Celebrating 50 Years

The band celebrated in fine style on Saturday 28th September in Stantonbury Theatre when friends, former members, parents and band colleagues came along to attend our ‘sell out’ concert. The audience were treated to a concert of exceptional playing by the Band, our soloists Carol Jarvis and Ben Godfrey and the Olney Open band. The concert included some familiar pieces, some pieces that former members may have remembered playing and, above all pieces that reflect our musical enjoyment of playing in a brass band. The concert was followed by a buffet - which allowed time to catch up and also browse the band archives that were on display.

Rehearsing I’ll walk with God. During the performance the audience were shown a series of band photos dedicated to those who are no longer with us. The slide in this photo is the first formal photo of the band wearing their ‘new’ red sweat shirts and was taken in 1978. Current members and ex-players pose for a reunion photo with guests Ben and Carol.

Ian Frankland, Tim Spencer, Richard Colson, Simon Harris, Nick Williams, Stewart Ivory, Philip Peake, John Albone, Darren Umney, David Rose, Neil Clifton, Joanne Frankland, Sara Stokes, Nicky Croft, Helen Spencer, Richard Ivory, Carol Jarvis, Lindsay Greig, Debbie Hodder, Sharon Underwood, Susan Harris, Dale Underwood, Corrie Colson, Alex Colson, Daniel Moroney

Ben Godfrey, Andy Harris, James Howson, Keith Underwood

Renewing friendships and recreating photos

Nick Williams, Darren Umney, Lindsay Greig, Susan Harris and Debbie Walker

(original photo Steve Weir, Nick Williams, Ian deVilder, Darren Umney, Lindsay Greig, Susan Harris Debbie Walker (hand only!)

Trombones to the fore!

Helen Spencer (Adams) Stewart Ivory, John Albone and Philip Peake

Catching up!

Great to see former

members chatting

to current players.

(L) Ross Thompson and

Dušan Novaković chat to

Nicki (Buckle) Croft

(R) Daniel Moroney chats

with Sara Stokes - David

Rose talks with Lindsay

Greig and family.

Open Band shares the limelight!

David Rose conducts two Abba pieces at the start of the second half, Mamma Mia and I dreamed a dream to an enthusiastic reception.

We now get ready for our all important Christmas season, essential in topping up the bank balance in order to continue to fund the band through the coming year. Please support in anyway you can, by attending events, volunteering to collect or, if you’re up to it, joining in.

KEY DATES

Concert Lavendon Church - Saturday 26th October 7.30pm

Olney Dickens of a Christmas - Sunday 1st December 11-12, 1-2pm

St Peter and St Paul Olney Christmas Concert - Saturday 14th December 3pm - 5pm

Please share this with anyone who may be interested

Olney Brass Beginners’ Group Lessons - open to age 6 – adult. (Free to under 18s)

Hire an instrument from £5 per term

Uses the revolutionary ‘Learn To Play Brass’ programme

Tuesdays @ 6:00-630pm

Olney Open Band – open to all ages and abilities (Free to under 18s)

Hire an instrument from £5 per term

Following straight after Olney Brass Beginners

Tuesdays @ 6:30-730pm

Venue: Ousedale School, The Grove, Newport Pagnell, MK16 0BJ

For further information email: olneybrassinfo@gmail.com

...and what a Spectacular Summer it was!

50th BIRTHDAY WEEKEND - Reminder

Please use the QR code or visit the Stantonbury Theatre website to purchase your tickets.

The theatre is filling up, so its a good way to choose your seat and tickets may be limited on the door

As the weekend approaches we look forward to the concert in Stantonbury Theatre, the original home of Stantonbury Brass.

This will take place on Saturday 28th September at £6.00. Tickets will be available in advance and for a slightly enhanced fee join us for a buffet afterwards.

For those of you who are staying over night and any one else of course - it is hoped there will be enough support for a family day on Emberton Playing field on the Sunday.

Anyone for rounders? bring a picnic lunch and a chair, catch up with old friends.

During the last term, we have been delighted to welcome Finn, Barney and Alex into the Senior Band. All three boys made an outstanding contribution to the Summer Showcase and deserve their places where they will learn alongside senior members.

Three of our former trombone players have already got their tickets

We look forward to seeing them (but perhaps not in those flares John!)

A Summer of Music Making

The band is busy preparing for a feast of summer events. We would love to see you at some of the events listed, in particular the Summer Showcase and, of course, our 50th celebrations - read on for more information.

Under the direction of David Rose and ably assisted by Sara Cawte, our principal cornet, the band is proud to announce the Summer Showcase. A feast of brass band music from all three of the Olney Brass Bands

The traditional fete season gets under way at Weston Underwood. The setting is reminiscent of an episode of Miss Marple, try to avoid the ‘knob tax’ and plenty of free parking.

50th BIRTHDAY WEEKEND

As the weekend approaches we look forward to the concert in Stantonbury Theatre, the original home of Stantonbury Brass This will take place on Saturday 28th September at 6.00. Tickets will be available in advance and for a slightly enhanced fee join us for a buffet afterwards. More details to follow.

For those of you who are staying over night and any one else of course - it is hoped there will be enough support for a family day on Emberton Playing field on the Sunday. Anyone for rounders? bring a picnic lunch and a chair, catch up with old friends

Last time we had a family fun day was 2012, not sure how much rounders was played but it was good to catch up with some former members, including Tim Hunt - formerly principal cornet - who was over from his home in Australia. Some of you may be interested to know that Malcolm Holloway is presently on a walking tour of Scotland, having previously cycled from MK to Peel House it’s good to know he is just as active. I have also recently reconnected with Robert Darling (conductor and Euphonium player) who is currently living in Iceland.

Whilst we have welcomed new players since the last issue - we are still looking to fill some seats on a more permanent basis. This is an ongoing struggle for many bands, indeed some have seen their numbers decline so much that they have had to disband. We are lucky to have 3 well supported groups but extra players are more than welcome.

Contact us via email or through our facebook page.