Social – 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

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.