Category Archives: News

Preparations for a busy year

Posted on by

The band has settled down into regular rehearsals preparing for what looks like a busy year coming up.

We have a number of events planned and a full contest season planned so there’s lot’s of hard work ahead.

Whilst the first public appearance for the band this year won’t be until 19th April when we’re playing at the Harrogate International Youth Festival the band is busy preparing for it’s contest season competing in the TYMBA Championship class once again this year.

The band will also be playing a large part in this years St George’s celebrations not only leading the parade but also playing a special part in the service itself.

You can keep up with the band over the next 12 months on the events page of our website and if you’d like to join in with what the band is doing why not pop along and see what we have on offer, for more information visit our join us page.

 

New Years Resolution

Posted on by

So have you made a New Years resolution? If it was to learn to play an instrument or to join a band to improve your playing then you are looking in the right place.

Spen Valley Scout & Guide Band are always on the lookout for new members so if you want to give it a go contact us on the join us page or come along to one of our rehearsals.

The band plays all over the UK at various events including some prestigious events including the Birmingham International Tattoo and London Lord Mayors Parade. It’s not all hard work, we also have fun and have an annual camp where we do fun and interesting activities that aren’t related to playing an instrument!

So what’s stopping you?

You don’t have an instrument… We can provide you one free of charge.

You don’t know what instrument you want to play… Don’t worry we can provide a number of instruments for you to try.

You can’t read music… Don’t worry we’ll teach you.

You’re not sure it’s for you… Well you’ll never know unless you come along!

Come and join us and make a New Years resolution that will stay with you for a lifetime.

Birmingham International Tattoo 2013 – From Rehearsal to Finale

Posted on by

On Saturday morning 16 members of the Spen Valley Scout & Guide band boarded a coach to head down to the NIA in Birmingham to join the rest of the National Youth Marching Band.

The band got together on the morning for a quick run through of the music being played, once again under the direction of Major Paul W Norley MA (Class Stud) BA (Mus) LRSM LDBBA CNCB MCGI CAMUS who is the Director of Music to The Band of The Brigade of Gurkhas.

The band then moved onto the arena for 3 hours of rehearsals with the rest of the cast, the finale rehearsal is an impressive sight in itself.

After a long rehearsal uniforms are prepared and and put on ready for the show. The band opened this years Tattoo with the British Legion march on, followed by the National Anthem and marching the standards off to Yo Nepali as a salute to the Brigade of Gurkhas.

The band then made a return to the arena for the Finale playing alongside the Band of the Royal Air Force Regiment, The Royal Band of the Belgium Navy, The Slovenian Services Band and the Norwegian King’s Guard Veterans Band.

Stopping overnight the band returned to the NIA to do it all again on Sunday to yet another sold out audience of over 7000 people.

A great time was had by all and the band members once again proved their professionalism and were a credit to Scouting and the Spen Valley District.

 

Christmas Celebration

Posted on by

Spen Valley Scout & Guide band will be bringing the Christmas spirit to Cleckheaton on Monday 23rd December for their 2nd annual Christmas Celebration concert at Whitechapel Church.

All are welcome for an free evening of festive fun, just don’t forget your singing voices.

Birmingham International Tattoo 2013

Posted on by

The band will once again be taking part in the Birmingham International Tattoo at the NIA in Birmingham on the 30th November and 1st December. Forming part of the National Youth Marching Band the members will be playing in the opening ceremony and also leading on the Parade of Massed Standards.
After a jam packed show the band will return to close the Tattoo in the finale alongside bands from all over the world, singers and the lone piper.
It’s a great show and one that the band enjoys attending, tickets are still available so contact the band if you’d like to purchase one at a discounted rate.

It’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas

Posted on by
On Saturday 16th November Spen Valley Scout & Guide band were joined by local school choirs and the big man himself Santa Claus for the annual Christmas Lights Switch on in Cleckheaton.
Donning Santa hats to add to the festive spirit the band led the parade and Santa around Cleckheaton. Santa and his helpers then carried out the big light switch on to welcome cheers by the crowds of people watching, a fantastic firework display then followed. Well done to all band members that took part, you played brilliantly and the spectators looked to enjoy the performance.
Carl Nelson, District advisor for Bands commented “It’s always great to play in Cleckheaton and show the local community what scouting and guideing can offer.”
If anyone would like to join the band or find out more take a look at our Join Us page.

London Lord Mayors Show 2013

Posted on by

Members of the band once again took part in the London Lord Mayors show on Saturday 9th November as part of the National Youth Marching Band.

Meeting at 3:15am the band members boarded the coach to head to central London for the day. The band were greeted with a cup of tea and a sticky bun before heading to the start of the parade where it was pouring down with rain.

Spirits were not dampened by the rain, partly being spurred on by having the band of HM Royal Marines behind them.

Unfortunately coverage on the BBC did not show the band to the full potential however the sound was fantastic, with a comment made by the parade marshal about how impressed he was with the quality of playing the band demonstrated.

Tired and cold the band members boarded the coach to return to Cleckheaton but once again an enjoyable experience was had by all.

Well done to all band members who took part, you were a credit to both the band and Spen Valley District.

Fashion Show

Posted on by

The Spen Valley Scout & Guide band are hosting a fashion show on Wednesday 9th October starting at 7:30 at Scholes Cricket Club, Cleckheaton.

Tickets are £2.50 on the night and all funds raised will be going to the band.

Buy designer items at a massively reduced rate.

Come along for a great night and bargains galore.

For more information download the flyer here

Generous Donation by West Yorkshire Freemasons

Posted on by

The Freemasons of the West Riding of Yorkshire have donated £1000 to the Spen Valley Scout and Guide band. The very generous donation will help the band purchase new instruments and uniform for our increasing members.

The band is totally self funding and this donation will go a long way to help the band offer young people more opportunities with music and within Scouting.

Bandmaster Joanna Nelson commented “This is a really generous donation” she went on to further say “thanks to this donation we can provide an instrument to new members joining the band”

http://www.spenboroughguardian.co.uk/news/local/generous-donation-hits-the-right-notes-1-6094520