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| News 20149th December 2014Lovely concert in All Saints Church in Old Glossop. A small but appreciative audience braved the heavy rain and sleet to listen to a concert of festive music conducted by Jeff Lewis who was guest conductor for the evening The music varied from classic Christmas carols, though to 80's hits including Stop the Cavalry and Only a Winters Tale (soloist Janet Lewis, Flugel), Other soloists were Keith Lawson (Euphonium) who superbly played O Holy Night and Stuart Wilkinson (Horn) who played the Over the Rainbow. We look forward to the Annual Christmas concert on the 21st December in the bandroom. Festive cheerMembers of the band played at the start of the festivities for the Glossop lights switch on and loved playing to the crowds in Norfolk Square. Lots of smiling faces and nice to see so many children dancing to the band. The weather stayed extremely mild for this time of year and the band are looking forward to playing at All Saints Church, Old Glossop on the 9th December and the Christmas concert in the bandroom on 21st December 2014. Players Needed!The band is looking forward to exciting times ahead under the direction of Jon Davies and are looking for a few players to strengthen the ranks. We are especially looking for a principal/front row cornet, a tenor or bass trombone and Eb or Bb bass. If anyone is interested please send a facebook message or email glossopband@yahoo.co.uk and your contact will be kept with the strictest of confidence. The band are based in the centre of Glossop and a short distance from the train station and rehearse once a week on a Tuesday night 8-10pm (with a short break for refreshments!). We are currently a non-contesting band with quite a few concerts booked between now and the end of the year (www.glossopband.org) and would love to see some new additions to the band. We are quite a sociable bunch and were most recently graded as a 1st section band. Welcome back to Jon DaviesGlossop Band are pleased to welcome back Jon Davies as their Musical Director. Jon previously conducted the band from 2005 to 2008, during which time the band had success in winning the 1st section area in 2008 and made their first CD recording "Anything Goes". Jon also directed the band through two sell-out stage productions of Brassed Off! at the Altrincham Garrick Theatre. Jon is a former Eb bass play with Faireys, Fodens and YBS bands and studied at Salford Unviersity. The band is looking forward to working with Jon again and are sure that his wit, hard work and personality will push the band once again to greater heights. Jim CantJim Cant and Glossop Old Band have been linked for almost 50 years since he started playing trombone there as a young boy, but it is as a conductor, in several spells for around 15 years that he will best be remembered, and for the achievements that the band made under his direction in the 1990s. Jim returned to the band from a spell at Hollingworth (who had just won the 4th Section Nation title under his direction) at the end of 1993. Glossop were in a state of rebuilding and found themselves in the third section, but with a strong and eager team. Following what was to be a low point of 2nd place at Rochdale contest, the band attended over 30 contests under Jim’s baton over the next 3 years and won every one. They won back to back 3rd Section, 2nd Section and 1st Section area titles and National titles at 3rd and 2nd Section, (giving Jim a hat trick of National victories); and back to back Pontins Easter and October titles amongst many others, the run finally ending in Birmingham’s Symphony Hall when the band were placed third in the 1996 1st Section national finals, a feat they repeated the following year in Cardiff. Moving into the Championship section in 1997 finals success was missed by one place in each of the next three years. Glossop were also by 1998 invited to enter the Grand Shield where they missed an Open invite by a couple of places. Following the near miss of the 1999 area Jim’s personal circumstances meant he felt it was time for a break from the band and he moved on to Stalybridge, but the strong band he had built at Glossop managed to gain an Open berth the following year and on his return to the band in 2002 Jim was finally able to lead his band in the world’s most famous contest. In 2005 he moved to Silk Brass in Macclesfield for several years prior to his illness and for a spell after his recovery before returning to Glossop again. It was a privilege and a pleasure to play for him throughout his times at our (and his) band, and he will be greatly missed by everyone at Glossop as well as by his many friends in the wider banding community. Farewell to Mandy CrowtherAfter 20 years of superb soprano cornet playing, the band sadly said goodbye to Mandy Crowther who is leaving the band for work reasons. Mandy is not leaving the area but has to travel to Cambridge during the week which means she is no longer able to rehearse with the band. In addition to being a regular playing member of the band, Mandy was an enthusiastic supporter of fund raising events such as the fashion shows. She very selflessly and generously contributed to proceeds by buying (and consuming) most of the bandroom’s wine supply. She will be sadly missed by all and we hope she will be a regular visitor to the bandroom. Sunday 22nd July 2014Thanks to the lovely audience at Ring O Bells, Marple for being so generous and adding over £500 to the bands funds. Hope the enjoyed the concert and see you again next year. Also big thanks to all our lovely guest players we couldn't have done it without you. Also many thanks to David Ashworth for being our guest conductor Fundraising event - Charity Fashion showCharity fashion show to raise much needed funds for the Bandroom to maintain and update the bandroom.
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