Dec 11 - NEW CD RELEASED
Oddfellows Brass is proud to present our latest album - 'Perfectly Polished.'

Priced at £12 - £2 of which shall be donated to charities related to dyslexia, dysgraphia and dyscalculia in honour of Megan Faulks, who chose the name for the album - you can order your copy by contacting the Band Manager Kay Carter or any player you know in the band. The track list is as follows:

 

1. ODDFELLOWS MARCH 

2. PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN 

3. SHARE MY YOLK- Cornet Soloist Brian Morris 

4. TICKET TO RIDE 

5. FLOWER POWER 

6. THE WAY WE WERE- Euphonium Soloist Jim McEntee 

7. 633 SQUADRON 

8. I BELIEVE- Soprano Cornet Soloist Kev Moxon 

9. BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY 

10. MONGOLIAN FOLK  TUNE 

11. BARE NECESSITIES- Eb Bass Soloist Phil Read 

12. CORNET CARILLON 

13. BRAZIL 

14. AN AMERICAN TRILOGY

 

Nov 11 - MORE SILVERWARE AT THE WEST MIDLANDS BRASS BAND ASSOCIATION (WMBBA) CONTEST
Playing the classic test piece and one of the all time greats, Journey into Freedom, Oddfellows Band were delighted to return home with the 2nd place trophy from the recent WMBBA Brass Band Contest held in Pershore. To top off a brilliant band performance the bands solo Eb bass player Luke Atkinson was also awarded the 'best instrumentalist' award for his individual contribution. At only 16 years of age we are sure this wont be the last time Luke is walking away with individual awards and the contest result is an excellent achievement for the band as they enter the 'home straight' of 2011 and start looking to the new year.

 

Oct 11 - SAD PASSING OF ODDFELLOWS FRIEND AND COLLEAGUE
After the sad loss of Gerald Aucott, a much loved and valued friend and bandsman, Oddfellow Brass would like to pass on our thanks to everyone who attended the funeral. For those of you who didn't know, Gerald sadly passed away in Germany recently whilst on holiday with friends, including his close friend Stan Hearne. It was a sad moment for the many people who counted Gerald amongst their friends. He brought a lot to the banding world over many years. Our thanks go to our musical director, Rob Boulter for choosing an appropriate programme for the funeral and to Jayne Moxon for assembling such a good band of players. It just goes to show what esteem Gerald was held in that so many attended to show their respect.  Mary, Gerald's wife requested that a duet which was the last piece that Gerald ever played in Germany, was performed at both the committal service and Coalville Rugby by Club afterwards along with a programme of light hearted pieces that Gerald counted among his favourites. Mary and the family were delighted that the performance entertained everyone and celebrated Gerald's life in the way he loved best.

 

Mar 11 - NEW SIGNINGS AND WELCOME RETURNS
We are pleased to announce that we have a new signing on the Euphonium section. CHRIS BANKS joins us on 2nd Euphonium. Chris is a welcome addition to the band having played at top level around the country. The band is also delighted to welcome back three players who have been with the band previously. JAN FOX returns taking the 2nd Trombone seat. Jan has been associated with the band for many years now and took some time out to persue other interests and spend time with her family. Also making a very welcome return to us is JOHN WESTON who has been away for quite a number of years now. John also takes up a seat on the trombone section filling the Bass Trombone seat. Also returning to the band is STAN HEARNE who joins us on 3rd Cornet. So welcome to Oddfellows Brass guys, we are glad to have you all onboard.

 

Mar 11 - MIDLANDS AREA CONTEST
Saturday March 12th saw the band competing in the 1st Section at the Midlands Area Contest. After weeks of gruelling rehearsals the band took the stage and gave a brilliant perfomance of Le Carnaval Romain (The Roman Carnival) by Berlioz. There were 18 competing bands and we were awarded 4th place!! This fantastic result means that as of January 1st 2012 the band will be promoted once again, this time to the Championship Section. All of the bands hard work has paid off during the last 2 years and under the superb leadership of our MD Rob we are now looking forward to a long stay in that section.

