In this edition

Update on the Band Forthcoming Events So Come & Join in...........

Remember...
We Love Making Music That Makes You SMILE!

________________________________________ Welcome Dear Supporter and Friend Happy New Year to You, your Families and Friends. Ring out the old, bring in the new ... to our new 2011 Newsletter

January Newsletter 2011

MD Brian Hodgetts

Circulation :
The Newsletters are aimed to be published quarterly throughout the year with current and future Gig dates, times and venues. Supporters & Friends of Worcester Concert Brass with internet access will receive your Newsletter online. Those without will be sent a newsletter in the post. If you now have internet access, please send it to me Address at the end. Events covered in this issue: WCB Christmas Concert at St Georges RC Church.... Gheluvelt Park 12th Dec. Tescos Carols 21st Dec. Strensham Services 18th Dec. The Camp Public House Inn 19th Dec.

_______________________________________________________ December 10th at St Georges RC Church... WCBs Own Festive Concert was a big hit. If
you attended you will recall the first half was traditional, with the band in uniform and playing to a captive audience of nearly 80. Right: Guest Singer Margaret Peters took charge and had the audience eating out of her hands with that you could hear a pin drop silence; displaying her remarkable vocal expertise, Margaret gave everyone an evening to remember; presenting her own repertoire (Brian Hodgetts on piano) she led the audience into popular Christmas Carols accompanied by the band.
Left: Principal Cornet, Jenny, with Liza
(Soprano) and Vince (Repiano) behind.

Right: Emma Solo Horn.

Band jackets were off in the second half, with festive garlands on instruments, seasonal headgear and an upbeat Christmas theme in the score.

Dates for your Diary

The raffle raised more (with several band members holding winning tickets) and after costs towards license fees for the band, it was a successful fund raising concert for Midland Air Ambulance.

Euphonium Duettists: (Left) Tim with Edward (right)

Ghulevelt Park with WCB

Gheluvelt Park 12th Dec.

Sunday

12th

December 1400 - 1630 hours. Christmas Bazaar & Carols

Above: Duettists Sally and Edward . .

Right: Patrons and carollers at Ghulevelt Park

The crowds turned up totalling nearly 100 to join in Carols and prayers for the afternoon. Turning out to be a regular event now, the Band has been booked again for this year.
__________________________________________ Tuesday at Tescos (Worcester) 21st December Carolling at St Peters and WCB collected in the bucket from generous shoppers that evening. Proceeds go towards Midlands Air Ambulance and WCB. It was cold and bitter and although they were reduced in player numbers the quality of sound was not feedback coming from many happy shoppers who put generously change and notes into the buckets. __________________________________________ Saturday 19th - Strensham Services, Southbound Side; 1100 to 1500 hours. L-R: Liza, Andy, Roger, David, Marianne and Brian. It was dry and bright, with snow underfoot, and just a whisper of wind turning the Carol Book pages. Six players gathered outside the Service Left: Euphonium duettists Sally building and set up stands with Heather holding one of two buckets and the camera! WCB were playing again this year to raise funds jointly for Midland Air Ambulance. (Bucket inset). The cold did not ease; an hour later the group was invited by the Service Manager to move just inside to the left of the foyer entrance. With numb toes and fingers and numb lips (definitely not good for a brass player!) it was just in time. Thanks to the management for much appreciated and ... subsidised hot drinks for all.
Left: Brian (MD), Marianne, (seated) with Andy, Roger, David, Liza and Edward.

Tescos Carols 21st Dec.

Strensham Services 18th Dec.

The customers kept on coming with their appreciative smiles and donations, in hand put into the buckets. Thanks, also to Heather for the pictures.

WCB The Camp Pub Inn Sunday 19th December

The Camp Public House Inn 19th Dec.

From the Left: Edward, Katie (covering for Roger), Andy, me, Brian, David and Liza, thus ensuring all harmonies covered! Liza and Andy are regulars to this inn.

Thanks to the Landlord advertising over the two weeks prior to our booking, the place was packed with patrons who walked, or drove to this picturesque old inn by the river. Contributions again will be shared with Midlands Air Ambulance and WCB. I sat by a small brass plate on the wall (just a few inches above my right shoulder) telling the height of the floods in 2001! (see dotted line to the point!) Requests came through thick and fast and we must have played some regular favourites at least five times! The singing started just before one oclock. A good collection came through (Thank You Patrons) and the Landlords own donation plus contribution of open buttered rolls with cheeses and pork pie slices was most welcome. Thanks again to Heather for the pictures. Above: This one with
Roger; Im having a break!

____________________________________________________________ FORTH COMING EVENTS 2011

18 February Mayors Charities Concert

January 4th saw the Band back on track with their first practice session for the year with our first Concert for the Mayors Charities. (List on the left). We have some new pieces added to our repertoire. You will have to come along to hear them! Forthcoming Events .... See poster on next page for the Mayors Charities Concert at the Guildhall. Do come along and support these very worthy causes and have a fun evening too! We will of course be covering Sundays in the Summer at the BANDS IN THE PARK sessions; unfortunately at time of printing our allocated dates were not yet known. DO ... let those you know who play a Brass instrument and would like to join a friendly band for new friendship and fun. Practice night is on a Tuesday 7:15 pm at Nunnery Wood School.

19 March Friends of St Richards Concert

15 May Priory Park, Malvern

30 May Pershore Carnival

4 June Defford Village Fete

26 June Evesham Massed Bands (TBC)

9 July St James Church, Welland

1 October Cradley Heath Baptist Church

14 October St Richards Concert, St Peters Baptist Church

3 December Victorian Fayre, Worcester. (TBC)

Also: (TBC) we hope to revisit the Camp Inn again for Christmas Carols

And ... Throughout the summer we will also be playing during the Bands in the Park sessions still awaiting our allocated dates.....

Hot off the Press next page for St Richards Concert Poster for March 18th..

Thats all for now folks! We look forward to seeing you at our forthcoming events. Next newsletter will be April. Yours, as ever....