Toddington Town Brass Band, Contesting, Musical Tuition

“Notes” from Toddington Town Band

“So that was Christmas, and what have we done? Another year over and a new one just begun” - with apologies to John Lennon and Yoko Ono, but what a Christmas season it was for the band!

The band’s busy ‘carol’ season starts earlier than most, in November, with their now regular participation at the Shoebox service held in the wonderful surrounds of Woburn’s cathedral-like St Mary’s Parish Church. On these occasions it’s evident that all spare surfaces in the magnificent church, built in the mid 1860’s for the 8th Duke of Bedford and still part of the Woburn Estate, have been adorned with the collection of Christmas-wrapped shoeboxes, received from generous donors around the area, for ‘Operation Christmas Child’.

Operation Christmas Child, now part of the ‘Samaritan's Purse’ charity launched by the legendary Dr. Billy Graham, is the world’s largest children’s Christmas appeal which takes over 1 million gift-filled shoeboxes from both the UK and Ireland and hand delivers them to children in need living in Eastern Europe, parts of Africa or Central Asia.

The band are delighted to be involved in this thought provoking service and provided music for the occasion, culminating in a wonderfully rousing rendition of ‘Hark The Herald Angels Sing’ combining with the near-capacity congregation and the church’s resident organist.

It was also in November that the band regretted to announce Mick Atkins decision to resign from his position as Musical Director. Mick had served in this position since his appointment in 2009 and under his direction the band celebrated their centenary year, which included performances at the prestigious Stowe School, at a music festival in France and at London venues. Mick also led the band at several successful engagements closer to home, including a series of bandstand appearances as well as regular concerts which supported both local and national charities. Mick’s service as Musical Director culminated with conducting the band during the recording of its first CD. The members and officials of the band convey their thanks to Mick and his wife Wendy and wish them well with any future endeavours they may venture in to.

The main festive events started in earnest at the beginning of December, when the band played on the village green before Santa, obviously in the area to do an early chimney access assessment, switched on the Christmas lights. Later in the week the band performed to a capacity audience at their Annual Christmas Concert, held in the Village Hall. As well as offerings from the main band, who provided festive music and carols for the audience to join in with, the concert also featured the ever-improving Learner Band, who performed two solo spots as well as combining for the massed band rendition of “Rudolph, The Red Nose Reindeer”.

Welcome guest performers for the evening were children from St George’s Lower School who gave a wonderfully enthusiastic performance under the guidance of their teacher, Mrs Spencer, and did a fantastic job of adding to the Christmas atmosphere. The children were rewarded with gifts of chocolate from the band, although whether any of it survived until Christmas Day (or even the following day!) is somewhat doubtful! The evening included the band’s annual awards ceremony and was skilfully linked together by compère, Deena Ingham, who also provided a comedic break from the music with poetry involving dubious Christmas presents.

The band also used the Christmas Concert to launch their first CD. To celebrate the band centenary, the recording has been entitled “…Telegram for Toddington …” and features much of the music – from marches and film themes to spiritual and traditional – performed by the band during it’s historic year.  Copies of the CD, priced at £6.50, are available at Toddington’s Post Office on Church Square and will also be on sale at band events throughout the year. Alternatively, for an additional £2 to cover postage and packaging, you can order copies by following the link on the band’s website or by calling 07804 050011.

For the next few events the band headed a little further afield. Firstly to Flitwick, where traditional carols were performed outside the Tesco store and collections were taken in aid of band funds. A small group of players also headed to Barton, to perform both background music and carols for the Women’s Institute Christmas party, where efforts were rewarded afterwards with some wonderful desserts.

Now becoming a regular fixture, the band headed next to the terminal buildings at London Luton Airport and provided some festive sounds for holiday makers aiming to get away from it all – and for others aiming to be back home in time for it all. Arranged by the airport chaplaincy, the band’s appearance is part of a series of musical events throughout the festive season. A percentage of money raised is donated to the chaplain’s chosen charity, which this year was the Luton-based ‘NOAH Enterprise’, which aims to help the disadvantaged and offers hope and support to people struggling against homelessness.

Carols were also performed in Toddington High Street and in Dunstable, outside both Sainsbury’s during some very wintry conditions and Tesco, before returning to home soil to participate in the “Carols on The Green” service. This year the service moved into the warmth and shelter of St George’s Church, reunited the band and the children from St George’s Lower School and was attended by a packed congregation. By now it was nearly time to put the carol books away, but not before a whistle stop evening tour around Eaton Bray, to perform at various locations around the village.

As mentioned in the last magazine, plans are underway for another busy year and details of our events will be advertised on our website. The band is looking forward to joining in with the Diamond Jubilee celebrations and during the village’s Spring Festival, will present their annual Spring concert. This year it will feature an “English” theme to tie in with it’s St George’s Day date – 22^nd April. We’d love to see you there and at our other events throughout 2012.

David Horsler

Publicity Officer

For any further information about the band, including details of all our events, please check our regularly updated website – www.toddingtontownband.com – or contact us on one of the following numbers:

Bandmaster: Ian Smith (01525) 876839