Concerts – 1st Class Brass

Summer Season 2026

Anne Ruddock — Sun, 16 Aug 2026 17:05:05 +0000

The band started their summer season back in May playing for the residents and their families at Alderwood Care Home in Colchester.

The weather was glorious and the choice of music was much appreciated.

The following month saw the band return to Blomfield House Care Home, part of Colonia Court in Colchester. The band has played at Blomfield House for several years, both in the summer and at Christmas so it was lovely to see some familiar faces amongst the residents.

As has become tradition over the last few years, the last rehearsal of the academic year was the “summer shirt” rehearsal followed by pizza and board games. After working really hard in the rehearsal (in quite warm temperatures!) the band enjoyed socialising and playing board games to round off the academic year.

On the 10th July the band held their Summer Concert at St John’s and Highwoods Community Centre.

The band played a varied programme of music, ranging from a piece by Handel to a tuba solo called “Little Ted’s Tuba” plus music from stage and screen.

Our annual awards were also presented at the concert. Congratulations to:

Bandsperson of the Year – Lillian

Player of the Year – Orla

John Kaley Special Recognition Award – River

Most Improved Player – Bethany

Best Attendance – Lillian

Summer Term Star Player – James

The band finished their summer season on 1st August, holding their Summer Workshop at St John’s and Highwoods Community Centre.

The workshop was open to all brass players, regardless of age or experience and a great range of music was played. There was also time during the day to work in teams on a quiz and a game, before performing the pieces the band had learnt to family and friends at the end of the day.

The band is now on a break until rehearsals restart on 11th September.

Christmas Season 2025

Anne Ruddock — Sat, 07 Feb 2026 14:02:05 +0000

The band had a busy Christmas season performing at their own Christmas Concert, Wivenhoe Congregational Church and Blomfield House Care Home.

The Christmas concert was held on Friday 5th December at St John’s and Highwoods Community Centre. The band performed to a good sized and appreciative audience and played a varied programme of Christmas favourites.

The following Friday, 12th December saw the band return to Wivenhoe Congregational Church for their annual carol service. This is always a lovely event with an enthusiastic congregation and there’s something special about the band accompanying community singing.

Finishing off a busy weekend, the band played at Blomfield House Care Home on Sunday 14th December. The band has played at Blomfield House for several years now and usually performs for the residents and their families in the summer and at Christmas. A smaller sized band is the perfect fit for the lovely bay window!!

Besides the more formal concerts the band was also out carol playing, raising money for St Helena Hospice, The Nick Alexander Music Trust and band funds. The band played at Waitrose Colchester (twice), Tesco Highwoods and Sainsbury’s Stanway. The band is very grateful to these supermarkets for letting us play at their stores.

Home | St Helena Hospice

The Nick Alexander Music Trust

Waitrose – Sunday 7th December

Waitrose – Saturday 13th December

Tesco Highwoods – Monday 22nd December

Sainsbury’s Stanway – Tuesday 23rd December

With such a busy Christmas season, the band social had to wait until January. The band held their “Concert for Us” and pizza and board games night on 30th January. The “Concert for Us” is a chance for any members that would like to, to perform a solo, duet or as part of a small group to a supportive and appreciative audience.

The band are now rehearsing hard for their Spring Concert on Friday 27th March. Spring Concert – 1st Class Brass

Summer Season 2025

Anne Ruddock — Sat, 13 Sep 2025 15:31:40 +0000

We returned to rehearsals yesterday evening, preparing for the Autumn season but here’s a look back at what we got up to over the summer!

We started our summer season playing at the St. Leonard’s Church Fete in Lexden on Saturday 28th June. It was a really well attended event and we were very grateful to Jemma for conducting the band as Anne was unavailable.

Friday 4th July was the final rehearsal of the academic year and we held a social afterwards where we played board games and enjoyed pizza.

A week after our performance at St Leonard’s Church Fete, we returned to Blomfield House Care Home on Saturday 5th July to play for the residents. It’s always a lovely event and we were lucky with the weather, as although the sky looked very grey, it remained dry!

Our formal summer concert was held on Friday 11th July at St John’s and Highwoods Community Centre.

We played a varied programme of music including music from stage and screen, Glenn Miller, Sea shanties and the concert finished with a rousing performance of Land of Hope and Glory, with much flag waving from the audience (and some band members too)!

During the concert the annual awards were presented. Congratulations to:

Summer – Star Player for Summer Term

Beckett, Lillian & Orla – Best Attendance for 2024/2025

Beckett – Most Improved Player

Suzanne – Player of the Year

Maria – Bandsperson of the Year

Vic – John Kaley Special Recognition Award

Our final event for the summer was the workshop held on Monday 4th August. The workshop was open to band members as well as non band members and there was a great turn out of players.

The day mainly consisted of rehearsing but there was also a game and a quiz. The band performed a short concert to family and friends at the end of the day.

We then enjoyed a few weeks break before resuming rehearsals on Friday 12th September.

Christmas Season 2024

Anne Ruddock — Wed, 15 Jan 2025 10:30:09 +0000

The band had a busy December with carol playing, carol services and concerts.

At the last rehearsal of the Autumn Term everyone came to rehearsal dressed in their best Christmas attire!

On Friday 6th December the band returned to Wivenhoe Congregational Church for their annual carol service, this is always a lovely event with a good sized congregation.

