News
30th August 2010 -
Although we’ve still got one performance left in our summer concert series, Woodley Concert Band’s thoughts are already starting to turn towards our Autumn Concert which will be taking place at Bearwood College on Saturday 9th October at 7:30pm. As usual, we’ll be playing some fantastic music under the baton of Director of Music John Sayer and have also lined up a special guest singer and a flautist for you – you can find more information about the concert, including a taste of the music we’ll be playing as well as booking details here.
Tickets went on sale to members of our Friends scheme on Saturday and we sold about 50 tickets on the first day of box office opening (despite having a concert and band barbecue to attend on the same day!) so we’re expecting to have a full house! Tickets go on sale to the general public next Saturday (4th September) and we’d recommend that you get in early! Alternatively, you may like to consider becoming a Friend of WCB yourself – for the same price as a ticket; you get not only a free ticket to one of our main concerts at Bearwood, but also exclusive early booking access to the Box Office and WCB newsletters.
We’re really looking forward to the concert and hope to see you there!
21st August 2010 -
Despite ominous forecasts for the weather, WCB turned out en masse in Wokingham's town square today to continue our series of summer concerts. Luckily, the rain held off and we attracted a large audience and lots of appreciative comments with our playing. With music including Abba Gold, At the Sign of the Swinging Cymbal, Andrew Lloyd Webber - A Symphonic Portrait and Is This The Way To Amarillo, there was something for everyone and the band had a good time too.
With only two concerts left this season, there's not much time left to catch WCB out and about - we'll be at the Binfield Heath Flower Show next Saturday and in Forbury Gardens in Reading in September - we hope to see you there.
PS...there's some photos of the band playing today in the gallery.
15th August 2010 -
Last Sunday saw Woodley Concert Band making a welcome return to Eastbourne Bandstand, to take part in their regular series of traditional Sunday afternoon concerts. Following weeks of hard work, the band was on top form and performed to the very best of our ability, drawing enthusiastic applause from a very appreciative audience. Particular highlights of our hour-and-a-half programme included a beautiful rendition of Rodrigo's Concierto d'Aranquez by chairman and principal trumpet Gregor, vocal numbers I Could Have Danced All Night and Blue Moon, performed by Maggie Lowe and the blockbusting Sinatra in Concert including New York, New York and My Way (of course!).
The band had a great day on the beach, with plenty of fish and chips and ice cream, not to mention the odd bit of paddling, whilst the sunny weather helped to ensure that both the day and the concert were really memorable. Now all we need to decide is where to go next year...!
5th August 2010 -
With just 3 days to go until WCB's trip to the seaside, we can't wait to set off, smell the sea air and make some great music. Our last rehearsal before our concert on Eastbourne Bandstand went extremely well and even MD John pronouced himself chuffed with the quality of music we were producing, so we must be good! In addition to the lovely venue and the great music, we're very excited about some new (and rather noisy) purchases that the band's just made which we'll be trying out for the first time at Eastbourne - more on these soon!
The forecast is set for sunny intervals and 20° (68° in old money) and we can't wait...hope to see you there....it's gonna be a good one!!
1st August 2010 -
Earlier this year, Woodley Concert Band was delighted to be asked by Eastbourne Council to return to feature in their annual series of Sunday afternoon bandstand concerts. We very much enjoyed our last concert there in 2008 so of course we were only too happy to say 'yes'! Accordingly, next Sunday (8th August), WCB will be taking to Eastbourne Bandstand's magnificent (circular!) stage with what promises to be a really exciting afternoon's entertainment. We've been working really hard at the music and our Musical Director John has come up with a thrilling programme including everything from Lawrence of Arabia to the Stars and Stripes and from Andrew Lloyd Webber to The Wizard of Oz, plus vocal numbers I Could Have Danced All Night and Blue Moon from our regular vocal soloist Margaret Lowe. The concert begins at 3:00pm and tickets (£3.75) are available on the door - we look forward to seeing you there!