Well, another busy festive period is over (at least in terms of playing) for the members of both the Main Band and Training Band. It's been a particularly hectic round of carol-playing and shopper-serenading this year, and thanks must go to everyone who has given of their time. Mention must also be made of families and friends who have shaken collecting tins in support of the bands and who have put a smile on the face of Doug 'Ebenezer Scrooge' Dalzell, the band chancellor! It only remains to wish all band members, supporters and their families a peaceful Christmas and a happy New Year.

Star Main Band Solo Horn player Kirsty Blain has achieved a memorable first at Blacon High School by winning the Dean Dilly Memorial Trophy for the second time - the only pupil ever to achieve such a feat! The trophy is awarded annually to the musician that shows the most continuous improvement over the previous 12 months. In that time Kirsty has displayed commendable hard work and commitment to pass her Grade 7 music exam on the tenor horn as well as Grade 5 on the saxophone. Kirsty's Mum (Paula) and Dad (Training Band Co-ordinator, Tony) are absolutely deilghted by Kirsty's success. Suffice to say that everyone at the City of Chester Band and the Training Band also pass on their warmest congratulations to The Girl With The Crazy Earrings!

Last Friday (December 16th) the Training Band was at Cheshire Oaks on what turned out to be a bitterly cold evening, with very few shoppers braving the low temperature. The Band had been plying its trade outside the Shere Khan restaurant and, just as the youngsters were coming to the end of their stint, a waiter appeared with some warm savoury pastries for the motley band of musicians. A more-mature TB member said 'They were just what we needed and it was a lovely gesture'. Many thanks to the Shere Khan restaurant for showing some seasonal spirit! (The company has a web site at http://www.sherekhan.com/ but it's still under construction at the moment)

Saturday November 19th....... Huntington Church - a musical evening featuring The City of Chester Training Band and friends...... playing Movie favourites.... and it was a great evening. The Training Band with a few main band friends (special appearance by Les on Bflat bass) completed their first ever 'solo' public concert. With no safety net, the band performed music from The Blues Brothers to Jingle Bells (I know!!), with several other twists and turns on the way - Listen out for the Ghoulish scream in The Saddleworth Suite! - Amy amongst others! Who will feature on percussion in 'Pots and Pans'? Alice and Jess :) Will band members be allowed to tell their jokes? No! maybe next time. But Tony Blain did make his debut solo on glockenspiel! Intrigued, then come along and join us at our next outings -check the diary for events. Doors open at 6.30pm

Hat trick Training Band promo plus photo for Sat concert has made the Chron - well done Brian! and a bonus shot by the Chron photographer of Leanne and Kirsty at the Christmas Lights switch on :) plus a shot of Rob at the remembrance parade! Go on check out our diary and come and see this famous band in action....

When Rob Macdonald, the Principal Cornet of the City of Chester Band, was playing the Last Post outside Chester Cathedral on Remembrance Sunday morning, his delicate playing was brought to an abrupt halt by a wasp that obviously didn't realise what time of year it was! 'I noticed the wasp as I started to play, but managed to maintain my composure and continue playing, despite the beastie proceeding to crawl across my face', said Rob. However, Rob's breaking point was reached when he felt the insect walk across his eye! Understandably concerned about being stung, Rob had to interrupt his playing in order to deal with the offending stripy creature and, having done so, he then completed the Last Post, with the 2-minute silence giving him the time he needed to fully regain his composure for a faultless Reveille. All this drama occurred in front of Chester's dignitaries, including the Lord Mayor who, when he met up with the Band at another ceremony later that same day, made a point of checking on Rob's well-being. Rob has now fully recovered from his close encounter of the six-legged kind, although it's thought he may well spray himself liberally with insect-repellent before his next outdoor appearance! P.S. This article can also be found on the 4barsrest web site...

Well we hope so anyway. A small group from the band introduced a Widnes Beaver Group to brass band playing on Wednesday night. Invited by Caroline, an employee of DATS, a training band supporter company (Widnes-based Engineering, Design and Recruitment business, www.dats.co.uk). Ian C, Mandy, Rob and Sylvia MacDonald (together with Elizabeth and Emily) plus Les on Bass showed off brass instruments ranging from cornet to bass. Highlights for the evening were the Beavers joining the band on percussion for several renditions of Amarillo, and of course the 'have-a-go' sessions! Favourite instrument - by a landslide majority was the bass of course. If you have a similar Chester-based group that you'd like us to come and visit, then contact Ian on [email protected] or come along on Monday night at 6pm to Huntington Church and have a chat.

