Band update – Summer season 2018
Well, the summer is nearly finished and the leaves are beginning to turn and fall off the trees, so I thought it was probably time for a review of our summer.
First off of course, Ken Hamnett joined us as MD. Ken settled down to work very quickly and had the band playing military marches, hymns and all the old staples of band music, getting us ready for the season.
Once we had a few pieces under our belt and concert-ready, a few new (old) pieces came out from the library, including Finian’s Rainbow and a Gerschwin melange which were fun to play. We are looking forward to showcasing these in December.
Like many bands, we had a bit of a break in August due to holidays, but are back at rehearsals and raring to go. We are preparing our Remembrance performances and have some excellent pieces on the stands.
Please don’t forget, we always have room for new players and are delighted for anyone to come and “have a blow” with us.
Farewell to Stephen and welcome to Ken
The concert at the Cresta Court hotel was an eventful one for us. We were playing for the Rotarians’ dinner, and it was Stephen’s last event with us and Ken’s first.
The band played a selection of music including some Glen Miller, some well-known marches, a well-loved piece by Vaughan Williams (English Folk Song suite for those who are interested) and some “last night of the proms” music which of course included the hornpipe.
We said a fond farewell to Stephen who has left us now to pursue his brand new career as an army musician. We wish him all the best – he can call on us for a reference any time – and of course he will be welcome in our bandroom at any time. We are expecting photographs of you with your new band, Stephen! Stephen and the band grew together and produced performances to be proud of.
Stephen has officially handed over to Ken Hamnett, who has been taking the band on Tuesdays for a little while now, and has already started to put his stamp on the band. Ken, aged 77, has a wealth of experience in different bands, having started out in the army as a percussionist. We are keen to get down to business with him now and build on the work that has already begun.
Ken’s first “solo” with us will be on 17th June at Capesthorne Hall, during the Cheshire Bazaar event. We’ll be playing in the grounds. Come and say hello!
Band update April 2018
We are very happy to announce that Stretford Band has a new MD. Ken Hamnett will be taking over from Stephen Bucknell from 23rd April 2018. Stephen’s last job with the band is on 21st April, for the annual St George’s day charity dinner held by the Rotary Club of Altrincham at the Cresta Court hotel. (Tickets cost £25.00 and are still available, please email chris@boyes.com).
Stephen is leaving us at the end of his degree from Salford University and is looking forward to a career as a military musician. We knew when he joined us that we would only have him for a short while, and he has done a great job with the band since October 2017. We are very grateful to him, and we most certainly wish him all the best.
Ken came to us through one of our adverts. A percussionist originally trained by the army, he has a long-standing association with the brass band world, and we are already building a happy relationship with him. He has been taking the band for Tuesday rehearsals to help us out, so we are beginning to know each other now.
We are preparing our concert schedule for the 2018 season with Ken firmly in the driving seat. Why not come along to one of our performances and say hello?
Band update February 2018
Well, it was a fairly busy Christmas season for us which we enjoyed very much. Special highlights were the Carol service at Sevenways Methodist Church of course, and we had a lovely evening at Stretford Allotments on Lesley Road in spite of the awful weather – but their mulled wine was brilliant and everyone enjoyed themselves.
So we came back to band rehearsals in January to a few personnel changes, which has left the band a little smaller but in good spirits for 2018. Auditions for a new MD are ongoing, as Stephen will be leaving shortly for post-university life and we will be very sorry to see him go. Alex Webb has been helping us out tremendously for the dates that Stephen hasn’t been able to manage and our grateful thanks to him.
Naturally we have vacancies in all sections, so if you are looking for a band, please come and give us a try.
Joint concert in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support
The concert with Bolton Hoover Band on 7th October was extremely successful.
Both bands looked smart – Stretford in our familiar blue jackets and striped tie and Bolton sporting their bright red concert jackets. The ranks of music stands showed both Bolton and Stretford banners, and the stage was set.
By the time the concert began, it was standing room only. We were all delighted to see this, and in fact when Stretford Band President Kate Green arrived, she was hard pressed to find a seat!
The music conducted by both Craig Mann and Simon Robertshaw in turn, was wonderful – to hear the full sound of a brass band playing their hearts out is stirring to say the least,a nd there was a wide variety of music from old favourites such as “Ellan Vannin” through specialist brass band pieces and tone poems all the way to the children’s favourite, “Beauty and the Beast”.
In the end, we raised over £650 for MacMillan and we would like to thank each and every one of you for making this such a success.
We’re already looking forward to next year – Bolton’s turn to host!
Video of Moss Park Allotment Society
We received this video from Moss Park Allotment Society where we had a great evening playing a proms concert. It was a wonderful place to play, and there are some great photos here for everyone to enjoy. It’s about 20 minutes long and gives a great flavour of the evening. We’re looking forward to next time already.
Stretford Band Concert 1st July 2017
Capesthorne Hall, 9th July 2017
This was the last job of the season, and a great one to play at. The weather was perfect, we had a gazebo to shade us, and the crowd was cheerful, what more can we ask! There was a wine tent and an ice cream van – banding heaven.
We were conducted by Stuart Shepherd, son of our current solo cornet Duncan, and grandson of one of our former MDs, who was keeping up the family tradition in fine form. The band played a selection of favourites including Ellan Vannin, which was greatly appreciated by those natives of the Isle of Man who were present.
