27 December 2005
A quick update
From the joint concert we had with the Sale Choral Society on 20 December. I was hoping to include some photographs but the still haven't been sent. Also the first rehearsal in 2006 will be on the 9 January.
The concert was a great success and a total sell-out. All over Christmas I have had people coming up to me saying how much they enjoyed it.
As a quick overview of the event the choir was conducted by Russell Medley with Roderick Barrand on piano. The band was conducted, as normal by our musical director - Steve Shawcross.
The evening started with the joint playing and singing of Once in Royal David's City.
Choir
Nativity Carol
Flemish Carol
Child in a Manger
Band
Valdres March
The Snowman
Hey Jude! - Tenor and Flugel Horn Feature
Lullaby - Flugel Horn Solo - Clive Robinson
Choir
Adam Lay ybounden
Sans Day Carol
Joint playing and singing of O Little Town of Bethlehem.
Choir
Angel Tidings
Shepherd's Pipe Carol
Interval
Joint playing and singing of O Come All Ye Faithful followed by a solo by Russell's son.
Choir
Ding Dong Merrily on High
In the Bleak Mid-winter
Band
Something different!!!!
Rocking Carol
Stardust - Trombone solo - Joe Greenway
On With the Motley - Soprano cornet solo - Nigel Butler
Choir
Jesus Child
Star Carol
The Twelve Days of Christmas
Joint playing and singing of Hark the Herald Angels Sing
Choir
Hallelujah Chorus
Band
Merry Christmas Everybody
Choir
A Merry Christmas
23 December 2005
A quick update
Eight of us went out caroling on Wednesday (£160-74) and seven tonight (£234-80). Unofficially, until Richard checks my addups we raised £395-54. Thanks to Richard, Garth, Karl, Andrew, Rachael, Peter, Mike and Gerry.
18 December 2005
Oakfield Club, Oakfield, Sale
The annual Christmas concert was greatly received by all.
There will be a rehearsal tomorrow night as normal and the details of the concert on Tuesday is on the events page.
12 December 2005
Piper Hill School
The annual Christmas concert seems to have been it's normal success. A small band played for the school with many of the children having a chance to conduct the band.
Sale Conservative Club
The turn out for last night's annual Christmas concert was very poor. However, those attending were in good voice which at least made up for the empty tables.
An quick update on John - he is home but now having problems with the antibiotics, which is causing him to sleep most of the time. Hopefully this will change today when the dosage is due to be reduced.
2 December 2005
The concert last night went down well with the dinners at the Urmston Masonic lodge's Christmas Do. On the way out I spoke to Bob Gresty who used to play baritone with the band for many year - he left about 1975. I invited him to our rehearsals so who knows we may see him again soon.
30 November 2005
Last night I spoke to Joan and found out that John was admitted into hospital over the weekend. It appears he now has an secondary infection which is resulting in a large amount of pain, but the pain management is also causing additional problems. For the time being his operation has been put on hold. I will keep you informed when I get an update.
27 November 2005
Well what a bizarre day! We had a rehearsal at Diggle Band Club and gave probably one of the best performances of Dimensions that the band has played in recent years on the contest stage and came nowhere. Obviously it was not what the adjudicator was after but the Uppermill Civil Hall is a very strange room acoustically, and after fourth place it is just a lottery!
24 November 2005
A concert has been arranged at Piper Hill School on Friday 9th December, meeting at 1.45 to commence playing at 2pm. As previous years this will be a small band but I believe it's a GREAT event - so if you are available I am sure you will be welcome.
The concert at Walton Hall on the 3 December has been cancelled...so you can keep your thermals in store for another year.
18 November 2005
Advanced notice - a special pre-contest rehearsal has been arranged for 8:00 on Friday 25 November at St. John's Church, Altrincham.
3 November 2005
Just a quick update regarding John Clark. Apparently his operation went well but he had a bad reaction to the anesthetic. So he is going to be off for at least a few weeks and may even have to go back into hospital for another operation.
Committee members there will be a meeting on Monday after rehearsal in the bandroom.
26 September 2005
The event page has been updated after tonight's rehearsal. Please sign up to all the events you can. Also remember this years subs are due.