 

Jan 11 - MORE SUCCESS ON THE CONTEST STAGE
Oddfellows Brass brought a hugely enjoyable 2010 to a victorious close on the competition stage as we gained 7th place at Leicester contest and 1st prize at Leamington contest in November 2010.  At leamington the bands Soprano Cornet player Kevin Moxon was also awarded the best instrumentalist pzize and the best conductor award went to our very ownRob Boulter. The band are looking forward to even more success as we embark on 2011.

 

Sep 10 - NEW SIGNINGS
Oddfellows Brass would like to extend a warm welcome to CAROLE ATKINSON who has taken the 1st Horn position in the band. Carole has been with us in the past and we are glad to welcome her back. Caroles son LUKE ATKINSON has also joined us on EEb Bass. Luke is just 14 years old and has already reached grade 6 standard. A big welcome to you both.

 

 

June 10 - ANNUAL MOVEABLE CONFERENCE BRINGS THE HOUSE DOWN
This years AMC was held in Manchester, the home of the Oddfellows. This year is the Bi-Centenary of our sponsors and the band enjoyed a great day in Manchester with the Oddfellows. The day kicked off very early with a parade from The Town Hall to Manchester Cathedral where The Band played  music for the service including Procession To The Minster and I'll Walk With God. We enjoyed free time around the city until the evening concert in the magnificent Manchester Town Hall. The audience were in fine fettle as the band treated them to a wide variety of music including music from the Bond films and a fantastic trombone trio I Will Follow Him from the movie SISTER ACT. Our fine  trombone section, Jon Thompson, Kev Bexley , and Chris Gill got in to the spirit of the piece by all dressing as nuns!!!!!! Our talented soprano Cornet player Kev Moxon blew the audience away with the beautiful melody I Believe. Our Euphonium Section George Draycott and Jim McEntee were superb as they played music by Frank Sinatra & Sammy Davis Jr. with Euphonium DuetMe & My Shadow.  Our fantastic Solo Horn player Sheila Draycott brought th house down with her rendition of Over The Rainbow from The Wizard Of Oz. A great night in great company. Here's to the next one.

Mar 10 - FANTASTIC RESULT AT MIDLANDS AREA QUALIFIER
Saturday 13th March saw the band competing in the Midlands Area competition held at The Civic Hall in Bedworth. This year we were competing in the First Section after gaining promotion from the second section in January. There were 18 competing bands in the section and we were drawn to play No 17 playing Gustav Holsts "Moorside Suite" a traditional peice in three movements which has stood the test of time being over 70 years old!! It  proved to be a tough challenge for the band with weeks of gruelling rehearsals over the passed 6 weeks or so. We gave a credible and musical performance and most people, including Rob were pleased with how we had played and we left the stage a happy band knowing that we had held our own in our new and much tougher section. We were even happier when the results were announced, we were awarded 3rd place and qualified to play at The National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain in September!!!! A great day for the band, especially with it being our first outing in the First Section. A big WELL DONE to everybody!!!!  

 

Jan 10 - NEW SIGNINGS
A warm welcome is extended to three new players who have recently joined us. Jayne Moxon has taken the flugel horn position, Jayne has been a member of the band before but left a couple of years ago to live in Cyprus and has now relocated back to the UK with her husband Kevin Moxon who has filled the Soprano Cornet seat. Both Jayne and Kevin have a wealth of experience in banding and we are delighted to have them both join us. Anita Poyner joins us from Gresley Colliery Band and has taken up the 3rd cornet position on the back row cornet section. Welcome to OddFellows Brass guys, glad to have you onboard. 

 

Jan 10 - ODDFELLOWS BRASS NEW PRINCIPAL CORNET
We are happy to welcome BRIAN  MORRIS to the band as he takes up the vacant principal Cornet position. Brian agreed to fll the seat for the recent Pontins, Leamington , and Leicester contests and he enjoyed playing with us so much that he has decided to fill the position on a permanant basis. he lead the front row cornet section very well indeed and seemed to fit in and settle down immediately and we are all pleased that he decided to stay. Brian joins us from newhall band where he held the position of Soprano Cornet. Welcome aboard Brian and we all hope that you enjoy your new position with us.

