New instruments for Training Band.
14/12/2008
The first batch of new instruments for the training band were purchased from Normans Music this week with the £850 donation we received from the Council earlier this year.We purchased two brand new Bb Cornets, an Eb Tenor horn and various percussion items.We are awaiting delivery also of two Tenor Trombones and another Eb Tenor horn.Thanks again to councillors Kath Trueman and Michelle Booth for their kind donations.
£300 Raised for Motorneurone Disease.
21/9/2008.
The concert at Victoria park Ilkeston today raised just over £300. A big thank you to all who helped to make the day a success.
Father and son make concert debut. 20/7/2008
A very proud father and son pictured with the other two latest members to join Ilkeston Brass.Dad Nigel and son Mathew Allsop joined daughters/sisters Natalie and Sarah at their debut concert at Horsley Woodhouse.Well done and welcome from all of the band.
Council Cheques Boost for Training Band. 11/7/2008
The newest and youngest members of Ilkeston Brass were at work before rehearsal started last night.Natalie and Sarah Allsop were chosen to receive cheques on behalf of the band from councillors Kath Trueman and Michelle Booth.Both Kath and Michelle were delighted to respond to requests from the band to assist with funding to buy new instruments for the Training Band.Councillor Trueman presented a cheque for £500 and councillor Booth presented a cheque for £350.
Quote from Kath Trueman :" It is a great pleasure for me to help this way.I have always supported Ilkeston Brass since my year as Mayor of the borough sixteen years ago.The prize winning band has given so much to our town over the years and we need to encourage younger musicians who will help to keep on with the good work."
The band would like to thank Kath and Michelle for their kind donation.It is good that the council can help out in this way as instruments are not cheap.We are sure the young members of the Training Band will be very pleased with their new instruments as soon as we purchase them.Thanks again Kath and Michelle.
Welcome to the Band !
A big welcome to Sarah and Natalie Allsop who joined the band for their first concert at Nottingham Castle on Sunday.Sarah and Natalie officially became full members of Ilkeston Brass joining the band both playing 3rd cornet.Congratulations and well done from all the band.
£602.50 Raised for Derby Mountain Rescue. 21/6/2008
The joint concert between The Duffield singers and ourselves turned out to be a rewarding and successful evening,with a total of £602.50 being raised in aid of Derby Mountain Rescue.The concert was hosted by Radio Derbys very own Andy Potter,whos hosting skills made the event light hearted and enjoyable,thanks to Andy.The concert was moved indoors to the Methodist Church due to the weather which showed no signs of changing,thanks to the Church for accommodating everybody at such short notice.Thanks to everybody who supported the event and finally to everybody who took part putting on such a splendid performance.
A big Thank you to Ron Brooks. 20/6/2008
The members of Ilkeston Brass would like to thank Ron Brooks Toyota of Ilkeston for their kind donation to the band of a sponsorship cheque.Presented last night at rehearsal by Band President Mr Paul Stevenson.
New Website up and running. 15/6/2008
The Band website has just been updated,the website will be updated weekly.If you have any articles,news or anything that might be of interest putting on the site please contact the site or Steve personally.Thanks to Julian and Robin for their help creating the site.
Presentation of new xylophone
Here is the picture of a very kind Mr Stirland who so generously offered to buy the band a new xylophone.As you can see,Jules has a lot to smile about ! The presentation took place at a christmas concert at Nuthall Methodist Church on 1st December 2007.Jules has put it to good use already,winning the soloist of the year trophy with his xylophone solo " The Flyer".Im sure jules will make good use of this fine instrument.Thank you again Mr Stirland.
New Euphponium player
A warm welcome to Robin Gray,who has recently joined the band.Robin has moved to the local area due to work commitments.
Recruitment day Sat 7th June 2008.
Give it some lad ! This young chap certainly had a lot of puff.Once he got a note out of the instrument there was no stopping him.Is this another future" Nick Duncan"? time will tell. a very enjoyable and successfull day was had by all who participated.With the spur of the moment idea of a Tombola making a suprising £53.00 ! and a further offer of a much larger sum of money ( to be confirmed) made the day worthwhile on a gloomy start to a Saturday morning in Ilkeston market place.A big thanks to St Marys Church who so kindly gave us the use ( for the second time ) of the entrance to the church to set up our stall.We hope to see all people who came and had a go at blowing an instrument at our Training/main band rehearsals in the future.Thanks to all band members who made the day possible.This is the second recruitment day we have had,im sure we will be having more in the future.Watch the site for more details of further recruitment days.
New Training Band recruits
Saturday turned out to be worthwhile, when we turned up for training band rehearsal Sunday evening,( the day after).Waiting for us were six very enthusiastic people willing to take on the task of trying, for the first time in their lives to learn to play a brass instrument.We now have a young Eb Bass player,a nice lady "Elaine" probably taking on the biggest task of all, a Trombone,well done Ellaine ! We also had a nice young girl and two young brothers who have decided to take up cornet.One of the young lads " Harry Bailey" is pictured above,a right little character! The first nights introduction ptactice went really well,everybody who came had a very enjoyable time and everybody went away with an instrument and a smile on their face.Well done to everybody and thanks to the new trainees for taking up the challenge and giving up their time to come and have a go.
Trombone returns to band after 30 years ! 12/6/2008
Band Secretary Yvonne receives the Trombone from Mrs Gladys Wrobel.Gladys is pleased to accept an up to date picture of the band today, in appreciation of her effort to return the Trombone after many years.
The Story of the Trombone started Saturday,when a gentleman came up to our stall and asked if we had heard about the lady who had rang into radio Derby asking if any brass bands would be interested in taking a Trombone off her hands that had been in her loft,but she would rather it go to Ilkeston Brass..
It came to light that the instrument belonged to her husband who past away a few years ago,and t her husband "Les Draycott" had been a member of the Stanton iron Works band for some 30yrs.Since passing away the instrument lay in her loft for a few years,after following up the information,we went to see Gladys where she kindly donated the instrument to the band.The instrument has had a good clean and polish and still sounds good after all these years ! im sure the band will get plenty of use out of it for a few more years to come.
Thanks again Gladys for taking the time and trouble to return the instrument.Our thanks also to Radio Derby.
Goodbye Nick. Or is it ?
This was Nick and his wife Carolyn getting a total suprise at a joint concert with the ilkeston Theatre Company and the band.Nick and his wife had planned to retire and move to Spain late last year,however their plans have been delayed. Nick is still playing with the band,( now on Bb Bass) but still intends to move to warmer climates as soon as he can.The concerts climax was the Theatre company singing an arrangement of Bohemian Raphsody by Queen ,accompanied by the band,this was one of Nicks goals he had always wanted to do,but it had never come off for one reason or another.The band and Theatre Company held private rehearsals together to get the piece up to performance standard.And to Nicks amazement,he knew nothing about it until the night ! A great success for all involved.
The band wish Nick and Carolyn all the best for their future plans,and are still happy to have Nick making music with us until he finally leaves for warmer climates.