Toddington Town Brass Band, Contesting, Musical Tuition

“Tempus fugit” for Toddington Town Band

It was, believe or not, in around 29BC that the Roman, Virgil, first recorded the words “Tempus fugit” in his epic poetry ‘Georgics’.  Frequently used these days as an inscription on clock faces, the Latin expression commonly translates as "time flies".  For the members of Toddington Town Band there can be no more apt expression!  It seems not more than a few weeks have passed since the start of our summer season, yet already our busy Christmas season looms on the horizon!

 After the initial disappointment with the weather in June, when hardy souls kept us company at Leighton Buzzard bandstand, the weather finally turned for the better in July. The sun shone for our July bandstand performances in Bedford and Dunstable. Along with the sun came the audiences and it was a pleasure to play in front of the appreciative listeners whilst they enjoyed both the music and their ice creams.

 As usual, the band took things at a slower pace during August, and with no concert commitments some of our members took the chance to take a break during the school holidays.

 In September the ‘proper’ British weather unfortunately returned, which called for some quick reorganisation.  An “Afternoon Tea” concert was due to take place in a beautiful setting - on the formal lawns in Westoning’s traditional Old Vicarage Gardens. With grey skies and frequent downpours though, the event couldn’t go ahead as planned. Undeterred, the vicar and the church staff launched into action and quickly made arrangements for the concert to go ahead in the neighbouring St. Mary Magdalen Church itself.  The acoustics in the wonderful early 14th century building allowed the audience to enjoy the sound of the band, whilst enjoying their teas and keeping dry!

 Our Learners Band continues to go from strength to strength. Often a much welcome and appreciated addition to the senior band’s programmes, the Learners performed their first ‘solo’ outing with conductor Andrea Horsler at the “Music in the Park” event in Upper Sundon.  The event was organised by Play 4 Sundon, a subcommittee of Sundon Parish Council, who are aiming to raise over £30,000 to improve the facilities of their village playing field.

 The learners delighted the audience who tapped their feet along to the brass band classic “The Floral Dance”, enjoyed a nostalgic nod to the Beatles with “Yesterday” and “I wanna hold your hand” and were taken further back in time with the Tudor-esque “Pastime With Henry”. Such was the reception that the band returned to the Beatles to give an encore with “Yellow Submarine”.  The Learners will be returning to the stage to perform during the Toddington Band Christmas Concert, more of which later. 

 Like the band’s Spring Concert in April, organised jointly with the Foresters Friendly Society to raise money for the RNLI, the band’s latest concert also benefited charity.

 The Autumn Concert, performed in the Village Hall, was held to raise awareness for “The Stoke Association”, a charity very close to the band’s heart. The Stroke Association is the only UK-wide charity solely concerned with combating stroke and funds research into prevention, treatment and better methods of rehabilitation to directly help stroke patients and their families. The band were pleased to raise over £180 for the charity during the event.

 Former BBC Music Producer, Philip Whitaker, who has worked on such programmes as “Listen to the Band” and the “John Dunn Show”, has been busy recording for the band’s first CD. With a selection of pieces that have been performed during the band’s recent concert and bandstand programmes, the band has now completed two recording sessions in Toddington’s Methodist Church.   The CD is now being edited and once complete, details of the release date and how you can get your own copy will be placed on the band’s website.  

 And so to the rapidly approaching festive season, which all starts with the band accompanying the “Christmas Light Switch On”, on the Village Green on Monday 5^th December.

 Our Annual Christmas Concert takes place in the Village Hall on Saturday 10^th December – please see the poster in this magazine for more details.  As usual, it will feature a selection of festive offerings along with favourite carols to give you a chance to raise the roof!  

 Tickets for the concert will be available at the door and we’d love you to join us.  If you have transport problems but would like to be with us, please let us know on the numbers below and we’ll do our best to make arrangements.

 The band will return to the Village Green on Monday 19^th December for the popular Churches Together “Carols on the Green”, but in the meantime will be found performing carols and festive music at several of the larger supermarkets – Tesco, Sainsbury and ASDA - in the area, as well at Luton Airport.  If you can spare a minute out of your frantic rush to get all the Chrismas shopping done, then please come and have a listen. “Favourite Carol” requests are always welcome!  Times and venues can be found on our website.

 Plans are already being made for what promises to be another busy year in 2012, and the band looks forward to joining with Toddington’s celebrations of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. 

 In the meantime your local brass band would like to thank you for your support this year and wish you a very happy Christmas.

 For any further information about the band please check our regularly updated website - www.toddingtontownband.com  - or contact us on one of the following numbers:

 Bandmaster          Ian Smith               01525 876839

Secretary              Andrea Horsler      07804 050011