SCOTTISH OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP 2018 AND UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS
The Band had a very enjoyable time at the Scottish Open Championship in Perth, playing a very good performance of 'Of Distant Memories'
achieving a creditable 8th placing amongst a strong lineup of 19 Bands.
We were expertly led by our Maestro Lewis Wilkinson who created and directed an excellent musical performance.
We now turn our attention to a list of engagements over the lead up to Christmas, as follows:
1st December: XMAS CAROLS - DALTON PARK 12-3PM
5th December: FISHBURN TREE - CAROLS (EVENING PRE-REHEARSAL)
7th December: XMAS CONCERT - FISHBURN CLUB - 8PM
8th December: XMAS CONCERT - ST MARY'S CHURCH, LONG NEWTON - 7.30PM
11th December: JOINT CONCERT WITH BLACKHALL YOUTH BAND (EVENING)
15th December: XMAS CAROLS - SAINSBURY'S, SEDGEFIELD 11AM-2PM
16th December: JOINT CONCERT WITH CLEVELAND PHILHARMONIC CHOIR, ST BARNABAS CHURCH, MIDDLESBROUGH (PM)
20th December: XMAS CAROLS - BISHOPTON GREEN - 6.30PM
21st December: XMAS CAROLS - SEDGEFIELD TREE - 6.30PM
22nd December; XMAS CAROLS - BOLAMS, SEDGEFIELD 11AM-2PM
Bandroom News 25.11.18
BILLY ELLIOTT
It is with great sadness that Fishburn Band announces the sudden death of Billy Elliott, aged 71 years. Unfortunately Billy died in hospital in the early hours of Sunday 11 November as a result of kidney failure.
Billy was a long time supporter of the Band, someone with extraordinary skills for fundraising and one of the founder members of the Fishburn Band Supporters Group. Unfortunately Billy had suffered with ill health for many years & although this had impacted on his day-to-day life, he still had a strong connection with the Band and was ever present at the Miner's Gala, leading the Band around Fishburn and into Durham.
Band members heard the tragic news just prior to their Remembrance Day duties in Birtley. This added an extra poignancy to the day’s events, especially for the longer serving Band members.
We send our sincere condolences to all of Billy's family and friends, he will be sadly missed.
Billy's family have now advised us that the funeral of Billy will take place on:
Monday 19th November 2018, 3.30 pm at Coundon Crematorium
Bandroom News 14.11.18
REMEMBRANCE CONCERT AND PARADE
The Band played in a wonderful Concert of Remembrance expertly conducted by our MD Lewis Wilkinson tonight
in St George's Church, Hartlepool, to an extremely appreciative audience.
Tomorrow sees the Band travel to Birtley to play a part in their Service of Remembrance at the cenotaph
Bandroom News 10.11.18🎶
CLASSICAL CAFE CONCERT, MIDDLESBROUGH TOWN HALL
The band played in an excellent concert on Sunday 4 November under the direction of David Conway,
who selected a wide range of enjoyable pieces for a well attended event.
As a highlight, the concert featured the first performance locally of 'Concertante' - Edward Gregson's Concerto for Piano and Brass Band.
Written in 1966 it was only officially published in October 2017 to coincide with the 50th anniversary of its first performance.
Alison Gill, who is the daughter of John and Audrey, was the featured piano soloist who gave an excellent rendition
to a very appreciative audience. See and listen to a recording of the Concerto here
Bandroom News 07.11.18
NATIONAL BRASS BAND CHAMPIONSHIPS CONTEST, ROYAL ALBERT HALL
The Band gave a good rendition of 'Handel in the Band' at our appearance at the National Brass Band Championships
in The Royal Albert Hall on 6 October.
We didn't quite get the result we'd hoped, but a great many in the Band were making their debut at the RAH including the debut with the Band of new Soprano Cornet Player Ceridwen Heaney who recently joined from Reg Vardy Band. The overall experience of all players gained will be invaluable, leaving us very eager to qualify again and make another appearance next year.
