass and wind band contests and general music competitions.
Tickets (Gallery - £6.00, Downstairs - £5.00) are available from Trevada Music, Camborne, or by contacting R Merritt on 01209 218218. Under 16s get in free when accompanied by an adult!
Saturday 29th September - 'B' Band Awarded 4th in Harrogate!
Today Camborne 'B' Band, under the direction of Alan Pope, competed in the 3rd Section of the National Finals at the International Conference Centre in Harrogate. After an outstanding performance of "Imperium" by Bruce Fraser, the band were awarded 182 points and 4th place by the adjudicators, Alan Hope & Lt Col. Chris Davis OBE. The band's flugel horn player, Rebecca Merritt, was awarded the soloist prize!
Place. Band, Conductor, Draw, Points
1. Middleton Band, Matthew Stringer, 9, 185
2. Barton, Richard Evans, 17, 184
3. Oldham Band (Lees), John Collins, 4, 183
4. Camborne B, Alan Pope, 15, 182
5. Matlock Band, Roger Jepson, 11, 181
6. Dodworth Colliery MW, Eliot Darwin, 13, 180
7. Campbletown Brass, Craig Anderson, 18, 179
8. Thundersley Brass, Keith Schroeter, 16, 177
9. Eccleston Brass, Ian Bateson, 2, 176
10. Ripon City, Malcolm Dibb, 8, 175
11. Clifton and Lightcliffe, John Clay, 174
12. Wellington (Telford), Steve Curtis, 3, 173
13. Wotton and Districy Silver, Dennis Grant, 12, 172
14. Perthshire Brass, George Annan, 7, 171
15. Epsom & Ewell, Ted Howard, 6, 170
16. Llwydcoed, Alan Davies, 14, 169
17. Wem Jubilee, Roger Thorne, 5, 168
18. Porthaethwy Menai Bridge, Chris Williams, 10, 167
Soloist: Rebecca Merritt, Flugel, Camborne B
The 'B' Band left Camborne on Friday morning at 7am and spent the day travelling to their hotel in Brighouse. That evening they rehearsed at West Ridings, the home of the world famous Brighouse and Rastrick Band! As their section started at 9:30 am, they had an early start this morning to catch the draw although they didn't play until early this afternoon. They are now back on the coach and on their way back to Camborne.
Please visit the gallery for photos from the trip. If anyone has more that they would like to see on the site, please email them to enquries@cambornetownband.com. Also, you can read the fantastic live report of the band's performance from 4barsrest here.
Many congratulations to Rebecca, the band and, of course, Alan for this fantastic result which is well deserved after the huge amount of hard work put in by everyone involved!
Saturday 22nd September - 'B' Band Prepare for National Finals
Next Saturday (29th September), Camborne 'B' Band will be competing in the Third Section of the National Lower Section Finals in Harrogate. It will be the 'B' Band's second appearance at the National Finals since their formation in 2002. Under the baton of Alan Pope, they will be one of 19 bands to perform the set test piece "Imperium" by Bruce Fraser for adjuicators, Alan Hope and Lt. Col. Chris Davis OBE.
As well as rehearsing with Alan Pope, the band have also been working with their Professional Musical Advisor, Alan Morrison (MD of Brighouse & Rastrick Band). Before leaving for Harrogate on Friday, the band have a busy week of practises and once again, Simon Dunstan will been recording the band's rehearsal progress in the Contest Diary.
Tomorrow evening (Sunday 23rd September) the band are holding a 'Pre-Harrogate' concert at the Penventon Park Hotel in Redruth. The band will aim to entertain you with a varied selection of enjoyable music and entry is free!
Tuesday 4th September - Proms Continue Despite Poor Weather
On Sunday evening Camborne Town Band performed a 'Last Night of the Proms' concert at Trevarno Estate Gardens. Organised by the Mayor of Camborne, Mr. Jeff Collins, the concert was in aid of the band and a local health charity. The guest artist for the evening was the mezzo soprano, Karen Hurn.
The first half featured the band and included "Eve of the War", "Concerto De Aranjuez". "Funiculi Funicula Rhapsody", "Liberty Fanfare" and "Born Free". Unfortunately the weather took a turn for the worse towards the end of the first half, but after an extended interval, the band returned to finish the concert.
The second half began with "The Rose" which was beautifully sung by Karen and well accompanied by the band. The traditional Proms music then followed, beginning with "Rule Britannia". After "Jerusalem" the concert came to a close with "Pomp & Circumstance". The band apologise for having to cut the second half short, but due to the poor weather conditions it wasn't possible to continue.
