|
150 years for Woodhouse:
Sunday 22nd June 2003 arrived bright and sunny for what was
going to be a historic day in Woodhouse Prize Bands 150 years of
existence.
Around 250 well wishes, past members and friends crowded into a
very hot St James Church in Woodhouse to enjoy the celebratory performance
of Woodhouse Prize Band to mark its 150th year anniversary celebration.
The programme started off with the march ‘Field Review’
which the band had used over many years on its concerts and tours
of Malta, Russia and Belgium. This stirred a lot of memories for
past players in the audience.
During the last few months Cathryn Allen, the band librarian had
been searching through the bands repertoire to find the oldest piece
of music. The’ Grand Fantasia Honoria ‘dates back to
well before 1900 .The Andantino from the piece was featured at the
concert and to our knowledge has not been played in the last 60
years.
We had 3 solos played today. ‘Memory’ a euphonium solo
featuring Keith Parkin, the bands chairman, a cornet solo by Tom
Williamson called ‘ Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi’ and a tenor
horn solo played by Mark Taylor. This horn solo ‘ Little Dorrit’
was written and composed by the current conductor’s grandfather
Tom Cook around 1900.
The band acknowledged several members with awards for outstanding
service and commitment these were Keith Parkin, Tracy Cook, Eric
Newbould, Ivan Sampson, Keith Varley, Dave Burrows, Jeannette Grayson,
Rodney Cook and Jean Metcalfe, who between them have about 250 years
service to the band. Graham Cook was presented with an engraved
glass clock in recognition of his unprecedented service of 60 years
service and commitment.
The concert was brought to a close with a march again written by
Tom Cook and was found in the bands archives from many years ago.
This piece was originally un named but on the day we decided to
mark the occasion by naming it the
‘W. P. B’.
There were many kind tributes paid to the band during the afternoon
and a standing ovation brought the concert to a very successful
and enjoyable close.
Many lasting friendships were rekindled in the Church hall afterwards
and memories were warmly jogged with the vast amount of photographs
and memorabilia on display.
A huge celebration cake, kindly daunted by Park Cakes, was cut to
share and enjoy along with many happy memories of the day to look
back on.
Jeannette Grayson
© 4BarsRest
 back
to top
| 
