Carlton Brass are seeking new players

By philNo Comments
The band is looking to the future on both the concert front and in the contesting field. The band wishes to build up its pool of talent by recruiting Eb Bass, Bass Trombone, front row and back row cornets, and a first baritone. We welcome enquiries from all players Our organisation has a training band under the direction of Geoff Hawley. Players of all ages and abilities from complete beginners to those seeking a place in the main band are welcome. If you fancy a change, or are returning to banding, and would like to have an informal chat about the band and or the training band , please or call or e-mail me on 07946 322081. Anne Keegan (secretary)...
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Musical Director

By philNo Comments
The band are pleased to announce that, after stepping into the breach and taking over the baton throughout the summer months, our band master Paul 'Wink' Watson has been appointed to the permanent role of Carlton Brass Musical Director. Wink has worked the band hard and led us to very good results in the Bolsover Entertainment contest where we came 2nd and the Leicester Open contest where we came 4th. Both contests had large fields of quality bands from around the country, so the results must be considered as very good indeed. The band have taken this into account and have shown their confidence in Wink by voting that he take up the permanent position and lead us into the forthcoming Nembba and Midlands region area contests. Congratulations Wink, thanks for the hard work you have put in so far and we look forward to continuing our run of success under your direction. ...
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Bolsover Festival of Brass 2013

By philNo Comments
Carlton Brass have been placed an extremely pleasing second place at today's Bolsover Brass Festival first section entertainments contest 06/11/2013. Drawn number one and a start time that preceded the bar opening (surely illegal) the band played an excellent quality programme that impressed the adjudicator Dr Keith Wilkinson. Congratulations to all members of Carlton Brass for an excellent result, but special thanks to our new MD Wink Watson who has pulled all this together. A job really well done. Thanks also to our borrowed players, Chris, Luella, Shelby and Rob. Your help was very much appreciated. Well done Silk Brass on winning, and also to our friends at Leicester Coop who won most entertaining band and overall third place. The facilities at Heritage School are very good, and we hope to be back next year. By Dave Rutt....
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Stephen Leslie Mercs R.I.P.

By philNo Comments
The band are sad to announce the loss of a star player and banding stalwart from the past. Steve Merc's joined Carlton Silver band in the mid 1970's as a teenager. He progressed into a fine flugal player and went on to play with The Ibstock Brick band and The William Davies Construction Band. His tremendous sound was unsurpassed and he won many air varie and slow melody competitions. After a break from playing he came back and conducted the old Carlton Silver Training band and helped build up the band into its current guise as Carlton Brass. Steve also had a stint at conducting the current Carlton Brass Training Band. Steve tragically died after suffering a brain aneurysm at the age of 54. His death has left the Midlands banding community in a state of shock. He will be fondly remembered and deeply respected for his virtuosity on flugel horn, the local contest scene is unlikely to hear such a beautiful sound for...
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Musical Director

By philNo Comments
We are sad to announce the resignation of Simon Gresswell as musical director of Carlton Brass. Unfortunately Simon has family commitments in his home county of Yorkshire and heavy load at work that makes it problematic to fully commit his time to the band. Being the professional he is, Simon has relinquished the baton. We would like to thank Simon for his hard work, professionalism and for his undoubted musicality whilst leading the band and we wish him all the best for the future. Stepping into the breach is our own band master Paul 'Wink' Watson, who will provide stability and guidance through the summer months and will lead the band in fulfilling its summer engagements. Thanks Wink. The band will be inviting applications and holding auditions for a new M.D. around September time, with plans to enter local own-choice and entertainments contests in the autumn and the NEMBA and area contest early next year....
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Key Points from the 2013 AGM

By philNo Comments
Key Points from the 2013 AGM of the Carlton Band Organisation. Anne Keegan has agreed to be the new Chairman of the organisation. Our Late President Frederick Straw's Family made a presentation to the band of a Grand Shield and personal trophies to be presented as a special award to a member who has put in the greatest annual commitment/made the most progress within the organisation. This is a fantastic idea and a fitting tribute to Fred who's commitment to the organisation was second to none. Along with the trophy came a substantial donation and Fred's trusty Cortois Cornet which has been specially engraved. The committee will carefully consider how his legacy will be used in a way that is fitting and will be a permanent reminder of our old friend. Vice President John Hunt steps up to be President of the organisation and Fred's daughter Elaine has kindly agreed to continue Fred's link with the band by becoming a new vice-president. Other...
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Changes At The Top

By philNo Comments
The band would like to announce the appointment of Simon Gresswell as Musical director of Carlton Brass. He takes over the baton from Geoff Hawley who is developing his new music related business. But the good new is Geoff is still staying with us - as a player this time on Solo Horn. We wish Geoff all the best in his new professional music career and as the new Musical Director of Stannington Band in Sheffield. Simon brings a wealth of musical experience to the band, being one of the all time great bass players, appointed principle Eb with Brighouse and Rastrick at 17 and going on to play with Desford, Black Dyke Mills, Faireys and YBS. ...
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Hello and Goodbye

By philNo Comments
The band would like to wish a fond farewell to our Repiano cornet James Coheeny. James has just graduated in forensic science at Nottingham Trent university and has now returned to his hometown of Sheffield. We all wish him the very best of luck for his future and thank him for the great service and commitment he gave to the band over the last three years. Also a big welcome to Dave Cutting and Denise Clarke, who join us on Euphonium and Tenor Horn. Both have a wealth of experience in local bands and are returning after a short time off from playing. We wish them a long and happy stay with us....
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Frederick Oliver Straw 20 March 1928 to 30 April 2012

By philNo Comments
EULOGY Frederick Oliver Straw - 20 March 1928 to 30 April 2012 age: 84 Fred was born on Tuesday 20th March 1928 in a house that was one of a block of eight, on Kneeton Road, East Bridgford on the banks of the river Trent to the east of Nottingham. His parents, Edgar and Lucy Ann, had been married in the village church nine years earlier. From the outset Edgar and Lucy continued the family tradition of giving children the first name of a close relative and then using the middle name for the son in everyday conversation – to avoid confusion with the older Straws – hence to many people here today Frederick is actually known as Oliver. Fred was the fifth of six children, 3 boys and 3 girls; sadly two of the girls died in infancy with only Doreen Megan surviving to be just 21, leaving Fred as the youngest of three brothers. As a small child Fred loved standing at...
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