Maidenhead Citadel Band

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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.