 

Nov 09 - ANOTHER WINNING PERFORMANCE
The band competed at the Leicestershire Brass Band Association Contest on Sunday 29th November. This was the bands last contest of the year and our last outing in the 2nd Section. There were 6 bands in the section and we were drawn to play last. The band again played FLASHBACK by Jan De Haan and on leaving the stage were all satisfied with the performance. The hall filled up for the results and listened to Adjudicator Steve Pritchard-Jones pass on his thoughts on the days playing. He remarked that there was a good standard of playing from all competing bands but he had no problem in choosing the winners, a band he said, that "Lifted the music from the pages". Band members were soon out of their seats as once again we were announced as the winning band. A great way for the band to exit the 2nd Section and great encouragment for us as we look forward to our promotion to the 1st Section in January.

 

Nov 09 - VICTORY IN LEAMINGTON
Sunday 22nd November saw the band competing at the West Midlands Brass Band Associations contest, held at The Royal Spa Centre in Leamington Spa. After working tirelessly on the test piece FLASHBACK by Jacob De Haan for the last three weeks we were drawn to play No 7 and the band gave a tight and well polished performance once again expertly directed by our Musical Director Rob Boulter. Tension mounted at the conclusion of the 2nd Section as we waited patiently for the results. Cheers and screams filled the hall as the band were proclaimed clear winners with a clear four point lead on the runners up, something virtually unheard of at a brass band competition!!! Our Principal Cornet Player Brian Morris won the Best Instrumentalist prize too!!!! We are now looking forward to playing the piece again at Leicester Contest on 29th November where it is hoped we can repeat our success. Leicester Contest will be the bands last outing in the 2nd Section and we are all looking forward to our forthcoming promotion to the 1st Section in January 2010

 

Nov 09 - A NEW MEMBER IN THE TROMBONE SECTION
The band are pleased to announce that Chris Gill has signed for us and has taken up the Bass Trombone position on a full time basis. Chris is a well established player who studied Trombone at The Royal Academy of Music from 2002-2006 as well as playing with the Syd Lawrence Orchestra and some of the countrys finest brass bands including one time world champions Desford Colliery Band. Chris takes over from long serving band member Andy Ellis who has taken over as Musical Director of Burbage Silver Band, and is unable to do both on a regular basis. All of us at Oddfellows Brass extend a warm welcome to Chris and wish Andy well with his conductership at Burbage.

 

Oct 09 - A NEW SIGNING ON THE HORN SECTION
All of us at Oddfellows Brass would like to extend a warm welcome to Angelia Clarke who joins us on 2nd Horn. Angelia takes up the position with immediate effect and makes her contesting debut with the band at the forthcoming Pontins Brass Band Championships. So, welcome aboard Ange and here's hoping that you enjoy many years of banding with us

 

 

Oct 09 - PONTINS BRASS BAND CHAMPIONSHIPS
The band competed in this years Pontins Brass Band Championships on Sunday 25th October playing the set test peice "Danceries" by kenneth Heskey. The band were drawn to play No 9  and all the hard work at rehearsals over the last few weeks paid off and the band gave a good solid and musical performance whice earned us a credible 3rd Place out of 15 bands. A good morale booster for the band as we start working on the test peice for the imminent Leicester and Leamington contests.

 

May 09 - NEW SIGNINGS
The band are happy to report three new signings. Jon Wright who has previously played with us has joined us once more on Flugel Horn. Jon has been helping us at numerous engagements recently and has enjoyed it so much that he has decided to come back to the band. He joined  a number of years ago as a young boy but left after he got married to concentrate on starting a family. Also joining us on Solo Horn is Sheila Winter. Sheila hails from a Brass Banding family, her brothers Martin and Brian are both well established musicians and Sheila herself has played with some of the county's finest bands. Lastly we would like to welcome Sheilas partner George Draycott who joins us on Euphonium. George is a well established bandsman and he also has years of experience as a Euphonium player and has played with local bands such as Desford and Gresley Colliery Band. So welcome to Oddfellows Brass guys, and heres to many years of playing with us.

