Harry Paye Pirate Day

Harry PayeBournemouth Concert Brass accepted the invitation to lead the parade in the annual Harry Paye Day event, which is held in honour of a pirate from Poole. Hundreds of people dressed as pirates lined Poole Quay as part of a day of pirate-themed celebrations.

Poole Town Crier, David Squire, and Mayor of Poole, Cllr Phil Eades, and the Mayoress, his wife, Helen, officially launched the start of the Parade of the Pirates. BCB provided suitable themed marches such as Anchors Aweigh, Life on the Ocean Wave, the Great Escape and Death or Glory, as the parade travelled along the quay and down the Old High Street.

Follow the link below to see a short clip of the march: http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/video/2481501366001/?ref=vidshare

Who was Harry Paye?

Most people have heard of Sir Francis Drake, English hero of the struggle against the Spanish Armada. To the Spanish he was an evil pirate who they called El Draqui. Drake was following in the wake of a man of Poole, Harry Paye, known to the Spanish as Arripaye.

Harry had a colourful life, He and his ship the Mary appear in the kings records as being licensed to carry pilgrims to Spain. The Spanish archives record him as stealing the gold cross from the church at Finisterre. He was notorious for having burnt the Spanish walled city of Gijon, home of his lover, the Countess Isabel. Harry's activities in Spain drove the Spanish to seek revenge. In 1405 a squadron of Spanish and French galleys were making their way along the south coast. When they reached Poole they heard that it was home town to the dreaded Arripaye who was away with the English fleet. The galleys were crammed with heavily armed fighting men who attacked the town. The people of Poole fought valiantly and the fighting was fierce with many killed on both sides, including Harry's brother. Eventually the Poole people were forced to flee to the heath leaving the raiders to burn the town.

Two years later, in 1407, Harry decided it was "paye back" time. His ship and 14 others swept the English Channel capturing French and Spanish cargo vessels. The archives record that 120 ships were captured loaded with valuable goods including vast quantities of good French wine. To help to recompense the people of Poole for their sufferings Harry brought the captured ships back to Poole. According to local tradition the town feasted and drank the captured wine for many days.

So raise your glass to Harry Paye, fighting man of Poole. Celebrate Paye Day on this day, Poole town's most famous party.

BCB KetteringAll England Masters International – Kettering 2013

BCB travelled to Kettering to take part in the All England Masters International competition. Against 22 other bands, the test piece was 'A Kensington concerto' written by Eric Ball.

The band's preparation was hampered by a number of events such as illness, work and holidays, which necessitated the use of several deputies at short notice.

The adjudicators placed the band 21st. This was a bit of a blow for the band considering the levels of success we had achieved over the last 2-3 years. However, we move forward and learn from the experience. The band are now looking forward to their forthcoming ventures, and have concerts planned for The Regent Centre, Christchurch on 23 June (also featuring Darren Bartlett – Vocal Soloist) and St. Peter's Church, Bournemouth on 6 July, they will be featuring a variety of popular music which will include the world premieres of 2 new arrangements by members of the band. We look forward to seeing you.

Check out the 'Diary' page for further details

bcb-sounds-of-christmasSounds of Christmas 2012

For the second year running BCB held it’s Sounds of Christmas concert in the DeVere Suite of the iconic Royal Bath Hotel in Bournemouth.

The event was again supported by UK insurance company Ansvar Insurance and local insurers Colemans. The band traditionally donates the profits from its Christmas concert to charity and the beneficiaries this year were Diverse Abilities Plus and Life Education Wessex.

Guests were entertained by the St Mark’s Primary School choir with carol singing from 6.30pm in the wonderfully decorated Grand Lounge. Parents joined with ticket holders to enjoy a variety of carols from the children who splendidly set the festive scene for the evening ahead.

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National Championship Finals, Royal Albert Hall, 20th October 2012 - 14th Best band in the country for a day

Major David Barringer conducts the performance at the Royal Albert Hall

This weekend’s appearance at the National Championship Finals, the last being 2005, was the culmination of 3 years progress and hard work under the leadership of Major David Barringer. The bands personnel has remained constant over the last few years and this has contributed to the bands growing quality of performance. The band continues to grow its appearances and concerts in the Bournemouth area and engaging Major Barringer’s services for competitions has proven to be a wise investment.

*Picture – Major David Barringer with the band on stage (Courtesy of 4 bars rest)

In September the band planned a rehearsal schedule to meet the challenging parts that Howard Snell had presented in his arrangement of Daphnis and Chloe. In fact in his summary speech prior to the results of the contest, he apologised to the 80 secondary cornet players (4 in each of the 20 bands) for writing such complex parts. Logistics are always challenging for these events and even more so as the piece required four percussionists along with a full entitlement of percussion equipment.

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Bournemouth Concert Brass returns from successful tour to Sonderborg Denmark

John Woods reports on Bournemouth Concert Brass recent 6 day tour to Sonderborg in Southern Jutland Denmark. 6th – 9th July 2012

The town of Sonderborg hosts the annual Ring Rider festival (Ringriderfesten) over 4 days and now enters its 125th year. Horses and Riders from a wide area converge on the town for a festival that also includes 2 tattoos, parades from the castle to the festival ground and marches.

Sonderberg Equestrian ContestThis is an equestrian contest where riders have to spear small rings at speed on horseback which looks a bit like jousting. Alongside this contest is a huge fun fair and two huge party tents. The whole town shuts down for the weekend to enjoy concerts and music at a variety of locations throughout this pretty island based community.

Planning of the very full programme of events and range of ensembles playing a variety of themed music is a complex affair. Major David Barringer, MD of Bournemouth Concert Brass, has been involved with this event for a number of years, heading up UK military bands for 5 years and as lead Director of Music for the festival over the last 2 years. The support for all bands during the events was extremely well planned and co ordinate by the local organising committee and at all times the bands were well looked after with typical Danish hospitality.

BCB stayed at a local Danish Army Barracks with ideal facilities for a touring band and with superb views of the islands waterfront and a large car park for marching practice.

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Crown Imperial – A Diamond Jubilee celebration concert

Her Majesty Queen ElizabethAn enthusiastic crowd gathered at the Regent Centre Christchurch on Sunday 1st July for a special concert to honour the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

Special compere for the evening was LT Colonel Malcolm Torrent, Retired, who in his musical career with the forces includes appointments to Musical Director of the Royal Artillery Band and the Life Guards. His experience includes many royal events and pageants.

The "Crown Imperial" concert was compiled to offer listeners a selection of music linked to the Queen's life in her time as Monarch. The band's choice of repertoire encompassed various elements of the Queen's reign paying tribute to her association with armed forces, the commonwealth, her love of dogs and horses, her coronation and other royal ceremonies.

Many of the audience were first time attendees at a band concert and commented on the enjoyment of the mixed content of the programme.

We are grateful to those members of the audience who responded to the bands appeal for support in their re-branding project for 2012

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