Author Archives: feildingbrass

Covid-19 & March Update

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As you are all aware by now, Covid-19 has taken a hold of the world, and here in New Zealand we are starting to feel the effects.

Ministry of Health – Covid-19

As of last week, all Feilding Brass band events are cancelled until further notice, and band rehearsals have also been suspended until further notice.

In a message from our Musical Director, Carissa Davies, “Considering the current situation it is in the best interests of our players, our families and our community that we do what we can to minimize the risk to our health and wellbeing.
You will of course be kept posted on any changes to this situation – the time frame at this point is unclear.”

As hard as this is for our band and many other bands and musical groups, for the time being home practice is a must to keep you in form.

The last playout our band has had this year so far was on 12th March at the opening night of the 2020 French Film Festival NZ at Event Cinemas in Palmersrton North.

Steve Mackley, Dan Griffiths and Nigel Towers provided music as the guests mix and mingled with each other prior to the first movie starting. It was a great atmosphere where Steve sang “Beyond The Sea” in French. Well done guys.

The band has had 6 events cancelled due to Covid-19. Brass in the Park in Levin was due to be held on Sunday 22 March, The New Zealand Military Tattoo was due to be held on Saturday 4 April, 3 ANZAC Day services on 25 April and Feilding Festival of Bands which was due to be held on Sunday 7 June 2020.

With the government announcing indoor and outdoor restrictions on gatherings, the call was made for the sake of public health and safety that these events will not go ahead.

The senior band and training band have also made the call to suspend all rehearsals for the time being.

As ANZAC Day services have been cancelled this year, the public are being encouraged to stand at dawn at 6am at the end of your own driveway for a minutes silence.

A few individual members from the band will be playing The Last Post on their respective instruments at the end of their driveways on ANZAC Day.

Together, we will remember them.

 

Feilding Brass AGM 2020

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Feilding Brass Band is having its Annual General Meeting on Wednesday 25th March 2020 at 9.00pm after our rehearsal, at the Feilding Brass Bandroom in Council Place, Feilding.

Are you a friend of the band?

Related to a playing member?

Have you been to any of our concerts?

Are you interested in how a brass band operates, behind the scenes?

Are you a leader? Communicator? Team player?

Would you like to get involved with a community orientated group of brass band people?

Come along to our AGM, find out about us and maybe be part of our future.

For any inquires email feildingbrass@gmail.com

March Melodies

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In This Update…

Feilding Brass started up 2020 with their first rehearsal for the year on February 5th, with a musical view of greatness happening this year with Carissa Davies once again leading the band.

A trio of Feilding Brass players will be providing “Live” music in the lead up to the opening of the 2020 French Film Festival NZ at Event Cinemas in Palmerston North on 12 March 2020 from 7.30pm. Look out for photos in the next update.

Venez soutenir cet événement génial et profitez de la musique et d’un film.

It’s sure to be a cracker of an evening.

On Sunday 22nd of March 2020, Feilding Brass will join in once again with the host Levin & District Brass as they present Brass In The Park at Levin Adventure Park.

This is the bands first engagement for the year and will set the scene for the rest of 2020. Feilding Brass will take the stage at around 12.30pm. There will be 2 other bands performing as well. Look forward to seeing you there.

The first of two big events in 2020 for Feilding Brass, is being a part of the New Zealand Military Tattoo which is being held in Palmerston North.

Feilding Brass will be amongst 4 other civilian brass bands as part of the massed bands and pipers during the performance. Music for the event was handed out on Wednesday nights rehearsal and its fair to say that the band will be working hard to help create a fantastic show.

You can get tickets for the event by clicking the link:  NZ Military Tattoo 2020

Feilding Training Brass started their first rehearsal on February 10th under the leadership of Catherine Duxfield, with 2 new players joining the band, along with 2 senior members who help out, playing different instruments for the first time from what they normally play in the senior band.

So it goes to show that you are never too old or even experienced, to learn a new instrument and give yourself a new challenge.

Until next time…

For all your building needs, contact Mike on 0210 542 867.

Happy New Year 2020

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A very happy new year to you all from Feilding Brass.

