Maidenhead Citadel Band

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Jan10 - New York Staff Band visit the Royal Borough

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The New York Staff Band received a standing ovation following a sparkling performance in St. Mary’s Church, Maidenhead.

The visit had been keenly anticipated and a capacity congregation of over 300 greeted the Band as they marched in behind the flags of the USA and the NYSB.Following the brilliant ‘Intrada on Monkland’, the band was welcomed by Corps Bandmaster Stuart Hall.   
A well balanced programme featured the band’s soloists Michael Baker, (Cornet), father and son Gordon and Christopher Ward (Cornet duet) , Ryan McCrudden (Euphonium} and Andrew Garcia (Flugel Horn).

The evening was compered by NYSB Executive Officer Lt.Col. Kenneth W. Maynor and Bandmaster Ronald Waiksnoris.
 
The beautifully balanced singing of the Band Chorus led by Dorothy Gates, was particularly appreciated.  Dorothy’s dramatic composition “Hope” ended the first half of the programme.  Following a polished rendition of “Turris Fortissima” (Steven Ponsford), the band had everyone on their feet with a stirring rendition of the Sousa march “Stars and Stripes”.  In complete contrast the evening ended with the band singing the Benediction “Rock of Ages”.

The NYSB visit attracted many brass band enthusiasts, who were both entertained and challenged by the Gospel Message clearly outlined in both his commentary and words from Scripture by Lt.Col. Maynor.

Dec09 - Christmas in Berlin

Bandsman Adam Hall returned from his Erasmus year in Germany in September, but not before making arrnagments with the Divisional Commander Major Beat Reider to return in December with 4 of his friends to help the Salvation Army Christmas Carolling effort in Germany. For a week the small group from Maidenhead played in Berlin, Dresden and Meissen in Christmas markets in all of the towns and also opened up a Salvation Army Charity Shop in Meissen. In Berlin they also played a 2 hour concert in the Arcaden on Schoenhauser Alle. On one day the temperatures were so cold they had to abandon their playing after just one verse of a carol when all their instruments froze.
 
The picture shows l-r Craig Baker (Norwich Citadel) Jonny Bain, Nick Collier, Clifton Roestoff and Adam Hall (All from Maidenhead)

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Nov09 - Newbury Corn Exchange

Christmas started on Saturday November 28thwhen the band played at the Newbury Corn Exchange for the Newbury Corps annual Christmas community carol concert. The Bandmaster led the concert and the community singing making sure that the evening flowed from one item to another. A highlight for the school choir who sang Christmas songs was in the second half when the Bandmaster chose two volunteers to conduct the band through Jingle Bells.

Nov09 - Plymouth Congress Hall

The band travelled down to Plymouth in very stormy weather to arrive at the Congress Hall in Armarda Way to a fantastic 4 course dinner that preceded the evening festival.  The home Corps band weekend started with MCB playing "Intrada Nostalgique (Ritman) prior to the Festival march The Caledonian.  The band festured Andrew Gray who played the cornet solo Service Christ (Sharman) David Woodcock on the piano and Ian Kelly who sang a very fitting sea shanty. The Saturday Festivalk concluded with Cantad a Jehova (Gates) which involved various sections of the band standing at different times.

The Sunday morning meeting was led by the Maidenhead CO Major Keith White who gave everyone the challenge to listen to God. Following which the band did an open air service before "rain stopped play".  The afternoon festival was a time to relax and unwind to some familiar "easy listening" music before the band made their way back home.

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Jul09 - Flag Day

The band took part in flag days or standing days as they are also know as to help raise money for the work of The Salvation Army. The band played for 2 hours in Marlow and 2 hours in Maidenhead, helping to raise over £1,600.  Many passers by stopped to listen to the band. 

May09 - Finland Tour

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During our visit to the city of Jyväskylä in Finland over the Bank Holiday weekend, Maidenhead Citadel Band had an unexpected listener while giving  a concert in the city’s ‘Compass’ precinct.  The Prime Minister of Finland, Mr Matti Taneli Vanhanen suspended an election address so that he could listen to the band who had marched into the city square behind the Union Jack and Salvation Army flags.

 

The band gave 5 concerts over the weekend in Suolahti and Kiuruvesi as well as Jyväskylä located some 300 kilometres north of Helsinki.

