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| 2006 |
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New President of the Romford Drum & Trumpet Corps Announced
The band are delighted to announce that Mr James Marshall has accepted an invitation to become the new President of the Romford Drum & Trumpet Corps.
James is a former member of the band playing Tuba and French Horn during the 1980's . He left the band to join the Army as a musicain and was posted to the Band of the Royal Regiment of Fusilers. Following army band amalgamations he was posted to the Minden Band of the Queens Division. He then left this band to complete a 3 year course at Kneller Hall gaining a BA(hons) and was promoted to the rank of Warrent Officer Class 1. He took up his new appointment as the Bandmaster of the Prince of Wales Divisional Band. In 2005 he was posted to his current position of Bandmaster of the Band of the Blues & Royals. Being posted back in London has allowed James to take a more influential role and to date he has assisted the Romford Drum & Trumpet Corps on numerous occasions. His progression through the ranks of the Army Corps of Music is to be admired making him an ideal role model for the current band members, showing what can be achieved.
His appointment was carried unanimously by the Founder, Senior Ranks, Committee and Band members and have every confidence that the organisation will benefit from his support and wish his every success in the role of President.
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Romford Drum & Trumpet Corps perform for HM the Queen at Buckingham
Palace
Children's Party at the Palace 25th June 2006
The British Federation of Youth Marching Band Organisations chairman Jim
Vaughen wrote to Buckingham Palace asking for a Youth band to be showcased
as part of the National Marching Youth Music Week. As the week coincided
with the Queens 80th Birthday Party for Children, the Palace told the event
organiser they wanted this to happen. Therefore the band was approached and
were delighted to be selected due to their versatility to play on the
bandstand.
Due to limited size restrictions a smaller than normal band rehearsed a full concert programme in the weeks prior to the event and travelled to Buckingham Palace entering the Royal Mews.
After clearing all the security arrangements and searches the band set off
across the vast gardens to the bandstand erected directly next to the
palace. After setting up all the equipment the band were given a short
break to eat. Normally when the band are out performing, lunch arrangements
for the band can be anything from adequate to totally insufficient. However
not on this occasion as the band were treated to individual hampers with a
vast array of food treats and other items including rainmacs and baseball
caps.
With the band suitably fed they took the chance to look around the
impressive garden seeing the many scenery sets depicting everything from
Treasure Island, Winnie the Pooh to Postman Pat and Desperate Dan.
The band took up their position as the party started and the 4000 guests
arrived for the party. The band members saw numerous celebrities including
JK Rowling, Martin Clunes, Kelly Osbourne, the cast from Harry Potter,
Jonathan Ross as well as countless children's characters.
The Queen was due to join the party at 4.30pm and on time the doors of
Buckingham Palace opened and with a hive of activity Her Majesty along with
The Duke of Edinburgh began to walk round the gardens seeing the many
entertainers. The band waited with baited breath as she approached, to see
them playing some pop music of which the band were joined by some of the
party guests, dancing and playing percussion instruments.
After watching briefly the Queen continued on her walk around the gardens
and the band could begin to relax and enjoy the day continuing to entertain the
party guests.
It was a tremendous privilege for the band to play at Buckingham Palace and
The Romford Drum & Trumpet Corps would like to thank Jim Vaughen from the
British Federation of Marching Band for his endorsement of the band which
allowed the band to be invited.
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It is with great sadness the Romford Drum and Trumpet Corps announce that their president, Mrs Madge Fisher, died on Thursday 4th May 2006
The funeral was held on Tuesday 16th May, 10.30 at Chelmsford Crematorium |
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Picture by kind permission of Arsenal Football Club |
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BYBA Concert Contest March 2006-Rugby, Warwickshire
This year saw the band enter the BYBA concert championships with a different approach. With only a month to go before the contest the band were extremely fortunate to secure the services of Major Wayne Hopla from the Royal Military School of Music who agreed to assist the band with the project. He immediately entered into the spirit of the contest and brought new ideas to the band and a desire for the band to play something different. Within days he arranged two pieces for the band and together with an arrangement the band had just started work on the band decided to put on a performance including three new pieces. With only a month until the contest the band got to work on the programme. The band planned to open with a traditional march, Blaze Away, before playing highlights from the Disney film Pirates of the Carribean. The new arrangements from the pen of Major Hopla were Marianne and Latin Quarter.
Major Hopla arrived to his first rehearsal, rolled his sleeves up and began working the band hard, to which they responded with lots of effort. The music took shape very quickly and before we knew it the contest date had arrived.
