NEWS
23 February 2024
CCB is back and rehearsing in preparation for an exciting range of concerts in 2024. The first is our teatime concert on Sunday 28 April, where we will present a programme of American music.
3 December 2023
Christmas is nearly here, and Chiltern Concert Band have been busy rehearsing for their annual Christmas concert to be held on Saturday 9 December at St Mary’s Church Beaconsfield at 7pm.
Under the directorship of Chris I'Anson, CCB will be joined by the Vocus and Vocalise choirs from Chiltern Music Academy in a Christmas extravaganza of Christmas classics and festive film favourites. Come and enjoy an evening of musical celebration to kick-start your Christmas. Tickets are available on the door.
20 September 2023
On Saturday 17 June 2023, Chiltern Concert Band were invited to play in Little Marlow as part of a charity picnic event organised by the church in Little Marlow - ‘Music at the Manor’. In the sunshine and set in the manor's beautiful gardens next to the river, CCB performed two sets of light music, sandwiching an energetic performance by local choir, Jam Theatre Show Choir.
The afternoon was a success raising significant funds for the church and the One Can Trust charity. Friends, families and local supporters, while enjoying their picnics and prosecco, were treated to a full afternoon of enjoyable musical entertainment.
On Saturday 14 October 2023, Chiltern Concert Band will be performing at Holy Trinity Church, Hazlemere at 7pm. Come and enjoy a 'Night at the Movies' concert featuring well-known film music from Charlie Chaplin to the ‘Magnificent Seven’ via musical tributes to the cinematic genius of Steven Spielberg and film music of John Williams. Tickets may be purchased on the door.
17 April 2023
Having been awarded platinum in the regional rounds, Chiltern Concert Band were delighted to be invited to participate in the finals of the NCBF (National Concert Band Festival) on Sunday 16 April 2023, held at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester.
The day was outstanding! Well worth the early start from High Wycombe and lengthy coach journey to Manchester. Playing four pieces ('Invicta' - Duncan Stubbs, 'Whispers from Beyond' - Galante, 'Dick's Maggot' (from Suite of English Folk Dances ) - Tomlinson and 'Freylachs' (from Yiddish Dances - Adam Gorb), our performance was truly one of our best ever and judged platinum once more.
An enjoyable day was had by all, not just participating but being immersed in a day of quality concert 'banding', listening to other bands playing to a very high standard, discovering new concert band repertoire, and being stunned and amazed by the Band of the RAF College demonstrating their extraordinary musical talents.
Mention must also be made of another local concert band who was also invited to play in the finals in Manchester - Chiltern Music Academy. This group of young, school age musicians played with enthusiasm and finesse and were also awarded platinum. Well done!
12 November 2022
Chiltern Concert Band took part in the NCBF (National Concert Band Festival) regional rounds on Saturday 12 November at Watford Grammar School.
Performing a varied programme, the band gave an exceptional performance judged 'a focused and musical performance' worthy of the highest award – PLATINUM!
19 October 2022
Our 40th anniversary concert in Hazlemere on Saturday was a fitting celebration of our history and musical breadth. It also included some audience participation and some unexpected dressing up!
Thank you to our guest conductors (and performers) Claire and Chris, and to our enthusiastic audience for helping us to mark the occasion in style.
1 October 2022
On Saturday 15 October, the band will celebrate 40 years of music making by playing in their 40th Anniversary Concert. Come and enjoy the celebrations with a varied programme to include favourites like '76 trombones', 'Tea for two', film music by Morricone, the beautiful 'Schindler's List' plus some Philip Sparke and Martin Ellerby concert band classics, all under the expert directorship of CCB conductors past and present.
The concert is being held at Hazlemere Trinity Church, Hazlemere with 'baton down' at 6.30pm. Tickets are available on the door, and doors open at 5.45pm so you may enjoy a pre-concert glass of wine and anniversary cake.
On Saturday 12 November CCB will be once again participating in the NCBF London Regional Festival. Playing in Watford, the band is hoping to repeat its platinum performance achieved in 2019.
The CCB annual Christmas concert is planned for Saturday 10 December, but this is to be confirmed. Detail to follow.
27 June 2022
On Sunday 26 June CCB played on the Alexandra Gardens bandstand in Windsor to rapturous applause from friends, family and all those out for an afternoon stroll through the park in the sunshine. The first time CCB has played on a bandstand in many years, the afternoon was enjoyed by all, declared a great success and a gig to be repeated next year.
25 April 2022
On Friday 22 April CCB were asked to participate in a 'Concert for Ukraine' held at All Saints Parish Church, High Wycombe. With little notice, the band pulled together to give a splendid performance alongside several professional soloists and other local musicians. Tickets were free, but the concert was a huge success raising £3500 from generous audience donations.
Read the news article in Bucks Free Press.
