News
Matthews Norfolk Brass - will bring you the
very latest news via this page. Remember to frequently visit this
website to ensure you are fully up to date with all that we are
doing.
'AGM news- Please
find for download chairmans report for 2007.'
EABBA News
Please note headlines from the EABBA committee:
Spring contest 13th May 2007
Brass training day with Black Dyke Mills: 7th October 2007
EABBA AGM 3rd November 2007
Contact the EABBA at administration@eabba7.freeserve.co.uk
News 2008
Welcome back to news from the Matthews band where our
regular news feature for 2008 has been re-named ‘ I
TELL YOU WHAT ……’
‘I TELL YOU WHAT ………’-
January 2008
All the Christmas jobs went down well especially where
a slurp of punch or sherry was made available! Thanks to all our
hosts and audiences alike.
All band members that were tempted by the mince pies as well should
remember to give the instrument a good soak and flush the currants
out of the tubes for the New Year!
The bands AGM was on 15th January
and the new officer line up is as the following:
| Chairman: | Rob Waterson |
| Vice Chair: | Pamela Jarvis |
| Secretary; | Karin Futter |
| Treasurer; | Alan Smith |
| Committee: | David Peck |
| Terry Pegg | |
| David Aves |
The band is also pleased that David Stowell accepted the position of Musical Director for another year.
(More news of decisions from the new committee in ‘I TELL YOU WHAT …’ February)
The band sported a 10 piece band for a special new year’s job at the Greyhound pub in Hickling on 5th January; it was Debbie the landlady’s birthday and big thanks to Tony and Debbie for their great hospitality on this job and of course the carol concert outside the pub before Christmas. We can-can come back anytime.
Debs job has started the spark for forming a new group within the band and a permanent 10 piece is being put together ready to perform for early 2008.
Now important car news, there are now two TVR’s in the car park at band rehearsal so if you live near the St Faiths centre, its not the percussion that’s shaking your house foundations after rehearsal, its several hundred horsepower heading home rapidly!
Many congratulations to Richard Ward and his wife on the arrival of their new baby daughter.
The band is very keen to recruit players for the cornet and Bass benches, if you are free on a Tuesday or Thursday and a Brass player, please give us a chance to meet you.
Finally, a big welcome back to Karin who has bounced back with a big smile as if it was, well, nothing really. Great to see you back Karin.
News 2007
New Baby
Congratulations to Richard and Katie Wilson who celebrated the arrival in March of Charlie, their new baby son.
Contesting
The band performed the ‘Wayfarer’ by Eric Ball at the area contest in Stevenage on March 17th under Dave’s command, and although the delivery according to the adjudicator was not quite enough for a place in the final at Harrogate, feedback to band members from people listening to the performance indicated that the Matthews winning formulae was ready to take trophies again.
Next on the list is the East Anglian Brass Band Association contest on 13th May in Norwich which is an entertainment contest.
Badminton Club
The Matthews Brass Badminton Club is preparing for a Gladiators rolling event in the summer where members will score points on a variety of events to include cycling, archery, clay pigeon shooting, ten pin bowling and a car rally.
1. Committe
After the AGM in December, January has seen the first meeting of the bands new committee with a welcome return after a few years off by Terry.
Chairman -Matthew Brown
Officers -Richard Ward
Alan Smith
Karin Futter
David Peck
Robert Waterson
Terry Pegg
2. Contest Status
Many thanks to Melvin White who braved the recent January blizzards and gales to travel to Norfolk to judge the recent audition session.
The results are now in and the band is delighted with the official result of national first section status for contesting.
All players are now busy dusting down their copies of ‘Wayfarer’ for the March 17th contest at Stevenage.
3. Retirements
Brian Cawston, (aka Stan Cowbrain) has announced his retirement from the band after a spell of 19 years in the baritone section. Brian has contributed a total of 50 years to the brass band movement in Norfolk and the whole band wish him a happy and well deserved rest from banding.
4. Badminton Club
The Matthews brass Badminton club held its usual post game bar meeting at the St Faiths centre in the New Year and the 2006 award for top performance went to Alan Smith who gets to hold the traditional M&S wrapped Christmas pudding for 2007. A name is currently being sought for the club as ‘two dicks and three bones’ is too long for the all England badminton championship leader board.
News from the sections of the band.
1. Cornet Section
Our principle, Richard Wilson announces that he will be on maternity leave for the area contest. We are pleased to see Pete Ryan back on the sop chair and hope to see more of Bevan Mack and the chap from UEA.
