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April 2010 |
June 2010 |
July 2010 |
September 2010 |
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Centenary Celebration Concert Plans Well Under Way
Plans for the band's Centenary Concert, which is to be held at Consett Empire Theatre on Sunday 31st October, are well under way.
Promise
The concert promises much with the appearance of the current Reg Vardy Band under the directorship of Ray Farr but also an appearance of a massed band featuring past members of both the Reg Vardy, Ever Ready and Craghead Bands.
Encourage
We are encouraging ex band members to contact Band Manager Ray Hutchinson if they would like to play in the Massed Bands part of the concert. In particular we are looking for front row cornet players and tenor trombones. Ray's details can be found on the contacts page.
Tickets
Tickets cost £8 (£6 concessions) and are available from Consett Empire Theatre on 01207 218171 or click here to book online.
September 2010
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Sunday 12 September saw the band make a 300 mile round trip to BBC Studio 7, Manchester to make a recording for the popular BBC Radio 2 programme, Listen to the Band.
BBC Studios Manchester
Enjoyable
Under Music Director Ray Farr and BBC Producer Terry Carter, the band had an enjoyable two and half hour session recording seven pieces to celebrate their centenary which included the march Celebration by Leslie Condon and Jubilee Overture by Philip Sparke.
Thanks
The band extend their sincere thanks to Andy Holmes (Flugel) and Dick Stacey (Soprano) for deputising with the band. Both players perfomed magnificantly in the absense of our regular players. Thanks must also go to new signing Liz Pope for deputising as Solo Euphonium.
Drama!
On the return trip, the band coach called into Wetherby for a fish & chip stop at The Wetherby Whaler. Whilst boarding the coach to return to Stanley, a distressed young lady called Sally approached some band members saying that she had missed her coach home to Newcastle and was stranded in Wetherby overnight. Not wishing to see her stuck, the band were able to help her and took her back to Stanley where she was met by her Mother who to say the least, was most relieved to see her daughters safe return! We received the message below the following day;
"I would like to extend my gratitude and thanks to your band members and their driver for escorting my daughter from Wetherby to Stanley in their coach on Sunday evening. Sally had missed her coach from Harrogate and managed to get as far as Wetherby but couldn't get any further and her phone was threatening to run out of battery. In these uncertain times it is comforting to know that good people do still exist."
Air Date
We have no details yet as to when the programme will be aired but will post details via The Reg Vardy Website, Twitter & Facebook as soon as details are known.
Further information about BBC Listen to the Band can be found here
September 2010
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The Band welcome a quartet of new player talent to the ranks, with former Brighouse & Rastrick Principal Cornet, Stephen Wilkinson joining on Flugel.
The Reg Vardy Band is preparing for the second part of 2010's contesting season with a quartet of new signings.
Asset
Ross Cartledge, former principal cornet with Westoe Band, strengthens the front row team. Ross assisted the band at The Grand Shield in Blackpool in May earlier this year and is a welcome asset to the cornet section.
Future star
15 year old trombone star Hayley O’Connelley joins the trombone section after Peter Liddle stepped down due to increased work commitments. Hayley was principal trombone of the National Children’s Brass Band in the last two courses and was featured as a ‘Star of the Future’ soloist with the band in a series of concerts last year.
Principal Trombone Chris Bentham commented; “I was greatly impressed with Hayley’s playing and attitude. She will undoubtedly be an asset to the band.”
New Flugel Soloist
Sadly, flugel soloist Joanne Behan has stepped down from the band. "Joanne has been a fantastic servant and we are sad to see her leave. Everyone at Reg Vardy wishes her well and hope to see her return in the future."
Former Brighouse & Rastrick principal cornet player Stephen Wilkinson has taken over the flugel horn position.
Calibre
Reg Vardy Band Chairman Ray Hutchinson commented "We are overjoyed to have a player of such a high calibre to strengthen our team. Stephen’s experience will no doubt be of benefit to the horn section and the rest of the band."
High
The final member of the quartet of new faces is euphonium player Liz Pope. Liz, a former Wingates and Fairey’s member, has recently relocated to the North East to begin a PGCE course and did a sterling job on solo euphonium at the recent English National in Preston.
Ray added: "We ended the summer on a high and are looking forward with great expectation to the final two contests of the year."
September 2010
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The Reg Vardy Band rounded off the first half of their 2010 contesting season by taking the honours at the inaugural Doctor Martin Trust Entertainment Contest at the Gala Theatre in Durham on the weekend.
Prize pot
Although there was disappointment that the contest, which benefits from a £300,000 legacy from a local GP, could only attract four competitors in its first year, the organizers hope that the event will grow in significance with its appealing £7,000 plus prize pot.
Busy weekend
With bands facing stiff economic times, the chance to pick up the substantial £4,000 first prize saw Reg Vardy conducted by Ray Farr, round off a busy weekend of music making by taking the title and the fine Wainstones Cup by a clear two point margin from Pemberton Old Wigan DW, Wire Brass and Fishburn.
