2012 News

        
February 2012 - Exam Success

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Congratulations to the following for passing their Trinity Guildhall Examination at Seaham Music Academy:

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Jonathon Peart - Grade 5 Saxophone with a Merit
Lynne Dakers - Grade 7  Flute with a Merit
Abbie Stewart - Grade 3 Cornet with a Merit Abbie has also recently passed ABRSM Grade 2 Singing with a Merit.

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Summer 2012 - Concerts

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-Beamish Museum - Summer 2012 
-Amphitheatre, South Shields - Summer 2012
-Joint Concert with Chester-Le-Street C.E Junior School Choir - This is the sixth year NECB has been invited to perform in a Joint Concert with Chester-Le-Street C E Junior School Choir. This year the concert was in aid  of The British Heart Foundation and again was very Successful.

November 2012 - Rehearsals have started for a very busy Christmas Season

18th November 2012 - A very cold November afternoon at Beamish Museum for half of the North East Concert Band playing Christmas Carols for the start of the Museums Christmas Season. Although a very cold afternoon, the atmosphere in the museum was loverly. Mr Battler M Britton had a spell at the conducting to get warmed through giving Ian a chance to have a blow.

On the afternoon of Sunday 25th November 2012, the band played carols and Christmas music in Dobbies Garden Centre, Birtley. The ensemble, slightly reduced in number and without percussion nevertheless produced a well-balanced sound, well- matched to the surroundings. One member (who shall remain nameless) was allegedly seen entering Santa's grotto during the interval with a list! by R Peggio

The first weekend of December 2012 saw the band playing at Christmas Markets in two interesting North East locations – Gibside and Beamish Museum .
On Saturday 1st at midday, a reduced band (the reeds section comprising a bassoon and a tenor saxophone) played extremely well in very cold conditions. Special thanks must go to band chairman, Alan Gray who performed the not inconsiderable feat of conducting and playing the trombone, occasionally at the same time! Giving Ian the chance to have a blow!
On Sunday 2nd, a larger ensemble played two one-hour sessions in the bandstand in the park at Beamish Museum and band members again showed their versatility with two saxophonists, Janice and Battler, changing to clarinet and flugelhorn, respectively, and George changing from bass to trumpet in order to effect a more balanced sound, which was certainly the case. A good time and partial hypothermia was had by all! by R. Peggio