A great deal of hard work was carried out in the bandroom by our resident MD Lewis Wilkinson
and the final rehearsals and contest were under the baton of our Professional Conductor David Hirst.
Bandroom News 01.11.18
MEN UTD BRASS BAND
A wonderful concert was given last night by Men United Brass Band raising awareness & funds for Prostate Cancer UK charity.
A few of our band members were involved and over £2000 will be going to this very worthwhile cause. Well done to all!
Bandroom News 14.10.18
CONTESTS AND ENGAGEMENTS
The Band have been extremely busy fulfilling our hectic schedule of events.
We gave a very confident display at the Dr Martin's contest in the Princess Alexandra Auditorium, Yarm, on Sunday 9 September under the expert guidance of professional conductor David Hirst, although we didn't quite get the result we'd hoped for. However, we came off stage feeling pleased with our performance of 'The Wizard' (March) 'Herje Kati' (Cornet Solo) and 'Of Distant Memories' (Test Piece) and can take great credit from the work put in around the stand and use this experience to take forward into our forthcoming engagements.
This followed recent successful concerts at North Rd Methodist Church in Durham, Ushaw College in Durham, and Beamish Museum, all in addition to RMT engagements in Tolpuddle and Burston. Unfortunately our planned concert at Heugh Battery in Hartlepool had to be cancelled due to inclement weather, but we hope that this can be rescheduled at some point.
We now focus our efforts on preparing for our appearance at the National Brass Band Championships in The Royal Albert Hall on 6 October prior to our subsequent appearance at the Scottish Open contest in Perth on 24 November in addition to a range of concerts! (see our events page for further details)
We have also been busy fundraising towards our RAH appearance costs and have arranged an Autumn raffle to be drawn on 14 October. There are several excellent prizes to be had - please support this very worthy cause and ask any band member for tickets.
Bandroom News 11.09.18
PLAYER CHANGES
The Band are delighted to announce the signing of Wizz and Toby Bannan on Solo Trombone and Bass Trombone respectively. Wizz was formerly a member of the Band between 2012 and 2013 prior to attending the Royal Northern College of Music completing her BMus Degree. Both Wizz and Toby are ex-members of the famous Brighouse and Rastrick Band amongst other top bands. They bring a wealth of experience to the Band and strengthen the Band in our ongoing quest for future success.
We are also delighted to announce the signing of Billy Hunt on Tenor Horn following his move to the area. Billy is a former member of Blackburn and Darwin band and has already proven to be a valuable addition to the team having deputised on Solo Horn on occasions very successfully.
We are also delighted to announce the signing of James Corking on Cornet. James, a multi talented cornet and trumpet player and vocalist, is a product of Egglescliffe School and Sixth form college, and former member of North Skelton Band.
We unfortunately announce the resignation of David Pattinson who has given sterling service to the band on Tenor Horn since he joined in 2010. We wish David all the best success in the future and hope that he continues to enjoy his playing career.
Bandroom News 11/09/18
ONE VOICE CD
We are very proud to announce the availability of our latest CD entitled 'One Voice'
The CD is designed to be easy listening as can be seen in the programme sleeve below and makes a great addition to our growing list of recordings. The cost of the CD is £10 plus postage and packaging.
Please contact any Band Member or send us an e-mail if you wish to order this excellent CD
Bandroom News 31/08/18
HARTLEPOOL BOMBARDMENT MEMORIAL CONCERT
The Band were honoured to have been asked to play at the memorial concert in the historic St Hilda's Church, Hartlepool Headland.🎶
A great concert was had by all under the Musical Direction of the brilliant Lewis Wilkinson who had the large audience enthralled.
A huge thanks again to Lee Morris with his excellent composition of the Headland Overture written especially for the centenary of the the Bombardment of home town of 5 of our Band members, Hartlepool!