2020 is a very big year for Feilding Brass as we have 2 very big events amongst our other events coming up this year. One being the New Zealand Military Tattoo being held in Palmerston North on Saturday 4th April 2020 and the 25th Feilding Festival of Bands being held at the Feilding Civic Centre on Sunday 7th June 2020.

The year has started as it always does with music sorting just this Wednesday night with many band members coming along getting last years music filed and tidied up and back where it hibernates until needed once again. Thank you to all who helped out.

Wednesday 5th January 2020 sees the bands first rehearsal for the year, and I can guarantee by the end of 2 hours there will be a few rubber lips.

Probably the only person who won’t, will be Euphonium player Michael Ashdown, who has been on tour with the National Youth Brass Band of New Zealand, in the South Island over our summer holidays.

Sitting in the 3rd Euphonium seat, Michael has worked very hard to get to this stage, and Feilding Brass are very proud of his achievements. To see them in action, a recent concert was filmed live on Facebook. To view it, Click here.

During the break, our resident painter/decorator, Stephen Lawton has been a very busy lad sprucing up the bandroom. With a fresh coat of white on the walls and blue on the doors. It looks amazing Steve, thank you.

As the band continues to find ways to fundraise, we are once again doing our firewood fundraiser. If you need wood for the winter and want to support Feilding Brass, or you would like to support the band in any way please email our band secretary at feildingbrass@gmail.com .

Feilding Brass Training Band kicks into gear as well, on Monday 10th February 2020 at 5.30pm. We look forward to another year under the leadership of Catherine Duxfield.

 

And to finish off our first update for 2020, do you recognise these characters?

If you do, don’t let them in the bandroom. Happy New Year to you all.

You can contact Feilding Brass via:

feildingbrass@gmail.com
P.O. Box 158 Feilding
027 357 9194

Seasons Greetings

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Hello and welcome to the December 2019 E-Newsletter from Feilding Brass.

Monday December 2nd at 7pm at the Feilding Brass bandroom, saw the End of Year Concert performed by the Feilding Brass Training Band, lead by Conductor and Tutor, Catherine Duxfield.

The band has been practicing all year, and with the help from a few senior band band members was able to show family and friends, what they have been up to during 2019.

Click on Gallery for more photos.

It is due to the hard work behind the scenes that enables Catherine to do what she does so well with the training band, and we all appreciate what she does with the learners.

Training Band is on Christmas break and will start up again on Monday 10th February 2020 at 5pm at the Feilding Brass Bandroom in Council Place, Feilding.

If you would like to know more about the Training Band, or would like your child or even yourself to learn an instrument please contact Catherine on 027 261 2929.

December is always a busy time for Feilding Brass as we get into all the Christmas events right up until the big day that Santa visits.

A small group of players from the band went to Melody’s New World in Palmerston North and played Christmas carols for 3 hours to shoppers as they did their holiday grocery shopping. A good time had by all.

With Christmas, comes parades and this year some members of Feilding Brass helped out our fellow bands people in Danniverke and Levin with their parades as well as our own parades that we do in Ashhurst and of course Feilding.

Its times like these that small town bands come together and help each other out for their respective towns as they help us out, and it really is a great thing to see all our communities coming together and supporting each other.

Dannevirke Xmas Parade

Ashhurst Xmas Parade

Levin Xmas Parade

Feilding Xmas Parade

Our very last playout for the year was the Feilding Carols by Candlelight which was held at the Feilding Civic Centre on Sunday 22nd December 2019, where the band did a 30 minute mini concert at 7pm. Then Christmas carols began at 7.30pm  which all the children, young and old thoroughly enjoyed.

For more photos of our Xmas events, click on Gallery.

As the year comes to an end, Feilding Brass would like to thank everyone who has supported us during the year. Our wonderful audiences who keep coming back for more, and our sponsors who have helped us attend events. Most of all, we would like to thank our MD Carissa Davies for all her behind the scenes organising that she does for the band. A band is not a great band, without its leader and we appreciate all you do.

Feilding Brass rehearsing with the choir, prior to Feilding Carols by Candlelight.

Feilding Brass starts back up again on Wednesday 5th February 2020 at 7.30pm at the bandroom. If you would like more information about our band or would like to join, you can contact us via the details below. Or click on the Facebook icon and send us a message.