 

Sponsored jointly by the Pentecostal and Adventist Churches as well as the local Salvation Army, the band captivated large audiences in each of their concerts with a programme of classical and sacred music including work from the Finnish composer Sibelius.

 

At the conclusion of the final programme, 2 seekers made new commitments.  Local Salvationists testified to the blessings and encouragement they received through the band’s witness.

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May09 - Pre-Tour Concert

The band presented a well balanced programme to family and friends of the music they shall be playing in Finland.  The concert started with Martin Cordner's arrangement of "In Christ alone" before moving on to contemporary arrangments such as "Blessing and Honour" and "Dance like David".
 
Gary Terrar played the horn solo "Give me Jesus" before Andrew and Tim Gray played the cornet duet "Faithfulness". Another soloist featured during the evening was David Woodcock on the piano, which also gave a welcome breather to the band.
 
The major work for the evening "Variations on Laudate Dominium" by Edward Gregson allowed the band to fullly exploit the majestic sounds of a brass band. Followed by the march "Faith is the Victory" that forms the title of the tour Faith Victorious.

May09 - Concert with Peniel Choir

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Claimed by members of the band as one of the best concerts they have taken part in the evening, the joint concert with Peniel Choir was somewhere beyond awesome!
 
The band, for the first time in their new red festival shirts opened with "In Christ alone" before the choir and congregation stood and joined in with the same, this time as a congregational song.
 
Along with contemporary numbers such as "Blessing and Honour", the band played "Shalom" & "Amazing Race". The choir, with their resident orchestra present pieces of their own as well as joining in with the band for "I'm Amazed".
 
The band presented one soloist (Adam Hall, vocal) for the evening who having flown in especially from Germany just for the concert sang "Caro Mio Ben" & "Yarmouth fair" in the 1st half, "Still as the night" & "Amazing Grace" in the 2nd half.
 
The band received 3 standing ovations during the evening and ended by playing two encores "On the King's Highway" and "Dance before the Lord".

Apr09 - New Recording for the Finland Tour

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Six flugel horns take the melody line

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Faith Victorious

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Full Band

In preparation for their tour to Finland next month, the band spent the first weekend of April recording the tracks for their new CD "Faith Victorious". The recording went well even though there was a computer problem, as the band recorded their last track.  The back up files proved to be valuable!
 
One track to be included will be the hymn tune Finlandia (TB 643) but instead of the normal instrumental line up, the melody line was played by six flugel horns.
 

Dec08 - Bandmaster on TV and National Radio

In December, as part of the promotion of the "Together" recording by the ISB our Bandmaster has been featured in both the National and Local press as well as appearing LIVE on ITV's "This Morning programme", BBC Radio 2 "Chris Evans Show", Classic FM, Radio Berkshire and on Christmas Eve Stuart was interviewed by Libby Purves on the BBC Radio 4 "Midweek" programme.
 
Click here to listen again to the Radio 4 Christmas Eve broadcast http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/factual/midweek.shtml

Dec08 - Link with German Staff Band

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Die Heilsarmee

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Adam in his German Staff Band Tunic

Bandsman Adam Hall is studying Music and German at Cardiff University. For his 3rd year of study he is resident at the Freie University in Berlin and has linked up with Korps Berlin-Südwest (Berlin South West Corps). We are please to announce that Adam has also been appointed to the solo cornet section of the German Staff Band led by Bandmaster Heinrich Schmidt.
 
 

Dec08 - New baby for Simon and Taryn

On Sunday 21st December Taryn gave birth to Jonty Issac. Both baby and mum are doing very well. We here that Jonty will be attending band rehearsal each week with his mum and dad.  I guess that will make him our our youngest member!

Dec08 - Christmas Message

The band has once again completed a number of engagements throughout the Christmas season. Playing in Marlow, Henley, Wokingham, Windsor and of course Maidenhead. When playing in Marlow one Saturday morning they were pleased to receive a festive greeting from a passer by - the actress Wendy Craig who said "Thank you so much for all you do, Christmas is special once you hear the Salvation Army band".
 
The band was featured at the community carol concert held at the Norden Farm Theatre. This year featuring a new Christmas number from the film "Home Alone" music by John Williams, with suitable clips from the film projected onto the large back screen as the band played.

