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Latest report from the County Gazette
How many citizens realise what a jewel they have in the Taunton Concert Band? The Easter concert showed why the band won a Gold Award in November; we ought to hear more of the band, but of course its members have other things to do, like working! The training band launched the evening with Pink Panther and Kronos and showed that many of them are hard on the heels of the main band—they showed verve and discipline. The main band gave us fourteen pieces. with never a weak one. They started with Them Brasses which brought Victorian seaside bands to mind and gave the audience a thirst for more and more music, with the flutes in top form; but all sections showed up well: in La Gioconda the pure tones of the French horns stood out and the piccolos were beautifully precise. Graham Davies on his cornet was a star—can such notes come from so small an instrument’? And the World Premiere of Reflections, with its exciting local provenance, showed that we will hear more of Sarah Beattie. Martin Wills played his intriguing bassoon (to prove to the band that he could actually play as well as direct!) and then before the interval came a medley of Beatles music; not necessarily the right genre for a concert band, but no worries, the audience and the players were thoroughly enjoying it. Mandy Larcombe and her saxophone were supreme: she met huge applause not just for her exhausting efforts but for her wonderful ability in showing the huge range and versatility of her instrument; La Calida was a treat Almost the final item was the Drunken Sailor and the band piloted us through every sort of weather, from storms to the doldrums, and the discipline and technique of these sixty talented musicians brought us safely home —a satisfied and highly appreciative audience. Well done Martin Wills and well done everyone in this excellent and exciting Taunton Concert Band. T. Davies.
Band Returns From Successful Tour To Paris
Taunton
Concert Band has just returned from a concert tour in Paris.
The band entertained the Parisian’s with a selection of music from
their extensive repertoire that includes traditional, pop and classical music
from all regions of the world. Musical director Martin Wills said, “This has
been our most successful tour to date and we are already planning our next tour
which will be in two years time”. The band have enjoyed a busy summer season with concerts in and around the Taunton area. This season has come off the back of a superb winter schedule, which ended at the Tacchi-Morris Centre in March. The band’s last summer date, in the UK, was at Vivary Park, on Sunday 25th July where they entertained a large gathering on a fine summers day. The band will be resuming their practice schedule on Friday August 27th, when they start preparing for the National Concert Band Festival in November, where the band have had excellent results in the past. Anybody interested in trying to learn an instrument is welcome to attend rehearsals at 6:30pm, when the Musical Director, Martin Wills will only be too happy to advise on instruments available for loan and arrange any necessary instrumental tuition. This is open to all ages. Practises are held at The Archbishop Cranmer School, along Cranmer road each Friday evening. Training Band (Beginner level) is from 6:30–7:30pm, Senior Band (Advanced level) from 7:30-9:30pm. The band has a number of instruments available at the moment, which they are keen to allow new members to use. These are Flute, French horn, Clarinet, Tuba, and Oboe. The band committee enforce an equal opportunities policy. For any further information, please call Musical Director, Martin Wills on 01823 352868, e-mail: martin@tauntonconcertband.co.uk or alternatively check out the bands website at www.tauntonconcertband.co.uk
Somerset County Council Queens Golden Jubilee Awards The chairman's Golden Jubilee Award, was presented to Martin Wills in the year 2002 for his outstanding contribution to the County of Somerset by Robin Bush Chairman of Somerset County Council. The award was for personal dedication and hard work as musical director of the Taunton Concert Band.
Pictured above is Martin and Carol after the ceremony held at the Brewhouse.
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