Two new members of the Training Band have recently passed cornet exams They are Robert Tarver with Grade 2 Merit and John Cazeau with Grade 1 Pass. A very well done to you both and keep up the good work. If anyone would like to come along to the Training Band we rehearse at St Lukes Church Huntington nr Chester every Monday from 6pm or call Tony for more information on 07913109951

More Exam success for another member of the Training Band. A very well done to Cathy Rowntree on passing her grade 3 keep up the good work .

On Monday of this week Tony & Paula had a Six foot cat in there front room as Jez & Chester the Cat from Dee106.3 came to try out for a spot in the band. Jez got a good sound out of the Bass but Chester had a problem with the Trombone. Jessica played a tune on her cornet to show them how it should be done but at least they gave it a try.

Chester Brass has had to say so long to there conductor Steve Cutler . Due to work commitments Steve has had to hang up his baton and pass it on to Matthew Birkett who has taken over as conductor as from 20th February. Steve has been with the band since 2010 and he came with one of his sons Micky who wanted to join a band to gain experience playing his Cornet. Then as is one of the aims of the training band which is to get the parents involved Steve joined the band on trombone with his wife Tracy (horn) and other son Andy (trombone). Steve took over as conductor in January 2011 and has had a busy 12 mths with a concert in Hyde Park London and a workshop with members of Blackdyke Band. On behalf of all members of the Training Band i would like to wish Steve and his family all the best for the future. Tony

Chester Brass would like to say thank you to all its members and supports for all there continued support over the last 12 mths. Lets hope the next year will be as memorable as the last year. Tony

The Training Band new percussionist Jude Johnson has started 2012 with a bang as he has passed this his Grade 3 on Drums with the Rock School examination board. Well done to Jude and I hope he has a good time as a member of the Training Band. Tony

City of Chester Training Band (Chester Brass) will be starting rehearsals again on Monday 16th January at St Luke's Church Chester Road Huntington. If you would like to learn to play a Brass instrument please come along and ask for Tony or Paula or call 07913109951.

Due to holidays there will be no rehearsal tonight (3rd August), the next rehearsal will be on Monday 8th August.

Again, due to holidays there will be no rehearsals on:

• Monday 15th August
• Wednesday 17th August
• Monday 22nd August
• Wednesday 24th August
• Monday 29th August (Bank Holiday)

The first rehearsal back after the break will be on Wednesday 31st August.

Our first engagement will be playing and collecting in the City Centre on Sunday 11th September.

Julian.

Chester Brass returned home last Sunday after a fun packed hectic weekend in London. The weekend started with a coach trip where as on any other trip children at the back of the coach and grown ups at the front after an uneventful journey down we had a couple of hours before we all met up for a night at the theatre where one group went to see the Lion King and a smaller group went to see Shreck . The weekend continued with a couple of hours free time on Saturday before the band was back on the coach a heading to Hyde Park where we performed on the band stand near Hyde Park corner. The band played as they have never played before with out as mush as one wrong note coming from the band stand. A very well done to Jacob Bentley who could not find his music so played the whole 3 hours reading a Baritone folder. We also had a couple of the park police having a blow on a baritone and euphonium just fro fun and they were amazed that they could get a sound out of them. Just before the band came to an end of there concert Gill Mauger presented band coordinator Tony Blain and his wife Paula with a gift from the band for there 25th wedding anniversary it was all hush hush with Tony & Paula not knowing what all the whispers and huddles were all about . On behalf of Paula and myself I would like to thank all the members for there gift it was a big surprise. After the performance it was back to the hotel and free time for the rest of the weekend as the planed visit to the Band of the Scots Guards fell though at the last second. The band left the hotel on Sunday for a few hours sight seeing in London and then a long coach trip back home with once again children at the back and grown ups at the front of the coach. The band will be taking a rest for the next few weeks but will be back to rehearsals in September ready for the next event which will be performing on the band stand (Chester this time not London). If any one is interested in learning a brass instrument just give Tony a call on 07913109951 for more information.

The last 12mths have been a very busy one for Chester Brass so we thought we would let our hair down (a part from Tony who has none) we gave the members cakes and biscuits to round off the year thankfully all instruments were away . Les caught a couple of band members discussing the finer points of doughnuts.