Nov08 - Waltham St Lawrence

The band and songsters provided a musical evening at Waltham St Lawrence church entitled "Make the workd with music ring". Items included, In Christ alone, Finlandia, Somewhere in my memory and Deep Gratitude. Both band and songsters combined for the finale with Ballantine's arrangment, Joyful Joyful.

Nov08 - Remembrance Parade

On Sunday 9th November the band took part in the annual remembrance parade at Maidenhead. This year the band was asked to provide the last post which it duly provided massed with four cornet players, Andrew Gray, Graham Collier, Paul Terrar and Paul Spence.
 
For the first time, the band used their new storm jacket overcoats which proved to be very warm and due to the slight misty weather, waterproof.

Sep08 - Annual Memorial Service

On Sunday 7th September the band and songsters took part in the annual memorial service held at Easthampstead Crematorium. Even in the gloomy weather hundreds of people attended the open-air service. Many people commented on how they were pleased to have the Army band taking part.

Jun08 - Five into One will go!

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The band was invited to assist Northumberland’s ‘Partners in Mission’ Corps on the weekend of 29/30th of June.  After an eight-hour journey the Band’s resources were used to the full commencing at Newbiggin-by-the-Sea with a March of Witness and a bandstand concert at the Quay Wall.  A drive further north to Alnwick was then undertaken to provide an evening concert in partnership with Bedlington Songsters.

 

The band’s principal second baritone player, Commissioner Alex Hughes received special recognition during the festival, three weeks before he retires from active service as the CO of Maidenhead, as faithful Soldiers from Alnwick Corps turned out to meet the Commissioner.  The Commissioner served as Commanding Officer at Alnwick, his first command in 1961-1963.

 

The Saturday festival included solos from the bands principal cornet player Andrew Gray, who played ”Serve Christ” on trumpet and Adam Hall, who sang two love songs, one in Italian, the other in German and delighted the audiences with his rich bass voice.  The second half of the programme started with an arrangement of “Come follow the band” from the musical Barnum featuring CSM Ian Kelly and then Liam Parker took the audience through an “open –air” type service finishing with the story of the growth of the Army using Emil Sodestrom’s travelogue “All round the world” which had a new finale especially written by the Bandmaster Stuart Hall featuring “Blaydon Races”.

 

On the Sunday morning the Band split into three groups providing musical support at Newbiggin, Alnwick and Cramlington Corps.  Cramlington were celebrating their Corps Anniversary led by Majors Ian and Christine Kennedy (Swinton).  This was a very special event for the Major’s as they entered full time service from Cramlington.

 

The Band reunited for a final Praise meeting at Bedlington where they shared ministry with the combined songster brigades of Newbiggin and Ashington Songsters.  Liam Parker provided a break from the musical items when he tried to teach three pressed volunteers how to act.  Bandmaster Ian Burn of Bedlington Corps did not need much teaching and the interaction between the two had the congregation reaching for their handkerchiefs as tears of laughter rolled down their cheeks. Graham Collier and Andrew Grey, the oldest and youngest cornet players blessed many with their duet "Great is Thy faithfulness".
 
The Band arrived home at 2am Monday morning having worked hard for the Lord supporting five Corps in one weekend.  ‘Five into One will go!’

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May08 - Brass of Praise

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BoP CD recording

Maidenhead welcomed special international guests "Brass of Praise" from Switzerland, the night before they took part in the annual Gospel Arts concert at the Royal Albert Hall.  The band presented "Connect", an evening of music arranged by Markus Frei around the theme of connecting people with people and bringing the brass band idiom and popular music styles - "brass pop".
 
The band under the direction of Bandmaster Philip Manger gave a complete new and innovative programme, including vocal backing, dancing and some first class PowerPoint presentations.
 
To hear sound bites of Brass of Praise follow this link - enjoy.
 

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Apr08 - Invitation to Finland

MCB are pleased to receive an invitation to visit Finland in May 2009.
 
Since January of this year the Corps has welcomed the family of Osmo Halonen into our fellowship. Osmo is on a four month residential course to improve his English. In his home town of Jyväskylä they attend the Pentecostal church were Osmo plays trombone in the church brass band.
 
