pizza – 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.

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.

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.

Games Evening

trudi — Fri, 07 Jul 2023 06:30:00 +0000

Following our traditional “Hawaiian Shirt Rehearsal” will be a games evening with pizza party night.
Bring your favourite games!

Get ready for an evening of tropical vibes and fantastic fun!