BCB at the Ageas Bowl, Southampton

BCB's latest concert was held at the Hilton Hotel at the Ageas Bowl, Southampton.

We received a request to provide a 10 piece ensemble to play at a team building event. The element of surprise was required, the band were loitering outside the main conference room and as the audience were finishing their dinner, Tom, our percussionist loudly gave 2 3-pace rolls, the door were flung open and the band marched in playing Stars and Strips Forever.
Forom then on for the rest of the evening many popular hits were played with the audince singing and dancing their way through. Music like Copacabana, Amarillo, All you need is love, Yellow Submarine and much more was received, and a splendid evening was rounded off with an encore of Hello Dolly.

If you would like to book the band but require a smaller ensemble (6/10/12 piece).Please get in touch with us to discuss your requirements. Please see the Contact details page.

New Year Viennese concert - 2022

BCB performed its annual New Year Viennese concert at the Regent Centre Christchurch for the 25th year.
Music was from the Strauss family, Mozart, Schubert, and with a modern take on Viennese music, Mnozil Brass.
Every year one of the band's 'in house' arrangers has provided a new arrangement to perform at the concert, and this year there were new arrangements by both Peter Hartley and Bill Willis.
The band's soloists were on good form with Alf Hughes, Nick Jarvis (Cornet) Rachel Bartlett (Flugel) and Will Wilkins (Euphonium)all performing well.
The full programme was as follows:

Entry of the Gladiators - Fucik arr Gordon Langford
Idomeneo Overture - Mozart arr Bill Willis
Romance 3rd Horn Concerto (Flugel solo) - Mozart arr Bill Willis
Moulinet Polka - Johann Strauss arr Peter Hartley
Trompeten Polka (Cornet Duet) - Mnozil Brass arr Bill Willis
Wine, Woman & Song Waltz - Johann Strauss arr George Hawkins
Sangerlust Polka Johann Strauss arr Bill Willis

Champagne Polka - Johann Strauss arr Peter Hartley
5th Symphony Mvt 2 - Schubert arr Peter Hartley
Papageno's Aria (Euphonium solo) - Mozart arr Bill Willis
Hollenfahrt Polka - Mnozil Brass arr Bill Willis
Express Polka - Johann Strauss arr Peter Hartley
Blue Danube - Johann Strauss arr Bill Willis
Radetsky - Johann Strauss (Snr) arr Pat Ryan

BCB New Year Viennese Concert 2022

 BCB are booked into The Regent Centre, Christchurch to perform a New Year Viennese concert on 16 January 2022 starting at 3pm.

This will be the 25th year we have put on this concert.

Book your tickets early as this is a well attended concert.

Tel: 01202 499199

www.regentcentre.co.uk 

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.

Bournemouth Concert Brass announcement

It is with regret that we announce the retirement of solo Euphonium player John Starkes ('Starsky').
Starsky has had health problems for several years and has decided to call it a day with the band to protect his health.
Not only has 'Starsky' been a fantastic
soloist for the band over many years, performing solos (many of them being premieres) at most of the band's concerts, but also playing exceptional performances on the contest stage.
The band wish to publicly recognise the commitment to BCB that Starsky has made over the years and we wish him a healthy period of recovery. You are always welcome in our band room.