updated New Years Eve 2010
On Boxing Day at the Ring O’ Bells pub in Marple, 9 entrants took part in the Slow Melody Contest. Resurrected from years gone by, Mark Singleton landlord and The Marple Band Solo Trombone player decided it was about time to start this solo contest again.
The entrants were:
Paul Beetham Eb bass – Nearer mt God to thee,
Mark Singleton Trombone – Angels Guard Thee,
Valerie Langfield Xylophone – Toccata,
Frank Wood Euphonium – Myfanwy,
Peter Hargreaves Horn – Three carols
Phil Woodhouse Horn – Misty
Tom Barnet Trumpet – a piece by Handel
Jim Murray Cornet – Macushla
Chris Knott Soprano – Solitaire
Results were:
1. Mark Singleton
2. Tom Barnet
3. Jim Murray
Many thanks to the adjudicator, Mr. Les Hall
Best under 16 years
1. Tom Barnet
Afterwards the audience were treated to a scratch quartet of Jim, Tom, Phil and Frank.
Joy to the World
updated December 2010
On the 12th day of December, in a bleak mid winters night the band performed their ‘cracker’ of a Christmas Concert held at Marple Con Club.
The Band were in a festive spirit and so was the well attended audience. With obligatory carols sung, festive music played and audience participation compulsory with the ‘Twelve Days of Christmas’!
The soloists on the night were principal cornet Jimmy Murray playing ‘Panis Angelicus’ arranged by our own Mr Peter Hargreaves and a trio of Mark Singleton, Dave Jones and Colin Ingham performing ‘Frolic for Trombones’. Approximately £300 was raised for the band.
Merry Christmas each and everyone from The Marple Band, we thank you for your support and hope to see you in 2011.
Santas Dashed!
updated December 2010
On Sunday 5th December, the band played Christmas Carols at Marple Garden Centre to welcome the Santa Dash runners.
The event was organised by Romiley, Marple and District Lions to raise funds for the ‘Find a Cure for Martha’ - (Kidney Research UK ) appeal. Martha is a young girl who lives locally and suffers from a serious kidney condition known as FSGS. The band was delighted to participate in this event.
Slow Melody Contest
updated December 2010
The Brass Bands of Marple slow melody contest. Collection and raffle in aid of the bandroom building fund. Anyone can join the audience. Only members of The Brass Bands of Marple can enter. 1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes plus special prize for players under 16. The Prize money will be provided by the Ring O' Bells. 1st prize £40, 2nd £20, 3rd £10. There will be a special prize for any player under 16. The contest will be adjudicated by respected Mr. Les Hall. Held in the Ring O’ Bells, starts 5pm on Boxing Day.
Pride in Marple Awards
updated November 2010
The Marple Band were recently playing at the ‘Pride in Marple Awards’ which was organised by Stockport MBC's Marple Area Committee as a way of recognising people in the community who had made an outstanding contribution in some way whether in business, sport, outstanding achievements by young people, volunteer of the year. The band played a short programme of light pieces as entertainment during the evening which was much appreciated by those present. Several Councillors and others said afterwards how much they had enjoyed and appreciated it.
Remembrance Day and Evening Concert
updated November 2010
The Marple Band was honoured to play at the exceptionally well-attended service held in Marple's Memorial Park. We were joined by four musicians from the Royal Marines: three cornet players and an E flat bass. They had visited Marple in support of the family of Corporal Danny Winter who was killed in January 2009 whilst on duty in Afghanistan.
Danny's mother was present at the service and the band extends to her our continuing support, love and admiration. Sebastian Temple's famous hymn - "Make Me a Channel of Your Peace" - was chosen for the service by Reverend McKenna and a new musical arrangement was prepared specially for this occasion.
Remembrance Sunday Charity Concert - The band held a concert in support of "Help for Heroes" and "The Children's Adventure Farm Trust." The Conservative Club in Marple was packed for the occasion and a substantial amount was raised for the charities. The audience included a small contingent of Royal Marines who had visited Marple for the weekend.
Our programme included a new arrangement by Peter Hargreaves for band and singer of Carole Becker-Douglas' composition "The Millennium Prayer for Peace - So Many Lives." Carole came as our guest and sang the song which was very well received by the audience.
Marple Band at the Food Festival
updated October 2010
Building on the success of its Food Drink Festival of the past three years, Marple held an exciting new festival celebrating local culture.
This was an ambitious two week event with a rich mix of arts, performance and heritage, culminating in a Food & Drink Day & Festival Ball.
Saturday 25th September and the Marple band were playing in a cold but sunny Marple Precinct to support the festival. Amongst all the trade stalls of fresh food and offerings such as venison burgers the band played to an audience of shoppers.
Marple Idleburgers Bierkeller Band
updated September 2010
Last weekend saw many players of the Marple Band in disguise as the ‘Marple Idleburgers Bierkeller Band’, with the appearance at the Beer & Wine Festival at Marple Cricket Club.