Highlights of the concert included the 'Headland Overture' composed by Lee Morris, 'Flanders Field' with narration from Dave Collins & Helen Usher, our 4 soloists (Keeley Brickle, Joanne Behan, John Gill, and David Conway) and the compering & direction of Conductor Lewis Wilkinson.
Hopefully the Band will be able to perform again in the beautiful surroundings in the not too distant future.
It's now back in the bandroom for rehearsals on 'Kensington Concerto', one of the selected test pieces at the Spring Festival in Blackpool next month
Bandroom News 23/04/18
PLAYER CHANGES
The Band are pleased to announce the signing of Joe Armstrong on Cornet.
Joe was formerly a member of the Band between 1975 and 1989 when he played both Soprano Cornet and Flugel Horn, featuring regularly as a soloist, including playing a Flugel solo on our 'Highlights' LP recording. Joe is a very experienced player and helps to strengthen the Band in our ongoing quest for future success.
Bandroom News 23/04/18
MARRIAGE OF ANTHONY NOEL TAYLOR AND DELIA CASANILLO ANCHES
Anthony and Delia were married on Saturday 24 March 2018 at St Augustine's RC Church, Darlington. Father David Russell officiated.
It was a great honour for members of Fishburn Band, Michael Franey (Horn) & Peter Lavery (Tuba),
to play within the Brass Quintet for the wedding ceremony on Anthony & Delia's special day.
This was alongside Ian Robinson (Trumpet/Piccolo Trumpet), Neil Parkin (Baritone) and Shaune Eland (Trumpet),
The Quintet played a range of incidental music to keep us entertained prior to and during the service, including playing the
accompaniment for each of the Hymns, The Bride was welcomed into the church to the sounds of Jeremiah Clark's Trumpet Voluntary and the recessional music was Handel's La Rejouissance, providing a very poignant atmosphere to the ceremony.
Anthony has a long association with Fishburn Band both as a player and conductor and
we wish them both a long, happy and healthy future together.
Bandroom News 26.03.18
NORTHERN AREA CONTEST
The Band gave an excellent performance of Odyssey (by Composer Kevin Norbury)
under the expert Direction of our Professional Conductor David Hirst.
The Band was ably prepared by Michael Franey, who put the Band through their paces for a number of weeks prior to David's attendance
and was rightfully praised for his excellent and thorough preparation.
We gained a very creditable 3rd place, unfortunately just missing out on qualification to the National Finals at the Royal Albert Hall in October.
Fishburn Band offer our congratulations to winners NASUWT and Runners up Reg Vardy,
We hope you both do the North East proud at the Finals!
Read our Adjudicators remarks here: (Odyssey — Fishburn Band 2018)
Bandroom News22/03/18
REHEARSALS UPDATE
FAO Band Members: With regards to the rest of this week, rehearsals are as follows:
TUESDAY - 7.45 pm Bandroom
WEDNESDAY - 7.45 pm Bandroom
NO REHEARSAL THURSDAY
FRIDAY - 7.45 pm Fishburn Club
SATURDAY - 10 am Bandroom
SUNDAY - CONTEST*
* Rehearsal at Bowburn Community Centre - time tbc
Bandroom News 13/03/18
HARTLEPOOL BOMBARDMENT MEMORIAL CONCERT
The Band are honoured to have been asked to play at the forthcoming memorial concert in the historic St Hilda's Church, Hartlepool Headland. Please come along and support this excellent initiative.
Bandroom News 06/03/18
Click here to read very interesting information about the Bombardment.
RYAN HANLEY - FUNDRAISING
Fundraising statement from our percussionist Ryan:
"This year I have decided to take on the challenge of the Great North Run to raise money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). JDRF is a charity invested in research which aims to cure, treat and prevent type 1 diabetes.
When I was 17, I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Initially, the diagnosis was a shock and the sudden adjustment to life with diabetes wasn't always straightforward. In particular, the ability to control my blood sugar levels and participate in sport was, and continues to be, a real challenge. Through running a half marathon, I want to show others with type 1 diabetes that the condition shouldn't hold you back from doing the things you enjoy, whilst raising money for JDRF.