We hope you all have had an enjoyable Christmas, and look forward to seeing you in the new year. Thank you for your support.

You can contact Feilding Brass via:

feildingbrass@gmail.com
P.O. Box 158 Feilding
027 357 9194

Singing With The Band

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Hello and welcome to the November 2019 E-Letter from Feilding Brass.

Sunday afternoon it was, the band was due to play.

A bit of a dreary Sunday, but people came anyway.

In the Feilding Civic Centre, where Carissa led the band.

A concert called “Sing & Toot”. It really would be grand.

Starting off the concert, we played the famous “Ticket To Ride”.

And Nadia played the solo “I’m Yours”, on her very musical slide.

We also had a sing-a-long, with the audience taking part.

Good old songs from yesterday. They were singing from the heart.

Our special guest artist Erna, sang her little set

With such amazing talent, a performance not to forget.

She graced us with her presence, in the second half as well

Once again with her vocals, and a musical tale to tell.

In the midst of the second half, a new soloist this time.

Michael played “Benedictus”. A beautiful tune of all time.

Another chance for a sing-a-long. Who could so no.

“It’s A Long Way To Tipperary, It’s a long way to go…”

“Deep Inside The Sacred Temple”, a duet for E Flat bass.

Played by Keenan and Nigel. Such beauty and grace.
(The music, that is).

To end our amazing concert, Sir Duke echoed the hall.

Thank you to our audience and our sponsors.

Thank you one and all.

Feilding Brass would also like to acknowledge long service awards this year to band members Terry Lowe, Karen Willis and Murray Coffey who all got 25 year service awards, presented to them by the Manawatu district Mayor Helen Worboys.

Please click on Gallery to see these and more photos from our Sing & Toot concert, taken by photographer Jarod Carruthers.

On Monday 2nd December 2019 at 7pm at the Feilding Brass Bandroom, our Training Band led by Catherine Duxfield is having their end of year concert. Come along and see what they have been up to during this year, and have a chat with Catherine.

Coming up in December the band is once again in full Christmas swing with parades in Dannevirke, Ashhurst, Levin and Feilding. As well as Carols by Candlelight in Feilding.

Hope to see you at one of them.

Training Band End Of Year Concert 2019

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On Monday, 2nd December 2019, at 7pm at the Feilding Brass bandroom, Feilding Brass Training Band are having their end of year concert lead by tutor / conductor Catherine Duxfield.

Come along and see what they have been up to, have a chat with Catherine about placings for next year for your child or even yourself to join a family friendly, Feilding friendly training brass band.

Feilding Brass in Concert

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Hello and welcome to the October 2019 E-Letter from Feilding Brass.

Coming up on Sunday 10th November 2019 at 2.30pm at the Feilding Civic Centre, Feilding Brass are having its end of year concert, which this year has Erna Ferry as our guest artist.

Erna Ferry is based in the lower North Island and performs regularly in the Hawkes Bay to Wellington area. Amongst her many musical achievements she has recorded the album “Devil May Care” with the 21 piece Roger Fox Big Band. We look forward to hearing her sing.

Also during our concert, we have a couple of segments where the audience gets to have a sing-a-long with the band, which I am sure everyone will enjoy. There will be a little something for everyone as the concert will feature a couple of soloists and a duet.

Firewood Fundraiser

Feilding Brass has been busy with its Firewood Fundraiser and we have all been mucking in to chop and stack firewood ready for delivery.

If you are after some Pine firewood for next year and would like to support Feilding Brass, go to our Facebook page and send us a message and we will put you in contact with the right person to talk to.

Oktoberfest 2019

October wouldn’t be October without Oktoberfest, and this year Feilding Brass was asked once again to play at the Palmerston North Cosmopolitan Club Oktoberfest.

Big thanks to Stephen Lawton for helping to arrange it, Catherine Duxfield for taking the band and compare Steve Mackley for once again doing an outstanding job. Looking forward to doing it all again next year.

Leisure Marchers

Coming up on Saturday 16th November at Feilding Civic Centre stadium, Feilding Brass will be providing marching in music for Step ‘n Thyme Leisure Marching Display Day, which is going to be spectacular one again.