 

May 09 - ANNUAL MOVEABLE CONFERENCE EASTBOURNE
This years Oddfellows AMC is being held in Eastbourne and commenced on Sunday 24th with a Church Service at the Congress Theatre, with Hymns and incidental music provided by the band. The Winter Gardens was the location for Oddfellows Brass in Concert at 3pm that afternoon. The band played a varied selection of music that proved very popular with the audience who all turned out to support the band despite it being the hottest day of the year so far. They were treated to some traditional Brass band arrangements such as Gordon Langfords "When The Saints Go Marching In" and 633 Squadron. They also enjoyed some less traditional music with "Tom Jones In Concert" which included all of the Welsh Superstars most popular hits and a superb arrangements of Jackie Wilsons "Reet Petite"!!!!! Two of the bands talented soloists treated the audience to "The Bare Necessities" from the Disney classic "The Jungle Book" played excellently by the bands Principal E Flat Bass player Phil Read, the bands Principal Euphonium player Jim McEntee performed the beautiful Irish melody "Carrickfergus" and the bands Trombone section Jon Thompson, Kev Bexley and Andy Ellis treated the crowd to "I Will Follow Him" from the movie "Sister Act". Also on the programme was the main theme from "Riverdance" giving the bands percussion section a chance to show off their talents.The bands Finale was "Tocatta in D Minor" which brought the audience to their feet shouting for more. A great weekend for the band and a fantastic start to our sponsors conference.

 

Mar 09  - ODDFELLOWS BRASS HEAD FOR THE FIRST SECTION
Sunday 15th March saw the band competing in the Midlands Area Championships held at the Civic Hall in Bedworth. The band have been top of the Second Section for the last twelve months and have worked tirelessly on the set test piece, Dan Prices "New World Sketches" for the last 8 weeks or so. The day commenced with a rehearsal at 8am which most band members did not relish!!! There were 11 competing bands in the section and the band were drawn to play No.11. The band gave a really credible performance which gained them 3rd Prize just missing out on a place at the National Brass Band Finals held later in the year. However,the result has guaranteed the band promotion to the 1st Section from January 2010.We were awarded with a fine sheild for our placing and £75 in prize money(more was spent at the bar by celebrating band members)!!! A really good start to the contesting season and a hell of a morale booster for Rob and the band.

 

Jan 09  - A NEW ARRIVAL
Andy Ellis, the bands Bass Trombone Player and his wife Maxine are happy to announce the arrival of their new baby girl, Sharna Jane Ellis. Sharna was born on January 25th 2009 at 10.40pm weighing in at a whopping 10lb 4oz!! All of us at Oddfellows Brass wish Andy and Max all the very best and are pleased to hear that Sharna and both of her tired parents are doing well!!

 

Jan 09  - NEW SIGNINGS & WELCOME RETURNS
The Band is happy to report that we have signed some new players for the up and coming Regional Qualifiers in March. Dean Sargent joins us from Desford Colliery Band and has taken up the 3rd Man down spot on the Front Row Cornet Section. The 2nd Trombone position has been filled by Kev Bexley who has joined us from Carlton Brass. The Soprano Cornet chair has now been filled by Peter Upton. Peter played with our Training Band quite a while back and has been at Manchester Conservatoire playing Trumpet. He is now back in Leicester and contacted us through the website. Last but not least we are happy to welcome back three players who have been away from the band for a while. Sarah John is now back with us on EEb Bass and Sarah's husband Martin John has returned taking over the Flugel spot from Paul Hing who sadly, has left us, and Jan Fox is making a return on Solo Trombone taking over from Jon Thompson who has moved on to Bass Trombone. Jon has taken over from Andy Ellis who is on paternity leave from the band awaiting the arrival of his new baby,which is due anytime now! Watch this space!!

Sep 08  - NEW SIGNINGS
The Band is happy to announce the return of three players who have all played for us previously. JULIE GOODWRIGHT joins us on 2nd Horn after a long time away. Julie was part of the original line up way back in 1981 but left soon after to move to the Cornwall area and has played in several bands whilst there. Now having moved back to the area she has re joined. We are also pleased to see the return of TONITA NORTH who has filled the 2nd Euphonium seat. Tonita was the bands 2nd Baritone player first time around and has had around 10 years away from banding, but has decided to revitalise her playing career and is doing a great job. Tonitas daughter DEBBIE NORTH has also decided to start playing again after quite a while and has re~joined the band and has admirably filled the Solo Horn seat. So a big warm welcome back ladies it's good to have you all on board again.

