Posted on Sunday July 5th, 2020
With the lockdown easing (a bit) and pubs opening, three members of WCB's flute secton decided yesterday that it was time to explore socially distanced playing with a very appropriate sea shanty - What Shall We Do With the Drunken Sailor (appropriate due to the pubs opening...no alcohol was consumed in the recording of this video)!πΊ
After 3 months without any ensemble playing, we're told that it took a little getting used to, playing with other people again and unfortuantely, we're still a long way away from full band rehearsals, let alone performances, but we're delighted to be able to start taking small steps back towards playing together in person!πΆ Cheers!π₯
Posted on Wednesday July 1st, 2020
One of the pieces we've been working on to share recently is this beautiful trumpet duet by friend of the band and regular guest conductor Rob Wiffin. While we were preparing this piece, we learned of the shocking attacks at Forbury Gardens in Reading - a favourite place for the band to play during the summer months - so we'd like to dedicate this moving and uplifting piece of music, "Song of Peace," to all those affected by the events of 20th June.β€οΈ #ReadingTogether
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Well played. It brought back fond memories of playing there with different bands. What a pity that such a tragic event happened there.
Beautiful playing John and Gregor. Made me cry π’ Hope we will back playing there soon.
A moving and sensitive performance, well done and thank you β€οΈ
Beautiful as always but this made the hair on the back of my neck stand on end - which doesn’t happen that often!
Beautiful piece of music and well played!
That was stunning guys. Was gonna say exactly what Sarah said xx
Beautiful sound, thank you both
Really gorgeous. Have been thinking of all of RWB recently xx
Well done you two impressive.
Very nice John, you've still got it πΊπ
Beautiful and very moving.
Goosebumps! π
Fantastic job guys. ππ»ππ»ππ»
𧑠x
Lovely
Amazing!!
Posted on Sunday June 28th, 2020
After all the sunshine and tropical weather this weekπ, we thought it was time for a little bit of Latin flair! Grab a cocktailπΉ, hit the dance floor (or whatever passes for that in your lockdown residence!), and hot-foot it back to 2014 for our toe-tapping concert recording of Barry Manilow's feel-good smash hit Copacabana!πΆ
Posted on Sunday June 21st, 2020
As many of you will know, WCB trumpeter and former musical director John spent many years as a trumpeter and pianist in the Band of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. Whilst off duty in a bar in Hong Kong in 1985, a pianist struck up Billy Joel's fast and furious Root Beer Rag. John tells us that many beers had been consumed and one of the band soon challenged him to learn the piece! When John arrived back in the UK, he was presented with the sheet music and Root Beer Rag soon became his party piece, played out with the REME dance band when any suitable occasion arose.
When John left the band in 1998, he was presented with a framed copy of the music and it's been proudly displayed on his wall ever since, apart from on two occasions. In 2009, WCB organised a cabaret evening in Wokingham Town Hall when John dusted off the music and wowed us all with a brilliant rendition. This made quite an impression and when the Coronavirus lockdown was declared and we started thinking about what pieces would be fun to try and record, a number of the band who were present at that cabaret evening suggested this piece, so, for only the second time in over 20 years, we are very excited to present Root Beer Rag, featuring John on piano, ably assisted by Katie on drums and Louise on bass - it's an absolute corker! Enjoy!π΅
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That has just made my day. Was in Hong Kong in 1985 and remember being in Ned Kelly's when Ken Bennett played it. Loved hearing John play it back in the day. Great to here the latest rendition.
Memories of great nights in Ned Kelly's. Well played John ππΊ
Amazing! I feel privileged to be able to play with such talented musicians in WCB.
Brilliant job, guys! Really enjoyed that (fab video editing aswellππΌ)
Nice one John. Turbo fingers.π
Wow... What amazing musicians! Great video too.
That was brilliant - loved it, thank you!
Wow .....
Awesome guys. Well done all involved π xx
Fantastic! Well done all of you!
Amazing job guys. Love it. ππ»ππ»ππ»π
Wow - absolutely amazing
Nice job everyone!
Wow, awesome playing!
Wow brilliant.
Love it!
Love this! Look at those fingers move ππ
A-MA-ZING! Well done all. Love it!
Brilliant
Fantastic! Love it!!!
Brilliant!!! π€©π€©π€©
Fantastic!
Top stuff John & 2 fab ladies to back you too! Great job all ππ₯x
Are we sure he didn't just press the demo button on the keyboard?
Amazing!!
Posted on Wednesday June 17th, 2020
Famous again! The eagle-eared amongst you may have spotted WCB being talked about on Radio Berkshire again over the weekend. Host Bill Buckley spent about 20 minutes chatting to band chair Phil about the band under lockdown and our recording of Over the Rainbow.
Missed it? You can check out the interview for the next 3Β½ weeks at the link below from 9m44s! π»πΆ
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p08ftg5r
Posted on Sunday June 14th, 2020
Digger danger, bench-high giants, disgraceful no-shows from the brass and woodwind sections, promising contenders from birdseed and guinea pig guardians - there is never a dull moment in the WCB Sunflower Competition!π» We've got about 6 weeks to go until the official judging but it looks like we're going to have some very strong contenders in the running. Hmm...any suggestions for appropriate music for judging sunflowers?!πΆπ
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Sunflower Saga by James Barnes? π
Posted on Sunday June 7th, 2020
With live performances rapidly becoming a dim and distant memory, it's time to take a quick trip back into the WCB archives! Here's one of our favourite pieces from our 2017 Spring Concert (A Night in the West Endπ) featuring brilliant singer Vikki Hudson performing a beautiful arrangement of the well-known Les Miserables hit I Dreamed a Dream. It's an amazingly powerful song and we think you'll agree that Vikki performed it superbly - definitely a highlight! It's not hard to see why we asked her back to sing at our Christmas concert last year!