17 September 2005
A few things. First it was good to see David and Joanne last Monday. David had flown in from Huston for a week and Joanne is hoping to start attending regularly now that a babysitter has been arranged. See below some more photo's of John Junior.
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Secondly the concert on the 9th December at Aston on Mersey is being rearranged for the lend of January. Full details will be posted when final details have been arranged And lastly the Trafford's Mayors concert is to be held on 29th January 2006, at the Robert Bolt Theatre in Sale.
5 September 2005
Manchester Area Contest
Remember we have to decide by next week, if we are going to participate in the Manchester Area Contest at Upper Mill Civic Centre on Sunday 27 November.
4 September 2005
Birthday Party function at Didsbury
Well the surprise 60th birthday party in Oakfield Road, Didsbury, went well. However, it was one of the shortest events I have known when we just played - Death or Glory, The Best of Bond and Happy Birthday. However, that is all they wanted and they were very happy.
23 August 2005
Details for the 4 September
The event is at 6 Oakfield Road, Didsbury. This is found via Barlow Moor Road. then left onto Pine Road. and Oakfield Road is off Pine Road. Area map. Local Map. Remember this is a surprise party so we are going to meet on Oakfield Road and not at the event.
21 August 2005
Event to celebrate VJ Day in Sale
Yesterday we played outside the Sale Waterside for two 45 minute sessions. During the event we generally played WWII music during an event to celebrate the end of the war. The event was very well received and a number of additional donations were made by people attending the event.
16 August 2005
Event to celebrate VJ Day in Sale
Last Sunday we played at the 60 years remembrance service outside the Sale Town Hall. we had many good remarks including from the Mayor of Trafford.
On a sad note - Viv last night resigned from the band through work commitments. I am sure we all thank him for all the years he spent with us and I am sure we will see him again in the future and hopefully at the band socials.
30 July 2005
Update
I have just updated the event details. Note the event on the 17 September has now been cancelled.
12 June 2005
Sale Festival
Last night the band played in a joint concert with Meadway Youth Choir conducted by Joe Agnew. This at the last major event of this year Sale Festival week and by all accounts well received by the audience.
The full programme was:
Band
March - Centaur
Lincolnshire Poacher
Trombone Solo [Joe Greenway] - Wind Beneath My Wings
Way out West
Choir
The storm is passing over
Street of London
Caleno Custereme
Swing Low Sweet Chariot
Band
Euphonium Duet [Gareth Jones and Karl Price] - Softly as I leave you
Gershwin for Brass
Music
Interval
Band
Breezin' Down Braodway
Flugel horn solo [Clive Robinson] - Concierto de Aranjuez
Soprano cornet / Flugel horn duet [Nigel Butler and Clive Robinson] - Pie Jesu
Tenor horn Trio [Jo Mason, Rebecca Hollick and Peter Corbishley] -
Choir
Alleluia
He Aint Heavy, He's my Brother
Deep River
Can you hear me
Hail Holy Queen
Band
Waltzing Matilda
One Voice
Jerusalem
Land of Hope and Glory
Kirby Lonsdale
Last Sunday (19 June), the band took part in the Kirby Lonsdale contest. This year nine third and fourth section bands took part playing the traditional mark down to the square, the hymn, contest march and testpiece. We only came fourth but the band played well and we all had a great day out.
18 June 2005
Just a quick update for tomorrow. The M60 is open. However, the old motorway bridge is been demolished, so there are diversions on the A56 Chester Road.
The coach leaves at 8:30am prompt, from outside the Sale Hotel. We will be rehearing at the Red Dragon Inn, Main Street, Kirby Lonsdale (015242 71205) which will be our base for the day.
They are providing this facility free, so we need to support them. I can recommend the food there together with the odd glass of 'dirty' beer etc. :-)
Also the other day Soo sent me a photo of the first rehearsal of the Junior Band. Unfortunately, only Jonathan and John Jr turned up. Apparently there was lots of playing but but not much blowing. |
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30 May 2005
Just a quick reminder that there is no rehearsal tonight, due to the Bank Holiday.
20 May 2005
Whit Friday Contests
The coach left Sale at 4:45pm for a cold, slow tour around the Tameside contests. In the end, after getting blocked in a number of times, we completed seven contests finishing at the Denton Cricket Club event.
