Archived band news
 

Problems... problems.

Stamford have had to pull out of this years Leicester contest due to lack of players and whilst searching for a new musical director. We are particularly looking for new trombone and cornet players.

Auditions are currently ongoing for a new director as Huw Thomas has decided to call it a day at Stamford. We wish him well for the future and thank him for his efforts since March.

Another Disappointing result in the Regionals - 11 March 2007

Stamford only managed a meagre 8th out of 12th at the weekend - by our calculations meaning relegation back down to the 3rd Section. Hugh Thomas took the band to Burton at relatively short notice but was unable to avoid the drop. Click here for more information.

Stamford managed a mid table 6th place at the Leicester Open on Sunday 19 November. This was seen as a good opportunity to get some contesting experience in prior to next years regionals as the band haven't contested a great deal recently. Playing Percy Fletcher's Labour and Love (which isn't the most taxing piece technically, but very reliant on intonation, playing together and making the most of what's on the parts) the band realised they would have to be on top form to compete against the other recognised test pieces on show.  Whilst a top 3 place would have been nice, John Fletcher (MD) was philosophical and acknowledged that having only concentrated on the piece for 3 weeks, and playing probably the simplest music of the day, 6th was a decent outcome and something to build on for next year. Particular well done to Mike Vessey who got a special mention in the adjudicator's report for his splendid trombone solo.

Lisa leaves without a fuss                      15 July 2006

Saturdays 'Brass on the Grass' in Uffington turned out to be our rep player, Lisa Chapman's last outing with the band. Although it was well known that she was moving north, typically, Lisa decided not to be specific about the date of her last visit in order to avoid a fuss.   Everyone wishes Lisa, Glen and Ellie the very best for the future.

The Festival Concert, on 1 July 2006, was John's last outing with Stamford Brass as our percussionist.  On this last occasion, he and his wife, Di, received a presentation gift of flowers and a set of glasses.  We were sad to see him go but wish John and his family all the best for the future.

A biography of John, one of our longest standing band members, will appear shortly.  When you've been with the band as long as John, it takes some time to put together.

Full house for Music and Mirth concert                                 June 2006

Stamford Arts Centre was full last weekend for the band's first Music and Mirth concert. The programme was deliberately light hearted and appeared to go down well with everyone who came along.... except the 2 old hecklers in the audience who thought they could play better than anyone in the band .....and the trombone section who stormed out because they didn't have a solo, only to be replaced by a couple of nuns.  It all made sense at the time!

A big thanks to Trevor Groom, who stepped in at very short notice to help out once again - and joined in a Laurel and Hardy duet.

The one disappointment for the night was that Jack Calderwood, solo trombone player announcing his retirement. Everyone in the band wishes him well for the future and hope he keeps in touch.

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Disappointing result at the regionals - March 2006

Click here for a more detailed comment on the regionals current and past performances

Article taken from 4barsrest :

"Neither Harborough, Stamford nor Daventry Brass really got their performances off the ground with all three finding the going very difficult indeed. The final three places were taken by them in the order they played (eight, nine and ten respectively) and although they would have been licking their wounds they can at least take heart from the fact that they gave of their very best in exceptionally difficult circumstances."

Results:

1. Foresters Brass 2000, Peter Collins , 6, 187
2. Hopkins Solicitors Blidworth, Geoff Hawley, 2, 185
3. Carlton Brass, Tony Wilson , 3, 183
4. Wigston Band, Garry Sleath, 12, 182
5. Porthywaen, David Thomas, 5, 181
6. Unity Brass (FMUFS), R. Boulter, 7, 180
7. Shirland Welfare Training, Marie Smith, 4, 179
8. Phoenix West Midlands Brass, David Bishop Rowe, 1, 178
9. Shirebrook MW Unison, M. Wilcockson, 11, 177
10. Harborough, Chris Groom, 8,
11. Stamford Brass, David Hirst , 9, 175
12. Daventry Brass, Nigel Howard, 10, 174

 Rushden Town Band Fire - 3 January 2006

Christmas Concert - 10 December

Stamford Boys' School played host to our recent Christmas concert, which also featured the choir from The King's School in Peterborough. The 'Bandsman of the Year'  award was also announced at this annual event and was awarded to  Kenny Grant, who has excelled in 2005 on soprano cornet.   

Christmas 2005

We recently performed one of our unique "Snowman" concerts in Whittlesey on Saturday 26 November 2005. The varied programme included a special arrangement of the Howard Blake favourite featuring a singer, narrator and pianist. Stamford Brass is still the only brass band in the world permitted to perform this work. A full hall enjoyed a varied programme including piano solos from our guest pianist, John Dobson.

Band room

We are set to complete the building of our bandroom on Uffington Road, Stamford and are planning an official opening early in 2006.  It has taken time but we have now moved in and despite the ongoing work are able to use it for rehearsals and it has even hosted our annual Cruze concert .

As can be seen in the thumbnail, which was taken some months ago, we have come a long way.  More recent pictures and an update will be available soon.

Director of Music

We are currently auditioning for a Director of Music, hopefully having someone in place by early 2006 to take us onwards, upwards and back into the 1st Section.