It’s always good to have former members come down to City of Chester’s bandroom to meet old friends and play with the Band.  In recent weeks we’ve had visits from Kirsty Blain who has just ended her second year at Aberystwyth University.  Also, Ian Clowes, whose work often takes him away from home leading him to finish in his roles as Second Cornet and Conductor of Chester Brass. To mark Ian’s contribution to the Band, in particular his tremendous input into the Training Band (Chester Brass), Ian has been made a Vice-president of the City of Chester Band. Another visitor went much further back in time.  Alan MacDonald played with the City of Chester Band in the late 1960’s, a contemporary of Philip Mottershead (Musical Director).  Alan went on to play Flugel Horn with the Stockport-based Fairey Band.  With his home now being in Finland, Alan is currently working in Taiwan and is the Principal Trumpet of the Taiwan Symphony Orchestra.  At the two rehearsals he came down to, Alan sat on the front row joining an already-strong Solo Cornet bench.  This encouraged Phil. Mottershead to select some challenging pieces (for a fourth section band that is) to rehearse: arrangements of Berlioz’s “Hungarian March” and Wagner’s “Introduction to Act III of ‘Lohengrin’.   Alan can be seen and heard playing the trumpet on Youtube. We look forward to further visits from Kirsty, Ian and Alan.Check out the band website for pictures

The City of Chester Band in the grounds of Saughall Vicarage await the the start of an open-air church service at which the Band accompanied all the hymns.
The day before, the Band had led the parade through the village at the start of the Church Fete, also held at the vicarage.  Concert items were played by the Band during the afternoon.

A very happy Micky Cutler from Chester Brass has won the Player of the Month award . This award is handed out to the player who in the eye of the conductor Philip Mottershead has shown commitment and hard work over the last month. Philip commented "it was not a hard decision"

The Main Band will be Rehearsing at St Lukes Church Huntington on Monday 12th April 8.00pm-10.00pm

A former member of the City of Chester Band, Wilf Goodship, has died aged 89.  It's a number of years now since Wilf played but he kept in touch with the Band mainly through the Chester Beer Festival.  Wilf was a prominent member of CAMRA and always enjoyed hearing the Band play at the Festival, when they used to be invited to play there.Wilf's funeral takes place on Tuesday 13 March, at noon at Blacon Crematorium.

Today Band members past and present, young and old came together for a performance for the public at the Chester Food and Drink Festival. This is the first time the band has performed at this event and the feed back both during and after our performance was the band played really well. The Band today was conducted by Mr P Dalton who is one of our music tutors in the Training Band he covered arrangements from Kids play Disney to James Bond . There were some old faces playing today we had Leanne on Flugal Horn and Kirsty on Tenor Horn the band is also grateful to two Main Band players who came along to support the junior Band they were Les on Bass and Didier on Cornet we also had Tracey on Horn who is the mother of one of our cornet players.

The Band is now taking a rest until Monday 12th April when we will be back to rehearsals at St Lukes Church Huntington 6.00pm-7.30pm. We are always on the lookout for new players so if you fancy coming along we would be happy to see you .

 

Tony 03/04/10

Please find below an email i recieved from the Youth Federation

 

Thank You for all performing in our Vegas Vawards Celebration Event 2010. I thought you all did brilliantly and put on a great show for our volunteers/young people.thanksHelene DeveyYouth Volunteer Development Coordinatorvinvolved Cheshire Team

Youth Federation

Very well done to all the players involved

A great evening of Music and Singing at Chester Cathedral was held on 31st January. Those taking part in the event were City of Chester Brass Band , Farndon and District Brass Band , Chester Samba Band , Chester Mail Voice Choir, Chester Ladies Choir, Kelsborrow Choir, Hand Bag of Harmonies, and Mr Philip Rushforth Director of Music Chester Cathedral. The reason for this concert was to raise funds for the Haiti Appeal and on the night managed to raise £7.800. A great effort by all involved . 

Sunday night - 31st January 2010

Chester Cathedral - doors open at 6pm for 7pm start.  Choirs, Bands, the Cathedral organ in a tremendous programme in aid of the Disasters Emergency Committee Appeal for funds to assist in the aftermath of the earthquake in Haiti.  Entrance by paper money donation.  The City of Chester Band will be there!!!

 For programme details see:   www.pbase.com/troonly/haiti

Just a quick reminder that the reheasrsal's for Chester Brass start on Monday 11th Jan 2010, 6.00pm at St lukes Church. New members are always welcome just turn up and ask for Tony .