Osmo has joined with MCB in rehearsals and contributes to the worship with the band on Sundays including open air ministry.  As a result of this friendship Osmo has invited the band to Finland next year. Already the planning has started and the band is looking forward to another overseas tour.

Mar08 - Easter Reflection

On the Tuesday night leading up to Easter weekend the band provided an evening reflection on the cross through music.  The theme "Except I am moved with compassion" was enhanced with items such as "Compassionate Christ" Goffin, and the evening concluded with "And they were heroes" Cheyne, dedicated to those from the emergency services who on the tragic 9/11 day in New York displayed courage and compassion.  The piece was further enhanced by a film display of the events during 9/11 and the days after complied and present by Bandsman John Renouf.

 

On Easter Good Friday the band joined with churches together in Maidenhead and lead a silent procession through the High Street. At selected venues the band provided the music to the congregational singing.  

 

Mar08 - Andrew & Sarah's wedding

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On Saturday 15th March on what turned out to be a very wet, damp and cold day there was certainly the opposite inside Maidenhead Citadel Corps as Andrew and Sarah tied the knot. There was just enough time to shower them with confetti on the steps outside before the rain started to fall. It was then off to the Crowne Plaza Hotel for the wedding photographs and the reception.
 
Until Andrew had to move to Telford with his work he was on principal cornet with MCB and Sarah was on the 2nd cornet bench. MCB band wish them every happiness in the future and trust they will continue practising those cornet duets!
 
 

Jan08 - ISB News

Bandmaster Stuart has been re-appointed to the trombone section of the ISB. During 2007 Stuart was called back to help the ISB for a number of weekend engagements and a recording session.  For the past 5 years the ISB has been running with 3 trombones however, a decision to move back to 4 trombones has created a "chair" that Stuart will once again fill.  Stuart first joined the ISB in 1990 and served 10 years with the band.

Nov07 - Remembrance Parade

The annual remembrance parade in Maidenhaed was lead by Maidenhead Band. Although the number of ex-servicemen taking part in the march is diminishing each year, those that did participate were delighted to march behind the Salvation Army Band. 

Local Magistrates, Councillors and the MP for Windsor & Maidenhead the Rt Hon Teresa May laid wreaths before joining the contingents for a service at the parish church.  After the service the band lead representatives from the volunteer services and the Royal British Legion on a march past the town hall. 

Jun07 - Weekend visit to Guisborough

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Route march in Guisborough

"Salvation is our Motto" was the theme for the weekend at Guisborough. After six and a half hours in the coach the band received a warm welcome from Guisborough Corps starting with a feast of food before the band led an evening festival of praise. 

The band started the festival with "Fanfare & Celebration", before the Corps Officer Major Katerina Lennox (Sister of our Bandmaster) introduced the band.  The band featured a number of soloists, Andrew Collier, cornet "Clear Skies" Nick Collier, Eb Bass "1st mov E.Gregson tuba concerto".  Adam Hall, Bass sang two classical items. Before the interval the band played "The Great Salvation War" enhanced by a professional slide presentation by the John Renouf.  

Ian Kelly, sang an arrangement by our Bandmaster with band accompaniment of "Oh when the Saints". Which led into a number of light numbers before the band concluded the evening with "Salvation's Song". 

The Sunday morning meeting was led by Commissioner Alex Hughes after which the band did a march of witness through the town. In the afternoon festival the band featured a small ensemble of 11 players who have over the past 5 years moved up from the YP Band.

Jun07 - Simon & Taryn's Wedding

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Simon & Taryn Wedding in Cape Town

Simon and Taryn got married in Cape Town, South Africa on the 16th June 2007.  Many of their band colleagues travelled to Cape Town to be there for the special day.   The reception was at Bloemendhal on the hills overlooking Cape Town bay and Table Mountain on a beautiful clear day in the middle of Cape Town winter….111 people where present at reception in Cape Town and a special cake featuring the South African and UK flag was made especially for the day. 

After the honeymoon Simon & Taryn returned to the UK with the South African in-laws in time for weekend away to Guisborough with MCB, what commitment!!  Then on the 7th July a special blessing ceremony led by Commissioner Alex Hughes was held in the garden of Graham and Gill Collier, when 96 people enjoyed a sit down wedding feast on a beautiful “English” summers day.