The band wish to thank Mayor Collins for organising the event, Karen for singing with the band, and the fantastic audience for showing continued support despite the weather! This evening the band will be rehearsing with Mr. Richard Evans for their 'Showtime Spectacular' at the Hall for Cornwall tomorrow evening. To find out more about the event please click here.
Friday 24th August - Two Proms Concerts for September '07
This year Camborne Town Band are holding two 'Last Night of the Proms' concerts which will both feature the band, conducted by Jeremy Willcock, and their guest soloist, Karen Hurn (mezzo soprano).
The first is on Sunday 2nd September in the beautiful setting of the Trevarno Estate Gardens and the programme will commence at 5:00 pm. Tickets for the evening, priced at £5, are available from Camborne Town Hall, The Bassett Centre, Bassett Road, Camborne, TR14 8SL - Tel: 01209 612406, or, Trevarno Estate, Crowntown, Helston, Cornwall, TR13 0RU - Tel: 01326 574274.
St John's Hall in Penzance is where the band will perform their final 'Last Night of the Proms'. Starting at 7:45 pm, the concert is on Sunday 30th September. Admission costs £6 on the door and, as well as first-class music, you will also get a free glass of wine!
Friday 3rd August - Quiz to Raise Funds for Scottish Open
A quiz has been designed by band supporter, Debbie Rowe, to help the band raise the necessary funds for their trip to Scotland in November to compete in the 2007 Scottish Open Championships.
The Camborne Town Band iQuiz is available to download from the website with a first prize of £20! Entries cost £1 and the competition is open until September 3rd 2007.
All support received is greatly appreciated by the band so please help make their trip to Scotland not only possible, but very successful! To download the quiz, in PDF format, please click here.
Wednesday 1st August - Frank to Lead Camborne's Scottish Battle
Camborne Town Band is thrilled to announce that their Professional Musical Advisor, Frank Renton, will be conducting them at the 2007 Scottish Open Championships.
16 bands have now confirmed entries for the contest on Saturday 24th November to be held for the first time in the new Perth Concert Hall. 6 bands from England and 10 from Scotland will perform a new commission from Peter Meechan entitled "Macbeth". To find out more about the test piece please visit the SBBA's website; www.sbba.org.uk.
In an innovative and welcome move, the composer will be one of the adjudicators along with Steven Mead. Steven Mead has worked with Peter in the past and both are looking forward to sharing the adjudication of the Scottish Open.
The Scottish Brass Band Association are also delighted that Besson has agreed to sponsor the event and they look forward to welcoming them to Perth along with the competing bands; Bon Accord, BT Band, Camborne Town, Carlton Main Frickley Colliery, Dalmellington, Dunaskin Doon, Fishburn, Kingdom Brass, Kirkintilloch, Newmilns & Galston, Newtongrange, RMT Easington, Scottish Co-op, Unison Kinneil, Whitburn and Yorkshire Imperial Urquhart Travel.
The flights to Scotland have been booked with the band leaving on Friday 23rd and returning on Sunday 25th. Although Camborne Town Band has the furthest to travel, being their first appearance at the contest, they are really looking forward to the event.
Wednesday 25th July - It's Showtime for Dick the Stick!
Camborne Town Band is joining forces, once again, with the Redruth Amateur Operatic Society Trust Singers for a 'Showtime Spectacular' at the Hall for Cornwall in Truro. This year the concert is on Wednesday 5th September and the band is very fortunate to engage the services of the esteemed conductor, Richard Evans, for the evening.
Camborne Band first welcomed Richard to Cornwall last year for the Spring Festival and is once again looking forward to his arrival for the concert in September. He is one of the most colourful and flamboyant personalities in the British brass band scene and will not only conduct the band, but compere the evening as well.
Richard is well known for his entertaining style and only last year, directed the Brighouse and Rastrick Band to their first Brass in Concert title. In doing so, he not only won the contest for a third successive year, but became the first man to conduct three separate bands to victory and became the most successful conductor in the contest’s 30 year history with an unprecedented 7th victory!
To find out more about the concert and the performers please click here. Tickets are available at £10 and £13 from the Hall for Cornwall Box Office on 01872 262466 which is open from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm from Monday to Saturday. For more information you can visit the Hall for Cornwall website - www.hallforcornwall.co.uk.
Wednesday 25th July - Youth of Southampton & Camborne in Concert
Last week Camborne Youth Band joined forces with Southampton Youth Band for a concert at County Hall in Truro. The massed band of about 80 players had a joint rehearsal at Tuckingmill Pavillion on Monday evening in preparation for the concert on Wednesday.