We’re already starting preparation for our next season, which begins with our joint concert with Hoover Band Bolton, led by Craig Mann. We hope you will come and join us for what is shaping up to be a fine, fine evening. It’s on October 7th at Sevenways. Look out for the posters. See you there.
John Leigh Park Celebration Sunday 4th June 2017
We were in John Leigh Park on Sunday 4th June for their Centenary Celebration, and what a great afternoon we had! Ably led by MD Simon Robertshaw the band played a variety of music including ranging from formal marches Imperial Echoes and Standard of St George to Beatles and Disney favourites, all of which were well received by the crowd. The weather was wonderful, not even a gust of wind to blow our music off the stands. We hope this will be the first of many visits to this lovely park. Here are a couple of photos – there are more on the Facebook page if you want to have a look.
At John Leigh Park Centenary celebrations 4th June 2017
with Simon Robertshaw, our MD.
Home Sweet Home – April 22nd 2017
Celebrating our return to Stretford.
Tickets are now on sale for our next concert – please come and support us and listen to an amazing local band playing for an amazing local community!
Back in Stretford!
Well, we are now firmly ensconced in our new home at Sevenways Methodist Church in STRETFORD! The move came at the beginning of February and thanks to our willing members and families was accomplished smoothly. We are spending our time now preparing for our concert on April 22nd which we have called “Home Sweet Home” and tickets for this will go on sale very shortly. Of course, we are delighted to be back on home ground after so many years in Sale, and we are looking forward to making connections locally.
As well as a new venue, we have our new MD Simon Robertshawe taking a firm hold of the music. Simon isn’t from a brass band background as you can see from the short biography in “Meet the Band” but he is learning fast and enjoying the new challenge
We will look forward to seeing you in April then. And don’t forget, if you play a trombone or any other brass instrument and would like to come along and give us a try, get in touch and come along to one of our rehearsals. We are a friendly bunch and are happy to welcome new faces! Our players range in age from 20(ish) to over 70 so we are a real community band. It’s part of what makes us interesting.
PAST PERFORMANCES
John Leigh Park Celebration Sunday 4th June 2017
We were in John Leigh Park on Sunday 4th June for their Centenary Celebration, and what a great afternoon we had! Ably led by MD Simon Robertshaw the band played a variety of music including ranging from formal marches Imperial Echoes and Standard of St George to Beatles and Disney favourites, all of which were well received by the crowd. The weather was wonderful, not even a gust of wind to blow our music off the stands. We hope this will be the first of many visits to this lovely park. Here are a couple of photos – there are more on the Facebook page if you want to have a look.
At John Leigh Park Centenary celebrations 4th June 2017
with Simon Robertshaw, our MD.
Christmas season 2016
Well, it was a busy season for us as usual, but this year the band focussed on Christmas concerts rather than general carolling, and we all had a good time. Our performances are listed below and were very well received.
3rd December – Victoria park – carolling – well we couldn’t miss this one, could we? and with the local school singing their hearts out we were glad to add to the mix. A great time.
10th December – our first formal concert of Christmas was at Christ Church in Davyhulme. We were glad to return to this lovely church and had a warm welcome!
11th December – Parkers Garden Centre in Flixton. A new venue for us and a generally uplifting carolling session. We were joined by our junior conductor Evie who borrowed her two batons from Ian and proceeded to make the rep player flinch by vigorous flourishing of both batons. But she’s only little, and she certainly added to the fun. We had a few little conductors that day, which we love, and the parents were enjoying it too.
15th December – well into the swing of things by now, and we were playing carols at the Good Bag Company around their Christmas tree outside the shop. That’s always an enjoyable job, mulled wine and mince pies included.
17th December – All Saints Church, Stretford – another formal concert at one of our regular venues. It was great to be back and we gave full value! The band sounded great.
18th December – Christian Life Centre, Stretford – this was a Christmas service with hymns and a concert to follow. The centre was full and the reception enthusiastic!
22nd December – Railway pub Stockport – our Christmas social with added carols. ‘Nuf said.
29th December – back at the Good Bag Company for their Christmas do and playing outside around the tree again. Our deputy conductor Tracey stood in and did a fine job, much appreciated by the locals. And we finished up in the pub as all good bands do!
Remembrance concert
REMEMBRANCE CONCERT UPDATE
Stretford Band were proud to play at Sevenways Methodist Church for a Remembrance concert on 12th November 2016.
We were delighted to be able to send nearly £400 to the British Legion as a result. Thanks are due also to the ladies from the Milton Lodge Care Home in Fleetwood who spent time in advance knitting poppies for sale, which boosted those funds (and to Amelia who organised the sale).
We look forward to a long association with Sevenways Methodist Church.
Concert at Sevenways Methodist Church 10th November 2016
This was our official Remembrance concert at Sevenways and it went extremely well.
One of the highlights of this was the Evening Hymn and Last Post, composed by our Musical Director Ian Mitchell and played beautifully by the band and our guest Catherine who played the famous Last Post itself. A moving and uplifting arrangement which finished the concert with a standing ovation.
Our thanks to Sevenways for hosting us, and for all the ladies who knitted the beautiful poppies we all wore!
Donations will be made to the Poppy Appeal and the British Legion.
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