July 2009 News |
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Click here for the latest news |
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July 2009The Summer Season continues with a busy schedule of concerts and fundraising events more... |
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May 2009The band's Summer Season was started by the Mayor of Douglas banging the drum for a fundraising drive to support the band's trip to the National Finals in September. more... |
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March 20092nd prize at Blackpool and a place in the National Finals. more ... |
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November 2008Following a busy Summer season and carol filled Christmas period the band welcomed back it's musical advisor Gordon higginbottom for an intensive period of training leading up to the annual Gala Concert more... May 2008Ahead of a busy Summer season, Douglas Town Band recently played for the opening of the newly relocated bandstand in Noble's Park. more... March 20085th Prize at Blackpool. more... November 2007Douglas Town Band has continued to celebrate its 120th birthday with two important events this month. more... June 2007We were very pleased to be invited to take part in a community project organised by the Isle of Man Arts Council to celebrate the centenary of the TT Races. more... May 2007As part of its 120th birthday celebrations this
year Douglas Town Band arranged for a feast of brass band entertainment for the
February 2007Happy Birthday to us! After a busy and successful Christmas season we enter our 120th anniversary year with lots to look forward to.more... November 2006After a busy Summer with many engagements giving pleasure to locals and visitors alike the band got down the hard work of expanding its repertoire in the Autumn ready for the visit of Musical Advisor Gordon Higginbottom ... more. May 2006Douglas Town Band recently hosted a special concert for its supporters and sponsors at the Empress Hotel in Douglas. The event, which was attended by the band’s president, Mayor of Douglas Councillor Glenda Corkish, and representatives of some of the band’s generous commercial sponsors, marked the launch of the band’s new uniform and website more... March 2006Douglas Town Band have just returned from their 10th annual trip to the North West Regional Brass Band Championships in Blackpool more... January 2006December was a busy month beginning with a very successful Gala Concert in the Villa Marina Colonnade Suite at which donations had been received from band supporters to assist with training our younger members. In particular four cheques for £500 each were presented more... November 2005Douglas Town Band's annual general meeting was held on Monday 31st October in the Council Chamber at Douglas town Hall. The meeting was chaired by the band's president her Worship the Mayor of Douglas Councillor Mrs Glenda Corkish. more.... September 2005Douglas Town Band recently said farewell to four of its talented young players.more... March 2005Douglas Town Band have just returned from their 9th annual trip to the North West Regional Brass Band Championships in Blackpool more... December 2004Douglas Town Band’s Annual gala Concert on Saturday night featured the debut performance of several young soloists and the premiere of several pieces of music, some composed especially for the occasion by the band’s musical advisor Gordon Higginbottom.more... August 2004Douglas Town Band have just returned from their second successful concert tour of Austria. The 51 strong party of players and supporters flew to Innsbruck on Saturday 31st July and after a week of glorious sunshine in the beautiful Tirol more... March 2004Douglas Town Band have just returned from their 8th annual trip to the North West Regional Brass Band Championships in Blackpool. This year the band braved Irish Sea storms and were thankful for the sturdy and reliable Lady of Mann as SeaCat sailings were cancelled more... January 2004Six of Douglas Town Band's younger players received an early Christmas at the band's gala concert in December more... |
July 2009 News |
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The Summer Season continues with a busy schedule of concerts and fundraising events. The band has entertained large and enthusiastic audiences in the Villa Marina Arcade and Villa Marina Gardens in Douglas and the Mooragh Park in Ramsey. The band also contributed to the Bishop's anniversary service at St. German's Cathedral in Peel and led the Civic Sunday parade in Douglas. Additionally band members have been hard at work in a fundraising drive to get the band to Harrogate in September for the National Finals, including a very successful sponsored walk, car boot sales, bag packing at Shoprite and busking in Strand Street. The band are very grateful to all who have supported these efforts and to Douglas Borough Council who have very generously given an additional grant of £1,000 to help towards this cost. The test piece for Harrogate has now arrived and the hard work of rehearsing it has begun.
May 2009 News |
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The band's Summer Season was started by the Mayor of Douglas banging the drum for a fundraising drive to support the band's trip to the National Finals in September.