 

Apr07 - Maundy Thursday

For the annual Easter week meetings at Maidenhead, the band presented an evening of reflective music. The band was conducted and the evening compered by Major John Martin, with guest soloist Sue Johnson. 

Apr07 - On tour with Reading Central Band

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Stuart (in the middle) with RCB trombones

Paul Terrar and Bandmaster Stuart Hall have returned from a tour of Canada with Reading Central Band. Due to sickenss and work commitments, Bandmaster Paul Mortlock of RCB invited Paul and Stuart to help their neigbouring Corps on their Easter tour of the Ontario Division. The tour journey included Woodstock, Burlington, Simcoe, Ottawa, Peterborough, Etobicoke, Barrie and some sightseeing in Toronto and Niagara Falls.
 

Mar07 - Guesting with the ISB

Bandmaster Stuart Hall has been asked to help the International Staff Band for three engagements. Bradley Turnbull who took over the 2nd trombone chair from Stuart back in 2000 could not make some engagements due to work commitments. Dr Stephen Cobb, Bandmaster of the International Staff Band contacted Stuart back in January to check on his availability and was pleased to welcome him back for two weekend engagements and a recording. 

Mar07 - 'Live' Recording

A new promotional CD with three tracks has been recorded by the band.

Ken Cuell has had a long association with Maidenhead Band, on many occasions marching in front of the band with the flag.  During 2006, his father Raymond Edmund John Cuell suffered ill health and the opportunity to record some of Ray’s marches was suggested.  Ray has supported of the growth of Maidenhead Band and as the former Bandmaster of Highgate Band has had first hand experience of building a Corps band from an initial strength of two players up to 21 bandsmen during the 1950s.

The band receorded two of Ray's marches, Scarborough Citadel published in 1946 and Field Service published in June 1951.

A third track is a cornet solo arrangment of Haera Ra, a Maori farewell song played by the band’s principal cornetist, Andrew Collier.

Jan07 - Simon pops the question . . . . . 

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As the sun started to set in Cape Town, on the summit of the magical table top mountain our flugel horn player Simon Parker  - on one knee - proposed to Taryn Roestoff.  Taryn who hails from Goodwood Corps, Cape Town was until recently living in Maidenhead. Within weeks of returing home last year Simon arranged with his employer to work in South Africa for 3 months.
 
We wish them both our sincere and hearty congratulations. The picture was taken shortly after she said "yes" on Tuesday 16th January 2007.

Dec06 - Christmas Concert @ Norden Farm Theatre

On Sunday 17th December the Corps Officer, Commissioner Alex Hughes welcomed the audience at the Norden Farm Theatre to "Joyful Encounter", the message of Christmas from Maidenhead Band and Songsters. The band opened with the overture "The Proclamation of Christmas" before band and Songsters joined together in “Joyful, Joyful”.

 

Greg and Sue Phillips provided scripture readings that linked the items between the sections and some community carol singing. Commissioner Alex made an appeal on behalf of the Maidenhead Advertiser cracker appeal and £500 was presented to the editor of the Advertiser paper.

 

The band featured three soloists: The bands principal cornet player Andrew Collier played the arrangement “Candlelight Carol”, Andrew Gray on snare drum for “Christmas Bolero” and Ian Kelly sang with band accompaniment “What’s Christmas without a brass band?”

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Joyful Encounter

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Ian Kelly

Dec06 - Christmas Playing in Cape Town

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Simon with Goodwood Band around the pool in Cape Town

The band is keeping up links with Cape Town. Last year we were pleased to have David and Antoinette Roestoff from Goodwood, Cape Town join with the band in our Christmas caroling. Bandsmen Adam Hall spent 3 months in Cape Town last year and joined Goodwood Corps in their caroling activities. This year bandsman Simon Parker is working in Cape Town and has been only to happy to help out. Options for 2007: 1) You can play carols on a cold draughty London High Street location, or  2) Short sleeves, pool, sunshine! - any volunteers?

 

 

Dec06 - Christmas Carol Playing

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Nov06 - Christmas Concert @ Newbury Corn Exchange

To a capacity audience (400 seats) the band took to the stage of the Newbury Corn Exchange with the John Rankin School Choir for the start of the Community Carol Service.  An annual event organised by Newbury Corps, this was the second time that the band has been invited to attend in the last 5 years.

