Fundraiser a success musically and financially

We are delighted to announce that Saturday’s Afternoon at the Movies concert was very well supported, ticket sales raised £730.00 and has been sent to Children in Need as part of the annual BBC appeal. The concert featured two of our soloists, with Ross Thompson playing the xylophone solo On the track and Kate Medley playing the trombone solo The Acrobat. The Open Band also performed for the first time under the direction of Sara Stokes, our principal cornet, who took over the baton in September. They added to the theme with, amongst others, Pirates of the Caribbean and Chitty, Chitty Bang Bang. Thanks go to all volunteers including Alaisdair who compered the concert and, of course the band’s musical director Philip Devine who prepared the repertoire with the Senior Band. In a break with tradition our red jackets were replaced by a selection of coloured tops!

We will remember them.

Before we launch into the Christmas season, the band will once again support the Royal British Legion with their Act of Rememberance on Horsefair Green in Stony Stratford. As well as accompanying the hymns during the service, Sara, our principal cornet will play the Last Post and Reveille around the two minute silence. Sunday 9th November 2025 at 2.45pm.

Olney Phonebox

The following article was written for the Phonebox magazine but did not appear in full

OLNEY BRASS brought their summer season to a close with their annual visit to Emberton Fete. eturning annually for almost 40 years it would seem that they love a brass band in Emberton. hether it be in the churchyard for Bangers and Brass, in the pub car park for their beer festival, in the village hall for the Senior Citizen's annual Christmas lunch or in the street for the long lamented Street Fayre. It was the last of a dozen summer engagements which started back in May when we played at the Denton VE day celebrations. Each of the events can be seen on our website under the Engagements Tab which also lists our upcoming events. Hopefully you have managed to hear us at some point and we thank you for your continued support. When you read this you may have already been to our Afternoon at the Movies concert in St Peter and St Paul, on Saturday 1st November and you can now anticipate the Festive Season and our Melodies and Mince Pies concert which takes place in the church on Saturday 13th December 3 - 5pm. Once again we will be playing around the streets as the big day approaches.

More recently the band has moved into its new home at Lovat Fields Residential home, Willen, they have a lovely space for rehearsals and it means that all three of our bands can now rehearse in the same hall as well as being able to store some of our equipment and open our rehearsals to interested residents. We still feel a special tie to Olney and it is a long term goal to find a rehearsal, storage space (with parking) in the town that we could call 'The Home of Olney Brass' we would love residents to be able to pop in during rehearsals and hopefully be inspired to join our Beginner or Open Bands, or to help complete our line up in the Senior Band if you are an experienced player. If any readers have ideas for this please do not hesitate to get in touch. You may be interested to know that in the 1890's the band rehearsed in the British School building on Weston Road. Please do use our website for updates and information, we have recently added an archive feature, and although this only starts in the 1970's as (Stantonbury Brass) it is hoped that we can eventually add details of Olney Silver Band.

Last Post and Reveille

As usual we are grateful to Sara, our principal cornet player for sounding the Last Post and Reveille. Sara attends the Great Brickhill service in the morning and then leads Olney Brass in

their playing at Stony Stratford a job she has been doing splendidly for over twenty years. The Last Post is sounded to honour those who have died in military service, marking the end of the day’s activities and serving as a tribute to the fallen. Following a period of silence, Reveille is played to signify the start of a new day and to celebrate the lives of those who have served.

Thoughts turn to Christmas

Our main funding raising season begins shortly and we are already looking forward to starting in

Olney on Thursday 28 November when the town will be promoting local traders with their Late Night shopping event. So, if you just can’t wait to hear your favourite carol pop along and make a request. Don’t forget to join us for our annual Christmas Concert - details opposite.

Not heard the Band’s summer programme?

