Photos from some recent events can now be found in our Gallery! More photos to follow shortly...

Firstly thanks to all players and supporters for a very successful first outing of the year on Monday at Naylor Court. And thanks to Andrew, Paul D and Les for supporting. We've a busy few weeks now, and it wouldn't be possible without the fantastic support from Tony and Paula Blain - they're doing a great job! Thanks. Excellent outing Thursday at Stanney. Special thanks to non-TBites: Les, Brian, Chris P, John Hallas and Helen C for supporting. Ian

The weekend of 23rd and 24th of April saw the Band commence another busy summer season of engagements. On the Saturday evening we met up again for the third time since Christmas with our lady friends, the Chester Ladies Choir (people will talk!), for a concert in St Andrew’s Church, Bebington in support of the Bebington Council of Voluntary Service. The concert, also featuring the Flint Male Voice Choir, was played out to a capacity audience, who were privileged to enjoy a varied and exciting programme, culminating in all 3 ensembles coming together for Jerusalem and Land Of Hope And Glory. The concert also featured our former Musical Director, Derek Mitchell, who came out of retirement to conduct the Band for the evening. Thanks Derek, it was great to see you again, and thanks also to all the guest players who helped us out. The St George theme continued on Sunday, with the Band leading the annual St George’s Day scout parade through the streets of Chester. However, prior to that, we assembled at the Roodee to give a musical send-off to participants in the Chester Business Club charity walk. Having serenaded the walkers, a quick dash to Chester Castle was then needed in order to take up our position at the front of the parade. Once again the day was blessed with superb weather, which encouraged the Band to play particularly well, as was evidenced by the applause we received from an appreciative crowd outside the Cathedral. The Training Band is also out and about this week, with one concert already under its belt at Naylor Court on the 25th, and another one to come on Thursday afternoon (28th) at the opening of the Stanney Oaks Athletic Track. The TB will be playing at 3pm, so go along and give it your support! So, that’s summer off to a flying start! Both the Main Band and Training Band are in action this weekend at the Concept for Living Show at Tatton Park, which is always a popular event with the players (providing the weather’s good!). The following Sunday afternoon (May 8th) we’re on home turf, down by the River Dee in the Groves. See you there!

The Training Band has recently moved to new rehearsal facilities at St Luke's Church, Huntington. The Band is made up of youngsters of all ages who want to learn to play a brass instrument and is thriving under the baton of conductor Ian Clowes, with individual brass tuition provided by local brass teacher Peter Dalton. Members of the main City of Chester Band also come along to Monday evening practices in order to help and encourage the potential brass-playing stars of the future. The Band's thanks go to the Reverend Ian Hutchins for offering the use of this marvellous facility, and also to the 1st Mickle Trafford Scout Group, who provided the Band with its previous rehearsal building in the shape of their Scout Hut. The Training Band has had plenty to shout about recently with a number of its members achieving good results in The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music examinations; Kirsty Blain got a Distinction in her Grade 5 (Theory) exam, Aine Jackson a Distinction at Grade 3 for her baritone playing, and Leanne Wilsher a Merit pass at Grade 3 on the trumpet. Well done to one and all! The next chance for you to see the Training Band in action is at Stanney High School Ellesmere Port on Thursday April 28, where the Band will be attending the opening of the Stanney Oaks Athletics Track by paralympic athlete Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson. If you'd like the chance to learn to play a brass instrument, or are already learning and would like to have a fun evening playing in an ensemble then, in the first instance, contact the Training Band Co-ordinator, Tony Blain, on 01244 398468.

It is with great sadness that the band has learned of the death of Tecwyn (Tec) Hughes. Tec's connection with the City of Chester Band goes back as far as 1948, when he used to attend rehearsals in the Blue Coat School. However, he is perhaps best remembered for being part of the Band's 'star' trombone section in the late 70s and early 80s, along with Nigel Stark and Dick Smith. Tec attended the Band's 150th Anniversary Concert in October 2003 and although he was too ill to be able to attend Derek Mitchell's recent retirement party, he took the time to write a very touching letter which was read out on the night and meant a lot to Derek in particular. The thoughts of the Band are with Tec's family at this difficult time.

