At the recent annual general meeting of the City of Chester Band two awards were made. This is only the second year that such awards have been made in memory of a popular former member, Didier Chupeau, who died in tragic circumstances in 2013. The awards are designed to recognise a member's musicianship, commitment and exceptional personal qualities.

The Didier Chupeau Bandsman's Award, decided by members in a private vote, was awarded jointly to Matthew Birkett and Alex. Bargh after a tie in the number of votes cast for each. The shield will spend six months in each of Matthew and Alex's homes. Matthew Birkett plays the Eb Tuba while Alex is a percussionist.

The Musical Director's Award was awarded to Matthew McCleary. Recently-retired Musical Director, Philip Mottershead, selected Matthew in recognition of his musicianship and commitment to the Band, particularly during the preparations for the NW Regional Qualifying Championships held in Blackpool in the spring. Matthew, who plays First Baritone and began playing as a youngster in the City of Chester Training Band, worked long and hard to meet the playing demands of the test-piece: "Variations on Maccabeus" by Kevin Norbury.

Photos show Matthew Birkett and Alex, Bargh sharing their trophy, with recently-appointed Musical Director Joshua Hughes presenting Matthew Mc Cleary with his shield.

The weather might have been a bit overcast but the out look was sunny for the members of the public when the Training Band arrived with a few well known tunes. with help of a few members of the public helping out with percussion it was a great day.Check out the photos on the gallery page.

Today the Training Band with the help of members of the Main Band played for the shoppers at the Grosvenor Garden Centre > it was a great day in the sun and the band was well received by the shoppers and staff . To cap the day off, two members of the Training band have just received the result of the grade 5 music exam, so in the week that Lewis and Guy received the player of the month award they both finished the exam with a pass. Very well done to you both . Tony

Well done to both Guy and Lewis for winning the Player of the Month award this is the first time that we have given the shield to two people but there section is improving all the time so the award was For tremendous improvements and a big sound'. Well done to you both. Tony

A busy but successful weekend for the City of Chester Band to look back upon: Saturday's excellent concert in Chester Cathedral with City of Chester Male and Chester Ladies' Choirs plus the pianist/composer Robat Arwyn was followed by a cool and breezy Sunday afternoon performance on The Groves bandstand by the river Dee.

Now it's time for the Band to prepare for the Whit Friday march contests when, on Friday 29 May, the Band will be visiting a number of towns and villages in the Tameside area of Greater Manchester. Contests start around 16:00 hrs and continue throughout the evening until 23:00. City of Chester Band is proposing to play in the following places: Audenshaw (Aldwinians), Droylsden, Broadoak, Hurst, Upper Mossley, Heyrod, Stalybridge Labour Club and Denton. These competitions offer bands of all abilities (from the likes of Foden's through to youth bands) to meet up "on the road" but performances are assessed according to each band's contesting grade. City of Chester Band will be competing in these contests for the first time as a Second Section Band.

The contests originated in the 19th century when the celebration of Whitsuntide was especially important in the north of England, particularly so in the Manchester area; a time of Christian celebration when workers were given a day off from their work in mills and factories to don their best clothes and celebrate "in a sober manner". During the day (Whitsun Friday) churches would engage local brass bands to lead processions of Sunday School scholars. In the evening bands in the Saddleworth and Tameside areas would travel between villages competing against each other in playing quick-step contest marches, composed to show off bands' musical dexterity and tone. Local churches still hold their village processions but, with the coming of improved road access in the late 20th century, the evening competitions were opened up to allow bands from all over the UK and parts of Europe to take part. In 2014 126 different bands competed in the Saddleworth area alone.

The April player of the month award goes to Eve Chaddock for Fantastic Progress since joining the band in January this year. Eve is hard working and as her brass tutor Peter Dalton says "she will make a good player". Well done Eve

Please note that rehearsals will now start at 19:45 and end at 21:45.

The City of Chester Band is pleased to announce the appointment of a new musical director, Joshua Hughes, successor to Philip Mottershead.  Josh, 22, hails from Bury and has a wealth of experience gained from playing and working with a number of bands in the Greater Manchester and Coventry areas.  Currently, he is the musical director of Sale Brass with whom he has already had contest success since arriving in July 2014, notably winning the Fourth Section of the Butlin’s Brass Band Championships (formerly Mineworkers’ Championships) held  in January, 2015.

Whilst a student at Coventry University, Josh persuaded Coventry Festival Band to return to contesting after a 50-year break.  Under Josh’s musical direction the Band was awarded Best Soloist prize in their first competition.  Josh also led the Band in a production of “Brassed Off” at Coventry’s Belgrade Theatre.

Josh has also made a significant contribution to the revival of a famous name in the brass band world: Besses o’ th’Barn Band, playing Soprano Cornet for several years and also being appointed Deputy Musical Director.  Also, in 2014, he led Boarshurst Silver Band to five first prizes in the 2014 Whit Friday Saddleworth march contests.

The City of Chester Band has been searching for a musical director for a while and it was thanks to Phil Mottershead stepping out of retirement that the Band has managed to perform in recent contests and concerts, notably the Third Section National Championships held in Cheltenham in September 2014 and the Second Section Regional Championships held in Blackpool in March 2015.  With Josh now wielding the baton, Band members are keen to develop further their musicianship, to ensure that all the hard work put in in recent years is not thrown away.

Josh Hughes’ first public engagement with the Band will be on Sunday afternoon 10 May when City of Chester perform in Vale Park, New Brighton.  A prior engagement means that Josh will not be able to direct the Band when they perform in Chester Cathedral on Saturday 16 May in a concert marking the 60th anniversary of the City of Chester Ladies’ Choir.  On that occasion the Band will be led by Derek Mitchell, a former player with, and musical director of, the Band.

Commenting on his appointment Josh Hughes said: “I am looking forward to working with the Band and progressing together as a team, both on the contesting circuit and in concerts.”

The City of Chester Band is looking forward to a long and productive partnership with Josh Hughes.

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The TB will be taking a rest now for Two weeks due to the Easter holidays we will be back at St Lukes on Monday 20th April 6.00pm -7.30pm. |Anyone interested in joining the band band either give Tony a call 07913109951 or call in on the 20th. Happy Easter Everyone

Very Well done to Zac Lodge for passing his Grade 3 with Merit on Cornet. I didnt realise that anyone could go that red with embarrassment when i got him to stand up and tell everyone what the text message from his Mother said. Great work from his tutor Kirsty Blain . Well Done to you both.