RN Volunteer Band JSU Northwood

BdCSgt D Matthews RM

The Volunteer Band Festival

The close copy date for the summer Blue Band corresponded with the Volunteer Band Festival in the summer. Whilst some must have burned the midnight oil (or got up at the crack of dawn) to complete their articles with the news from the Festival - I preferred to party, sleep and save it for now. So whilst some of this may not be news for you, here it is from our point of view.

This year was a very special one for Northwood Band. We won (or more correctly Maureen won) the Manadon Trophy for Best Concert Soloist with Artie Shaw’s Clarinet Concerto. We were all proud to play with you Maureen and delighted you won the award. Thank you. For those of you that don’t know Maureen - if you refer to the back of the Summer Blue Band you’ll see the photograph of the presentation. Needless to say we were ecstatic (I think that the cheers could be heard outside the Guildhall at the time). The award has made a huge difference to the morale within the Band. Not only had Maureen and the Band worked really hard on the piece, but it has finally brought recognition for all the work that has been put in over the last couple of years. Of course none of it would have been possible without our VBI - thanks Dave. So now we turn our thoughts to the future and hopefully we can continue our winning streak.

After the events of the day we made our way down to Boathouse No.7 (Portsmouth Historic Dockyard) for the annual knees-up after the Festival. Lots of dancing, drinking and merriment was had by all until it was time to leave. The bar was closed by the time we got back to the base (we did our best to get them to keep it open but apparently 2 o’clock in the morning is late); nevertheless a large contingent continued to party through the night and celebrate the win. This year for the first time the bus journey home on the Sunday was full of laughter instead of sleepy bodies. I’m not sure where all the energy came from and I suspect that most people must have slept round the clock once they finally made it back to their own beds on Sunday, but we did enjoy ourselves fully!

Autumn events

The Festival was followed almost immediately by a long summer break; I think we all needed it. However, no sooner were we back after the summer, than Dave brought out a raft of new music and we’ve been looking through the library and pulling out pieces that haven’t been played for a while. Now we regularly get a good turnout to all rehearsals and gigs, which makes a big difference to what we can play and makes it much more enjoyable too. However, there is still the odd time when we need an additional player. (Any players out there in the region of Northwood do give us a call.) The loss of Bug Wrightson bass trombone and Mel on euphonium has been noticed - or sometimes not - as they both reappeared at the annual Raising the Roof Concert for St Thomas Church in Harefield to help swell the ranks.

It has been a busy autumn so far with a number of small & large dinners including the traditional Trafalgar and Battle of Britain Nights. As I put pen to paper for this we are getting ready for a Pickle Night. The Senior Rates’ Mess is being transformed into a ship for the evening. Instead of being out of sight, up on the balcony, we will be centre stage and dressed up as pirates. However, to ensure no risk of mutiny during the evening Dave has arranged for a late night bar for us (after we play) which should ensure a good turnout (no ration of rum if we haven’t played well).

Some of the Band went down to RAF Lyneham and helped swell the ranks of HMS Collingwood Volunteer Band for the tri-service parade in Wootton Bassett to say thank you to the local residents. For the Northwood volunteers it was quite a challenge as we don’t usually march (except at the Festival) and we were sight reading everything except Heart of Oak - but we still enjoyed it and the sun was shining. However, things are now changing with respect to marching; our Corps of Drums now regularly provide Mess Beatings at dinners and they also paraded the beef at the Trafalgar Night. Plus we still seem to be marching in the gym from time to time (mmm… I thought that normally stopped after the Festival). The Remembrance Day service at Northwood now includes a marching display from us. This year we formed up and marched to the memorial and played for the service standing in formation; it made for a much improved event. Gone are the days when we only had seven or eight players huddled in a group at the back.
What’s coming up

Lots of dinners and carols to come over the weeks leading up to the Christmas break, including the fourth annual Christmas Concert at the Fleet Air Arm Museum in Yeovilton. This is a joint event with Heron Band and includes a party the night before. I know, it does seem like there is a bit of a party theme this time, but I can assure you we love the music too!

Northwood HQ Corps of Drums during the Remembrance Day Parade

Leavers

Fortunately only one leaver this time, as we say a sad farewell to Ed Waldmeyer on tuba. Luckily Chris Heyes is back from his various travelling and is usually back on tuba when we need him. I could say good bye to Bug and Mel (again) I don’t think they are coming back, but you can never be too sure.

Joiners

We are delighted to welcome: Chae Juhae (flute), Jan Eastwood (sax), Grace Harvey (french horn), and finally and not least, Norman Stephenson (clarinet). Actually Norman has been with the Band for quite a long time now but somehow I missed him off the last list - sorry Norman. We are also delighted to welcome back Ash Charteris (flute) who, having made it back to the ‘big city’, hot footed it back to the Band as soon as she arrived. Enjoy the music whatever form yours takes.

Penny

Last updated April 2008