The contest format saw each band perform a march, solo item and own choice test piece, in a programme set that did not exceed the 30 minute time limit.
Impressive
Reg Vardy opened with an impressive rendition of 'The President', which saw them pick up the £250 'Best March' prize, followed by Tina Mortimer giving a finely phrased performance of Rachmaninov’s 'Adagio' arranged by Ray Farr. The band rounded off their programme with Edward Gregson’s 'Rococo Variations'.
Bravura
Second place and £2,000 went to Pemberton Old Wigan DW conducted by Mark Bentham. Their half hour programme included the own choice test piece, 'Music of the Spheres', whilst euphonium star, Matthew White picked up the £250 'Best Soloist' Award for his performance of 'Bravura' by Peter Graham.
Third placed Wire Brass also chose 'Rococo Variations', whilst Fishburn performed 'Year of the Dragon'.
Very busy weekend
Reg Vardy spokesperson Laura Jackson felt the victory was a great way to round off a very busy weekend: "We gave a concert on Friday night, rehearsed again on Saturday and then played at the contest."
Laura added: "It’s been a busy time for the band and although the contest does come at an awkward time with holidays, we made sure we left nothing to chance."
Quality
With adjudicator Colin Hardy impressed by the bands quality of musicality and technical proficiency, Reg Vardy will now look ahead to the challenges of the second half of the contesting year.
"Although we didn’t qualify for the British Open, we have been showing really good form of late," Laura added.
"The performances here and at the English Nationals in Preston have set us up for the rest of the season and we are really looking forward to the National Finals and Brass in Concert."
Not quite finished
Reg Vardy’s work wasn’t quite finished either as they provided the audience with short 30 minute concert before the announcement of the results before they finally had the chance to celebrate a hard, but highly successful weekend’s banding work.
Results:
1. Reg Vardy (Ray Farr) - 193
2. Pemberton Old Wigan DW (Mark Bentham) – 191
2. Wire Brass (Paul Andrews) – 186
4. Fishburn
Adjudicator: Colin Hardy
July 2010
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Busy Time as Durham University Brass Band in Residence
This year’s short conducting course held by Ray Farr at Durham University has proved to be a major success once more judging from the feedback of both students and visiting lecturers.
Delegates
Ray Farr once again led the part time conducting course for delegates Colin Hoodless, Simon Jones, Roland Spencer, Per-Erik Petersen, Rowland Little, Steve Erley, John Wood, Paul Fisher, Dominic Brennan and Huw Thomas.
Masterclasses and workshops
Guest lecturers this year were Philip Sparke, Edward Gregson and Paul Patterson and the Reg Vardy Band in their capacity as Durham University Brass 'Band in Residence' provided music for the masterclasses and workshops.
Works studied this year included 'Music of the Spheres', 'Rococo Variations' and 'Chromascope' by Paul Patterson.
Exam Test
Meanwhile, The band performed in MA student Dominic Brennan’s final recital concert, held at the Palace Green based music department of Durham University on Sunday 20th June.
The band accompanied Dominic performing Gordon Jacob’s “Concerto for Timpani and Band” and were then conducted by Dominic in a performance of Philip Sparke’s “Tallis Variations”.
Front row cornet player Les Palmer’s contribution to the performance was especially appreciated by the band as he had just returned from a two week holiday the previous day.
Reg Vardy continue their hard work with a return to the bandroom this week to put the finishing touches to John Pickard’s popular “Eden” in time for Saturday’s English National Championship.
June 2010
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Gareth, who left in 2007 after 6 very successful years, said "I am excited to be back in the band after an absence of three years. I have spent the last twelve months broadening my musical horizons with various engagements on both tenor and alto trombone. I’m looking forward to returning to my first love, bass trombone and working with the Reg Vardy Band on some interesting new projects. It’s nice to be home!!"
Gareth was deputising towards the end of last year with the band and played in the 5th place performances at The Royal Albert Hall and Brass in Concert.
Gareth replaces Jeff Bryant, who is stepping down due to family commitments.
Principal trombone Chris Bentham said "I am delighted that Gareth has agreed to come back to the band. He is a terrific bandsman and great friend to the band. Jeff will be missed but will still remain a signed member and will play with the band when he can. We'd like to thank him for his hard work and dedication, especially over recent months which have been particularly difficult for him."
April 2010
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The newly crowned North of England Regional Champion, Reg Vardy Band recently took to the road to help in the performance of Philip Wilby’s 'A Passion for Our Times' in Harrogate.
It ended a busy month for the band, which has seen them perform in concert as well as contest format in recent weeks.
Honoured
The band were honoured to take part in the performance which was conducted by Philip Wilby and joined by The Fisher Singers, narrator Darren Roberts and organist Paul Dewhurst as well as dancers from St John Fisher School.
Laura Jackson, Publicity Officer said: "It was a really incredible performance to be involved in. The sound of the organ and choir mixed with the brass sounds made the whole performance a magical experience."
April 2010
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