As the banding year comes to an end, with one more job to do, it is a time to reflect and give thanks.
We started 2021 in lockdown, again. No band and the start of a year of yet more unknowns. However, thanks to the enthusiasm, hardiness and tenacity of the band, as soon as we were able to, on 29th March we started up the 6 man garden bands. Rain, hail, sleet and wind didn't stop the intrepid banders of City of Chester. Thank you for your joy in music, thank you to your families and friends for supporting that joy.
Come 17th May, thanks to the continuing generosity of the Chester racecourse, we once more commenced outdoor rehearsals of the main band. All of this under the direction of Ewan Easton MBE. Like for so many other professional musicians this year has been a difficult one, but his never ending enthusiasm and commitment has been an inspiration and the band are immensely grateful that a musician of his calibre continues to guide ,teach and motivate us all.
During lockdown out band manager Matthew and his intrepid work crew of Paul (our chair) and Robert (our treasurer) continued work on our band room. Unfortunately that work has uncovered a mass of work that is needed to the roof, walls and heating, which will need both funds and extensive work for quite some time to come. But we are grateful for the Herculean efforts made and hope you've enjoyed the bible tracts you've uncovered in the walls, if not the mouldering damp smells!
June 20th we had our first band job in over 12 months! A March and village fair and it felt so good to be back.
Also in June we said our sad goodbyes to Doug Dalzell, the holder of the bands hip flask and cheque book. One of which was permanently open, the other permanently closed. It was a privilege to play at his funeral.
July 3rd and training band restarted. Our band will die if we do not produce the next generation of players. Covid decimated our learner band numbers but, since September, they are recovering and many thanks to Tony, Matthew, Paul, Ewan, Les and all the parents, supporters and players of training and learner bands. It is still paying off as Ryan from training band joined us on back row cornet and has proved to be a great asset and a hard working member of the band, as well as the youngest.
We gained a new bass trombone, Chris, and a new front row cornet, Tricia, who thought we were joking when we said we rehearsed outside. On a sad note Sammy, our solo trombone, returned home after his studies in Chester had come to an end. His will be a difficult seat to fill in many ways!
September 12th we entered our first contest since February 2020 and won some silver ware and a nice cheque at Blackburn and Darren hymn and March contest. We also had a meal out, our first band social for a long time, followed by an inaugural band golf day, enjoyed by all.
October 27th we had a really red letter day, our last outdoor rehearsal, as we moved into St Luke's in Huntington since the band room is too small for covid safe rehearsal.
December 3rd we played our first indoor concert for two years!
As we go into another year of uncertainty, it is easy to get dispirited about the future and the future of brass banding. However, we have one more job that illustrates how vital it is to keep music going. On Tuesday a small group of us will play at the funeral of someone most of us never met. Last year we were asked to play outside the room of someone who had moved into a nursing home before lockdown. They had seen no one, except staff, and were confined, like the rest of the home, to their room. Their favourite Carol was "In the Bleak Midwinter" and they asked if we could play it. On a cold December evening, in the rain, we gathered outside her window and played. We could only see a vague outline of her in the darkness. She sent a beautiful email to say how after such a miserable time it was so uplifting to hear her favourite Carol and the harmonies. She passed away recently and the family asked if some of us could attend the funeral and play "In the Bleak Midwinter", we feel proud to have provided a small ray of light for her at such a dark time. Music has a power to move, uplift and engage in ways we often don't appreciate. It is a privilege we have to perform and, as a collective, produce something beautiful in dark and strange times.
Who knows what 2022 will bring but we will try our best to approach it with positivity and hope for us all better times ahead.
Keep well, keep safe, Merry Christmas.
