Players from Phoenix Brass have enjoyed an extremely busy festive period with a total of thirteen public and private engagements throughout December 2018 in the lead up to Christmas. They have now taken a well earned rest over Christmas and the New Year before starting rehearsals in January 2019.
Coombe End Court Nursing Home, Marlborough – Sunday, 23 December 2018
Phoenix Brass concluded their Christmas engagement programme by performing to the residents of Coombe End Court Nursing Home in Marlborough which provides and supports the elderly with dementia, respite and day care. Many residents joined the players as they played festive tunes and carols in the café/bistro at the Home, whilst others listened from the comfort of the lounges and individual bedrooms.
Separately Andrew Gray, trombonist, played a selection of carols to Alfie Johnson, aged 87 years, and a resident at the Home. Alfie was Marlborough Town Crier for 21 years up until about six years ago and a former trombonist himself used to play a cornet with Kennet Vale Band.
Tesco Store, Tidworth – Saturday, 22 December 2018
Players entertained shoppers all day in Tidworth as they prepared for the festive period. One collector on the day was Dennis Smith, father of one of the cornet players and a Friend of Phoenix who, despite being in his eighties, had travelled up from Portland in Dorset to help with collecting and listen to the varied festive tunes and carols.
Carols and Grand Christmas Draw, Froxfield Memorial Hall – Tuesday, 18 December 2018
Whilst the wet weather prevented the Band from performing the customary carols around the Christmas tree outside the Memorial Hall in Froxfield, it did not deter some supporters, families and friends turning out to join in with carol singing inside the hall. One younger member of the audience provided a solo rendition of ‘Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer’ supported by his father!
This was followed by a short social evening, with refreshments provided by the Friends of Phoenix, and the Grand Christmas Draw.
The Club (formerly The Conservative Club, Newbury) – Monday, 17 December 2018
The Band played festive tunes and carols for members of The Club in Newbury as part of their carol service.
Tesco Store, Marlborough – Sunday, 16 December 2018
The Band spent several hours in the foyer at the Tesco Store in Marlborough performing a mix of Christmas carols and festive tunes to the delight of the Christmas shoppers. Many people took time from their hectic schedule to hear their favourite piece of music being played.
“Brass & Carols” at The Tipple Inn, Collingbourne Ducis – Thursday, 13 December 2018
Locals enjoyed a good old fashioned sing a long to well known carols performed by the Band at what has become a customary event in the festive diary.
Newbury Racecourse Residents Christmas Carol Service – Wednesday, 12 December 2018
Fifteen players braved the particularly freezing and bitter weather to provide the musical backcloth to the Newbury Racecourse Residents Carol Service. Playing a number of festive tunes followed by Christmas Carols, residents and locals joined in the singing, supported by St Mary’s Church, Greenham, to get everyone in the festive spirit.
Great to have lots of resident and locals here for some Christmas Carol singing to get us all in the festive spirit 🎶🎄🎅
Posted by Newbury Racecourse on Wednesday, 12 December 2018
Swindon Designer Outlet Centre – Sunday, 9 December 2018
The Band was invited to return to the Swindon Designer Outlet Centre for a second time in as many weeks to play to Christmas shoppers! With just two weeks to go before Christmas, the Centre was extremely busy and the players entertained the crowds, with many taking a break from the frenetic activity to listen to the varied pieces of Christmas music.
Burbage Christmas Tree Sale, All Saints Church – Saturday, 8 December 2018
Players braved the elements to play carols and festive tunes outside as people visited Burbage Christmas Tree Sale and Market, browsed the market of stallholders and generally socialised with friends and families. The event run by volunteers raises magnificent sums for the community, providing funds for the church, school and village hall.
Kennet Gateway Club, Woodborough – Thursday, 6 December 2018
Players returned to Kennet Gateway Club in Woodborough for what has become a customary event in the Band’s festive diary. Kennet Gateway Club was set up to provide a social life for adults with learning disabilities and the musicians always look forward to the evening, playing a variety of festive tunes and Christmas carols to the delight of Club members.
The evening provides the opportunity for players to ‘dress down’ from their normal band attire. Dressed in a variety of Christmas jumpers the players performed a mixed programme of music, with some members keen to take charge of the Musical Director’s baton throughout the evening as the photos show!
Christmas Concert at The Walwyn Hall, Lambourn – Sunday, 2 December 2018
The Walwyn Hall, fondly known as “The Catholic Club”, welcomed Phoenix Brass back for its annual Christmas Concert for what has become a recurring event in the Band’s annual diary. Despite a number of competing local events the chairs were filled and the audience were treated to a variety of festive and seasonal tunes. The second half of the Concert was interspersed with what has become the customary singing of Christmas Carols and this year was no exception with the audience joining in with great gusto.
Julie Waller, EEb player, played the solo ‘Tuba Smarties’ to the delight of the audience and received rapturous applause for her performance.
Swindon Designer Outlet Centre – Sunday, 18 November 2018
For the second year running the Band was invited to return to the Swindon Designer Outlet Centre to play to the early Christmas shoppers! The players performed a mixed repertoire of Christmas music to the delight of the large crowds visiting the Centre. Many took the time to rest under heavy laden bags, with some even dancing to the festive tunes.