Over the course of this year I'm hoping to raise £1000 for JDRF. I'd really appreciate any donations you can spare, however big or small. Thanks for all of your support!"
Ryans Fundraising page can be found at: https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/RyanHanley1
Ryan has also arranged a charity concert involving Fishburn Band to be held in North Rd Methodist Church, Durham, DH1 4SG,
on 4th August 2018, of which we are very proud participants.
Please support this very worthy cause.
Bandroom News 23/02/18
NORTH OF ENGLAND BRASS BAND CHAMPIONSHIPS
Details of the contest are now available on the following website: http://www.noebrassband.org.uk/contest2018.php
Bandroom News 22.02.18
FAMILY CONCERT - THE OAKWOOD CENTRE, EAGLESCLIFFE
We are please to announce that the band will be playing in a joint Family Concert with Preston Primary School at 3.30pm on Sunday 25th February at the Oakwood Centre under the baton of Lewis Wilkinson. The concert will comprise of a fun afternoon of music making and story telling.
Bandroom News 20.02.18
DAVE COLLINS
It was great to see Fishburn's ex-Cornet Player Dave Collins at our rehearsal. Dave has recently been appointed as Assistant Platform and Orchestra Manager with the Royal Northern Sinfonia at Sage Gateshead which is a brilliant career move for Dave and we all offer our many congratulations on his appointment..
Dave, who studied for his Degree at Durham University, told us that he has also submitted his MA thesis at @salfordsmc supervised by @AlanWilliams123. His composition 'ENDGAME' was a collaboration with @AMHart808 to create a companion piece to REUNION by John Cage and Marcel Duchamp. Best of luck with your results Dave!
Bandroom News 15.02.18
PLAYER CHANGES
During a period of inactivity on this site, there have been a number of changes in Band Personnel. There is renewed activity in updating the website and these are currently being updated within our Personnel pages for your perusal.
Our Repiano Cornet player, Lyndon Taylor left the Band in December 2017, joining NUSUWT Band on Tutti Cornet. We wish Lyndon all the best in his new position. Lyndon joined Fishburn in 2006 and we would like to thank him for all of his excellent service and commitment over the last 11 years.
The Band have signed Liz Armett on Cornet in January 2018. Liz has recently completed her Law Degree at Durham University and was a member of the award winning Durham University Brass Band. Liz has settled in very quickly and has already shown that she will be a valuable member of the Band.
The band have advertised the positions of Principal Cornet and Soprano Cornet as follows:
Principal and Soprano Cornet positions available within Fishburn Band. Existing players are taking a step down to make way for new, ambitious talent. So, if you are looking to step up to the challenge, get in touch. Other positions may be considered.
We also still have vacancies for Solo and Bass Trombone (See Situations Vacant page)
If you are interested, please contact Paul Brickle: 07824448756; paulbrickle@hotmail.co.uk
Rehearsals are held in our own bandroom on Sunday/Wednesday evenings
Bandroom News 02.02.18
CONTESTING....
We are back into the contesting season and are now busy preparing for the forthcoming Northern Area Contest (Odyssey — Composer: Kevin Norbury) Odyssey was selected as the Championship Section test piece of the 1999 European Brass Band Championships. Michael Franey has been putting us through our paces in preparation for our Musical Director, David Hirst, who will be taking us to the Area Contest.
Bandroom News 21.01.18
HAPPY NEW YEAR
We wish all our supporters a very Happy New Year and hope you all have a Healthy and Prosperous 2018
Hopefully, the Bands fortunes will improve this year and culminate in a successful year of 'Banding'
Bandroom News 01.01.18
This site is maintained by John and Audrey Gill
All information on this site is the copyright of Fishburn Band and must not be reproduced in any form without our express permission
.gif){kind=small}
This page was last updated: January 26, 2019
Bandroom News 2018