2. Horn Section
Horn section proudly announces this month a new member, David Aves, who has taken over the position of first horn.
We are also pleased for Karin Futter who is serving on the band committee for another term.
3. Bass Section Report
The bass section will soon be holding auditions for the vacancies that currently exist
in the section. You will preferably be aged between 7 and 86, have your own, or use
of your parents transport that can hold a very large case, have extremely
understanding or deaf neighbours and an ability to turn up at rehearsals gigs and
contests.
Special consideration will be given if your surname ends with Pearcey, Norman or
Sykes.
4. Euphs and Barrys Brian has retired and the section salutes and thanks him for his good service and commitment throughout the years.
We are currently seeking a replacement for Brian and please use the ‘contact us’ page if you would like to join the section on second baritone. (If you wear coloured ‘doc martins’ just turn up and sign.) Matts taken up the challenge this term of band chairman and is off to meet our sponsor at the great hall.
5. Troms.
The ‘Blades of Toledo’ is currently being sharpened up and Alan’s looking for Richard to provide oxygen support if ‘Rhapsody for Trombone’ is played out at the same gig. The trio with WAGs had a great meal at Carolyn’s birthday bash.
Alan’s RV8 is ready for re-assembly and Bobs got the new suspension bushes ready for the Chimaera MOT and is still getting over the cancellation of his ‘Retro Cars’ subscription due to it being disbanded.
The postman is under pressure to deliver that ‘Tuttis Trombones’ CD now that it’s finally available and Capex has been approved for purchase.
6. Percussion
No report submitted this month.
December 2006
1. Cornet Section
Best wishes to Katie who is taking a break from playing and the band ‘chair’ for maternity leave. Richard has stepped down from treasurer this year and Martin Irwin’s gone back ‘upt north, (but not before hitting a super G for the ‘BBC songs of praise performance at Thursford.). Good to see Alan Sealey guesting on the front bench and a brief Soprano appearance from Peter. Let’s hope it’s more than bar rumours of a return to Soprano by Kevin Adams and not forgetting happy birthday to Angela.
2. Horn Section
Many thanks to Graham who has been filling a chair in our section in-between baritioning for Ipswich. Thanks to Kevin Steward for putting some quality into the section with ‘the Wayfarer’ and its believed Jon Cushing may be able to release some time now to re-join the section on a permanent basis.
3. Bass Section Report
No report submitted.
4. Euphs and Barrys
Richard J has run through his new solo in rehearsal and congratulations to Matt Brown both for his new job appointment and as the bands deputy conductor.
5. Troms
Alan reports his MGRV8 has now had the seats, gear knob and dash refurbished.
Bobs Chimaera is tucked up for winter in the air tent and he reports ‘Postman Pat’ the band van passed his MOT but needed a new exhaust and has now lost the V8 sound track.
Meanwhile, Terry is on the hunt for the St Faiths centre subscription money from all players and the whole section was pleased to be mentioned in Dave’s dispatches about attendance and reliability. ‘Blades of Toledo’ will be coming out for the summer gig.
6. Percussion
We can report a brief outing at a Wayfarer rehearsal and look forward to being let out of the box again with Bourgeois’ Blitz or Vinters Spectrum, something by Holst, Dvorak or Rimsky Korsakov perhaps. Librarian take note!
October 06
Welcome to Octobers news from the sections of the band where a theme of competition is emerging…..
1. Cornet Section
Our principal Richard played an outstanding ‘Napoli’ at two recent concerts and may now be taking a break from that one, relaxing instead with ‘Georgia’ for a while.
We are pleased to report that all members’ photographs are now complete for the CV section. Good luck to Anne Calver moving on to a new band and thanks also to Brighouse’s Martin Irwin’s continued input at rehearsals and propping up the bar with us.
2. Horn Section
Pam’s birthday went down well with plenty of singing and drinking at the quayside in Horning.
A big thanks to our three deps who did the recent Aylsham concert, we had splendid feedback and special thanks to Kevin who also ad-libbed some of the Soprano work.
On concert solos, we can see two horn solos are in the pads and would be pleased to raise the stand at a concert. Welcome to Graham who is starting a trial period for our vacancy on first Horn.
3. Bass Section Report:
Rogers Morris Minor saloon did an outing at the recent Yarmouth bandstand job and made it home in one piece, not the same can be said for Fred’s modern car that gave up with a wiring problem. Thanks as usual to our Bflat deps for their recent support and watch this space for a new permanent Bflat player who we understand is an accomplished soloist.