On Sunday 8th December the band played for the residents and staff of Blomfield House Care Home. The band has been visiting Blomfield House for a couple of years and it’s always lovely to return and see everyone again.

On Friday 13th December the band held their Christmas Concert at St John’s and Highwoods Community Centre.

The band played a varied programme including traditional pieces such as a cornet solo of ‘Away in a Manger’ performed by the principal cornet, Bryony to more upbeat Christmas chart hits including ‘Merry Christmas Everybody’.

Congratulations to Millie who was awarded the Star Player certificate for the Autumn Term.

The band was also busy during December carol playing at local supermarkets raising funds for both the band and The Colchester Foodbank.

Summer Season 2024

Anne Ruddock — Tue, 27 Aug 2024 11:39:27 +0000

The band has had a busy summer season performing at fetes, care homes and holding their own Summer Concert.

The summer season started with a return trip to Blomfield House Care Home on 23rd June. The band is always made to feel very welcome and has performed both in the summer and at Christmas for several years now.

This was also the first time that the band had the chance to use their new flag banner, which looked great in the sunshine!

The following weekend the band returned to play at St Leonard’s Church Fete on Saturday 29th June. This is always a lovely Fete with lots of stalls and things to do. Once again the weather was beautiful!

After the rehearsal on 5th July the band enjoyed a pizza and board games evening. They also wore their best summer attire, even though the weather was very rainy, but it was a great evening.

The 12th July was the formal summer concert held at St John’s and Highwoods Community Centre. The band played a variety of pieces and there really was something for everyone.

At the Summer Concert the band awards are given out and congratulations go to the following band members:

Player of the Year – Lillian

John Kaley Special Recognition Award – Steve

Bandsperson of the Year – Suzanne

Most Improved Player – Eva

Star Player for the Summer Term – Connor

Best Attendance for 2023 / 2024 – Lillian

On 28th July the band was once again invited to perform in Castle Park, Colchester as part of the Charities Festival which is organised by the local Rotary Club. The band always enjoys playing on the bandstand and it was a lovely event with lots of people listening.

On 31st July the band held their Summer Workshop at St John’s and Highwoods Community Centre. The workshop was open to all brass players regardless of age or experience.

The music ranged from themes from Toy Story, Sister Act and Les Miserables through to an original composition called “Fire Dance”, as well as the March from the opera Carmen.

The band enjoyed welcoming some new faces to the event and there was a concert to family and friends at the end of the day.

The final event for the band this summer was performing at a family fun day at the Oaktree Centre on Harwich Road, Colchester on 23rd August.

The band was smaller in size than usual due to it being holiday season but it was lovely to have help from some of the players from the Boxted Methodist Silver Band.

It was a glorious day, despite being very windy. The band just about managed to keep the music on their stands!!

After a busy summer season the band is now enjoying a break before rehearsals resume on 6th September for the Autumn Term.

Easter concert and Workshop

Anne Ruddock — Thu, 11 Apr 2024 18:46:08 +0000

The first event of the New Year was the band’s Pizza & Games Night which was held on 26th January after the usual Friday rehearsal.

As the band is so busy in December (like most brass bands!) the Christmas social is always held in January.

Pizzas were delivered after the rehearsal and band members brought their favourite games along to play. It was a great opportunity for band members and their families to socialise and get to know each other a little better.

The band’s Spring Concert ‘Places’ was held on 22nd March at St John’s and Highwoods Community Centre. The programme was wide ranging including music by Antonin Dvorak, Jeremiah Clarke and The Beatles!

Beckett was awarded the Star Player certificate for the Spring Term. Beckett moved from the baritone to Eb bass in January and has blown everyone away with how well he has done.

During the school Easter holidays the band held a workshop which was a day of rehearsals, games and quizzes.

The band welcomed some new faces for the day as the workshops are always open to non band members as well as band members. Great fun was had by all and at the end of the day the band played a short concert to family and friends showcasing the pieces they had been playing during the day. The music included Raider’s March, Pirates of the Caribbean, Somewhere Over the Rainbow, Y.M.C.A. and I Will Survive.

10th Anniversary Concert

Anne Ruddock — Wed, 01 Nov 2023 18:55:16 +0000

The band celebrated their 10th Anniversary with a rousing concert at Wivenhoe Congregational Church on Friday 20th October 2023.

The band played a varied programme which included a piece written by the Musical Director, Anne Ruddock and a piece chosen by the longest serving band member, Steve Found.

The band’s invited guest for the evening was Sir Bob Russell. Sir Bob said some kind words about the band towards the end of the concert.

Former band members and helpers were invited to play with the band for their very special concert and everyone was welcome to stay for the social afterwards in the church hall.

The amazing cake was made by a local company, Pantry 61 based in Boxted. Home – Pantry 61

Easter Concert

trudi — Sun, 14 May 2023 11:24:00 +0000

The resounding success of our recent Easter Concert has left us overjoyed and proud of our talented brass band members.

The audience was treated to a memorable musical experience that showcased our dedication and passion for music.

One of the standout moments was our rendition of David Bowie’s Life on Mars. A performance that truly captured the essence of our collective musical prowess. The band flawlessly played each note, creating a mesmerizing symphony that resonated with everyone present.

This performance showcased the hard work and unity that define our band.