Cranbrook Town Band is proud to announce that its recent concert featuring the renowned euphonium soloist David Childs has resulted in a cheque for £2000 being presented to Demelza Hospice care for Children. The charity, which operates two hospices that provide care for terminally ill children as well as support for their families, is active throughout the South East of the country.
On receiving the cheque Leila Ilkhan, Community Fund Raiser at Demelza, said ‘On behalf of everyone at Demelza Hospice Care for Children I would like to say a big thank you for the hard work and support given by Cranbrook Town Band. Their tremendous fundraising efforts will be a big support to the families at Demelza Hospice and very much appreciated!’
The concert was well supported by the public and the band enjoyed playing to a packed hall – an experience that was made all the more special by David Childs’ virtuosity on the euphonium. The programme included the euphonium solos Brillante, Benedictus, Carnival of Venice, Varied Mood, Myfanwy and Endearing Young Charms as well as the duet Softly As I Leave You which David performed with the band’s principal euphonium player, David Newsom.
In a varied programme, the band showcased a wide range of musical styles and included the march Centaur and the first movement of Philip Sparke’s Portrait of a City, with which the band won the march and own choice competitions run by SCABA (Southern Counties Amateur Band Association) in April 2014. This is the fifth time in succession that Cranbrook Town Band has won this particular march competition and it was the outright winner in the overall competition for the second year running. To complete the sweep of the prizes David Newsom was awarded the Best Instrumentalist trophy and Ian Lanceley once again won the trophy for the Best Musical Director.
The senior band membership includes a wide range of ages from 14 to 74 and for any interested beginners, whether young or old, there is a training band that rehearses before the main band on Thursday evenings.
The band is looking forward to continuing its concert and contest progress during 2015 and further details of these and the training band can be found on the band’s comprehensive website at www.cranbrooktownband.org.uk