SATURDAY 15 APRIL, 7.30pm - Concert with CTB, CCCO and CMVC, St Mary's Priory
SUNDAY 25 JUNE, 2.30pm - Chepstow Bandstand (with Microjazz)
FRIDAY 7 JULY, 7.30pm - Coleford Baptist Church
WEDNESDAY 12 JULY, 6pm - Classic Car Show, Llandevaud
SUNDAY 23 JULY, evening - The Rising Sun, Moseley Green
TUESDAY 25 JULY, 8pm - SWBBS Whiteheads
SUNDAY 12 NOVEMBER, 3.30pm - Dolman Theatre, Newport
Photographs of our debut performance by Matt Wellham:
Saturday 16 June (1pm - 2pm) - Wyedean Festival
Today Chepstow Community Big Band made their debut - not in the pouring rain, but in the canteen at the Wyedean School Festival. Though I say it myself, they were excellent from In The Mood all the way to Family Guy via Foo Birds and Sir Duke. You can't really tell how a band will be in public until you're in that pressured situation, but I am so happy that all the hard work paid off and they played as a team, enjoying the sound and achieving our aims for the debut. Very well done everybody - prepare to get lots of invitations to perform (see below)!
Today Chepstow Community Big Band made their debut - not in the pouring rain, but in the canteen at the Wyedean School Festival. Though I say it myself, they were excellent from In The Mood all the way to Family Guy via Foo Birds and Sir Duke. You can't really tell how a band will be in public until you're in that pressured situation, but I am so happy that all the hard work paid off and they played as a team, enjoying the sound and achieving our aims for the debut. Very well done everybody - prepare to get lots of invitations to perform (see below)!
Friday 22 June (6.30pm - 7pm) - Rotary Club Charity Concert, Chepstow Castle
History is made again as we become the first ever band to play under the new canopy at Chepstow Castle. The rain stopped and the sun came out, but it was rather windy and we got some practice at playing/conducting with one hand whilst trying to stop the sheet music becoming a kite with the other
Sunday 7 October (10am and 1pm) - Forest Showcase Food Festival
A beautiful day and terrific performances more than made up for the invisible buffet. Many compliments and expressions of interest from players and event organisers were received. Gregg Wallace counted the band in at the start of our main set (at the wrong speed, but never mind). One of the organizers says:
I have a feeling you will be back by public demand! A number of people said how good it was to see a community/youth band involved. It certainly enhanced our festival.
Put the date in your diary - Sunday 6th October 2013. Have booked the sunshine too!
Sunday 14 October (3pm - 4pm) - Wales Millennium Centre Glanfa Stage
This was an amazing hour in an amazing venue, where a great audience gathered to support our biggest big band yet. With a full line-up of trumpets, trombones and saxes to complement our excellent rhythm section and vocalists, family, friends and strangers were wowed by a tight and tuneful blend of sounds guaranteed to get feet of all ages tapping along
Christmas Charity Concert at Chepstow Methodist Church, 24 Nov 7pm
Great evening, with a real community feel as we supported students raising money for a life-changing mercy mission to Uganda
In The Mood for Christmas at Chepstow Baptist Church, 5 December 7.30pm
A powerful rhythm section, fluid saxes, driving trombones and a crisp trumpet ensemble made the rafters ring at CBC last night as Chepstow Community Big Band, led by the mildly eccentric Brian Ellam kicked us into the Christmas Mood. Add to the mix some outstanding vocal performances from Dan Falber and Grace Harrhy
and two uplifting sets from Wyedean School Gospel Choir and the evening was complete. The event was in aid of CBC Adoley Centre and £500 will be going towards providing roofing materials needed to complete the building. (Review by Jim Kirk)
Great evening, with a real community feel as we supported students raising money for a life-changing mercy mission to Uganda
In The Mood for Christmas at Chepstow Baptist Church, 5 December 7.30pm
A powerful rhythm section, fluid saxes, driving trombones and a crisp trumpet ensemble made the rafters ring at CBC last night as Chepstow Community Big Band, led by the mildly eccentric Brian Ellam kicked us into the Christmas Mood. Add to the mix some outstanding vocal performances from Dan Falber and Grace Harrhy
and two uplifting sets from Wyedean School Gospel Choir and the evening was complete. The event was in aid of CBC Adoley Centre and £500 will be going towards providing roofing materials needed to complete the building. (Review by Jim Kirk)