The band played the overture “Proclamtion of Christmas” Bulla, before a fanfare introdcution to the first sung carol “Joy to the World”. The singing of the first carol was very subdued, but under the leadership of our Bandmaster, Stuart Hall he had the newly formed choir of the Newbury Corn Exchange in full voice by the end of the evening.

John Rankin School choir represented the local area and were featured in both halves of the programme with a mixture of Christmas spirit and childhood enthusiasm. The band featured two solosits in the first half. Andrew Collier played the cornet solo “Candelight Carol” Rutter arr Wainwright and Ian Kelly sang “What’s Christmas without a brass band” Wood.

Another soloist featured in the second half was Andrew Gray who played the Bolero rhythm in “Christmas Bolero”.  Before the final arrangment of “Jingle Bells” the band helped Captain Jim Cussen in his presentation of the message of Christmas.

Nov06 - Remembrance parade

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The annual remembrance parade in Windsor was lead by Maidenhead Band. Although the number of ex-servicemen taking part in the march is diminishing each year, those that did participate were delighted to march behind the Salvation Army Band. 

Local Magistrates, Councillors and the MP for Windsor & Maidenhead the Rt Hon Teresa May laid wreaths before joining the contingents for a service at the parish church.

After the service the band lead representatives from the volunteer services and the Royal British Legion on a march past the town hall. Brigadier Dobbit (R) took the salute.

 

Oct06 - Vist of the ISB

The long awaited visit of The International Staff Band to Maidenhead was to prove to be a truly inspirational weekend for all those fortunate to witness the band in action. The capacity audience at the Saturday evening concert in St Luke's church was treated to a top quality programme.

 

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Sep06 - Easthampstead Crematorium

On Sunday afternoon 3rd September the band and songsters took part in the annual service at Easthampstead Crematorium. Major Maurice Ozanne instigated the service 16 years ago and Maidenhead Band has taken part in the service every year. The service provides a time to reflect on the loss of a loved one and is possibly the only religious service they may attend in a year.

 

The band played before and during the service. The Commanding Officer Commissioner Alex Hughes led the prayers in the ecumenical service. Over 400 people attended the service.

Jul06 - Proms in the Park

On Saturday 15th the band took part in the 100th anniversary celebrations of Marlow Town Band. On what was one of hottest days this year both band presented a feast of music in an outdoor proms spectacular. From a purpose build bandstand erected for the day both bands were pleased to have some shade from the sun.
 
For the large crowd who gathered they enjoyed their picnics with the idyllic backdrop of the famous Marlow bridge over the River Thames. Both bands provided an individual programme before joining massed for the finale that finished in a traditional last night of the proms style including Land of Hope and Glory.

May06 - North Scotland Tour

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At John o'Groats

After months of planning, the tour is now part of the history of Maidenhead Band. From start to finish everything went according to plan. To read more about the tour click on the "band tours" page on the left.
 
 
 

May06 - Farewell to John Mattingley

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The weekend before the band departed on its North Scotland Tour, we said farewell to a bandsmen from the front bench. John and his wife Ruth and boys, Philip and Oliver are emigrating to Canada.
 
John has been in the second chair supporting the principal cornet seat for the last 4 years and whilst he will be missed at Maidenhead, we pray he will with his family, find continued joy in service in The Salvation Army in Canada.
 
As a special treat Andrew Collier played a cornet solo arranged for the band by our Bandmaster of the Maori farewell song "Now is the Hour", one of John's favourite pieces. We look forward to meeting again one day John.

May06 - Pre Scotland Tour Festival

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Friday 19th May at 8:00pm exactly, the band opened with the cornet section standing in a line along the back of the band, and with the band played the opening fanfare "Bonnie Dundee". The evening was an opportunity for the band to present to their friends and family many of the new pieces that have been prepared for the Gospel Train Tour.
 
The band featured many of its soloist's. Andrew Collier - Life's Pageant, Roger Matkin - Love lifted me. Nick Collier - Celestial Morn. David Woodcock played the 2nd mov of Beethoven's Piano Sonata in C Minor and Scott Joplin's Maple Leave Rag. The "loudest" audience response came from the vocal solo from Ian Kelly of "Oh when the Saints" accompanied by the band in a special arrangement for the tour by our own Bandmaster.
 