May 08  - AMC 2008 SOUTHPORT
This years Annual Moveable Conference was held at Southport and again the band provided music for the church service on Sunday morning followed by a superb concert on Sunday afternoon. The band played a variety of music that proved to be very entertaining including a medley of popular 60's songs called "Flower Power" a great arrangement of the Pet Shop Boys "It's A Sin" and also music from the movies including Bryan Adams's "Everything I Do" from Robin Hood, the theme from Dances with Wolves and a great selection of music from Pirates of the Carribbean. Also included in the repertoire was some great music provided by the bands talented soloists. Jenny Parker~Bates and Adrian Drewitt performed Baritone duet "Softly as I Leave You", the bands Flugelist Paul Hing gave a haunting performance of "Concerto de Aranjuez" from the film Brassed Off and Jim McEntee, the bands Principal Euphonium player performed a new arrangement of Lark in the Clear Air. A great day for the band marred only by the van carrying the bands equipment breaking down on the way home!!!

Jan 08  - SAD LOSS ON THE HORN SECTION
The band is very sad to announce the resignation of flugel player Jayne Wright. This is a great loss to the band and she will be sadly missed. Jayne has been the bands flugel player for the last three years and has been very committed travelling from her home in Scarborough to Leicester for rehearsals!! Due to a recent illness she felt that the travelling would be too much and has decided to call it a day. A big thank you from all of us Jayne, we wish you good luck with your new band and stay in touch 'eh?

Jan 08  - WELCOME RETURN OF TWO FAMILIAR FACES
We are all really pleased to welcome back two players who have played with us in the past. ANDY PLATTS the bands former Principal Cornet has made a welcome return and admirably filled the Repiano Cornet position. Another of the bands former cornet players PAUL HING has signed for us and takes over the Flugel chair from Jayne Wright. Both Players have played for other bands in the Leicestershire area over the years and have now both gone full circle and ended up back where they belong. WELCOME BACK CHAPS.

Jan 08  - MORE FAMILIAR FACES BACK FOR AREA QUALIFIERS
Three more ex players are back among the ranks to help the band at the 2008 area qualifiers. The band are happy to welcome back former 1st Baritone PHIL READ who has filled the 2nd Euph seat. Also Phils wife JO READ  has completed the front row line up and last but by no means least our former Solo Horn player JON WRIGHT has agreed to fill his old position to complete the horn section line up. Good to see you all back if only for a little while.

Sep 07 - A NEW DIRECTION
Unity Brass would like to extend a warm welcome to Lee Blankley as Musical Director. Lee will be at the helm for the Pontins Brass Band Championships and The Leamington Contest and all concerts up until the end of 2007. Lee is no stranger to the band he rehearsed and cosequently conducted the band for the Midlands Area Qualifiers back in 1988 gaining a 2nd place and a place at the National Finals. Lee takes over the baton from regular Musical Director Rob Boulter who has kindly offered to fill the Soprano Cornet position after all efforts to find someone for the position failed. So welcome Lee and good luck to Rob as he embarks on his revitalised playing career.

Aug 07 - MORE LOVE & MARRIAGE
Saturday August 18th saw Unity Brass Principal Euphonium Jim McEntee and 2nd Baritone Val Myatt get married at Whiwick Methodist Church. Val walked down the aisle to Robbie Williams' Angels played beautifully by Tenor Horn Player Richard Shaw. After the service the newly weds were played out to some good ole Rock "N" Roll as Unity Brass performed "Elvis Rocks" Jim has been with the band since 1981 and met Val when she joined the band 6 years ago. The happy Couple will be having a well earned break from band practice as they enjoy their honeymoon in Las Vegas and Memphis.

Dec 06 - LOVE & MARRIAGE
Unity Brass are thrilled to announce that on Saturday the 9th of December  Sarah Harman the bands Solo Eb Bass and Martin John our 2nd Euphonium Player  were married at Brooksby Hall in Leicestershire. Martin and Sarah met some years ago at Unity Brass and have been good friends since. Not before time their solid friendship turned to love and they decided to get married earlier this year. Band members old and new played at the ceremony and helped them celebrate their special day with music especially chosen by the two of them. Sarahs liking for Elvis saw her walking down the aisle to a fanfare version of It's Now Or Never and later in the ceremony came American Trilogy. Also during the service were segments from The Year of the Dragon and The Essence of Time, Flugel Solo Evergreen and Euphonium duet Deep Inside The Sacred Temple. So, Sarah & Martin from  all of us at Unity Brass..We wish you all the happiness in the world for your future together.