The concert began with Southampton Youth Band under their Musical Director, Ian Smith, and their Assistant Musical Director, John Hanchett. Their entertaining programme included the march "Praise", "Pirates Of The Caribbean", "Concerto De Aranjeuz", "Benedictus" and "Let's Face The Music and Dance".
Camborne Youth, directed by Alan Pope, then took to the stage beginning with a piece that is relatively new to their repertoire; "Rocky - Gonna fly now" from the motion picture "Rocky". Samuel Eddy then gave an outstanding performance of "Nessun Dorma" on soprano before he was joined by the solo cornets in their feature "12th Street Rag". Jeremy Taylor then once again wowed the crowds with his speedy rendition of "Helter Skelter" on the xylophone. To bring their set to close the band finished with "Macarthur Park".
To end the evening in fine style the bands joined forces for the finale. Ian Smith conducted the massed band in the march "Aces High", "James Bond" and "Hootenanny". Alan Pope then directed the bands through the trombone section feature "I Will Follow Him" and Camborne Youth's favourite finale piece "An American Trilogy".
Members of Southampton Youth Band presented Alan Pope and Tracey Abbott with gifts thanking Alan, for inviting them to work with Camborne Youth, and Tracey, for organising their trip to Cornwall. Camborne Youth wished them success for the future and with the rest of their tour; the next stage taking them to Gwent in Wales.
Monday 23rd July - Standing Ovation Received in Constantine
Yesterday evening was Constantine Silver Band's 26th Annual Brass On The Grass featuring the bands of St Kevern, Helston and Camborne. The event began at 6:30 pm when, one after the other, the three bands marched through the village of Constantine up to the marquee where the concerts then took place.
The concerts began at 7 O'clock with St Keverne Band, led by Stuart Chappell, taking to the stage first. The compere for the evening was Mrs. Janette Eathorne of BBC Radio Cornwall. Following St Keverne's performance, which included a unique arrangement of the theme music from "Chicken Run", was Helston Town Band directed by John Hitchins. Their set came to a fine close with Peter Graham's "Gaelforce".
It was then Camborne Town Band's turn to take to the stage, conducted by Jeremy Willcock. The band began with John Williams' "Liberty Fanfare" which was followed in fine style by Andrew Mitchell in the flugel horn solo "Concerto De Aranjuez". "Funiculi Funicula Rhapsody", better known as Napoli, featured third in the Band's programme. The talented euphonium section of Robert Jose and Kevin Mackenzie then performed the duet, "Rondoletto for Euphoniums". "The Lost Chord" by Arthur Sullivan, arranged by Gordon Langford, went down a storm with the large audience before the band played their finale, "Toccata in D Minor". The band then received a standing ovation for their performance and with the audience shouting for more, the band gave them another taste of "Toccata".
The three bands combined, under the baton of Ian Edwards, for the massed band spectacular to bring the evening to a close. Beginning with the march "Castle Coch", the massed bands then played Derek Broadbent's fun arangement of "The Floral Dance". The audience participation then began as everyone sang along to "Land of Hope and Glory" from "Pomp and Circumstance" and of course, our Cornish national anthem, "Trelawney". Camborne Band would like to thank Constantine Silver Band for, once again, inviting them to play!
Wednesday 18th July - Football Tournament Raises £140
Sunday 1st July marked the second Camborne Town Band Music Society 5-a-side football tournament at Halwin School, to raise funds for the Twenty-4-Twenty project.
The event was extremely well organised by Simon Dunstan, and keenly contested by all the teams (including a brief display of ballet lifting skills and two penalty shoot-outs), raising an excellent £140 towards a new bandroom for the bands.
The results and competing teams were:
Winners: Camborne Town Band – Andrew Mitchell (captain), Wayne Brown, Ross Buist, Chris Netherton and Mike Saunders.
Runners Up: Camborne Youth Band – Simon Dunstan (captain), Dan Lees, Craig Saunders, Peter Harvey, Simon Kendall and Dominic Turner.
3rd Place: Camborne Town Band – James Sturgess (captain), Les Kneebone, Barry Buist, Paul Saggers, Gavin Knowles and Cliff Richards.
4th Place: Camborne Youth Band – Matt Brown (captain), Chloë Abbott, Jack Uterhark, Joe Weeks, BJ Abbott, Harvey Lawrence and Rory Abbott.
Thanks go to Simon Dunstan for organising the event; Roy Netherton for refereeing; Angela Netherton for the raffle prizes as well as orchestrating the cheerleader (Gracie); Stephenie Haskin for providing the venue; Marcus Dunstan for providing the team medals and drinks, and for organising the barbeque; Pauline Letcher for organising the raffle; and all the teams for having a good time.
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