BAND STRIKE UP SUPPORT

By Elaine Squire - Friday, May 16, 2008

Solo cornets, from left, Mary Teague, Steve Millichamp, and Sue Hancock. Picture by LAURA HOLME.

MUSIC
SOUND the fanfare, an Island concert band, established over 100 hundred years ago, is experiencing a resurgence.
When Andy Norman took over as Cowes Concert Band musical director two and a half years ago, the band was struggling for numbers but a recent concert featuring 25 band members at St John’s Church in Sandown highlighted perfectly the recent upturn in the band’s fortunes.
The concert featured a mix of marches, classical pieces and a tribute to Frank Sinatra to coincide with the tenth anniversary of the famous crooner’s death.
Mary Teague performed a cornet solo, Cornet by Candelight, arranged by Mr Norman and composed by Maj Terry Kenny.
Mr Norman said: “One reason behind the resurgence in recent years is that although we don’t preclude youngsters we place more focus, than a lot of other bands, on being an adult band made up of older players and people who are returning to music after their families have grown up and their careers have calmed down.
“Four or five of our members played alongside me when I was in my teens and have only recently returned to play in a band.
“We welcome players of any age or standard and currently have three generations of members including a couple of teenagers.”
The concert at St John’s Church was the first time the band had performed with a full set of new music stand banners, which were made by Sonia Price and funded by a donation from Cowes Town Council.

BAND STRIKE UP SUPPORT

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