29 July 2021
It was so good to see so many band members on 3 July at our first event in many months. We have now confirmed our Autumn Term 2021 rehearsal schedule and will hopefully announce some performance dates soon.
4 June 2021
There hasn't been very much news to report lately! We're planning an in-person meet-up to play and socialise on 3 July, which we're very much looking forward to. We'll post again when regular rehearsals and public performances begin again.
14 November 2020
Based on the available guidance, and the recent Lockdown 2.0, we have not started up our activities again this year. We are hopeful, however, that following a very successful trial run by the Chiltern Music Academy at RGS, we can restart in the new year.
16 March 2020
We regrettably advise that we have cancelled our next two concerts, and our rehearsals for the rest of this term. We will let you about plans after Easter.
8 November 2019
On Sunday 3 November, we participated in the London regional section of the National Concert Band Festival, at Kneller Hall.
We are delighted to say that we won a platinum award, and that our percussion section won a special award for their contribution.
Thank you to the very supportive and encouraging adjudicators, to Duncan for preparing us so well, and to the committee for all their work towards this milestone.
8 September 2019
We're getting ready to start rehearsals for the upcoming academic year under the leadership of our new Chairman, Mr Richard Medhurst. Our grateful thanks to Martin for his many years of steady chairmanship.
We hope to see you soon at a concert. Details will be shared as soon as they are available.
17 December 2018
We had an excellent audience at our 8 December concert in Little Marlow. Their percussion skills were particularly impressive. The music was festive, and there were lots of mince pies, good cheer and sleigh bells. The concert raised over £500.
20 October 2018
In June, we said a fond farewell to our conductor Claire Lawrence, who has moved on to new challenges. We'd like to thank Claire sincerely for her hard work, dedication, and unswerving professionalism over the last five years.
Our long-awaited return concert at Dinton Church on 13 October marked our first outing with our new conductor, Duncan Stubbs. We were again warmly welcomed by the Dinton community, and very well looked after. The concert featured music from both world wars, and Matthew Little's vocal numbers set a rousing mood. The concert raised £1343.50 for church funds.
8 July 2018
The Downley School Summer Fayre on 9 June was well attended, despite the heavy skies, and the band contributed to the outdoor festival atmosphere.
The decision was made one song early to pack up due to a few spots of rain - and the heavens opened soon after, sending Jonathan and Simon scuttling with the percussion. Many thanks to Paul Speed for his direction.
11 March 2018
Our concert on 10 March in Marlow was a great success. Special thanks for Chris I'Anson for his direction, and to Grant for his fantastic solo.
12 December 2017
We had a small but enthusiastic audience for our concert in Beaconsfield on 9 December - their carol singing was particularly good, though. Our concert featured plenty of Christmas fare, as well as features from the trombone and saxophone sections.
The concert was in aid of New Generation, Burundi – a worthy charitable cause – and we raised almost £560 towards it. Our thanks to Chris and other church members for looking after us so well.
22 July 2017
Our two brackets in the grounds of the Manor House in Little Marlow on 10 June were lots of fun - like a mini festival - but we wish that the wind had left us alone (pegs ahoy)! Thanks to Paul Speed for conducting us.
Our final performance of the year at the Rebellion Brewery on 16 July was excellent - we had an appreciative audience, and a fine group of guest musicians who really boosted our sound. Thank you! Scannappeal have been in touch to say a huge thank you, and that the weekend raised around £64,000 for their charity.
9 April 2017
Our concert at Marlow Parish Church on 18 March was well received, and we particularly enjoyed performing in a sympathetic acoustic!
3 January 2017
Happy new year! Despite the weather, our concert in Dinton was very well attended and received, and raised a very healthy £1400 towards restoring the beautiful church organ. Thank you to the people of Dinton for such a warm welcome.
10 November 2016
We are working hard in preparation for our concert this Saturday in Hazlemere. Hope to see you there.
18 September 2016
After our summer break, we are getting ready for our first rehearsal of the year at RGS on Monday 26 September. There is the possibility of an additional mid-term concert, so please watch this space!
26 April 2016
We were very proud of our performance at the National Concert Band Festival in Manchester on Sunday 10 April, and we received lots of positive feedback from colleagues who thoroughly enjoyed it. Unfortunately we missed out on receiving a platinum award on this occasion.
29 February 2016
Our concert at St John the Baptist Church in Little Marlow on Saturday 27 February was very warmly received. £225 was raised for the Salvation Army and another £225 for church funds. The church is already looking forward to a return performance by the band next year.
6 December 2015
On Sunday, 6 December 2015, the band took part in the London regional event of the National Concert Band Festival. The adjudicators were very enthusiastic about our performance, and we are proud to announce that we received a platinum award, achieving platinum status in all but two of the nineteen award criteria.
This gives us an automatic invitation to take part in the NCBF finals in Manchester in April 2016.