Sandwich Concert Band

For musicians, autumn is a busy time of year.  This is true whether performing professionally or in an amateur role.  The preparation, organisation, and rehearsal is a time-consuming business.  This article will give you an idea of what Sandwich Concert Band, an amateur community band, have been up to in the last few weeks, and of plans for the future.

We held a concert at St Mary’s Arts Centre on 2^nd November, and it was pleasing to see so many people braving the atrocious weather to attend.  This was a concert where both the Main Band and the Training Band performed.  A varied programme, including Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis by Ralph Vaughan Williams, Highlights from Oliver!, and the Beatles’ classic Here, There and Everywhere, was performed to an appreciative audience.

The following weekend, the Training Band were involved in a community project which took place at Sir Roger Manwood’s School.  The Heart of the Wood, a community music drama with story and libretto by Martin Riley, music by David Burridge and directed by Matthew Sharp, told the tale, set in a mining community, of a teenage girl and her younger brother going on an epic and magical underground quest to fight for the life of their grandfather.  It was an excellent performance, and we were privileged to be asked to take part.  If you would like more information, a copy of the book connected with the project, or to be involved in future events, take a look at https://www.the-big-reveal.com/.

The next event for us will be when a small group of players will play Christmas carols at the Co-Op in Sandwich to raise money for charity.  This will take place on Saturday 7^th December between the hours of 10am and 12 noon.  It is something we have done in conjunction with the Co-Op for the last few years, and we hope as many of you as possible will join us.

For our Christmas concert we are joined by East Bridge Chorale, as in previous years.  It will be a concert of Christmas music, with the band and choir performing together and individually, with a chance for audience participation too!

This is always a popular concert, so it is best to book your tickets in advance to avoid disappointment.  These are available via sandwichband.org.uk or from band or choir members.  Any remaining tickets will be available on the door.

Sandwich Concert Band is a community band, constituted through Making Music, and we welcome players of wind, brass and percussion instruments without audition.  Our Training Band caters for players from grade 1 level upwards, and our Main Band is for players from grade 5 standard.

We currently have vacancies for flute, brass and percussion players.  For further information about the band go to www.sandwichband.org.uk.  You can also find us on Facebook and Twitter @band_sandwich.  If you are interested in joining, please email us at [email protected].

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