Our first concert of the season was in the newly refurbished Villa Marina Arcade. To start our fundraising for the trip to the Harrogate finals the band marched along the Promenade to the venue. The Mayor of Douglas, Mrs Dot Pitts kindly lent her support by seeing the band off and meeting us again at the end of the march. This was one of her last engagements as mayor and the band has been very grateful for her continued support throughout her year in office.
Link to item on Douglas Borough Council website
March 2009 News |
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A change in the date of the Blackpool Regional contest of the Brass Band Championships this year reduced the time available for rehearsing the test piece and meant that the competition fell at the end of the Manx school half term holidays. Despite this extra pressure the band responded to Gordon's training in February to gain 2nd place in the 3rd section and an invitation to play in the National Finals at Harrogate in September.
November 2008 News |
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Following a busy Summer season and before a carol filled Christmas period the band welcomed back it's musical advisor Gordon Higginbottom for an intensive period of training leading up to the annual Gala Concert. The Villa Marina Colonnade Suite was packed with the band's supported who were enthralled by a most entertaining concert given by both the senior and training bands.
The concert featured many splendid performances from both experienced and new soloists alike, all of whom displayed the benefit of having personal tuition fr
om Gordon during the preceding w
eek.
Gordon himself proved not only to be the excellent tutor virtuoso horn soloist we have known for many years now, but also able to put on a dazzling performance on a range of percussion instruments accompanied in a special feature by the training band
The evening also featured a number of presentations. Each year the person judged to have made an outstanding contribution too the band during the year is awarded the accoade "Bandsperson of the Year". It was awarded on this occasion to Daniel Mitchell. The award for the training band member who has made most progress during the year was presented to Lauren Harvey.
Brad Ingham was presented with a new BBb bass provided by a grant from the Heritage Lottery Trust
May 2008 News |
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Ahead of a busy Summer season, Douglas Town
Band recently played for the opening of the newly relocated
bandstand in Noble's Park. The bandstand, which was formerly
sited in the Villa Marina gardens was officially opened by the Mayor of Douglas
Councillor Colin Cain on Saturday 19th April. 
Following the ceremony, the band opened it's programme with the rousing march "Death or Glory" and continued to entertain the assembled guests with a programme including a selection from the musical Oliver (very topical at the moment!)
The band's Summer Season gets underway shortly with a
concert in the Promenade
Methodist Church in Douglas on Monday 26th May. Details of where to see
the band throughout the summer can be found on our diary
page
March 2008 News |
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Following a successful Christmas Season the band have been busy preparing for the annual trip to compete in the North West Regional Brass Band Championships in Blackpool. After two months of hard work under the leadership of MD Ken Mitchell the final polish was applied ,with his usual flair, by the band's Musical Advisor Gordon Higginbottom. The band have enjoyed working on this year's test piece "The Dark Side of the Moon" by Paul Lovatt-Cooper and their enthusiasm and commitment was rewarded by a well deserved 5th prize out of 20 bands on the day.
The band are now looking forward to the visit of the Cwmtawe Youth Band from Wales and a joint concert with them in the Promenade Methodist Church on Sunday 30th March at 7.30pm.
November 2007 News |
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Douglas Town Band has continued to celebrate its 120th birthday with two important events this month. On 9th November the band hosted a celebration dinner in the Empress Hotel, with special guests His Worship the Mayor (president of the band) and the mayoress, and the band's Musical Advisor Gordon Higginbottom,came from his home in Spain especially for the celebration, which was timed to coincide with the week 120 years ago when the then Douglas Town Commissioners granted a newly formed brass band the title Douglas Town Band.
There was no rest for the band after this occasion however, as it embarked on an intensive week of training with Gordon leading up to its annual gala concert the following weekend. The concert in the Villa Marina Collonnade Suite featured a number of soloists from the band and included a duet for soprano cornet and tenor horn, specially arranged by Gordon.The band's junior section also featured in the concert, led for the first time by 16 year old Daniel Mitchell.
These events round of an exciting year for the band which has also seen the recording of a new CD, which will shortly be available, the visit of the Black Dyke Band, and the attendance of several of the band’s junior members at the annual Cwmtae Youth Band Course, held at the Millennium Centre in Cardiff (Torchwood HQ!). This provided valuable experience for the band’s junior section, which continues to grow in musical ability and shows that after 120 years the future still looks bright for Douglas Town Band, thanks to the efforts of the members of the band who help to pass on their experience to new players.