The band were delighted with the efforts of the conductor and made Major Hopla an honoury member of the band, even supplying him a Band T-Shirt which he wore to the contest.
After a last minute rehearsal near the venue in Rugby, Warwickshire the band were drawn a favourable 4th. After some strong performances from an unknown band Trinity High School, playing some popular crowd pleasing pieces and local band Romford Royal British Legion, who played some of their tried and tested pieces, the band took to the stage keen to demonstrate it's new approach.
With the help of a fantastic crowd of supporters the band gave the performance their best efforts and very nearly pulled a victory. Eventually as the results were announced we secured 2nd place with the title going to the Romford RBL. Our congratulations go to them on a fine performance and victory.
The band learnt a huge amount from the experience and would like to thank Major Hopla for his energy, enthusiasm and input into the band and sincerely hope to work with him again in the future. Major Hopla wrote to the band expressing his thanks for all their effort and congratulating them on their achievement.
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Performance for the Duke of Edinburgh
On the 22nd February a band of 25, comprising mainly of the younger members
of the band travelled to London to perform at a Lunch for the London Youth
Organisation. As a member of this association the band was picked from many
other youth groups to provide music for the guests when they arrive. The
band members had been given permission to be away from school for the day
were excited at the prospect of performing for the Patron of London Youth,
HRH THe Duke of Edinburgh.
Despite bitter weather condition the band were lucky to be positioned in a
court yard offering some protection from the elements.
The band perfromed a variety of pieces and greeted the Duke of Edinburgh's
arrival with a fanfare. After the lunch the band returned to play the
guests as they were leaving and were delighted when His Royal Highness came
over to speak to the band. He complimented the band on their musicianship
and thanked them for playing for him. He jokingly declined the
bandmaster's offer to conduct the band but stood and watched for a while
before taking his leave. |
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Annual Presentation Evening 11th February 2006
Written by Mark Newman
Saturday 11th February saw the bands Annual Presentation evening take place
at Bower Park School, reflecting on the past years events and achievements
by the band and their individual members.
The evening began with the band performing in front of a full house
comprising of parents, supporters and special guests including Mayor of
Havering, Cllr John Mylod and Romford MP Andrew Rosindell.
The band played a varied selection of music including two new pieces. The
first of these was Liberty Bell, a well known march most famously known for
its use in Monty Python. Halfway through the bands performance, the ‘Recruits’ entertained the hundreds of guests with a jazzy version of ‘When
the Saints Go Marching In’, receiving rapturous applause. Throughout the
night Lance Corporal James Ainsworth continuously attempted to let
Bandmaster Paul Binder let him play his Trombone Solo, but was turned down
3 times……… Awww!! Eventually, James got his chance, although the Horn
section stole the limelight for a section of the music. James performed
well, and his performance of ‘Will someone please show Mr A the Way home’
brought an end to the night’s performance. Next, were the awards!!
The first award, known as a ‘Testimonial on Parchment’ was presented by
Major General David Pennefather from the Royal Humane Society to the Band’s
Drum Major, Marc Price, in honour of his bravery and courage he had
displayed at Cromer in August 2005.
Service Awards were then presented to the following band members for
respective years of service in the band
5 Years – James Ainsworth, Lucy Purvis and Samantha Purvis
10 Years – Stephen High and Marc Price
15 Years – Steve Patterson
A number of band members received certificates in recognition of there
achievements outside of the corps. Many members passing practical and
theory grades with merit and distinction.
Next in true Oscar fashion, was the six main awards for the evening. Every
award had nominations of band members who had demonstrated attributes and
achievements over the past year to put them in contention of winning the
award.
The first award was for the ‘Best Newcomer’. This award was scooped up by
10 year old Clarinettist, Ailish Gray. The ‘Attendance Award’ was awarded
to Johnathan Buttifant, who obtained a superb 100% attendance.
‘Most Improved Wind’ and ‘Most Improved Percussion’ were picked up by
Robert ‘Bob’ Gladwin and Georgie Foreman respectively. Both of them young
members of the band improving at a miraculous pace. Tommy Evans was voted
‘Band Personality of the Year’. An award voted by the members of the band
themselves.
Principal Euphonium player Lisa Saunders was voted ‘Band Member of the
Year’ for her contribution into training up the recruits. This award
brought an end to the nights awards, and allowed the band to strut their
moves on the dance floor rather than in uniform for a change. |
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