8 May 2005
Event to celebrate VE Day in Sale
Today the band played for the Sale's Victory in Europe event outside the Sale Town Hall. Considering the significance of 60 years since the event, the commemorations weren't well supported by the people of Sale.
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One other point I have had a number of emails recently from David in Texas. They have formed an English style brass band and have now an embryonic website (http://www.austinwonderbrass.com/) which is now under construction. I still have to contact their webmaster with regards to copyright matters ;-)
3 May 2005
This is the first opportunity I have had to update the news from the weekend.
On Saturday we played to a capacity audience for 45 minutes at the Tsunami appeal at the Alexandra Hospital and we left the event with a rousing ovation.
On Sunday we look part in the Fourth Section of the 42nd Buxton Brass Band Festival at the Pavilion Gardens, Buxton and ended in fifth place after we played Facets of Glass. The bands were adjudicated by Roy Sparks. Below is a quick message from Steve:
An excellent result for all, and the hard work has paid off!
The form was hard to beat and with 3 withdrawals the band played off number 5 to come in 5 out of 12 who played.
The actual result was:
| Position | Band | Points |
| 1 | Greenfield | 183 |
| 2 | Wellington (Telford) | 182 |
| 3 | Royal Oakley Silver | 181 |
| 4 | Burbage (Buxton) | 180 |
| 5 | Sale Brass | 179 |
Well done, again to all in the band who made this result possible!
The remarks were as follows:
Movement 1
A good solid start – watch the bass end tuning before ‘A’. ‘C’ Good ensemble here to close.
Movement 2
Opening quavers not always clear. Nice tempo – ‘L’ style is fine also dynamics are in place, good to close.
Movement 3
Well done bari – and Flugel. ‘W’ – ‘Z’ Sop copes well. Good close.
Movement 4
Spirited opening – ‘HH’ Unclear at times in basses and troms. ‘PP’ to the finish played in fine style.
A lot of good playing with a few uneasy moments. Thank you.
24 April 2005
I called around to see Joanne, John and John Jr. yesterday, to drop off the flowers and the present from the band. They are all well and starting to settle into a routine.
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16 April 2005
II received a Birth Announcement card from Joanne and John O’Brien yesterday, to say that they are proud to announce the birth of John William Christopher O’Brien at 1:54am on 12 April 2005 with a weight of 7lb 9oz. Unfortunately, currently I don’t have any other information but I will post further details when I have them.
28 March 2005
Just a quick reminder that due to the Bank Holiday there will be no rehearsal tonight
6 March 2005
Message from Joe Agnew through Steve
The final total of the Majors' Charity Concert at the Robert Bolt Theatre is still not available. However, it is currently known to be in excess of £1,400.
28 February 2005
Tonight was Joanne O'Brien's last rehearsal with us for a while. She promised to keep us up-to-date with events.
6 February 2005
Mayors' Concert at the Robert Bolt Theatre Sale
Last night, the band played to a capacity audience of over 300, at the Robert Bolt Theatre in Sales's new Waterside Arts Centre. The evening was entitled ‘Brass and Voices’ which featured the band with the Sale Male Voice Choir; the Meadway Singers and the Meadway Youth Choir in the presence of the Mayor of Trafford – Councillor Mrs Pamela Dixon.
The evening was supported by the Trafford Arts Association and proceeds from this annual event, are to be donated to the Mayor of Trafford’s Charity Fund, which this year is the Trafford Crossroads, which is the ‘Caring for Carers’ charity. Over 25% of the funds raised, will be donated to other deserving causes throughout the Borough of Trafford. It is worth mentioning that Trafford Crossroads provide routine care, given by relatives or friends, on a temporary bases, enabling carers to take a short break from their responsibilities.
After the National Anthem the Meadway Singers started the evening with The Dream of Home; The Lark in the Clear Air (Irish Air) and Hava Nageela (Israeli Folk Song).
The Sale Male Voice Choir then continued with There is a Balm in Gilead (Spiritual); Bring Him Home (Les Miserables) and Yesterday.
The Meadway Youth Choir then continued with Adiemus (Songs of Sanctuary); Ave Verum and Bridge Over Troubled Water.