The band is now preparing for another busy period in its calendar as it will be seen around the town adding to the festive season leading up to Christmas.
June 2007 News |
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We
were very pleased to be invited to take part in a community project organised
by the Isle of Man Arts Council to celebrate the centenary of the TT Races.
The Arts Council commissioned renowned composer Barry Russell to write a piece
for two local rock bands (Chiaroscura and Stone Creation), brass and wind musicians
drawn from the Douglas Town Band and the IOM Wind Orchestra, and a community
group who formed the percussion section playing recycled blue plastic tubs in
the manner of Japanese Taiko drummers. "Like The Wind" is an exciting, celebratory piece of music reflecting the various aspects of the TT - tension and build up before the race,
revving up, riding like the wind, and wide open spaces. Most of the piece was
performed for the first time at the Peel Bay Festival on 2nd June. Click here
to see more pictures of this event.
The Summer season has now started with our weekly Monday night concerts at the Promenade Methodist Church and various other engagements. Go to the diary page for further details.
May 2007 News |
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As part of its 120th birthday celebrations this
year Douglas Town Band arranged for a feast of brass band entertainment for the
Isle of Man recently. The band organised a
concert by the world famous Black Dyke Band in the magnificent Villa Marina
Royal Hall (the Isle of Man’s premier concert
venue). 
In the afternoon members of Douglas Town Band enjoyed the great
privilege of working with some of Black Dyke’s principal players in a full band
rehearsal and sectional workshops. We were able to benefit from the advice and
experience of some of the finest brass players in the world.
The concert in the evening began with two Alan Fernie
arrangements (Ticket to Ride and Joshua from his Spiritual Sounds suite) played
by Douglas Town Band before we handed the stage over to Black Dyke under the
direction of guest conductor Philip Goodwin. They opened with their signature
tune march Queensbury followed by the overture to Leonard Bernstein’s Candide.
The concert featured a number of soloists who thrilled the capacity audience
with their virtuosity. As a special surprise during the concert Douglas Town
Band’s Musical Director Ken Mitchell was invited to conduct Black Dyke in the
march DTB, 
which had been specially composed for us by our Musical Advisor
Gordon Higginbottom, who had also secretly arranged this surprise (a rare
privilege) with Black Dyke.
Although unable to be with us for the occasion Gordon sent a special message from his home in Spain, which was read out during the concert.
Before the concert and during the interval a series of photographs illustrating the band’s history was greatly enjoyed by the audience, which included many former players. These photos and many more can also be viewed on this website .
The programme concluded, after a very entertaining performance of Peter Graham’s “Cartoon Music”, with the supremely atmospheric march from Respighi’s Pines of Rome, arranged by Howard Snell.
However, with
tumultuous applause the audience refused to let the band go without several
encores. A thoroughly enjoyable evening which we hope will be repeated before
too long.
Douglas Town Band are now preparing for the Summer season concerts, which are a feature of this seaside resort and part of the reason for its formation in1887. We begin on Tuesday 15th May in the Villa Marina (Colonnade Suite) with a show, film and TV themed evening (everything from Grand Opera to Soap Opera!) during which we will be performing one of the items we worked on during our afternoon with Black Dyke.
More photos from the Black Dyke concert are now on the website: Click here to see them.
February 2007 News |
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Happy Birthday to us! After a busy and successful Christmas season we enter our 120th anniversary year with lots to look forward to.
Since the new year the band has been working hard on the test piece for the North West Regional contest in Blackpool. Our friend and Musical Advisor Gordon Higginbottom arrives on Friday for a week of intensive rehearsals to put the finishing touches to the band's performance ready for 11th March.
Meanwhile the band's committee have been hard at work with preparations for our birthday celebrations. We are all thrilled and looking forward to the visit of the World renowned Black Dyke Band who are coming to celebrate our anniversary with a concert in the Villa Marina on 21st April. Book your seats now!
November 2006 News |
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After a busy Summer with many engagements giving pleasure to locals and visitors alike the band got down the hard work of expanding its repertoire in the Autumn ready for the visit of Musical Advisor Gordon Higginbottom in November.