North West Regional Championships - Winter Gardens Spanish Hall 13th March 2005. Order of play: 1 Points: 173 Placing: 12th/16 Adjudicator M. Priestly Good clear opening. Troms not quite together. Melody at 2 good. Troms not in tune at 3. Con Moto accomps not together, however good balance achieved. 4 Nice playing here. A tempo a little strident. Con Moto well controlled. Nice change into L'istesso tempo. Music flows well. Troms not 'quite' before Poco meno mosso. Andante - perhaps more dynamic contrast here. Overall a little too heavy. Allegro Sop does well. However again too heavy in accomps. Basses not together second time. A little untidy before 10. Molto Allegro pretty well handled - this is exciting playing. Doppio, again strident in lower band. Compound rhythm well handled. Basses untidy before 15. More dynamic contrast needed at Piu agitato. 16 well handled through the Piu Mosso. Strepitoso not quite effective. 17 Again well handled compound time. Flugal and Baritone handle this well from Poco lento. Firm to end. Percussion well marked throughout.

Feb 25th Fri 19.45 cornet sectional 20.30 full band Mar 4th Fri 19.45 Euph bari's sectional 20.30 full band Mar 5th Sat 16.45 basses sectional 17.30 - 19.30 full band Mar 7th Mon 19.15 - 20.00 trombones 20.00 - 22.00 This rehearsal will be at St Luke's Church in Huntingdon after training band Mar 9th Wed 19.30 horn sectional 20.30 full band Mar 11th Fri 19.45 - 21.30 Mar 12th Sat possible rehearsal so keep clear Mar 13th Sun CONTEST DAY Number 1 club 9-10am Note Mon/Fri as normal otherwise

The story about Derek's party can be found here http://www.4barsrest.com/news/detail.asp?id=228 and with a photo by following the 'News Update' link at http://www.brassbandworld.com/

Training Band is on next week. St Luke's Church in Huntingdon. Doors open at 1800h. Easy stuff first, coffee then we'll move on. See you there, Ian ps Lauren is now home from hospital :)

The City of Chester Band’s recently-retired Musical Director Derek Mitchell had the surprise of his life on Saturday night (5 Feb) when he arrived at the Westminster Hotel on City Road for what he thought was just a late Christmas party for members of the Band and their families. As Derek walked into the room he was greeted by a fanfare of cornets along with resounding cheers from 120 well-wishers, all of whom had gathered together to mark Derek’s retirement after 57 years’ loyal service to the Band. After his initial shock Derek scanned the sea of faces and recognised many friends and colleagues, some of whom he hadn’t seen for 25 years or more, including some compatriots from his dance band days when he lead The D7 Sound. Derek spent the rest of the evening reminiscing about musical times gone by and probably shook more hands than the Queen does on a good night! The Band’s archive material had been raided for photos and subsequently put on show in a splendid display for all to see. A little later on in the evening the Chairman of the Band (and Derek’s successor as Musical Director), Phil Mottershead, spoke of the Band’s gratitude to Derek for his lifelong contribution to its success, then presented him with a number of gifts. Also there to honour Derek was David Read, arguably the brass band world’s leading contest adjudicator and a former Solo Champion of Great Britain. David took time out from a busy schedule to travel from Doncaster and pay his own tribute to Derek. David was able to draw many parallels in the way their individual careers had progressed over the years, also commenting that 57 years with one band is a truly exceptional example of loyalty. David finished by presenting Derek with a framed montage of photographs covering almost the entire period of Derek’s musical career. All in all Saturday evening was a remarkable and memorable one and a fitting tribute to someone who has contributed so much to the musical life of Chester and, in particular, the City of Chester Band. Thanks must go to all those who helped to make the event so special and, in particular, to Derek’s wife Thelma, not only for keeping the real purpose of the evening a secret from her husband, but for her unstinting support to Derek over the years. It only remains to wish Derek a long and happy retirement, although I’m sure we’ll continue to see him at the occasional social event!