Report from the Rotary Club Christmas Concert

Sat 21 Dec 2024

Here is a report from the Congleton Rotary Club's Christmas concert:

"Rotary's popular Christmas Concert always sets the mood for the season.It was so nearly a complete sell-out performance with only a very few empty seats and the music of Silk Brass and the Eaton Bank Encore Choir delighting the audience.

The Mayor Cllr. Kay Wesley and her consort were guests of Rotary president Ian Robinson, together with Eaton Bank head Mr Ed O'Neil and Marton & District Primary school headteacher Mrs Nevin Deakin.

They heard the Eaton Bank Encore Choir, led by music teachers Sophie Walker and Chloe Travis showcase a programme of seasonal favourites. One of their Year 9 students, Isobel, featured on BBC Children in Need recently as a beneficiary through the Deafness and Sensory Network. Isobel is promoting BSL throughout the school and signed the choir's performance throughout the Concert.

Silk Brass performed to their usual high standard under their charismatic leader Tony Wyatt with a full programme that included 'Frosty the Snowman', Deck the Halls' and a medley of Christmas favourites.

After the interval, the band returned wearing appropriate Christmas headgear and rose to the occasion, with Tony Wyatt stirring the audience into action. They swayed in time and cheered to the 'Schneewaltzer' and sections of the audience, directed by band leader Tony Wyatt sang parts in the Twelve Days of Christmas. The Band duly obliged in their turn, standing with a resounding chorus of '5 Gold Rings'.

Compere Rtn. Rod Goodier thanked the choir and the musicians and made presentations to Sophie Walker and Chloe Travis and also Tony Wyatt.

The concert concluded with the band and choir singing 'Jingle Bells' and were not allowed home until they performed on last and even more seasonal encore."

Remembrance Weekend

Fri 06 Dec 2024

The band were proud to be a part of the nation's Remembrance celebrations once again this year.

On the Saturday, a Concert of Remembrance was held in St Michael's Church in Macclesfield, performing a mix of music, all fitting the occasion.
Then on Sunday morning, the band led the parade as dignitaries, members and veterans of the armed forces and services, alongside the Macclesfield public paid their respects at Macclesfield Cenetaph. 

Prize Winners at NEMBBA contest

Fri 06 Dec 2024

The band took part in the NEMBBA contest on 3rd November.
Playing Diadem of Gold by George Bailey, the band were on great form and the adjudicator David Ashworth awarded the band 2nd place on a very tricky test piece.
Soprano cornet player Adrian Horn also came away with the Best Instrumentalist Award for the day.

Youth and Experience Combine

Sun 30 Jun 2024

A truly fantastic night of music making from the combined forces of the remarkable talents of Macclesfield Youth Brass Band and the experienced Silk Brass Band. The first half featured individual performances from both bands, with a particular highlight being the wonderful cornet playing of MYBBs Principal Cornet Luke Broadrick in a magnificent performance of Napoli.

In the second half, the bands took to the stage together for an extravanganza of 'Music from the Movies' including music from:

ET
The Greatest Showman
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Grease
The Muppets
Jurassic Park
Hairspray
& Sister Act

A superb evening of entertainment, lapped up by a packed out audience.

Watch videos of the joint performances using the following YouTube Playlist link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzblKo0cACI&list=PLdMmLCETsFfvVWjgZ60ZDt9x4iRIRPgX0 

Midnight Finish on Whit Friday

Wed 29 May 2024

Another fantastic Whit Friday evening for Silk Brass. Visiting an amazing 11 venues across Tameside and Saddleworth the band managed to secure  'Best 1st Section' prizes at four venues:

Grotton (Saddleworth)
Scouthead (Saddleworth)
Heyrod (Tameside)
Carrbrook (Tameside) - (6th place overall at Carrbrook!)

We were also fortunate to be the last band on at probably the most picturesque venue, Dobcross, (see photo) where we had the honour of also playing their village hymn St Clements at midnight, with the crowds joining in in find voice!

You can watch our performance of 'Mephistopheles' at Dobcross via the YouTube link below.

Magical Brass and Voices Concert

Sun 12 May 2024

A fantastic concert was held last night in St Michael's Church, Macclesfield, last night featuring the mighty sound of Silk Brass and the superb singing of the combined forces of Magic Voices Congleton, Magic Voices Cheadle and Magic Voices Macclesfield.

The band presented a mixture of musical styles, and also featured two of our newest players, Alice Moffat and Macey Wareing, performing for the first time at the front of the band with Delibes' Flower Duet. The Choir also gave a great mix of music and we rounded off the evening with a joint performance of Hymn to the Falllen, and, with the help of the audience, a Tom Jones Medley!