LSA Brass Band

Winter Report 2008/9

Since my last report in Onlooker issue 71, the band has played at just one engagement.  This was in November for the laying up of the Colours Ceremony for one of the oldest Boys' Brigade Companies in Great Britain, the 6th London Company.

This was a very sad occasion but we were honored to be invited to play a part in signifying the end of an era, which spanned 119 years.  We were also delighted that our recently retired conductor, Reg Moss, agreed to conduct the band for one last time out of respect for the ‘Sixes'.

Following this the band had a much-deserved winter break after performing at Trafalgar Square, Wesley's, Chatham, Brighton, Royal Hospital Chelsea, Wesley's again and Bayswater in 2008.  We were also represented in Birmingham at the AGM and Church Service for the National BB Brass Band Association.

We have just held our first rehearsal of 2009 and signs are encouraging for a busy period ahead.

The main problem for the band is to find replacements for our Conductor and our 1st Euphonium player, Bernard Hammond.

We are very fortunate to include in the band a number of musicians who are capable of playing instruments other than their main instrument and, fortunately, one of them, Dennis Hawkes, is also capable and able to conduct the Band.

Dennis put the band through its paces at the first practice session and is willing to take on the job permanently but he also happens to be our only Euphonium player at the moment!  So if there is another Euphonium player out there please get in touch with me as your services are desperately needed!

I am delighted to report that for the first time, we are entering two categories in the National BB Brass Band Association's Music Festival to be held at The Methodist Church, Chandlers Ford, Hants, on Saturday March 28th.  We are entering the brass trio section and also the ensemble section (up to ten musicians).  If you are free that day why not come along to support both the current and former members of the BB and GB and have an excellent day out.

Our next engagement is at Wesley's Chapel for the LSA AGM on Saturday April 18th where we will give a short Concert and play at the Service. 

Terry Roper
Brass Band Co-Coordinator
Email: eastsurrey@hotmail.com
and  lsabrassband@hotmail.com