The Bierkeller Band was fronted by Rudy Messerschmitt and audience participation went well including drinking songs and toasts as well as fun and games! Tunes like Baden Bei Wein, Gruss Aus Innsbruck along with Berliner Luft and YMCA were played.
New Faces and places
updated August 2010
The Band would like to welcome Caroline Andrews on front row – bumper up in fact to Jimmy Murray.
Caroline plays principal cornet for Elmfield Brass, Stockport for the past 20 years or so! Which means Ian Moffett can now move down a seat!
Her profile now online here
The Band are currently looking for 1x Bb Bass, Soprano and back row cornet players. Interested? Contact us here
Chadkirk Festival
updated July 2010
An action packed weekend celebrating Chadkirk Chapel's 14th Annual Festival took place on Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th July 2010.
A summer celebration of music and entertainment set in the idyllic surroundings of Chadkirk Country Estate. A Festival full of tantalising music, singing and dancing, craft stalls and lots of fun and games appealing to all ages. The Band were there along with Falconry Display and Shows, and of course the Worm Charming Competition!
Charity All Star Band – A Cutt above!
updated July 2010
Mr. Garry Cutt took an All Star Band last Sunday afternoon at the Ring O’ Bells Pub in Marple, Cheshire which raised over £850 for two local charities. The charities are The Kidney Foundation Trust and Christies Hospital.
Players from local Championship Section Band Fairey (Geneva) and VBS Poynton, Bollington, Silk Brass, Hazel Grove, Glossop, Hawk Green and The Marple Band, of which supplied the music, stands and percussion helped out to support the cause.
How about this for front row line up: Mike Eccles (flugel at Faireys), Tony Wyatt (principal at Poynton), Will Morley, Martin Davies (principal at Bollington), Les Hall (ex Faireys now front row at Hazel Grove) and Jimmy Murray (principal at Marple) the audience were in for a real treat.
Organised by pub landlord and Marple Bands Solo Trombone player Mr. Mark Singleton, was “over the moon, what a brilliant turnout over 300 people were there!”
The All Star Brass Band were the penultimate in a series of bands appearing at the pub in a Summer Sunday Afternoon Brass Band Concert. These included: The Marple Band; Hawk Green Brass Band and next week the Hazel Grove Brass Band.
What a ‘Pub’ Performance!
updated July 2010
During a sunny afternoon with a hint of rain the band performed at the Ring O Bells pub in Marple. Not that any rain would put us off!
The band put together a great repertoire of some show music, classic brass band pieces and a march. Ah yes, the march, not very often performed by a piccolo player in a brass band! Our piccolo player, the very talented tuned percussionist Cara Lallement did such performance to Sousa’s Stars and Stripes and the audience loved it.
If you missed it you can hear it all again at the Chadkirk Festival, Chadkirk Chapel, Romiley on Sunday 25th July. There will be two sessions for the band: 1pm til 1.30pm and again at 3.15pm.
Picture shows Cara in action during Sousa’s Stars and Stripes
Marple Carnival
updated June 2010
Since it was first held in 1962 the modern Marple Carnival has become a major event in the local calendar. Each year the committee choose a theme for the fancy dress parade and this year it is 'Life Under the Sea'. That gave plenty of scope for the floats and fancy dress and created a fun filled atmosphere on the hot and sunny day!
Morley's Fun Fair, which has been linked with the Carnival for more than forty years, once again returned to provide entertainment in Brabyns Park over the Carnival weekend. There was something for all the family. The show ring provided a variety of entertainment throughout the day, including Punch and Judy, Marching Bands, The Bulldog Display Team, The Billerettes, The Manchester School of Samba and a great selection of brass bands including Marple Band joining forces with Hawk Green (Marple) Band and Mossley Band.
As usual the parade featured a large cross-section of the local community, schools and organisations.
Picture by John Richardson
Whaley Water Weekend
updated June 2010
A hot and sunny day at the canal basin in Whaley Bridge where on show was canalside music, dancing and stalls. Visiting attractions included a huge steam engine, canoes and a fairground on the nearby car park not to mention the meerkats! Many of the friends of the band also enjoyed a free boat trip up the canal.
The Band performed twice, once at 11.30am and again at 1pm. By this time there was a bigger, more appreciative crowd. Soloists on the day were Jimmy Murray, Rachael Ward and Mark Singleton and Frank Wood.
Picture shows Flugel soloist, Rachael Ward
Engagements for 2010
updated June 2010
This year we are hoping to make a number of local appearances including:
- Marple Carnival
- Marple Festival (Food Fair)
- Remembrance Sunday
- Two concerts (April and October) for our Vice Presidents
- An outdoor concert at The Ring 'o Bells
- Concert at the Marple Forces and Social Club
- Chadkirk Festival
New Conductor
updated April 2010
The band is pleased to announce that Bob Wyatt has agreed to take the job of conductor.