The senior members of the City of Chester Band stepped aside on Sunday 18 September to allow the members of the Training Band to show off their musical talents at the annual solo competition, held at Mickle Trafford Scout Hut. The adjudicators for the day were local music teacher Peter Dalton, and cornet player John Hallas. Commenting on the day Peter said how impressed he was by the standards of the performances and, in particular, the competitors having the ‘bottle’ to get up there on their own and play a solo in front of a live audience! With over 20 competition performances the adjudicators were kept really busy, and on completion of the contest section everyone’s relief manifested itself in a massed performance of ‘Is This The Way To Amarillo’! Everyone who participated was presented with a medal and a certificate; however, the overall winner of the Margaret Blythin Award, for the second year running, was Kirsty Blain on Tenor Horn. Kirsty is the daughter of Tony and Paula Blain who do a tremendous job as Training Band Coordinators. Other prize winners included Aine Jackson (Baritone), awarded the trophy for the highest placed Training Band only player and James Tidman, presented with the Vice-President’s Award by David Else for the most improved new player in the band. In addition, a new trophy was presented to the Bands Person of the Year (as voted for by Band members), and this award went to cornet player Jessica Blain. Commenting during the prize giving, Musical Director Phil Mottershead said that the Training Band was a key element in the life of the City of Chester Band and the source of future players. A number of players have already graduated from the Training Band into the Main Band, but the Training Band also performs around Chester in its own right and has been seen at several summer fetes and concerts this year. The competition was rounded off by a short concert by the Training Band under the baton of conductor Ian Clowes, who also plays Euphonium with the Main Band. The focus then shifted to the mountain of food prepared by Sylvia Macdonald and her army of helpers in the now traditional afternoon BBQ. The Training Band is now back to regular weekly rehearsals at Huntington Church, preparing for a busy concert programme in December. It is always keen to welcome new players - instruments, music and tuition are all provided – so either come along on a Monday evening at 6pm (until 7.30pm), or contact Tony Blain on 01244 398468 for more information. The full list of results from the Solo Competition is as follows: Overall Winner and recipient of the Margaret Blythin Award - Kirsty Blain (Tenor Horn) Winner (Training Band only) - Aine Jackson (Baritone) Overall Runner-Up - Donna Jackson (Trombone) Runner-Up (Training Band only) - Leanne Wiltshire (Cornet) Vice-President’s Award - James Tidman (Tenor Horn) Bands Person of the Year - Jessica Blain (Cornet) The Main Band has also been busy over the last couple of weeks, starting with a short-notice request to provide a small ensemble to play the Can-Can for a pilot show for a new Graham Norton television series. Keep your eyes out for ‘The Band in Blue’ if the programme ever makes it onto the small screen! On a more serious note, the Band were delighted to play in support of the British Lung Foundation's 'Get Breathless' 50th anniversary appeal on Friday September 23rd at The Helsby Ex-Servicemen's Club. The concert programme went down very well with the audience and they particularly appreciated the piece 'Hymn To The Fallen' from the film 'Saving Private Ryan' which the Band played in commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II. In the second half the audience enjoyed a good singalong with the Band, culminating with 'Land of Hope of Glory' and 'Jerusalem'. Over £300 was raised on the night and with the generous donation from Barclays Bank this will take it to well over £400. Jane Mottershead, the MD's wife whose mum Jenny died very suddenly of pulmonary fibrosis last year, would like to thank the Band, the Club for providing the venue free of charge and all those who helped to make it such a successful evening.

Another super result: 15 year old Kirsty Blain has just gained a grade 7 with merit on tenor horn. Kirsty plays with both the training band and main band (as solo horn) as is taught by Peter Dalton, who also teaches many other training band members. Kirsty is the first pupil of Blacon High School to gain grade 7 :) Well done Kirsty!!

Yep another TB success on the twiddly flute.... Congrats to Leanne for getting a distinction in her grade 3 flute exam :)