The it was the turn of the band who played:
March – Arnhem
I hear You Calling – soloist Rachael Price
Closest Thing to Crazy
Summertime (Porgy & Bess) - soprano cornet soloist – Nigel Butler
Music of the Night
And All That Jazz (Chicago)
The Meadway Youth Choir started the second half with Hine Ma Tov (based upon Psalm 133 v 1); Ave Maria and Hail Holy Queen (Sister Act).
The Sale Male Voice Choir then continued with Sweet and Low; The Song of the Jolly Roger and You’ll Never Walk Alone (Carousel).
The Meadway Singers then continued with a medley from the Phantom of the Opera.
The Meadway Singers and Youth Choir then sang Evening Blessing.
Sale Brass Band then ended the evening with:
Doyen
North Country Pastorale
Mack the Knife
Amazing Grace (Traditional)
The most memorable events of the evening were the solo played by Rachael, who has only been playing the cornet for a year, Nigel’s outstanding rendition of ‘Summertime’ and the Meadway Youth Choirs performances of Adiemus and Ave Maria.
The Meadway Singers were conducted by Joe Agnew (who organised the event) – accompanist: David Appleton.
The Meadway Youth Choir were conducted by Joe Agnew – accompanist: Gareth Daniel.
Sale Male Voice Choir were conducted by Alison Brash – accompanist: Jessie Davis.
Sale Brass Band was conducted by our musical director - Steve Shawcross.
4 February 2005
Website problems
Due to a technical problem, the website was unavailable for just over 24 hours. Thanks once again to Colin for resolving the problems. As a reminder for tomorrows concert, I sent out a ‘round-robin’ email. This is the reply I received, within minutes, from David Pearce in Texas ‘Am I required at the Robert Bolt Theatre? I might need expenses; sorry to ask’
1 February 2005
Visit by Alan Smith
Last night Alan Smith paid the band a quick visit. Other than hearing us one Christmas in the 1960’s, this was the first time he had listened to the band since his father stopped conducting us in the 1950’s.
29 January 2005
Message from Soo after I dropped the card and presents off
'Please thank the band for them, it was very kind and unexpected as I already had the lovely flowers. Hope the concert goes well. See you all in a couple of weeks. I might even bring my cornet for the 2nd half of the rehearsal and we'll see if Jonathan kicks off about the noise!'
24 January 2005
Photo's from Soo
I did like the caption on Sophia's T-shirt which reads "I'm the big sister"
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23 January 2005
Update from Soo
Both Soo and Jonathan are out of hospital after a two day 'rest' and they are all getting used to 5 hour sleep a night. Soo says she doesn't think she will make it to this week's practice but might try and pop in the following week at half time if it's not too cold.
19 January 2005
Message from Chris Cook (Soo husband)
'Jonathan Michael James Cook arrived at an eye watering 10lb 3oz at 11.50 am today. After a labour that started at 6 p.m. All are doing well. Please do not call me for a few hours as I am off to bed. The proud dad. Chris
Also, some good news from David Pearce's dad, that Noel and Julia are also parents! A daughter called Elizabeth.
13 January 2005
Alan Smith
Last night I had a long chat with Alan Smith, the son of Alf Smith, who Mike had the meeting with before Christmas. Apparently, he has a lot more information which he kindly said he would send to me for inclusion in the band history and website.
I also updated the committee and event pages.
11 January 2005
Message from Soo
I thought the band might be interested in this extract from the Independent I saw on 4th Jan : (It was lists of 10 things to improve yourself in 2005, such as 10 ways to get fit, lose weight etc.
Under '10 ways to look younger', number 9 read :
' Make Music'
Playing a wind Instrument can improve muscle tone and appearance. It keeps the skin taut and looking younger. An hour of blowing burns 200 calories.
8 January 2005
Next Rehearsal
Just a final reminder that the first rehearsal for 2005 will be on the 10 January and will be at our new rehearsal venue.
Also an update on the concert on the 5 February - this year the Mayor's charity will be the 'Trafford Crossroads'. This year the band and choirs need to sell as many tickets as possible as this will be a larger event than in previous years. So will you all kindly think of who you want to invite as this should be a special night. This will be the first time that the band has played in this venue which was completed last year and has a seating capacity for 350.
