2021 - What we've been up to..
Rehearsal facilities
BCB's activities over the last 2 years or so have of course been interrupted due to the worldwide conavirus issues, but over the last 6 months the band has been gradually getting back to performing.
Our current rehearsal facilities at the East Cliff United Reformed were not suitable to enable social distancing, and so for a while we were able to use St. Ambrose church on the West Cliff. We thatnk them for helping us out and we're now back at our usual venue.

The BCB ensemble
The band's 6-piece ensemble has been busy performing throughout the summer as a at various venues in Poole and Bournemouth.
The BCB Proms concert
In September the band held an excellent concert at the Regent Centre Christchurch performing their yearly Proms concert. It was very encouraging to see such a large audience for our first concert back.

BCB at the Bournemouth University graduation ceremonies
In November the band, after a 2 year break were once again asked to provide music at the Bournemouth University graduation ceremonies. This year was slightly different than previous years in that 2 years worth of students were to receive their awards.
The band were required to provide a smaller ensemble than usual and so the band provided their 11 piece ensemble and played in 4 sessions a day starting and 09:15 and not finishing until 21:30 once again ably led by Ian McElligott
Over the week that totalled almost 7,600 students and with an audience of approx 22,000 the band played to about 30,000 people!

BCB at the Wessex Brass Band Association winter contest
On 27 November the Wessex Brass Band contest took place at Poole High School in what was for many, the first contest post Covid.
This was an own choice contest where a band could choose their own march or hymn tune and a 'test'piece. Their were 15 bands taking part.
BCB, under their conductor Melvin White, chose to play a Salvation Army march 'Praise' by Wilfred Heaton and the overturn 'Ther Force of Destiny' by Verdi, arranged for brass band by Frank Wright.
The adjudicator was Chris Davis, a well known and respected musician who the band know well from his time as the band's conductor.
However, this meant for nothing as the adjudicator has to remain impartial in his judgement of the bands in the contest.
The band were placed 3rd for the march and second in their section for the overture which resulted in being placed in 3rd position overall.
Also, a number of bandsmen received awards for over 50 years of service to brass bands.
Congratulations to the overall winners, Verwood Concert Brass and a good day's music making by all who competed.