4. Euphs and Barrys;
Matts back, Brians happy and Richards punching up two solos. –Brevity, thanks guys
5. Troms.
It was good to see Bob Weather hog in the audience at the Aylsham concert, his Maserati is still going strong and he’s bought a Jag. Alan’s MGRV8 hood has just been replaced in black and Bobs ordered a Pipercross racing filter for the MGBGTV8. Terry’s got the badminton club back into swing (by actually booking the court reservation) in between Santa Pod and Carrow road visits but needs to organise more outings to the real ale pub ‘the Shed’ for us. Big thanks to Ted for the supportive comments for Alans Nightingale solo and Langfords Rhapsody for trombone is in the pipeline.
6. Percussion
The Kevin O Brian driving school has a new Focus sporting cobra racing stripes. KOB also instructed recently at track Hethel on the skid pan before taking up the sticks at the Aylsham concert. Thanks to Helena for making our fourth percussionist for the performance of ‘Backdraft’at Aylsham.
Katie Wilson chairperson for the band reports that she has a young relation in her home town of Aylsham called Rebekah Hughes who has a medical condition that requires treatment requiring the air ambulance fast response team.
Katie organised a charity concert by the Matthews band in Aylsham church to raise funds for the air ambulance which took place on Saturday 7th October and raised £800.
The air ambulance is totally dependant on generous public support and fundraising events such as this concert and the band would like to thank the Aylsham church committee and the trombone sections wives for their kind support.
For more information on fundraising for the air ambulance Telephone 08450 669 999
August 06
1. Cornet Section
Great to see the versatile Martin Irwin from Brighouse and Rastrick joining in for rehearsals whilst on a work spell in Norwich.
Big thanks to all our deps. that have been called in to help keep up the sections good standard throughout the summer.
2. Horn Section
If you would like to audition for our vacancy on first Horn, please make contact with the bands website or visit St Faiths on any Tuesday rehearsal night.
Thanks to Chloe for standing in at the Cromer concert.
3. Bass Section Report
A Morris Minor saloon has joined the bands classic car collection, congratulations to Roger Pearcey who is now on the learning curve of obtaining rare spare parts, leaded fuel and curing mysterious wiring problems.
4. Euphs and Barrys
Congratulations to Matt Brown who has left the section to take up a conductor position with another band, we are very sorry to loose him as a player and Brian is a reluctant promotion candidate, so come back soon Matt, bet you’d much prefer to sit with us than wear that fancy jacket and doing that comparing lark.
Thanks to Julie for stepping in at short notice on barry2 at two recent concerts.
5. Troms
A new arrival has appeared in Alan’s hands, weighing in at 200 grams,…….it’s a B flat and F Edwards with Thayer valve, orchestral bore and three mouth pipe chokes, no, not a Jimmy Edwards, Edwards Wisconsin USA, the trombone manufacturer.
Terry’s got his van repaired and Bobs now turned fifty so the whole section qualifies for vitamin supplements and has to increase its dose of real ale, curries and car blasts at high speeds.
6. Percussion
Used their military influence at the Langham street fair and quickly organised the local cadet force to transfer their gear from one performance area to the end of the gig arena in the scorching sun.
Smart move.
May 06
Matthews Norfolk Brass entered the annual East Anglian Brass Band Association Contest on the 7th May 2006, now in it’s 68th year, held at St.Andrews Hall, Norwich. Matthews Norfolk Brass has an impressive track record in this contest, winning the contest on many occasions in recent years (see band history section).
This year Matthews Norfolk Brass won the Hymn Tune with In Perfect Peace and were joint overall winners sharing the same aggregate points with Clacton-on-Sea Co-op Band. There were eight bands in this section.
Our programme, directed by David Stowell was:
‘Amazonia’ from Windows of the World Peter Graham
Wanna be like you (Bass Trombone Solo – Bob Waterson) arr. Alan Fernie
Music from the Elizabethan Court Elgar Howarth
In Perfect Peace (Hymn Tune) Kenneth Downie
Shine as the Light Peter Graham
The band was delighted with this result and it was a fantastic achievement for every member of the band.
April 06
If you are a involved with a band such as a school or starter group and you are looking for music to play, our librarian has prepared a list of titles that we have for sale at very reasonable prices. Leave your contact details and we will mail you the sales flyer.'
CD music of the band is available - Titles and availability will be listed at a later date.
In the past, the band has operated and supported a ‘friends of the band’ group. If you would like to be included on a new database for this group, please give feedback on the contact us page.