Alistair Penman, our guest soloist, received a rapturous applause from the audience for his two fantastic saxophone solos “Carnival” by Philip Sparke, and “Pequena Czarda” by Pedro Iturralde.

The Reading Film and Video Makers made a recording of our performance, and we hope to show you some of the results in the near future.

We had a short break before making our way to the auditorium  for the adjudication. The adjudicators gave general feedback to the four bands in our class (community wind band), which we can use in the future to further improve the band. Three out of the four bands in our class were awarded silver, with only one receiving gold. We were very pleased with our result, particularly as it is the first time we have taken part in the finals of an event like this, and thoroughly enjoyed taking part. It is good for the band to have other goals to achieve other than our regular concert programme.

The Band has chosen Adam Gorb’s “Yiddish Dances” as its main test-piece.  Chris I’Anson explained, “It’s a demanding work which features every section of the Band, from piccolo down to percussion.  There’s nowhere for anyone to hide!  But I’ve every confidence in the players; they’ve worked really hard on this piece.”

Just two weeks after the competition, on April 14^th Trinity will be giving their Spring Concert at Trinity Church, Chalfont Close, Lower Earley.  The programme, titled “Best of British” features works about Britain or by British composers.  “Yiddish Dances” is included in the programme, along with Mendelssohn’s Hebrides Overture, Malcolm Arnold’s “Scottish Dances”, “Nimrod” by Elgar and a classic Kenneth Alford march “Voice of the Guns”.  The gifted saxophone soloist, Alastair Penman will play Philip Sparke’s “Carnival”.

Angela Searle, one of our flute players, usually provides us with freshly baked scones with jam and cream, which are thoroughly enjoyed by all the band members.

They also accompanied the Beech Hill Baptist Church with their Carol singing in Benham Drive, Spencers Wood on 22nd December, where they were provided with mulled wine and mince pies.

The band also took the opportunity to wear the new T shirts and fleeces which have been purchased for outside events. I hope you will agree that they look very smart, and are more suited to outdoor events.

There was a fantastic programme which included Christmas favourites “Rockin’ Round The Christmas Tree”, “I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day”, “A Christmas Festival”, a few audience carols, and a couple of brilliant saxophone solos from Tim Newbury and Rosie Edgar. Also included in the programme was “Lux Aurumque”, which was one of the pieces that we performed at the National Concert Band Festival, where we were awarded a prestigious Platinum Award. The choir from the Caversham Park Primary School also delighted the audience with their singing during the afternoon performance.

The comments from our adjudicators were as follows:

“An imaginative choice to begin your programme. The soft chords and slow moving pulse required much control which you displayed well. Much of the movement was unanimous and the attack was mostly well together. The quality of tone was impressive and your dynamic range was broad and effective. Some big and exciting crescendos.”

“Rhythmic playing – especially reliable percussion section who kept the pulse on a firm footing. The tricky rhythmic passages seem to hold no problems for you and there was some clean and well controlled fingerwork in the upper winds. Lots of real precision and discipline here. Much to enjoy. Great programme and presented with high standards of performance. Well done.”