The band love Cromer. It’s a chance to bond and get to know each other

After loading up the coach and minibus we arrived at Comer Junior School on monday afternoon. While the dinner ladies (Kelly, Heidi and Steve) cooked up the first meal of the week, everyone had to blow up their airbeds and unpack. Then the games and (controlled) chaos begun! The band were set up into 4 teams where they compete for points in various games – They also have duties of washing up and tidying the hall, which is of course the favourite.

On tuesday morning, we had a somewhat relaxed rehearsal for the concert we were due to perform that evening in the Church. In between shows, we were set various tasks such as the “match box challenge” and had some free time in the town while our lovely welfare staff made us lunch. While in town we had a run through some of the musical pieces at the beautiful Church that the concert was in. The concert went very well and afterwards it was back to the school for more fun and games, including seeing how fast you can eat a doughnut with no hands!

Wednesday was carnival day and we had an area performance to do. We marched the carnival Queen up to the carnival field then around the arena. We played various marches and “crowd pleasers” to boost the excitement and we were given a great reception. When doing arena performances to the public, we always select a march where the children in the crowd can come into the arena and march behind the band, which is great fun for everyone and makes a counter march tricky. One lucky person from the audience even got selected to take over the Drum Major position, and wear one of our hats! Wednesday evening was when we had the main carnival around the town. Thousands of people flocked to the streets of Cromer from all over the country to watch the carnival. It’s exciting for us to watch all of the different floats up at the carnival field before we set off.

On thursday we had the torchlight parade in the evening – So a whole day for team activities. We had the task of making our own hats for the parade as we don’t wear our full uniform for that parade. People also made good use of glow sticks on their instruments and hats which is one of the favourite parts of the carnival. All lit up with the three best floats of the carnival following us, we marched around the town for one last time before reaching the carnival field for the annual firework display which ends the carnival week. People are invited to walk behind the floats with their flashing accessories and glow sticks.

After an amazing fireworks display, it’s back to the Junior School for more games and challenged followed by bed time in preparation for packing and going home on Friday morning

Author: Claire Roseberry, Cornet Section.

The band returned for another year at the Carshalton Carnival which was this year themed around the Rio Carnival.

The full set of images can be found on our Facebook Page

The band are delighted to announce that Sam Barrand has accepted the invitation to be the band’s Musical Director.  Sam has been working with the band since the new year and bring a wealth of musical knowledge and expertise to the band.   Band Director Paul Binder said ” not only does she conduct and teach at the band, she is a talented and enthusiastic musician who has written and arranged music for the band for forthcoming performances.  She is popular with the band members and is a valued and welcome addition to the staff. ”

Samantha Barrand, BA (Hons.) Music, A.V.C.M. (Hons.)

Samantha first began studying music at The Ursuline Preparatory School in Brentwood, where she learnt recorder and piano. She later developed this musical interest by taking up the violin, saxophone and drums at The Cooper’s Company & Coborn School, in Upminster where she was awarded a Jack Petchy Award for Music in 2009.

In June 2013 Samantha graduated from Colchester Institute with her BA (Hons.) in Music. Whilst in her second year studying at Colchester she was a winner of the Concerto Competition.

Throughout her time at school and university Samantha has been a part of many different musical ensembles as a performer and conductor, ranging from playing for musicals, saxophone quartet ‘One Screw Loose’, Dixie group ‘TradJazzled’ and larger scale organizations such as Symphonic Wind Orchestras and other local youth bands.

Sam Barrand

In September 2013 Samantha began her Master’s in Music at the Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance in London, where she has been awarded one of the college’s postgraduate woodwind scholarships. She currently studies with some of the top musical professionals in the country.

Samantha’s passion for music and helping others around her develop their abilities further led her to begin working with the Romford Drum & Trumpet Corps as a conductor in January 2014. The Romford Drum & Trumpet Corps ensures it gives its members the best help to nurture the talent within the youth band. In May 2014 the band gave Samantha the title of Musical Director which she was delighted to accept and looks forward to the future working with the band.