With our summer events calender drawing to a close we end with the annual trip to Emberton

Held in various venues throughout the village and in different formats, this year’s fete takes place on the playing field at Hulton Drive, MK465BY. Rather than round up all of the summer events these have now been highlighted on our website which I urge you all to look at as we have also published part of the archive which is now available to view. (Thanks once again to Darren Umney who has already completed scanning the next file) Each image can be clicked on to see its full content and to make it easier to read.

Nearly 40 years at Emberton Strawberry Fayre / Street Fayre / Fete

Throughout it’s many guises it would seem they love a Brass Band in Emberton. This photo from 1988 shows one of Alan Jenkin’s first outings as conductor of Stantonbury Brass at the Strawberry Fayre on the playing field. We return again on 7 September playing the programme listed. Emberton, it would seem, will let us play anywhere, from residents gardens, to the pub yard, the church, the churchyard (for Bangers and Brass) and the pub car park. For those puzzling over some faces, Jayne Hull (Flugel) Andy Greig and Helen Adams (trombone) Elaine Atkinson,

Lyndon Reeve (Cornet) Andy and Simon (behind the basses) Me (principal Euphonium !!!!) with Clive Darnell who, I’m delighted say has re-emerged and has been helping us this year.

The programme shows the range and styles of music you can expect to hear and special mentions go to Kate Medley, Sara Stokes and Neil Addinson who have delighted audiences with some quality solos.

Emberton Fete - Programme 2025

March - Viva Birkenshaw 3:00

Wicked - Schwartz, Stephen Arr. Somerset, Gavin

By The Time I Get to Phoenix - Webb, Jim Arr. Ashmore, Derek

Cornet Solo: Sara Stokes

Don't Stop Me Now - Mercury, Freddie Arr. Bond, Christopher

Galloping Home - King, Denis Arr. Relton, William

When I Grow Up - Minchin, Tim Arr. Edmonds, Dave

Blaydon Races - Arr. Langford, Gordon - Euph Solo: Neil Addison

Mr Blue Sky - Lynne, Jeff Arr. Wormald, Christopher 5:00

Bring Me Sunshine - Kent, Arthur Arr. Bond, Christopher 2:30

Welcome to the Jungle - Rose, Axl Arr. Murtha, Paul 3:00

Can't Take My Eyes off You - Crewe, Bob Arr. Siebert, Edrich

Trombone Solo: Kate Medley

Under the Sea - Menken, Alan Arr. Nowak, Jerry

Greatest War Themes, The - Arr. Barry, Darrol

Bare Necessities, The - Gilkyson, Terry Arr. Bond, Christopher

Steel Sky - Fernie, Alan

You Can't Stop the Beat - Shaiman, Marc Arr. Bond, Christopher

YMCA - Morali, J Arr. Bernaerts, Frank

Lord of the Dance - Hardiman, Ronan Arr. Somerset, Gavin

LOVAT FIELDS - A New Home

As reported in the last issue, we have successfully transferred our rehearsals to the Hawthorne Hall at Lovat Fields. We now have a larger, brighter, warmer rehearsal space at ground floor level and a secure storage unit for our percussion. One of the most important things is that our beginner and open bands are using the same space and it allows us to integrate more and help out those who offer a huge contribution to the development of younger players. (Thanks here to Sara) They will be experiencing this when they restart their rehearsals next Tuesday. Accompanying adults get the chance to listen or sit in the cafe /bar area whilst the youngsters are busy. Whilst this is a much more convenient space it, the band are still really hoping for a permanent solution, the music library can then come out of my garage, the wardrobe can be released from Andy’s loft and instrumental storage can be in one place rather than held by the senior members collectively.

Several offers of a band room remain under negotiation with Olney Town Council and it would be great to find somewhere in the locality. If any one knows of anywhere, has any influence or wishes to provide a practical solution please do get in touch, In the meantime rehearsals have continued throughout summer and in our conductor Phil’s well deserved holiday absence, I had a little go at stick waving for a couple of Open rehearsals. We were really pleased to welcome players from other local bands (who often take a break in August), previous players and some old friends picking up their instruments after a few years of not playing. It was really nice to welcome Peter Eales on trombone, Joanne Frankland Eb bass and, of course Clive Darnell. Please do not restrict your visits to open rehearsals, all are welcome!

