Once again the brass band community has been offering its thanks to those who have ensured we have stayed well — and free — over the past 75 years, as well as keeping us entertained in the process.
With the 75th anniversary of VE Day just passed there have been a number of wonderful tributes paid, whilst the commitment and dedication of all front line health workers and key workers hasn't been forgotten either.
Then we have got a brilliant batch of entertainers — from Cory to Wessex Summer School and quite a few stops in between.
If your band has been keeping busy then let us know.
75th VE Day celebrations
The 75th VE Day celebrations were marked across the country....
Bearpark & Esh Colliery Band has also put together a great version of 'Sing for Victory' — with all the best songs linked up under the baton (and soprano) of MD Phil Tait..
https://www.facebook.com/BearparkEshCollieryBand/videos/256440948882783/UzpfSTc2ODUyMDQzNzoyNTI3MjkwOTE3NTIzNTAy/?multi_permalinks=2528238570762070¬if_id=1589009198101077¬if_t=group_highlights
Black Dyke's soprano player Connor Lennon recalled Glenn Miller and his band with 'Moonlight Serenade'...
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1206088279738491
88 year old Penrith Bandsman Sid Tyson, who was schoolboy on VE Day was featured on ITV News playing the Last Post and reminiscing about his war time experiences...
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=967379523680633&id=100012257830460
Up in North Wales, Bari Gwilliam and his family and friends have brought us a cracking soft jazz version of 'We'll Meet Again' — with a brilliant young Vera Lynn on vocals...
https://www.facebook.com/bari.gwilliam/videos/10163476252945565/UzpfSTcxODEwNTUyNToxMDE1ODU3MDE1NDMwODY3NQ/
Lochgelly Band up in Scotland meanwhile gave us a lovely version of 'Nimrod' as they pay their respects.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wpEur8HP9EY&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR0LDNVY-a_SOFJieTUHphQqSPT143HmJP7MaPfLazP6uDNhH_t0xdUklco
Saltash Town Band also hoped we all meet again...
https://www.facebook.com/SaltashTownBand/videos/257970485405610/?multi_permalinks=2528238570762070¬if_id=1589009198101077¬if_t=group_highlights
Foden's Band also marked their respect to those who sacrificed so much...
https://www.facebook.com/FodensBand/videos/1138126549890630/
And Gresley Colliery Band perform 'Remembrance'...
https://www.facebook.com/GresleyCollieryBand/videos/2267199743576156/
Let us entertain you...
Meanwhile, Cory has continued to entertain their fans across the world — this time with a little help from some friends on their version of ABBA's 'Dancing Queen' — that the iconic Swedish pop group, not the organisation that looks after brass band judges...
https://www.facebook.com/coryband/videos/236082487669190/
Gawthorpe Brass '85 also made sure they kept the spirits up with their performance of 'Hello Dolly' — and we hope she came along to enjoy the fun too....
https://youtu.be/KgRaw_ozIeE
The great youngsters from Porthaethwy Menai Bridge perhaps topped the lot with 'Swing a Little' though... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ExfjDObjLrY&fbclid=IwAR18gCUt6n2Nbrt5mp2xGkemau-f4o-hFbxUGDXg6VrCmHE7FTidXPC7O80
And Michelmersh Silver has been keeping everyone 'Happy'...
https://www.facebook.com/michelmersh.silver.band/videos/172307240591083/?__tn__=%2Cd%2CP-R&eid=ARA10bQdYoATAC4lvlw5p3EnQbPe56KaqmgznkjDdtr2tVRSH_IRYOANo9chRdXtrkoPBigTfVhSywkS
Over in the USA
Over in the USA, Five Lakes Brass Band bring back memories of Whit Friday with their version of the great 'Ravenswood' march... https://www.facebook.com/FiveLakesSilverBand/videos/566045300704513/?__tn__=%2CdkCH-R-R&eid=ARCx2WZSB825cwTwNupz9k66kXn5dNhlD_aI_7Or0R3oUTOpar-DM5TfllxC8-6EzJ4rt7iKmhjYCpJe&hc_ref=ARSbEkSl5AlMWOZmuwj_KYp9ZL7IBjEPNBlbmIC1LxgUoWFf8cBHdLPd0Sy59SJwGFw&hc_location=groupvenswood'
And in the jungle...
The Wessex Band Summer School tutors bring the funky sounds of 'Welcome to the Jungle'...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TwLDX4oHEM&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR2v9nVZITXXw-_t1MmBOlr8NXLdSRQQ0v72RKkzPHcWFFdcbHYKWtpBA_c
NHS and front line worker tributes...
Godalming Band have paid their tribute to all those brilliant front line workers...
https://www.facebook.com/GodalmingBrassBand/videos/301826707488285/?__tn__=%2CdkCH-R-R&eid=ARCgYez6JLkskOuUyRK-LVQjfmZqzHkiIREmTuTaeboWYZiPhU4WBy7asPL2gjVqnJzgYMC6dNEP5R2M&hc_ref=ARSkRzKt2q5yVHBXwhSPA-Ws594PDIVCGZUYxmtPMuyG9KSv1tjIZgHWbp0uw9N6XnU&hc_location=group
Torrington Silver Band brought us the fun of the May Day fair... https://www.facebook.com/TorringtonSilverBand/videos/1452234828289831/UzpfSTEwMDAwNzM1MDkxMTk3NjoyNTI2NzU3MTYwOTEwMjEx/?multi_permalinks=2528238570762070¬if_id=1589009198101077¬if_t=group_highlights
Llwydcoed enlist a 'Little Help from their friends'... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lmE600QLA8&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR1EQ-MTWzLCfohJKGASh8PTYmw21nP7k6zBChMBdsnUiyXIQZRgAeEW8Ic
Eccles Borough meanwhile bring us an upbeat slice of 'Joy, Peace and Happiness'...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORxUxyC-N-4&fbclid=IwAR2ZQqeCL8dVQKxOwAs2H4VI8F0A3sqF6EwNLTucizbUWs9_rVSrEGqh59M
The Helston Band has also reminded us that people will have missed out on the great Cornish tradition of Flora Day...
https://www.facebook.com/107812015966176/videos/550036325699977/UzpfSTEwMDAwMDk2Njc0NTQ1MDoyNTI3MTI1MTUwODczNDEy/?multi_permalinks=2528238570762070¬if_id=1589009198101077¬if_t=group_highlights
And a little bit of home practice to finish
A couple of euph stars have been making sure they have kept their lips (and fingers) in trim too.
David Thornton delved into the Arban...
https://www.facebook.com/thorntoneuph/videos/10157044864156722/UzpfSTU2NzE1MTcyMToxMDE1ODU3NDcxOTQ4MzY3NQ/
And Glyn Williams took a double take of 'The Torchbearer' euph part...
https://www.facebook.com/glyn.williams.182/videos/10157519755302462/