Band News

The band is looking forward to the Areas on March 15, where it will be competing in the first section with James Cook - Circumnavigator.

This has been written by Rebecca Mason - we're in the middle of tansfering responsibility to the website as I moved to Oxfordshire to start a new job in June and am no longer able to maintain this site. Please accept my apologies for not having kept the site updated during the period of moving - I have only just got back on line!

2007 was a challenging year for Soham Comrades. In March, after 8 years in the top flight, SCB were unfortunately relegated from Championship section following a poor result at the Area. This along with the loss of some players was a big disappointment for the band. However, the remaining team have rallied round, with a determination to rebuild and return to the top flight. This commenced with the appointment of Graham Sheldon as Musical Director in September. Graham has worked the band hard from the start developing an exciting and challenging concert programme. The year ended well with some new and returning members Simon Anker, Sara Rose, Steve Stokes, David Minchin, a twinning concert (Soham Band with the Andrezieux-Boutheon Choir) in November and a well supported Christmas Concert in December.

It's been an age since I wrote anything so sorry to any regular readers who have been waiting with baited breath for an update of Soham bandroom activities! I have to confess it has not been for want of things to write ...

The end of 2006 saw us disappointed with a poor result at Pontins but with the feeling the band had played well together. That was followed by a very successful Christmas concert in Soham and the traditional series of carol playing, this year mainly in Ely. The band are very much indebted to Robin Norman for taking over the job of musical director over the Autumn. Despite his commitment to rehearsals in Ipswich two nights a week, he was able to conduct our rehearsals and fit in our concerts. I think our debt must extend to his family too!

At our Christmas concert it was also lovely to see the Richard and Peggy Hillman trophy for Player of the Year awarded to Rachel Aves. This was a delayed presentation and is in recognition of her hard work organising the band in 2005-2006.

The new year has seen the arrival of Issiah 40 to the bandroom to provide a selection of new challenges for all of us. It was a great pleasure for the band to be able to welcome Paul Filby back as musical director for the forthcoming Area. It is also that time of year when the bandroom is full of discussion of players and it has been lovely to welcome (or welcome back in some cases) Jamie Clay on solo cornet, James Birnes on repiano cornet, Sandra Birnes on 2nd horn and Kathleen Armsby on 2nd baritone and Jonathan Heeley on bass trombone. It's also been great to see a couple of players move round the bandroom - Sarah Smith has moved from euphonium to Eb bass and Matt Ralph has now established himself on 2nd trombone. I think the whole band has noticed what a difference they have made to the band!

Finally, I have moved all the band news from last year in to the News Archive so do take a look if you want to see what the band got up to in 2006!

© Soham Comrades Band 2007