posted 1 Dec 2011 00:47 by Ben Hicks
Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without a brass band playing some festive music, and Oxted Band will be out and about as usual at this time of year.
Our main Christmas event is our Christmas Carol Service at St John's Church, Hurst Green,Oxted on Saturday 10th December at 7:30, where we will be joined by the school choir of St Mary's C of E Junior School and our very own Training Band. Come and join us for an evening of Christmas Music, Carol Singing and a mince pie or two!
We are also playing at a number of other Christmas events, which are detailed on our Engagements page, and we would be glad to see you at any of them.
Merry Christmas!
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posted 12 Oct 2011 00:48 by Ben Hicks
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updated 12 Oct 2011 00:53
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On 30th October 2011 from 2.30pm to 4:30pm, The Oxted Band will be holding an open event at the Bandroom in Mill Lane, Hurst Green.
If you fancy an informal chat about joining the Oxted Training Band, want to know what sort of instrument you could play, or just want to say hello and find out what we do and meet some of the band, then please feel free to drop in.
We look forward to seeing you there! |
posted 14 Sep 2011 05:30 by Ben Hicks
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updated 14 Sep 2011 05:37
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The Oxted Training Band will launch rehearsals on Thursday 22nd September. The group rehearses every Thursday night during term time from 7:00 to 7:45 and we are always glad to see new players of any standard and any age.
If you are interested in the Training Band but not sure about coming to a rehearsal, why not visit our Open Day on Sunday 30th October between 2:30 and 4:30.
Both the Open Day and Rehearsals take place at the bandroom in Mill Lane, Hurst Green, RH8 9DG. We look forward to seeing you! |
posted 30 Jun 2011 06:32 by Ben Hicks
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updated 30 Jun 2011 06:40
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L-R: Rob Morris, Bb Bass; Lottie Morris, Cornet; Nick Morris, Trombone
Oxted Band’s performance at Bletchingley Village Fair on Sunday 26th June was marked not only by the first great weather of the summer, with brilliant sunshine and soaring temperatures, but it was also the first time that three generations of the same family had played together in the band. Veteran bandsman Rob Morris (left, Bb Bass) was joined by son Nick (right, trombone) and granddaughter, Lottie, aged 12 (centre, cornet).
Commented Musical Director, Martin Beaumont, “It is very rare to see three generations playing together, but it just goes to show that banding has appeal for all ages.”
Without revealing too much about the ages of the more senior members of the family, between the three of them they have racked up an impressive 120 years of brass playing and Rob was recently honoured with an award by SCABA (Southern Counties Amateur Bands Association) for 72 years service to banding.
Forthcoming engagements for the band include a concert at The Vine Bandstand, Sevenoaks on 3rd July and Godstone Fair on 29th August. A full list of engagements can be found on the Engagements List. |
posted 25 Jun 2011 01:16 by Ben Hicks
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updated 25 Jun 2011 01:32
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Oxted Band are delighted to announce that our Guest Soloist for our Autumn Concert will be Paul Duffy, Soprano Cornet with the world renowned Black Dyke Band.
The Autumn Concert will take place on Saturday October 22nd at 7:30, at St John's Church in Hurst Green, near Oxted, Surrey.
(photos courtesy of John Stirzaker)
At the age of 7, Paul began to play
the cornet with St Helens Youth Brass Band conducted by Lynda Nicholson. Lynda is a former Principal Cornet player of the Oxted Band and was our first 'Stars of Brass' soloist back in 1992.
Lynda
taught Paul from an early age for 10 years, and this developed to him playing
principal cornet with the Haydock Band from St Helens. In 2003 Paul auditioned
for and joined the National Youth Brass Band Of Great Britain, and in 2007
became principal cornet and leader of the band. During this time Paul played
principal cornet on their latest CD release 'Masters Of Space And Time' and won
the highly prestigious Harry Mortimer solo award. Paul has been playing with the Black
Dyke Band since 2006, moving to soprano cornet in 2007. He studied music
technology at the University of Salford, where he also studied jazz trumpet
with Neil Yates. Currently, Paul is studying a Master's degree in Music for the
Moving Image at Leeds Metropolitan University. (photos courtesy of John Stirzaker) Now Paul is creating an impressive
reputation for himself on soprano cornet, enjoying his first success with the
band in October 2008 when they won their 21st National Championship. Paul was
voted Black Dyke Bandsman of the Year for 2008, described by Dr Nicholas Childs
as “a person who has shown incredible diligence in developing into an
extraordinary talent.” This coveted award is voted for by the players of the
band, and always reflects a player who is held in consistently high esteem by
their peers throughout the year. Paul
takes great enjoyment and shows great enthusiasm to making music. He is keen to
pass on his enthusiasm and knowledge to others as a brass educator and as a
cornet tutor with the National Youth Brass Band of Wales. |
posted 25 Jun 2011 01:12 by Ben Hicks
Oxted Band has now joined Easyfundraising, which enables our friends and members to support the band via shopping online!
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posted 1 Jun 2011 23:02 by Ben Hicks
At the recent joint concert held in St John’s Church, Hurst Green between The Oxted Band and Tertnes Amatørkorps from Norway, Oxted member Rob Morris was honoured for his loyal service to the brass band movement. Judging by his face when he was named it had been a very well kept secret that scaba was recognising Rob’s 72 years service. His mouth dropped open wider and wider as Sally Coleman from the scaba executive committee, told the audience the complete ‘This is Your Life’ of Rob’s banding career starting back in 1939 in Porthywaen when he was a mere 10 years old eventually arriving with The Oxted Band in 2002. Sally said that she was very proud and humbled to make such a prestigious presentation. (Article courtesy of scaba) |
posted 9 May 2011 06:08 by Ben Hicks
Despite forecasts of rain, the weather held up with a pleasant warm and sunny afternoon on Sunday, for Oxted Band's annual visit to the bandstand at Eastbourne.
The band played a varied programme starting with 'Famous British Marches' which was a big crowd pleaser, which was contrasted with the more gentle Scandanavian melody 'Vitae Lux'.
The afternoon included solo appearances from Dave Relf with a beautiful rendition of the haunting melody of Song to the Moon from Dvorak's Rusalka, and a totally different type of solo from Principal Kevin Adams who swapped his Cornet for a Post Horn with which he presented a Galop, accompanied by the band and a pack of hounds!
After excerpts into the jazz and latin world, as well as more traditional brass band styled music, the afternoon was brought to a suitable and rousing conclusion with 'Sussex by the Sea'.
The band is now looking forward to their next event, next Saturday 14th May, when they will be hosting the Norweigan band, Tertnes Amatorkorps at Hurst Green, Surrey. Further details: Spring Concert 2011 |
posted 12 Apr 2011 05:07 by Ben Hicks
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updated 12 Apr 2011 05:23
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Tickets are now available for our Spring Concert on 14th May featuring the Tertnes Amatorkorps from Norway.
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posted 30 Mar 2011 02:59 by Ben Hicks
No, not Holland the country... The sun was shining for Oxted Band as they had their first outdoor gig of the season (well under a lovely Gazebo to be accurate) on Saturday at Holland Junior School's Easter Eggstravaganza!
Playing next to the barbecue but showing great restraint by continuing to play and not run off for a burger, the band, supplemented by members of the Junior Band, entertained the crowd with tunes from the Teddy Bear's Picnic, to March of the Cobblers, and much to the Bass section's delight (pictured!) Come Follow the Band.
We are looking forward to a varied summer season, but still have a few spaces in the calendar, so anyone interested in booking the band please contact us. |
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