Friday 3rd December St Luke's Church, Winnington 7.30 pm Our annual pilgrimage to Winnington. Superb venue, good music and a chance to try out some christmas singing!!!! And it was a fantastic night. It was a great turnout raising total of £600 to be shared between church and band :) If you'd like to have a concert and share the ticket revenue just give us a call - great way to raise funds for any organisation...

Sunday November 28th 2004 and the North West Brass Band Association Manchester District Open Championships will go down in history as the end of an era for the City of Chester Band and, in particular, its Musical Director Derek Mitchell. Derek has decided to hang up his baton after an astonishing 57 years (yes, 57!), man and boy, as a member of the Band. To have been a member of the brass band movement for that length of time is an incredible achievement in itself, but to have spent all those years in the service of one band is even more astonishing. Salvationist Mr George Booth was the conductor of the Chester Blue Coat Band as it was then known when Derek’s father, the late Frank Mitchell, took Derek along to band practice in 1947. Playing 3rd Cornet, Derek was soon thrust into the world of contesting as the Band came 2nd to Butterfield Tank Works Band in that same year’s Daily Herald contest, playing Eric Ball’s Divertimento. Engaged to conduct the Band for that contest was JA Greenwood, one of a number of famous brass band conductors that Derek considers himself privileged to have played under; others include Roy Newsome, John Golland, Jim Davies, Mal Brownbill and Rex Mortimer, to name but a few. Derek also played in his school orchestra and had lessons from John Slinger (Black Dyke’s 1st Baritone player) who was stationed at a nearby Army camp at the time and would come to rehearse with the Blue Coat Band. Derek quickly progressed through the cornet ranks until, at the age of 18, he became the Band’s Principal Cornet, a position he held for 28 years, leading the Band through more concerts, contests and marches than he cares to remember. During that time he also played his part in safeguarding the future of the Band by training new players; indeed, the author of this article is one of the many players that Derek has introduced to the world of brass music, and I shall forever be grateful for his tutorage and direction. Derek’s playing repertoire was far from limited to just brass band music, he was also well known throughout the north west of England for his trumpet playing in local dance bands and, in particular, The D7 Sound. His band supported top acts such as Kenny Ball, Acker Bilk, Eric Delaney and Joe Loss amongst many others. Brass band musicians will be familiar with a cornet solo called The Lazy Trumpeter; well, believe me, you’ve not heard that piece played properly unless you’ve heard Derek play it! In 1994, after years of devoted service as a player, Derek was appointed Musical Director of the City of Chester Band. At the time the Band was in the 4th Section doldrums but, under Derek’s leadership, it has progressed back to the 3rd Section where it has consolidated its position, has every seat filled in the rehearsal room, and one eye on the future with its thriving Training Band. Derek’s contribution to the musical life of Chester was recognised in 2000 when he was awarded a Certificate of Appreciation by the Lord Mayor, the same year he was accepted as a member of the National Association of Brass Band Conductors. As already mentioned Derek’s father Frank was a player with, and conductor of, ‘The Blue Coats’. Derek’s brother Brian also played in the Band’s trombone ranks for many years; therefore, Derek’s retirement brings to an end the Mitchell family’s active association with the City of Chester Band, an association that goes back even further than his 57 years! So, what are Derek’s abiding memories of his brass band career? Well, taking part in the last contest to be held in the King’s Hall, Belle Vue, playing on the stage of the Royal Albert Hall with the Band, and the Band’s tour of Switzerland in 1982 are all experiences that Derek recalls with particular affection. As I have already mentioned, Derek chose a contest to be his farewell appearance as Musical Director. For the record, the City of Chester came 4th, but on a day of high emotion for everyone connected with the Band, the result was largely irrelevant. A further surprise for Derek on the day was his contribution to banding being recognised by the award of a Diploma of Honour from the North West Brass Band Association. The City of Chester Band without Derek Mitchell is a concept that a lot of people will find difficult to accept but, having recently celebrated his 70th birthday (although he looks at least 20 years younger than that!), he has decided to leave to someone else the rigours of twice-weekly rehearsals and weekends away from the family. It only remains to wish Derek a long and happy retirement and express the Band’s sincere gratitude for his immeasurable contribution to its history. P.S. You can take the man from the band, but you can't take the band from the man! P.P.S. This article and a picture of Derek can also be found here http://www.4barsrest.com/news/detail.asp?id=2871

Band e-mail accounts have now moved to Philip's own server. All users who e-mailed a password to me in the last month or so should be able to access there accounts using that agreed password. If you didn't I don't know what password you want - so you need to get in touch so I can tell you what it is. To make contact e-mail me (from an alternative address) at [email protected] or let Ian C or Robert M know your desired password and they can let me know. You won't have to change any details other than your password - and in the meantime you aren't losing any mail, it will all be there waiting for you.

