TB please note the school have cancelled the band at MT Fete as they fear the weather will drive the fete into the school.

One for the TB....

Saturday 21st June, Royal Northern COllege of Music Manchester

Admission is free to the concerts if you are a full day participant but non-participants can buy tickets for both concerts by ringing the box office on 0161 907 5555. Tickets (£6) are limited so book now and make sure you don't miss out!

RNCM Brass Band Focus Day features performances, workshops and masterclasses for brass band players focussing on practical performance. The day is aimed at players of Grade 5 standard or equivalent and will give participants the opportunity to play in workshops and masterclasses featuring every single brass band instrument. RNCM tutors, including Nicholas Childs, Richard Marshall and John Miller will lead the classes and be on-hand to offer advice.

Participants will also be able to hear two concert performances. The Black Dyke Band, the RNCM's Brass Band in Residence, perform at 12pm, conducted by Nicholas Childs featuring music by Tchaikovsky, Philip Wilby and the Band's recently appointed Musical Associate Paul Lovatt-Cooper. At 6pm the RNCM Brass Band, under the baton of Nicholas Childs and accompanied by the Wardle High School Brass Band, will close the day with music focussed around the theme of railways. It will also include the world première of a new work by RNCM graduate composer Lucy Pankhurst, commissioned by Northern Rail to commemorate the end of steam trains 40 years ago and look forward to the railway of the 21st century. On Sunday 22 June the RNCM Brass Band and Wardle High School Brass Band will perform the work again at a celebratory event held at Northern Rail's Newton Heath train depot in Manchester.

Admission to the RNCM Brass Band Focus Day is free to registered day participants, including tickets to both concerts. To book a place, contact Bethany Robinson on T 0161 907 5398 or

Following full rehearsals on Monday (2nd June) the band has had a busy week. The Training Band entertained Chester's volunteer community on Thursday night in Chester Town Hall - ending their performance with a storming version of Hootenany! A challenging Friday rehearsal. And on Saturday the Training Band was out at Aldford Fete - complete with Chocolate Fountain and the Human Fruit Machine (masterminded and manned for the day by Paula Blain - assisted by band followers). After that there was just time for a quick dash home to change before the evening social event at the bandroom.

A surprised Les Platt arived at the bandroom to be serenaded by the band's finest as they played Happy Birthday and Last of The Summer Wine - to celebrate Les hitting 60 and retiring at the same time....

The musical treat wasn't over. As the band had not performed at the beer festival Donna Jackson instigated the inaugural performance of the Chester Brass Folk group who played a rendition of the beer festival classic; 'House of The Rising Sun', and an inspired set of folk tunes. 2 violins, a zither, 2 guitars, 2 accordions, several recorders and vocals.... Could this be the dawn of a new era for Chester?

It was also good to see ex-players Paula (with Chris) and Andrew joining us for the night.

You can see Chester Brass Folk in action in our photo gallery - fortunately without sound! The usual great spread was laid on by Sylvia MacDonald, and an excellent beer sourced by Paul Jones :)

The Training Band is back out next Saturday at Mickle Trafford Fete, so why not drop by and see them in action...

Welcome to the new band committee, complete with a couple of new and welcome faces:

Chairman: Paul Donoghue

Band Master: Robert MacDonald

Band Manager: Paul Jones

Secretary: Robert Fletcher

Treasurer: Doug Dalzell

Minute sec: Sylvia MacDonald

Contest Sec: Chris Peover

PR: Ian Clowes

Librarian: Sylvia MacDonald

Equipment Off: Donna Jackson

TB Coordinator: Tony Blain

note Phil Mottershead will continue as Musical Director and Ian Clowes as Training Band conductor. The website will continue to be maintained by Philip Clowes.

The training band as well as performing are, for the first time ever, running a stall at Aldford Fete where you can enjoy a go at the chocolate fountain and also try your luck at the human fruit machine. If you want to help we're setting up from 11.30 on Saturday, otherwise just come along after lunch and have a good day out!

Yep - the training band did have a great day at 'Halton Fun Day' last Saturday. Checkout the photo gallery to see them climbing, shooting and generally having fun.... oh and playing too!

Thanks to Rob MacD for stepping in to conduct, and for all who could make it.

Lookout for the girls teaching the emergency services how to play brass!

Our Tb solo competition for 2008 will be held on Sunday Sep 7th at Aldford Village Hall, and will include a challenge rounders game :)

Band members of both bands please stick the 7th June in your social event diary. The bandroom is the in-place that Saturday :)

No rehearsal Fri 2nd May or Mon 5th. Next rehearsal Fri 9th May for Main Band and Mon 12th May for Training Band

Friday rehearsals:

In future on Fridays the baton will come down at 8pm, not 7.45.

Please be there in good time though :)