Brass Band – 1st Class Brass

Freda Gunton Lodge – Private function

Anne Ruddock — Sat, 26 Sep 2026 07:00:00 +0000

Having played for the residents and their families in September, the band has been invited back to play at Freda Gunton Lodge this Christmas.

Freda Gunton Lodge
Balkerne Gardens
Colchester
CO1 1PR

https://www.balkernegardens.org.uk/care…/residential-care

Blomfield House Care Home – Private function

Anne Ruddock — Sat, 05 Dec 2026 14:30:00 +0000

1st Class Brass has been asked to play some festive music for the residents at Blomfield House Care Home. The band are looking forward to returning to Blomfield House having played for the residents and their families in the summer.

Blomfield House
Colonia Court Care Home
St Andrew’s Avenue
Colchester
CO4 3AN

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 Concert

Anne Ruddock — Fri, 04 Dec 2026 19:00:00 +0000

Our Christmas Concert will feature a broad range of pieces, with something for everyone.

Raffle and retiring collection.

St John’s and Highwoods Community Centre
Highwoods Square
Colchester
CO4 9SR

http://www.highwoodscommunitycentre.co.uk

Plenty of parking

Summer Workshop

Anne Ruddock — Sat, 01 Aug 2026 09:15:00 +0000

A day of music making, fun activities and games open to all brass players, regardless of age or ability.

St John’s and Highwoods Community Centre
Highwoods Square
Colchester
CO4 9SR

10:15am – 3:45pm *

£10 per person – for more information and to book a place then please contact Anne on anne@1stclassbrass.org or 07880 591757.

It’s advisable to bring your own packed lunch (although Tesco is a few minutes walk away) and if possible please bring a music stand.

* There will be an open rehearsal at 3:15pm so family and friends can come and listen to what the band has been rehearsing during the day.

£700 charity donation to NAMT

Anne Ruddock — Sat, 06 Jun 2026 17:27:30 +0000

Last month the band welcomed Zoe from the Nick Alexander Music Trust to their rehearsal.

The band decided to donate £700 to the Nick Alexander Music Trust from the money they raised from carol playing last year.

The band members enjoyed hearing about the work that the Trust does and Zoe then stayed and listened to the rehearsal.

Freda Gunton Lodge – Private function

Anne Ruddock — Sat, 12 Sep 2026 14:00:00 +0000

We have been invited back to play for the residents at Freda Gunton Lodge having played for them last year.

Freda Gunton Lodge
Balkerne Gardens
Colchester
CO1 1PR
https://www.balkernegardens.org.uk/care…/residential-care/

Blomfield House Care Home – Private function

Anne Ruddock — Sat, 13 Jun 2026 13:30:00 +0000

1st Class Brass has been asked to play for the residents at Blomfield House Care Home, having played for the residents and their families at Christmas.
Blomfield House
Colonia Court Care Home
St Andrew’s Avenue
Colchester
CO4 3AN
https://www.carehome.co.uk/careh…/searchazref/20001030COLO

£700 Charity Donation

Anne Ruddock — Sat, 07 Mar 2026 17:28:50 +0000

The band welcomed Rebecca from St Helena Hospice to their rehearsal on 6th March. Rebecca is the Community Fundraiser for the hospice and was happy to come along to the rehearsal to tell the band a little bit about the work that the hospice does.

The band decided to donate £700 to St Helena Hospice from the money they raised from carol playing last year.

The band members enjoyed hearing about the work that the hospice does and Rebecca then stayed and listened to the rehearsal. The band hopes to support St Helena Hospice again in the future.

Easter Workshop

Anne Ruddock — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 09:15:00 +0000

A day of music making, fun activities and games open to all brass players, regardless of age or ability.

St John’s and Highwoods Community Centre
Highwoods Square
Colchester
CO4 9SR

10:15am – 3:45pm *

£10 per person – for more information and to book a place then please contact Anne on anne@1stclassbrass.org or 07880 591757.

It’s advisable to bring your own packed lunch (although Tesco is a few minutes walk away) and if possible please bring a music stand.

* There will be an open rehearsal at 3:15pm so family and friends can come and listen to what the band has been rehearsing during the day.