During Gordon's visit the band held it's annual gala subscription
concert and recorded a new CD ready for the celebrations of its 120th birthday
next year.
May 2006 News |
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Douglas Town Band recently hosted a special concert for its supporters
and sponsors at the Empress Hotel in Douglas. The concert programme also featured
in the band’s appearance at the Manx Music Festival and delighted the audiences
on both occasions. The music had an eastern theme and included, amongst other
items a new arrangement of a number of well known toe-tapping tunes on an Egyptian
theme by Ken Mitchell, entitled “Dancing on Sand”. During this item special
guest artistes Jack and Charlie Divers and Peter Mitchell astounded the audience
with their eastern terpsichorean talents.
The event, which was attended by the band’s president, Mayor of Douglas Councillor Glenda Corkish, and representatives of some of the band’s generous commercial sponsors, marked the launch of the band’s new uniform and website.
The band were especially glad to welcome representatives of Heritage Homes
who have pledged support for the band for the next 3 years. Their initial donation
provided a substantial contribution towards the cost of the band’s new uniform.
The last major change in the band’s image occurred in the 1980s in time for
the its centenary. The band’s new green and gold jackets will provide a striking
appearance as it approaches its 120th birthday next year.
Over the past year plans have been underway to design a website for the band
to provide online information for the band’s supporters and members. 
Band chairman
Paul Lewin paid tribute to the other members of the band who had helped him
bring this to fruition. He called upon the mayor to formally launch the site
and then demonstrated it various features. The website provides a diary of band
events, contact details (including an email booking form) and a photo gallery
stretching back to the band’s early years. The band would love to hear anyone
for whom these photos bring back memories, which can be incorporated into website.
March 2006 News |
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Douglas Town Band have just returned from their 10th annual trip to the North West Regional Brass Band Championships in Blackpool
The weekend was the culmination of weeks of hard work rehearsing the test piece (Entertainments by Gilbert Vinter) under the baton of the Musical Director Ken Mitchell. The band's Musical Advisor, Gordon Higginbottom, worked with the band on the test piece in December and then returned to the Island from his home in Spain to put the final touches to the band's performance a week before the contest .
This was the band’s second year in the third section competition, following promotion last year and the test piece was it’s toughest challenge yet. All the band worked very hard and, whilst not receiving a prize this year, produced a very commendable performance resulting in a creditable 11th place with 174 marks.
As well as very demanding ensemble work, the test piece included many solo
passages and the adjudicator 
remarked that all the soloists performed “very
well indeed”. Whilst some of these soloists were, as would be expected, more
senior and experienced members of the band special mention must be made of two
of our younger players, 13 year old Jack Divers and 17 year old Chris Quayle,
who produced superlative solo performances - not an easy feat under the pressure
of a competition of this standard.
We were very pleased this year to be able to share our experience with Ramsey
Town Band, who competed for the first time in the 4th section competition, gaining
a well deserved 4th prize. The two bands shared
travel, accommodation and rehearsal
facilities, co-operating and supporting each other in a manner which exemplifies
the spirit of the brass band movement. Ramsey’s Musical Director Robert Quane
was kept especially busy, not only conducting his own band but also playing
for Douglas Town Band covering for one of our players who was unable to be with
us this year. It is a great credit to our small island that it was represented
in three of the five competitions in the Brass Band Championships at the weekend.
The thick blanket of snow which covered Blackpool on Sunday also added to the experience. With Blackpool airport closed the two bands had to travel to Liverpool where Euromanx had arranged an alternative flight to get us home.
January 2006 News |
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December was a busy month beginning with a very
successful Gala Concert in the Villa Marina Colonnade Suite at which donations had
been received from band supporters to assist with training our younger members.
In particular four cheques for £500 each were presented by Bushy’s Brewery,
Conister 
Trust, Davidson’s Ice Cream and Heritage Homes. The band’s committee
has
recorded its gratitude to our supporters for their welcome contributions, which
are essential to allow the band to continue its 119 year tradition of providing
music for the capital of the Isle of Man.
In the weeks following the concert members put in a lot of hard work playing carols in many parts of the town, bringing cheer to the people of Douglas and raising considerable sums for band funds.