Events list updated - checkout where you can see the band over Xmas. Public events only listed below... (band members note this is not a full list of outings! - Check the events list, and Les's bandroom announcements too!!! November Sat 27th Grosvenor Garden Centre with Santa 11-1230ish Collectors needed (after the Santa parade) December Fri 3rd St Luke's Church, Winnington, concert - great venue, tickets at the door Sat 11th Morrison's, The Bache, Upton (10.30-14.30) Collectors needed Sun 12th Hospice of The Good Shepherd (15.00h, Tree of Lights) Sat 18th Concert, Wesley Methodist Church, John Street (19.30h) Sun 19th Saughall Church Carolathon, (18.00h tbc) Thu 23rd Tesco's carols - main band (10.30-13.30) Collectors needed Fri 24th Tesco's carols - training band (10.30-13.30) Collectors needed

It’s been a busy time recently for the Band, with three engagements in the space of five days. On Wednesday November the 10th we took part in a ‘Cymanfa Ganu’ at St Mary’s Church in Flint, all in aid of the Wales Air Ambulance. There was lots of singing to be done, including one or two hymns in Welsh, which were also attempted by a few brave English bandsmen! Our Musical Director, Derek Mitchell, chose a programme that was ideal for the evening, encouraging audience participation and interest. The concert raised £603.10 for this very worthy cause, and the Band’s efforts were very much appreciated by the concert organiser. The following evening a small and exclusive ensemble led Santa and his reindeer on a walk through Chester. It was a very short walk that was over before it started, but it kick-started the Band’s Christmas commitments, which means we’re incredibly busy from here on in! Sunday the 14th saw the Band take part in Chester’s Remembrance Parade. The weather was cool but dry, and we took up our normal position outside the Town Hall, playing marches to see the various military contingents into the Cathedral. After the service the parade formed up once again, Robert Macdonald played a flawless and suitably reverent Last Post and Reveille, after which we moved off through the streets of the City, led by the party of ex-servicemen and women. All in all a very hectic but worthwhile few days. We’ve now dusted off the carol books in anticipation of the weeks ahead, so keep your eyes and ears open for our dulcet tones in and around the area!

Watch the board in the bandroom!!! Otherwise you might find yourself in the wrong sectional :) scary!! Full rehearsals on the next 2 Fridays - DON'T MISS THEM!! and Sat 27th at the Grosvenor Garden Centre!!!! along with the real Santa and deer :) Contest is Sunday 28th.....

Many thanks to those Band members who turned up at Flint last Saturday (30 Oct) for the photoshoot with the Air Ambulance. Lots of good piccies were taken, which will appear on the web site in the near future. Copies have been forwarded to all the local papers, so keep your eye out for them in this weekend's editions. An article about the Cymanfa Ganu (and a picture of Dave B!) can be found here: http://www.4barsrest.com/news/detail.asp?id=2715 The same story but with a different picture can be found on the Brass Band World website, in the 'News Update' section... http://www.brassbandworld.com/ Thanks again. Brian M

Nov 10th Flint Church... Checkout www.walesairambulance.com click on events :)

Following the rush of applicants to fill the Trombone vacancy, the band had to be very selective and appoint only the very best! To this end, Shelly Daniels an excellent Trombone player from the New Forrest band www.newforestbrass.com has taken up the challenge. Shelly fills the gap left by Ian MacDonald some 18+ months ago who had to retire from playing due to health problems. The band would like to extend a huge warm welcome to Shelly and hope she has a great time with the band in the future. The band would also like to congratulate Kirsty Blain on her promotion to the Solo Horn position skipping over the 1st Horn position currently held by Sylvia. Kirsty is also a member of the training band and has show fantastic progress in her playing ability over the last few years. Watch out Black Dyke!! The band is now fully up to strength in the all sections except percussion and still need a regular conductor for the Training band. Any volunteers?

Two members of the City of Chester Band’s younger fraternity have hit the headlines after both being nominated for the prestigious role of Young Ambassador for Blacon, as a direct result of their musical exploits. Cornetist Leanne Wilsher and Tenor Horn player Kirsty Blain are members of the Blacon High School Band as well as the Chester Band, and their progress and contribution to music making, both in and out of school, has been recognised by this significant nomination. The City of Chester Band is extremely proud of all its young players, and we congratulate Leanne and Kirsty on their success and hope that they continue to inspire other potential players to come and join us.