City of Cambridge Brass Band

The band has just returned from a concert tour around Paris. We performed alongside Brassage Brass Band on Saturday evening and on Sunday afternoon we performed in the band stand near the Eiffel tower.

The band came 2nd in the Leicester Contest, playing Philip Sparke's Enigma Variations. Cliff Wilkinson (our Principal Euphonium) also picked up Best Instrumentalist.

We came 8th (out of 12) in the regional contest, which looks like it is enough to ensure we remain in the Championship section in 2011. Thanks to Steve for all his hard work, and to his wife for putting up with him spending so much time with us over the last few weeks!

The City of Cambridge Brass Band is pleased to annouce the appointment of Steve Phillips as it's new Musical Director.

Steve started playing in brass bands at an early age with the Salvation Army, spending several years with the Derby Central Band. He progressed into contest banding playing with many of the country's top bands including Sellers Engineering and The UES Stocksbridge Band. Tours with various bands have taken him throughout Europe and as far afield as Australia, America and Canada.

He studied conducting at the University of Salford under the renowned conductors David King and Roy Newsome. Steve has previously been musical director of Barnsley Building Society, South Yorkshire Police and Nottingham City Transport bands as well as Resident conductor of the Carlton Main Frickley Colliery Band.

Recently returned from four years living in Germany, Steve currently works as Headteacher of Holmemead Middle School in Biggleswade.

We came 5th (out of 9) in the Leicester Contest open section, playing Year of the Dragon. Thanks to Keith Schroeter for his hard work getting us ready.

We came 10th (out of 12) in the regional contest, which was enough to ensure we will continue contesting in the Championship section in 2010. Thanks to Duncan Wilson for all his hard work to prepare us for our first Championship contest for some time.

Random fact: 1979 was when the band last came 1st in the Championship section area contest.

Soham Staploe Rotary Club and Ely Cathedral Trust presented A Charity Christmas Carol Concert in aid of MAGPAS (The Mid-Anglia General Practitioner Accident Service) and Ely Cathedral Trust Music Appeal. This is an annual family event and this year it included the City of Cambridge Brass Band, alongside Ely Cathedral Choir and Ely Imps, all under the baton of Paul Trepte. The whole Cathederal was full, and everyone had a fantasitc evening!

On Sunday 16th November, under the baton of Peter Bassano, and after much preparation with both Duncan Wilson and Peter Bassano, we came 4th in LBBA Open Brass Band Contest (1st Section) playing Wilfred Heaton's Contest Music. The piece was written in 1973 and was used in 1982 for the National Brass Band Championships Test Piece.

Given our recent successes at Stevenage (including this year's 8th place) we are contesting in the Championship Section next year! We are all looking forward to the new challenge. You can see our recent results in the regional contests on the LSC's website: http://www.regional-contest.org.uk/london

The City of Cambridge Brass Band is pleased to announce the appointment of Duncan Wilson as its Resident Conductor to work in conjunction with the Band's Musical Director, Peter Bassano.

On Saturday 19th January, under the baton of Peter Bassano, we came 6th playing Edward Gregson's Plantagenets. We are pleased with the result given the large field of 24 bands, from all over the country!

Under the baton of Peter Bassano, we came 2nd with Eric Ball's "The Wayfarer". This means a chance to play in the National Championships of Great Britain at Harogate (1st Section) in September, performing Ray Steadman-Allen's "Ratcliff Highway". !

The City of Cambridge Band is delighted to announce that James MacMillan, the eminent Scottish composer has accepted the Band's invitation to become its Patron. Mr MacMillan was approached about the position by Peter Bassano, the Band's Musical Director, who was appointed in the spring since which time the Band has pursued a more serious artistic policy than that normally associated with bands. The Band has quickly set up over the next year a series of eleven church concerts throughout Cambridgeshire.

The band is delighted to announce the appointment of Mr Peter Bassano as our resident Musical Director.