The band are currently working hard in their preparations
for the North West Brass Band Championships to be held in Blackpool
on 12th March. Initial preparations began in the week following
the Gala concert when we were able to have expert tuition from our Musical Advisor
Gordon Higginbottom. 
During this week we also played carols for the Arthritis
Research Council's annual Christmas party in Woodlands. Gordon also conducted
the band for this event.
November 2005 News |
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Douglas Town Band's annual general meeting was
held on Monday 31st October in the Council Chamber at Douglas
Town Hall. The meeting was chaired by the band's president her
Worship the Mayor of Douglas Councillor Mrs Glenda Corkish.
The Hon. Secretary commented in her report on the many letters of thanks which the band had received during the past 12 months, referring especially to ne which commended our younger members on their good behaviour.
Musical Director Ken Mitchell reported that the band had not rested on its laurels following its promotion to the Third Section of the National Brass Band Championships and he continually strives to stretch the band. Of particular note in the past year were the 20 entries in the Solo brass classes of the Guild with several commendable results. Jack Divers had been awarded the Bob Crennell Memorial Scholarship, which was especially pleasing as Bob had been a stalwart and well loved former member of the band.
Band Chairman Harold Cannan had decided to retire after many years as holder of this office. The band, who last year paid a surprise visit to Harold and his wife Nellie's home to play for his 80th birthday celebrations, are most grateful to him for his many years of dedicated service. He has agreed to continue to help daughter Shirley as assistant treasurer and was unanimously elected to be a vice president of the band. Paul Lewin was elected to succeed Harold as the new band chairman.
Other officers were elected as follows:
Vice Chairman: Mary Kneen
Hon Secretary: Julie Harrison
Assistant Secretary: Carol Devereau
Hon. Treasurer: Shirley Moore
Librarian: Sandie Divers
Assistant Librarian: Mary Kneen
Press Officer: Paul Lewin
Band Sergeant: Joanna Wilson
Inventory Officer: Mark Lees
Committee Members: Andy Hollands, Sue Wheeler, Glenda Quirk, Joanna Wilson, Bob Moon, Peter Brew and David Karran.
The two committee members elected by Douglas Town Council are Councillors E Quirk and G Chatel.
September 2005 News |
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Douglas Town Band recently said farewell to four of its talented
young players. 18 years olds Jenny Divers (Solo Baritone), Iain
Dixon (Eb Bass), Robert Mitchell
(Principal Solo Cornet) and
Jamie Wade (Solo Cornet) leave the Island this month to further
their studies following their successful A Level results.
Jenny and Robert both go to study music, at Leeds and Huddersfield respectively. Iain goes to Cumbria to study Drama and Music Theatre, and Jamie will be studying Computer Science in Manchester.
During the final rehearsal, at which all four were present, they were given mementoes of the band and wished well in their future studies. Their playing and many other contributions to the band will be missed, but we hope to see them all again in the holidays.
Musical Director Ken Mitchell encouraged them to find a local band to continue their brass playing while they are away and we are sure they will find a welcome wherever they go. Robert will certainly not be able to escape as one of his tutors will be the famous virtuoso cornet player Phil McCann.
The loss of four principal players will of course mean changes for the band and the opportunity of promotion for some of our younger members. We are always pleased to see new players and supporters. Douglas Town Band is the longest established brass band on the Island, having been proud to serve the town of Douglas for 108 years. Anyone who could help the band in any way will be assured of a very warm welcome and should contact the band's secretary for further information.
The band's next engagement is a concert for the Electronic Organ Society in St. Andrew’s Church on Tuesday 20th September.
March 2005 News |
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Douglas Town Band have just returned from their 9th annual trip to the North West Regional Brass Band Championships in Blackpool
For the 26 strong band the weekend was the culmination of weeks of hard work rehearsing the test piece - Tam O'Shanter's Ride by Dennis Wright. The rehearsals continued as soon as we had settled into our hotel - Friday Night, three times on Saturday and the final rehearsal on Sunday before the short walk to the Winter Gardens where the contest was held.
The initial preparation of the band was by Musical Director
Ken Mitchell . The band's Musical Advisor, Gordon Higginbottom,
returned to the Island from his home in Spain to put the final
touches to the band's performance a week before the contest
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Rehearsing and playing in the competition is very good experience for the band, especially its younger members, teaching them not only more about musicianship but also team work. Half the band is now under 19 and a quarter under 16 years of age. They have all progressed through the band's junior section under the tuition of Ken and a group of dedicated volunteers, and now play to a very high standard indeed.