Dec 06 - A NEW SIGNING IN THE PERCUSSION SECTION
Unity Brass are happy to welcome Jeremy Wood who joins the band on tuned percussion. Jeremy stepped in at VERY short notice to help us out at Pontins in November and enjoyed the bands company so much that he decided to stay. So welcome to Unity Brass Jez hope you have many years of  banding with us.

Nov 06 - LEAMINGTON CONTEST
The Band attended the annual contest held at The Spa Centre in Leamington on Sunday 26th November competing against six other bands in the 2nd Section playing Kenneth Downies Purcell Variations.The band were drawn Number Seven and gave a good solid performance after weeks of intense rehearsal. All the hard work paid off and the band were pronounced clear winners!! A fantastic result for us and one hell of a morale booster after a couple of years of re building.

Oct 06 - ANOTHER FAMILIAR FACE RETURNS TO THE RANKS
Lee Rogers who has been a member of Unity Brass on two occasions in the Bands history is welcomed back to the band where he will take up the flugelhorn position. Lee takes over the spot from Jayne Wright who will admirally fill the Repiano Cornet vacancy. Since leaving Unity , Lee has sat in various positions in several local bands including The talented Kibworth Band and more recently played with the Raunds band and was part of thier meteoric rise through the Brass Band rankings. He has throughout his musical career played both Soprano and Bb Cornet but now realises his last in a long list of ambitions by playing the flugel. Welcome back Lee!!

Sep 06 - A WELCOME RETURN OF A FAMILIAR FACE
Unity Brass are happy to welcome back a player who has been away for quite some time. Original Band Member Andy Ellis has re - signed for the band on Bass Trombone completing the Trombone line up. Andy first joined the band way back in 1981 but for the last 23 years he has been serving his country as a member of the parachute regiment and as well as several tours of duty in Northern Ireland and the Falklands he has performed in the regiments band all over the world. Now back in civvy street Andy works as a Parish councillor. He is a VERY talented musician and is a welcome addition to the band, so WELCOME BACK Andy, it's been far too long!!

Jul 06 - A NEW SIGNING IN THE HORN SECTION
Unity Brass are happy to announce the signing of Richard Shaw from The Wingates Band.  Richard joins us on 1st horn and hopefully will enjoy his new position with us.  Welcome to Unity Brass Rik......Your life will NEVER be the same again!!!!!!

May 06 - ANOTHER GOOD YEAR AT THE ODDFELLOWS ANNUAL MOVEABLE CONFERENCE
This years AMC was held in Scarborough and despite the dismal weather a good weekend was enjoyed by all. The band performed twice over the weekend firstly providing the music on Sunday Morning at the Conference Church Service and later in the day with a concert. The concert originally planned to be played in the Spa Centre Open Air Bandstand was moved inside to the Ocean Room. Despite the terrible weather the band still managed to attract over 300 people who braved the elements to come and be entertained. This year being the bands Silver Anniversary year we decided to include in the programme several Solo items that had proved popular with AMC audiences over the years, and prove popular they did!! The audience were treated to a unique performance of The Acrobat by the bands Principal Trombone Player Jan Fox and an impeccable performance of Rhapsody For Euphonium by the bands former Principal Euphonium Ian "Smokey" Wright now resident at YBS. Darrol Barrys arrangement of The Way We Were was performed by current Principal Euphonium player Jim McEntee and Duet For Two Cats was given an inimitable airing by the bands former Principal Cornet Player Andy Platts with Jan Fox on Trombone. Also included in the repertoire was the " World Premiere" of The OddFellows March, composed especially for the occasion by Unity Brass Solo Baritone Martin John. All this and a great variety of other pieces and a fantastic audience made for a brilliant afternoon.

Apr06 - NEW WEBSITE GOES LIVE
Unity Brass are delighted to launch their new website.  Here you will be able to keep up with all the latest news from the band room as well as get to know who plays here, when the future engagements are and when the latest vacancies become available.  We will endeavour to keep this site as up to date as possible so you know whats happening as it happens.  Thanks for stopping by.