The tour theme "Gospel Train" based on the arrangement by Barrie Gott also featured the Bandmaster who played the jazzy trombone solo from the middle of the band. Commissioner Alex Hughes the CO and spiritual leader for the tour presented a bible message encouraging everyone to stop and think in a world were we seem to rush around with no time to spare.
 
The band finished with a very fast rendition of "Dance before the Lord" before concluding with their "signature march" To Regions Fair.

Apr06 - Easter Reflection

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On Maundy Thursday the band provided a evening of reflective music. Pieces presented included: Heralds of the Dawn, Goffin, and My Comfort and Strength, Bowen. The congregation all joined in a rousing rediction of "And can it be - Amazing Love"
 
 

Apr06 - St George's Day Parade

Once again the band took part in the annual St George's Day parade in Windsor, this year on St George's Day itself. The weather was cold and raining in the morning but cleared in time for the parade. The streets were busy with people who had arrived in Windsor to try and catch a glimpse of the H.M. the Queen, who celebrated her 80th birthday two days previously.
 
Whilst the Queen was "at home" the band has it on good authority that a number of the Royal household heard the band as they marched past the castle.

Mar06 - First CD Recording

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In action at the recording

During Friday and Saturday 3rd and 4th March the band recorded their first CD. Gareth Ritter and James Voros from Dolce Productions praised the band for working so hard over the two days. This was also a first for Dolce, recording their first Salvation Army band. The CD is planned for release in May.
 
 

Feb06 - Special Military Guest Conductor

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Bandmaster Stuart & Commander Kenny

The Director of Music of the South African Navy Band, Commander Kenny Leibbrandt was a guest at the annual Mountbatten Festival by The Royal Marines held at the Royal Albert Hall. During his short stay in the UK, he travelled to the Royal Marines school of music in Portsmouth and the Royal Military School of Music, Kneller Hall.
 
On one of his "free" days, he came along to Maidenhead and conducted the band through part of its rehearsal. Renewing a friendship that started when the band was in Cape Town, October 2003 and played with the Navy Band in a joint concert.
 
 

Jan06 - The great band diet!

As part of the fund raising efforts in preparation for the North Scotland Tour, 20 members of the band have gone on a sponsored diet. In the first two weeks 97 pounds had been lost!!
 

Jan06 - Band prepares for 1st CD recording

Now that the hectic time of Christmas playing has finished the band has started the New Year rehearsing for their first ever CD recording. The recording is in preparation for the forthcoming tour of the North Scotland Division.
 

Dec05 - Help from South Africa

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David Roestoff
The band had extra help from South Africa when David and Antonette Roestoff came to visit their daughter Taryrn. David would normally play Christmas carols in the heat of 30 degrees plus. Wrapped up warm he said he enjoyed the experience of playing in outside in the cold British weather.
 
 
 
 

Sep05 - Easthampstead Crematorium

The annual service of remembrance took place at Easthampstead Crematorium. Both the Band and the Songsters took part in the ecumenical service held in the grounds and gardens of the crematorium. Presenting music before and during the service. The day was very warm for September with an estimated 400 people attending the service.

Jun05 - In the presence of HRH The Duke of Edinburgh

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Alex Hughes, Stuart Hall and HRH The the Duke of Edinburgh
As part of the centenary celebrations of the Rotary Club, the band played in the presence of HRH The Duke of Edinburgh at Windsor Parish Church. The band played before and during the service.
 
At the end of the service as the band shared a cup of tea with the Duke, he praised the band for the work it does in the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead.
 
 

Apr05 - St George's Day Parade

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Marching up towards Windsor Castle
The annual St George's Day parade through Windsor of the Baden Powell movement, went ahead even though the band was severely depleted in numbers. The Young People's band were involved in a weekend campaign in Derby which involved a number of the senior band. The band was still pleased to be able to muster a band for the event. A total of 362 Baden Powell participants took part in the parade.
 
 
 

Jun03 - Weekend Visit to Warrington

The band travelled to Warrington, Chesire for the weekend. A good crowd gathered for the Saturday evening festival held in the Citadel hall. On the Sunday the band led meetings at the Corps and also held an open air meeting outside a very busy supermarket.