Due to our geographical location bands from the Isle of Man compete in the North West Region of England - arguably the toughest competition in the country - but don't say that to a Yorkshireman! The band was also competing for the first time in the Third Section contest following its promotion after last year's contest. This was a challenge for the players, particularly with a test piece widely acknowledged to the hardest chosen for this section for many years, having originally been used to test Championship Section bands in 1956 when that contest was won by the Fairey Aviation Band under the baton (for the last time) of the famous Harry Mortimer.
Several players had been incapacitated by illness in the period leading up to the contest, which complicated the rehearsal plans. The band are, therefore, very pleased with the final result of a creditable 10th place out of 16 bands with 175 points.
December 2004 News |
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Douglas Town Band’s Annual gala Concert on Saturday night featured the debut performance of several young soloists and the premiere of several pieces of music, some composed especially for the occasion by the band’s musical advisor Gordon Higginbottom.
The concert began with the well loved march “Army of the Nile” which was conducted by the band’s musical director Mr Ken Mitchell B.A. Hons. Ken then introduced the band’s guest conductor Gordon Higginbottom.
The first soloist of the evening making his debut was Chris Quayle who played Blaydon Races on the euphonium. He was followed by Jack Divers playing the Lazy Trumpeter on the cornet. The band’s junior section then took the stage and played a selection of Christmas carols conducted by Robert Mitchell with which the audience joined in. Their section of the concert concluded with the first of the specially composed pieces of the evening “Chatterbox”, which was dedicated to certain young cornet players!
The senior band returned with a BBb bass feature played by Mark Lees, using only his fourth valve. The first half of the concert concluded with a special item composed by Gordon, which introduced the audience to each instrument in the band - This is Douglas Town Band.
In the second half of the concert principal solo cornet Robert
Mitchell gave the world premiere of a solo composed especially
for him, entitled El Rob, which
displayed the influence of Gordon’s
Spanish home! The concert also featured solos by Julie Harrison
on flugel horn, Alice Quayle on Bass Trombone, “Little Drummer
Boy” Peter Mitchell and an unusual instrument to find in a brass
band concert, the baritone saxophone of Jenny Divers, playing
"Wandrin’ Star” from “Paint your Wagon”.
Several presentations were made as always at this major event
in the band’s calendar. Jamie Wade was awarded the “Bandsperson
of the Year” award and Chris Quayle the award for most improved
junior player. Ken was presented with gifts from the band to
mark his 10 years as musical director and Gordon was given a
presentation in recognition of his continued support and encouragement
for the band.
Presentations were also made to Shirley Moore and Paul Lewin for their many (too many to count) years of service to the band.
The concert was a culmination of a week of rehearsals with Gordon. However, not content to rest on their laurels after a superb evening on Saturday, the band continued to work with Gordon on Sunday afternoon and evening, as they started to study the test piece for the North West Contest of the British Brass Band Championships in Blackpool next March. The band were left in the dark by a power cut at the bandroom on Sunday afternoon and are very grateful to the stewards of Union Mills Methodist Chapel for making their hall available at short notice for the rehearsal.
The band’s Christmas season continues this week with performances for the Arthritis Research Concil and the Isle of Man Federation for the Blind. The band will also be playing carols around the town throughout the month of December.
August 2004 News |
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Douglas Town Band have just returned from their second successful
concert tour of Austria. The 51 strong party of players and
supporters flew to Innsbruck on Saturday 31st July and after
a week of glorious sunshine in the beautiful Tirol returned
last Saturday evening (7th August). As with the previous tour,
this was organised by the band’s Musical Director Ken Mitchell,
who has a longstanding connection with the Tyrolean village
of Alpbach where we stayed.