Enjoy!π΅
Posted on Thursday June 4th, 2020
We know that many people are no longer participating in #clapforourcarers following the suggestion of its originator but we couldn't resist sharing this video of WCB principal trombonist Dave from last week. Dave has been joining together with his neighbour to entertain his street on Thursday evenings and we love this great little duet of Down By The Riverside!
As ever, huge thanks from all of us at WCB to all those working for the NHS and all key workers, helping to keep everyone safe and well at this difficult time. β€οΈπΆ
#ThankYouNHS #ClapForKeyWorkers
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Didn't recognise you Dave. Still we all grow older don't we. Do you remember Thames-Wind?
Posted on Tuesday June 2nd, 2020
Famous!!β¨πβ¨ In case you didn't happen to be listening to Bill Buckley's mid-morning show on BBC Berkshire yesterday, it featured our illustrious band chairperson Phil talking all about the band and our Over the Rainbow video (he did a great job!).π»
If you didn't hear it, you can catch the full item at the link below from 2 hours, 19 minutes and 18 seconds in!
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p08dnb8m
Posted on Sunday May 31st, 2020
It's been just over 11 weeks since our last rehearsal and we're really missing being able to play together as a band - around now, we'd usually be gearing up for a busy summer season of bandstands, fΓͺtes, town centres and our annual minitour!π This year, of course, all of that is on hold but instead, we've come together virtually to make this tribute to all of the amazing staff of the NHS who are taking care of the nation. Featuring no less than 31 band members, we're really proud of this video and we hope that everyone enjoys it! A huge thank you from all of us at WCB to all NHS workers - take care out there! π΅ππ
PS...Huge thanks to Gregor for co-ordinating the video and doing an amazing job editing it together, and to the fabulous Rob Wiffin for letting us use his brilliant arrangement.
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I wish people would stop sending me videos that make me cry. Thank you Gregor, you've done an amazing job with this. If only we sounded this good live! π
Can I suggest a march for such a lockdown performance series. Barnard Castle March by Goff Richards. Again suitably topical/appropriate!? π
Thanks for doing that, Gregor. We sound great!!
Go Kev π
Encore, Encore. Sign Kevin Croxon up for your next concert. π
Great job everyone! xx
Oh that was lovely, well done Ladies and Gentlemen your talents and love of music show your own commitment, collectively.
Beautiful! Well done all. I spotted you Roger!
That was absolutely gorgeous well done WCB! Really looking forward to being able to see you again in the flesh! Kevin you made me giggle!! π
Bravo!!!π
Lovely solo Sarah Parker
That was a really beautiful sound. Thanks Chris J for sharing.
Just lovely...
Loved it, especially the guest appearance of the pink tutu πππ
ππ»ππ»ππ» well done lovely.xxx
Beautiful! So special. Proud cousin here!! X xπππ
Lovely
Sounds great, lovely!
Well done everyone π
That was beautiful! Thanks for sharing, Liz!
Bravo π₯°
Lovely! πΌππ
Hehehe. Love the guy in the pink tutu
Well done everyone ππx
So great to see you both - sounds good too!! Sad we couldn't see you at the weekend.
Posted on Saturday May 30th, 2020
We've been working very hard behind the scenes recently and are *extremely* excited about a little post that we're going to be sharing tomorrow morning...make sure you come and take a look...! ππ
(PS...the picture's a little clue...!)
Comment on Facebook We've been working ...
Not 'Over The Rainbow'?
Posted on Thursday May 28th, 2020
A more reflective mood this week for our #clapforourcarers post with Gregor performing Londonderry Air, commonly known as the tune for Danny Boy.
Thank you from all of us at WCB to those who are looking after the country and keeping us going! #ClapForKeyWorkers #ThankYouNHS β€οΈπ
We hope that you're well - we've got some exciting music coming up for you soon - stay tuned!π΅
Posted on Thursday May 21st, 2020
World-renowned trumpeter, one of the most influential figures in the history of jazz and rich gravelly-voiced vocalist - if we're honest, WCB principal trumpet Gregor can't claim to be any of these things. Louis Armstrong, however - now that's a different matter! Here's Gregor, performing one of Louis' most famous hits for our contribution to this week's #clapforourcarers!πΊπΆπ
Thank you, as ever, from all of us at WCB to all those NHS and key workers looking after the country and keeping us going at the moment.β€οΈ
Take care everyone!
Posted on Tuesday May 19th, 2020
One of the many ways that we've been trying to keep in touch as a band during lockdown is with virtual WCB quiz evenings! β¨ββ¨ We've had three events so far, all organised by different band members (thanks Jon & Hilary, Cath & Gregor and Gemma) and last week's quiz had an impressive 36 participants from 21 households! (Won by Jon & Hilary - well done themπ...it wasn't the one that they set in case you were wondering!). Here's a shot of last week's participants in varying stages of confusion!
Comment on Facebook One of the many ways...
I was going to question the 21st household on a 5x4 grid, but then I remembered Sean video calling within a video call at Helens house!
I think the confusion was us thinking ‘is every answer to this round really Liverpool?’
Very relaxed phil
I seem to have one very large hand.
Imogen looking relaxed π
I'm trying to see past my fringe π