Feilding Brass Training Band

Feilding Brass Training Band, under the guidance of conductor / tutor Catherine Duxfield have been practicing very hard this year, and will be having their end of year concert on Monday 2nd December 2019 at 7pm at the Feilding Brass Bandroom.

Please do come along and support our learners young and old. If you would like more information about Training Band, please contact Catherine Duxfield on 027 261 2929.

And Finally…

Christmas will be here in no time, so that means parades and carols. Feilding Brass will be very busy in December with Christmas Parades in Danniverke, Levin, Ashhurst and our very own Feilding Carnival Day & Christmas Parade, with carols a week later. Hope to see you there.

Firewood Fundraiser

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Hello and welcome to the September E-letter from Feilding Brass.

Always looking for new ways to fundraise for instruments, music, contesting and general upkeep, Feilding Brass have embarked on a Firewood Fundraiser.

The wood is Pine and the cost is $80 – Wet or $100 – Dry (per cube). At the moment the wood is still wet so will need to dry. Contact details and more info to come soon.

On Saturday band members and supporters got together and went out and chopped wood for around 3 hours with light rain on and off, but it didn’t deter us from getting the job done and making a start to this fundraiser.

For more photos click on Gallery.

On Saturday 31 August and Sunday 1st September 2019, Feilding Brass participated in the Central Districts Brass Band regional contest in Palmerston North at the Speirs Centre, Palmerston North Boys High School.

Overall we came 3rd out of all the district bands that competed this year. We were the only band in section 2, and we did ourselves and Feilding very proud, with the great leadership of Carissa Davies and the great sound that our band produced. A mention must go to our soloist Nadia Duxfield on trombone who gave a wonderful rendition of “I’m Yours” which gave her 2nd= place overall at this contest. Well done. It was a real team effort from the band.

Coming up on Saturday 12th October 2019, Feilding Brass is performing at Oktoberfest being held at the Palmerston North Cosmopolitan Club at 7.30pm. A night which is due to get ya toes tapping with a lot of oompah pah. Come along.

And finally, on Sunday 10th November at 2.30pm at the Feilding Civic Centre, Aorangi Street Feilding, Feilding Brass will have its end of year concert – Sing & Toot featuring Manawatu’s very own Erna Ferry.

Check back on our website, Facebook or Eventfinda for pricing etc.

This is going to be a wonderful afternoon of music where everyone can sing along.

See you there.

You can contact Feilding Brass via:

feildingbrass@gmail.com
P.O. Box 158 Feilding
027 357 9194

or send us a message on our Facebook page.

Congratulations Michael Ashdown

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Hello and welcome to the August E-letter from Feilding Brass.

Earlier this month, Feilding Brass Euphonium player Michael Ashdown has been selected in the 2020 National Youth Brass Band of New Zealand. Mike is a very accomplished musician and is a valued band member. As a Feilding Brass member, the band is very proud of you and look forward to seeing and hearing you play next year. Details to come at a later stage of where the  National Youth Brass Band of New Zealand will be performing. Well done Mike.

Just over a month ago the band came back from competing in the 2019 National Brass Band Championships in Hamilton where we came a very respectable 4th in the C Grade competition. There is rest for us at the moment.

Coming up this weekend, 31st August & 1st September is the Central Districts Brass Band contest being held this year in Palmerston North. The venue for both days is at Speirs Centre, Palmerston North Boys High School starting at 10.45am on the Saturday with Solos & Party events, and on the Sunday starting at 9am with the Band events.

The band is once again in contesting mode and Musical Director Carissa Davies is keeping her eye on the prize and making sure we are on target for another musical competition. As with any musical group, it takes a great leader to lead a group of people like us, but with our best foot forward with her guidance, we will prosper.

There will be 6 bands competing this weekend and we look forward to seeing you there.

As the band moves forward and the years roll on, we sometimes can forget about our past and the many smiling faces that made up the band and shaped us into what we are now. Some have moved on to different things, greater things and some have passed away. In the photo above, there are only two members that are still in the band today which goes to show how far we have come with the new faces that have joined us over the years and enhanced our band with their sound and knowledge. The question is…..which two?

How many in the photo do you recognise?

“Copper instruments make the symphony sounds, so much better than brass.
Copper is a much better conductor.”