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New MD For Whitwell Brass Band
21:50 - 19/06/2010
Whitwell Brass Band is pleased to announce the appointment of Lynden Cooper as their new Musical Director.
Lynden is a well-known local musician from a family with a 160 year connection to brass bands. He marks the 5th generation of the same family to be the Musical Director of a band. Lynden was taught initially by his father, Haydn Cooper, a local Musical Director and music teacher, then by George Thompson who was the Musical Director of the Grimethorpe Colliery Band.
Lynden had considerable success as a young musician winning prizes at numerous solo contests including the Junior Slow Melody Champion of Great Britain. He went on to be Principal Euphonium player of many successful bands; William Davis, Rhodian Brass, Thorntons, Nottingham City Transport, Ransomes and is currently the Principal Euphonium player of Newstead Brass and the Masson Mills Brass Band. Lynden has appeared on the concert stage throughout Britain and further afield during tours of Japan, Switzerland, Holland and France.
Speaking of his appointment, Lynden said, “I am really pleased to be the new MD of Whitwell Band. They are a great bunch of people with a strong commitment to encouraging young players, a good organisational structure, enthusiasm and talent. I am really looking forward to a successful long-term partnership.”
Lynden replaces David Fretwell who led the band over the previous five years.
David said of his time with Whitwell Band, “The last 5 years have been most enjoyable and very productive, the highlight undoubtedly being the win at the Area contest in 2009. I would like to thank everyone involved with the band for their support. I would also like to wish the band and Lynden good luck and best wishes for the future.”
Whitwell Band would also like to welcome Jane and Trevor Milner on Cornet and Soprano Cornet.
Lynden’s first formal concert with the band will be in the Whitwell Methodist Chapel on Portland Street on Thursday 1st July. Tickets cost £4 and the concert starts at 7:30pm.
David Fretwell
23:11 - 13/05/2010
Whitwell Brass Band have reluctantly accepted the resignation of Musical Director, David Fretwell, due to his increasing work commitments.
Since David joined Whitwell in 2005, the band have gone from strength to strength. The highlight of David's time at Whitwell was winning the Fourth Section Midland Championships in 2009. David also directed Whitwell to back to back Fourth Section NEMBBA Contest victories in 2007 and 2008.
The band would like to thank David for the time and effort that he has spent leading the band and they look forward to working with him over the next few weeks as they record their third CD. It will contain a program of music selected by David, the band Chairman Howard Erskine, and a piece selected by a vote of the band members. The CD is expected to be released by the end of June.
Whitwell Wedding
18:13 - 06/04/2010
The band would like to congratulate Ryan and Jo following their marriage on Easter Sunday.
They met through banding and have been with the Whitwell Brass Band for many years. Players from Creswell, Dronfield, Strata and Whitwell bands provided some of the music for the ceremony.
A Band For Britain
23:20 - 22/03/2010
If you have been inspired by the BBC2 programme, A Band For Britain, and would like to learn how to play a brass instrument, the Whitwell Junior Band would like to hear from you.
The band is made up of members of all ages and is run by a group of senior band players. An instrument and tuition is provided for a small weekly fee. The emphasis of the band is to learn within a fun environment and a number of the youngsters have since graduated into the senior band.
The Junior Band rehearses every Saturday morning at the Whitwell Community Centre. Players of all ages and standards are welcome. For more information, please click here to send us a message.
Coach to the Areas
21:44 - 07/03/2010
Whitwell Brass Band will be taking a coach to the Midlands Regional competition in Bedworth on Sunday 14th March. There are limited spaces available for non-players.
If you wish to join us, the coach will be leaving Whitwell Community Centre in the morning, returning after the Fourth Section results have been announced. The cost will be £5 per person.
For more information or to reserve your place please fill out the Contact form with all of your details.
Christmas Wishes from Whitwell Brass Band
22:47 - 25/12/2009
Whitwell Brass Band would like to wish all of it supporters a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
2009 was another busy year for the band. Over 1000 miles has been covered performing in concerts and contests in places as far afield as Skegness, Matlock, Bedworth, and for the first time in over half a century, the National Finals in Harrogate.
The first few months of 2010 will be busy for Whitwell Brass Band. No sooner will the New Year hangover be cured, they will be preparing for the lucrative Butlins competition in Skegness. After then, the band will concentrate on trying to regain the Midlands Fourth Section Regional Trophy in Bedworth in March.
Next summer will be busy with concerts all over the local area. Keep an eye on the website to see where the band will be playing when.
All material on www.whitwellbrassband.org.uk, Copyright 2004 - 2010, Stephen Watkins and Whitwell Brass Band
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