The band received an enthusiastic welcome from audiences in Mayrhofen, Innsbruck, Alpbach and the medieval town of Hall in Tirol. The band’s concert programmes included the march “Cross of Honour”, “Dance Hongroise”, “And all that Jazz”, “The Irish Blessing”, “Thunder and Lightning Polka”, “Singing in the Rain” and many other items. Solos were played by Sue Wheeler (Soprano Cornet - “Summertime”), 11 year old Jack Divers from Baldrine (Cornet - “Sugar Blues”), 17 year olds Robert Mitchell and Jamie Wade (Cornets - “Georgia on my Mind” and “Share my Yoke” respectively), Andy Hollands from Ballasalla (Tenor Horn - “Over the Rainbow”), Julie Harrison (Flugel Horn, “Concerto de Aranjuez” and “Misty”), Juan Wright (Trombone - “Stardust” and “Every Time You Say Goodbye”), Alice (Bass Trombone - “I Wanna Be Like You”). The bass section (Richard Wheeler, Ian Dixon, Mark Lees and David Cohen) played “The Elephant” from Saint-Saens’ “Carnival of the Animals”. Three cornet players went wild in Innsbruck with Harold Walters “Trumpets Wild” (Pete Betley, who joined us from his home in Germany and has recently, along with Ken, gained the BA Hons degree in Brass Band Studies, Robert Mitchell and Musical Director Ken Mitchell (the baton being taken for this item by Deputy Conductor Paul Lewin))
The approach into Innsbruck airport was spectacular with high mountains on either side. After settling into our accommodation and the evening meal we had our first rehearsal.
We were privileged to witness the annual St. Oswald’s procession and open air Mass in the village of Alpbach. After this many of us enjoyed an afternoon’s hike through the beautiful countryside to the neighbouring village of Inneralpbach.
We ascended the Wiederbergershorn mountain by gondola cable car. Spectacular views of the surrounding mountains and valleys were to be had from the top gondola station and even more from the summit of the mountain which some of our more energetic members reached via the precipitous mountain path.
Our first concert was held this evening in the open air Music Pavilion in Mayrhofen. Some 200 people gave the band a rapturous reception.
This completed a perfect day spent at Pergisau on lake Achensee and a journey to our concert venue by boat and steam train.
Our concert today was in the Hofgarten park in Innsbruck.
Before this we were taken to the Olympic Ski Jump high above
the city where we enjoyed spectacular views of the Inn valley
and surrounding mountains. We were also able to witness the
Slovenian ski jump team practising - an amazing site.
We enjoyed a hike around the Gratlespitz mountain with
wonderful views of both the Alpbach and Inn valleys. We were
grateful for both mountain springs (to be found adjacent to
small chapels throughout the mountain) and Bischofer Alm inn
where we had our lunch. 
We then continued on our way back to
Alpbach to prepare for our concert in the village that evening.
We were delighted that the weather remained fine so that we
were able to play in the open air at the centre of the village
(during our 2001 tour rain forced us to change to an indoor
venue).
The enthusiastic audience of locals and visitors clapped,
cheered and danced in the streets!
Our last full day. We visited the Schwaz silver mine
on our way to our final concert venue, the medieval town of
Hall in Tirol. This town is famous for being the first place
to mint silver coins (the Tahler, from which the name Dollar
is derived). The old town has retained much of its medieval
character and here we performed in the town square. Once again
the enthusiastic audience would be satisfied with no fewer than
three encores. Even though the light had faded and music became
increasingly difficult to read the band willingly obliged.
Most of us headed for Innsbruck airport, whilst our stalwart drivers Andy Hollands and Bob Moon prepared to return overland with all the instruments in a minibus provided by the Isle of Man Lion’s club, to whom we are very grateful.
Once again Douglas Town Band have been privileged to represent the Isle of Man in Austria and fostered good relations between our nations. The Manx flag flew proudly alongside the flags of Austria and other European countries outside the Congress Centre, where the European Forum if held each year. Gifts and information about the Isle of Man were presented to local officials and people who had helped make our tour possible. Many expressed a desire to visit our beautiful Island and we look forward to welcoming them to our shores in the future.
(with thanks to Peter Brew for the photographs illustrating this report)
March 2004 News |
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Douglas Town Band have just returned from their 8th annual trip to the North West Regional Brass Band Championships in Blackpool. This year the band braved Irish Sea storms and were thankful for the sturdy and reliable Lady of Mann as SeaCat sailings were cancelled. Only Solo Horn player Andy Hollands was turned away from the Lady as he was transporting the band's instruments in a minibus kindly provided by the Lion's Club, to whom we are very grateful. The minibus had to travel on the Ben-my Chree to Heysham.