News from the wider banding world

The British Open Brass Band Championships took place on 6 September with Brighouse & Rastrick (Prof. David King) taking top spot playing Test Piece: Star Crossed Lovers (Stephen Roberts) Brighouse & Rastrick will receive an invitation from Brass Bands England to represent England at the 2027 European Championships in Montreux, Switzerland Good luck to all bands competing in the National Championships at Cheltenham Racecourse this weeked

Congratulations

We are delighted to announce Former principal cornet Matt Atkinson and his wife,

former second baritone player Becky (Stoneman) announced the birth of their first child Cecilia Rose 03.09.2025 all doing well.

Retirement (but not from band)

We would also like to send special wishes to

Malcolm Nevin, our stalwart principal Eb bass

player who retired from teaching with

MKMusic Hub at the end of the summer term.

He has been in the band for many years and will continue to do so now he has more time on his hands. Providing his one-eyed rescue dog Morris does not object to increased tuba playing in the home

Good luck Charlie!

He leaves us to study music

at Birmingham Conservatoire having played

solo cornet since 2022. He will be joining the RBC Uni Band

Last minute photo from Emberton

Summer Showcase

What a marvellous annual Summer Showcase we had! Our beginners performed 'We Will Rock You' with the Openband and received their 'Learn to Play Brass' stage one graduation certificates. Pictured below. Openband performed a few numbers they had been working on throughout the year. A selection of our developing players performed, solos, duets and trios, including a pianist, vocalist and even a world premier jazz trio combo.

There was a surprise presentation for our retiring brass education expert and Openband MD, David Rose. We thank him immensely for everything he has done and wish him well for his future 'free time'. Finally, the senior band entertained us all during the second half, with some of their Summer season repertoire. All in all, a great night of music making.

Thanks go to Emma (principal horn) and Kate (principal Trombone) who are fast becoming queens of the raffle for their contribution at the Summer Showcase - not easy when you have to play as well!

A Fond Farewell

David Rose, the driving force behind our beginner and Open Bands has decided that he would like to enjoy his retirement a little more and we are saddened to say he is stepping down from the band this Summer. He will be sorely missed, the amount of work required to maintain and run two bands as well as his commitment to recruiting and retaining new players takes more time than just rehearsing a ‘few hours’ a week and in his new found ‘freedom’ he will continue to run, walk throughout the country and also continue to learn Welsh.

Round up

Summer is well underway and since the last Grace notes we have played at Clifton Reynes Fete, Olney Cherry Fayre and our annual trip on the back of a lorry at the Newport Carnival.

Welcome

After a successful trial and some splendid playing at some of our summer engagements, the Senior band is delighted to announce that Neil Addison has been appointed as our new principal Euphonium player. Neil has recently moved to the area from London where he was principal Euphonium of Regent Community Brass - he was keen to join a local band to avoid commuting to and from London.

LOVAT FIELDS - A New Home

Olney Brass are moving - after a few months of searching we would like to announce that the band will be moving rehearsals to the Lovat Fields site at 128, Japonica Lane, Milton Keynes MK15 9EE as of 15th July 2025. This will give us the opportunity for all three bands to rehearse on the same night using the same facilities. It is hoped that this will give us greater communication between our family of bands and also to integrate socially and musically with members, family and friends.

Ex - players |Open Rehearsal

Following the 50th Anniversary Concert some former members suggested it might be good to gather ogether and ‘have a blow’. So if you fancy dusting off your instrument and coming along to a ehearsal or just turning up to listen and socialise with the band at our new home (see above) we’d be delighted to welcome you on Tuesday 29th July.