We Did a Platinum

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On Sunday afternoon (23rd November 2014) Northampton Concert Band were the very proud winners of a coveted Platinum award at the National Concert Band Festival - Midlands Regional Heat. Which means we are automatically invited to perform at the National event in April 2015 where we hope we can repeat our success.

Stephen Bell is a very proud man indeed as it has been 4 years since NCB won their first Platinum award.

 Here is the photographic evidence and below is the audio recording of the event, with the adjudicators comments as it happened.

The Certificate

The written comments

The score sheet

The recording - with Adjudicators Comments

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Gold award at National Concert Band Festival (Midlands regional) 2013

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Brian Crutchley accepts the award on behalf of the band.
With Wing Commander Duncan Stubbs and Sean O'Neill

On Sunday 17^th November, Northampton Concert Band achieved a Gold award at the National Concert Band Festival midlands regional heat in the Community Wind Band class under the baton of Stephen Bell. On giving the award, Sean O’Neill, one of the adjudicators said, ”You gave a very musical performance, capturing some lovely colours within the band and the energy and excitement of the music”.

Following the event Stephen Bell, musical director, said “The band played magnificently. The energy and musicianship was awesome. The whole band worked very hard for this and it’s good to know how well we’re doing. I’m very proud and it’s a great way to bring 2013 to a close.”

You can see the band perform in their next concert at 7pm, Saturday 7^th December at Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, Kettering Road, Northampton as they perform a selection of Christmas and family favourites in their "Christmas Party" concert featuring Mamma Mia!, Skyfall, Sleigh Ride, Troika, Oliver, Fairy-tale of New York and much more.

Ticket prices: Adult £10, Concession £8, Child £5. As a ‘Thank You’ to all of the audience members who have supported the band this year they’re offering £1 off tickets brought before Sunday 24^th November. Tickets are available online at www.northamptonconcertband.org.uk or by calling 07561 390099.

Northampton Concert Band performing Rush by Samual Hazo

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Free Concert - Friday 15th November - All Welcome

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For the past few years Northampton Concert Band has entered the National Concert Band Festival for which the Midland regional heats take place in Northampton. As part of our preparations for this year's event we are holding an hour long free concert where we will perform our festival pieces as well as preview some of our Christmas programme for the Christmas Party concert in December.

The free concert will be held at the Main Function Hall of the Cripps Recreational Centre (NGH), Cliftonville, Northampton, NN1 5BD at 8pm Friday 15^th November. Entry is limited to first come - first served. A bar is also available.

Parking
Car parking charge near the Cripps Centre is 50p, Follow the signs for 'Car Park 2' and 'Cripps Recreational Centre', The parking meter is near the entrance to the centre.

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Summer Holiday

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St Mary the Virgin church,
Knox Road, Wellingborough: Interior.

The band will be taking a break from rehearsals for the summer after the 20th July until they return in September.

Before we go you can get a final fix for the summer this Saturday 6th July, 7pm at the American Independence concert at St Mary the Virgin, Knox Road, Wellingborough, NN8 1HU. Where Stephen Bell will not only be conducting but he will also be performing with the band. Something that has not been see in over 10 years when Stephen used to play bassoon with Northampton Concert Band before becoming our musical director.

Even the church is well worth the trip. It has a magnificent interior and a powerful acoustic and on a warm sunny evening it has a light and airy feel. There is plenty of parking on site for those who are making longer journeys.

September
When we do return, tanned, well rested and ready for rehearsals to resume, we'll be preparing for the Last Night of The Proms concert at the Holy Sepulchre church, Sheep Street, Northampton.
This concert is always sold out and tickets are already available through the Church of the Holy Sepulchre website www.stseps.org/concertsetc.htm

Platinum Award?
In November the band hope to wow the adjudicators and audience at the National Concert Band Festival midlands regional heat at the Cripps Hall, Northampton on Sunday 17th November.
No doubt our musical choices will be challenging and great fun at the same time and with hard work we'll get a Platinum award again!
More information about this great event can be found here.
www.ncbf.info/regionalevents.aspx?region=MIDLANDS

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