For the 26 strong band the weekend was the culmination
of several weeks of hard work rehearsing the test piece - Partita
by Edward Gregson. 
The rehearsals continued as soon as we had settled into our hotel - Friday Night, twice on Saturday and the final touches on Sunday before the short walk to the Winter Gardens where the contest was held.
The initial preparation of the band was by Musical Director Ken Mitchell . The band's Musical Advisor, Gordon Higginbottom, returned to the Island from his home in Spain to put the final touches to the band's performance a week before the contest . Gordon commented that he found the band had been very well prepared and was able to relax and concentrate on putting final polish on the performance. Rehearsing and playing in the competition is very good experience for the band, especially its younger members. Half the band is now under 19 and a quarter under 16 years of age. They have all progressed through the band's junior section under the tuition of Ken and a group of dedicated volunteers, and now play to a very high standard indeed.
Due to our geographical location bands from the Isle of Man compete in the North West Region of England - arguably the toughest competition in the country - but don't say that to a Yorkshireman! In the contest Douglas Town Band gained a creditable 7th place out of 19 bands with 177 points. Unfortunately just 1 point short of the prizes and 3 short of qualifying for the National Finals, which they did in 2002.
One regular member of the band's line-up for Blackpool was not able to be with us this year. Soprano cornet player Carol Devereaux has recently become a Mum for the first time ( and the band congratulate Carol and husband Martin on this happy event). Her place was admirably filled for the contest by Ramsey Town Band's Musical Director Robert Quane, and we are very grateful to Robert and Ramsey Band. The help which bands on the Island willingly give to one another illustrates the point made in the closing speeches at the contest that the brass band movement is like one big family. In fact half the Island's bands were represented in Blackpool this year. In addition to the two bands competing, Ramsey Town Band were, of course, represented by Robert Quane, and Onchan Silver Band member Becky Halliday, who is now studying music in Salford, was spotted playing in 2nd Section Eagley Band who gained 6th place out of 13 bands in their competition.
The weekend was not all hard work. Some time was allowed for relaxation and it was good to meet up with old friends in the brass band world.. Some members of the Island's bands competing in Blackpool found themselves listening to Irish folk music together at the end of which they joined in a rousing rendition of the Manx National Anthem! There were some quieter representatives of the Isle of Man in Blackpool at the weekend too - members of the Island's chess club also competing in the Winter Gardens. My personal favourite relaxation in Blackpool was to listen to the magnificent sounds of the might Wurlitzer in the Tower Ballroom. It is good to see that this instrument is still cherished - in Blackpool at least.
Douglas Town Band now resumes preparations for its concert tour to Austria in August. The band visited the Tyrolean village of Alpbach in 2001 and the visit was so successful that they have been invited to return. Several concerts are being planned and the band has even been asked to cross the border and play in Italy whilst there.
Taking a band away (even to Blackpool) is an extremely expensive exercise. The band are very grateful for all the help already received and will have many fundraising activities in the next 4 months, which they hope will be well supported.
January 2004 News |
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Six of Douglas Town Band's younger players received an early Christmas at the band's gala concert in December when they received the results of their recent Associated Board music exams in the presence of Steve Sykes, one of the world's foremost brass virtuosos:
Chris Quayle (Grade 5 Euphonium), Jamie Wade (Grade 5 Cornet), Daniel Mitchell (Grade 4 Tenor Horn), Peter Mitchell (Grade 2 Cornet), Charlotte Moon (Grade 1 Trombone). Alex Santi (not pictured) gained his grade 1 tuba.
Inspired by their successes (which include some merits
and a distinction) and the experience of working with Gordon
and Steve the band have thrown themselves
enthusiastically into
the new year's tasks of preparation for the North West Regional
contest of the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain
in Blackpool on March 14th, and fundraising for the band's concert
tour to Austria in August this year.
The next fundraising event will be held on Sunday 1st February in Union Mills Methodist Chapel from 2pm, when the band are holding a sponsored "play-a-thon". The band intend to play 100 items during the afternoon and invite everyone to come along and listen. If you would like to pledge your support sponsor forms are available from any band member. For a suitable donation you can also request a favourite tune or conduct the band .
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