:: The Fairey Band ::

faireyband .com

News

10 January 2010 - It's Snow Joke!

The recent blizzards have played havoc with the Bands preparations for a busy January schedule that includes; a gala concert at the Butlins Brass Band Championships, a recording for Radio 2's 'Listen to the Band', and a concert at the Gracie Fields Theatre in Rochdale. Last Thursdays rehearsal had to be cancelled completely and some band members travelling from Saddleworth, parts of Yorkshire, and further afield, are still unable to make it over to Stockport. Hopefully the rising temperatures will enable normal service to be resumed as soon as possible!

07 December 2009 - New sponsorship deal announced

The Band is pleased to announce the signing of a new three year sponsorship deal with Geneva Instruments. The deal, completed last Friday, will see a complete new set of bespoke Geneva instruments being produced and provided to the band, as well as a complete set of new walking out uniforms and livery. As soon as is practicable the band’s name will change to become: 'The Fairey (Geneva) Band'.

Band Manager Ian Howarth states: "The band has had a period of solid rebuilding over the last three years. We have strived to maintain the highest possible playing standards, and so to be able to work with an instrument supplier of Geneva’s incredibly high standards will set new levels of professionalism for the band. Everyone concerned is looking forward to developing and strengthening this extremely generous relationship."

Musical Director Phil Chalk is also relishing the prospect: "To be given the opportunity to unify and hone the bands sound with Geneva is one we are relishing. I would also like to thank our own Ian Howarth and Martin Gernon, and Tim Oldroyd of Geneva for their hard work in putting this deal together so efficiently."

Geneva Instruments Managing Director Tim Oldroyd is equally excited about the new sponsorship deal: "In a short period of time, we have gained an excellent reputation for the supply of quality brass instruments. To now be strongly associated with Fairey is something we are very proud of. The Fairey tradition and heritage speaks for itself and we are looking forward to helping the band develop further, whilst at the same time honing the superb quality and tone of our instruments with the involvement of the supremely talented players at Fairey."

05 December 2009 - Faireys hand out the gongs!

As is always the tradition the annual awards for 'Best Bandsman' and 'Player of the Year' were handed out during our Christmas concert at Stockport Town Hall last night. 'Best Bandsman' went (for the second year running!) to 3rd cornet player and librarian Jimmy Leggatt. Unfortunately he couldn't be there on the night to collect the award as he is enjoying a spot of Indonesian sunshine and sight seeing at the moment! 'Player of the Year' went to our relatively new solo Euphonium player, Gary Curtin, in recognition of some great playing at the National Finals and Brass in Concert. Both awards were presented on the night by the MD of Geneva Instruments, Tim Oldroyd.

17 November 2009 - Christmas Bavarian!!!

After the roaring success of our first Bavarian night at Albion Farm in August another is planned for December 19^th. Once again members of the band will provide the entertainment in the form of an oompah band, and a hog roast will be provided courtesy of the farm. See here for full details.

12 November 2009 - More new signings

The band is pleased to announce the signings of two new members in the form of Scot Bennett on Solo Horn and Les Webb on Solo Trombone. Scot is returning to the band after an extended break from top level banding due to work commitments. Les is a former member of Fodens that has more recently been conducting the Eccles Borough Band. We wish them both a long and successful tenure.

We currently have vacancies for a soprano cornet player and another experienced percussionist. If you would like to be considered for audition then please get in touch with Ian Howarth via the contacts page.

11 October 2009 - Open rehearsals

As part of the preparation for Saturday's National Finals competition in the Royal Albert Hall, the band is staging two open rehearsals. The first is on Tuesday 13th October at Uppermill Civic Hall. The second is on Thursday 15th at Stockport Academy, Heathbank Road, Cheadle Heath. Both are open to the public from 7pm, where you can watch the band rehearsing the testpiece 'The Torchbearer' by Peter Graham.

10 October 2009 - French headlining

The band has just returned from a highly successful few days in France where it played to around 2000 people packed into La Place de la Revolution, Besançon as part of the town's 'Sonorama' festival. Acid Brass proved itself to be as popular as ever, working the French crowd into a frenzy as Faireys took the headline Friday night slot on a large stage erected solely for the band in one of the town's main squares.

A great advert was made for the many sides of British brass banding in the space of around 2 hours. The band entered the open air concert by marching in to 'Punchinello' from their hotel across town, much to the delight of the crowd that had been gathering in anticipation. A quite traditional first half included favourites such as 'Malaguena', Leroy Anderson's 'Belle of the Ball', rounded off with Tchaikovsky's epic 'The Little Russian'. Mike Eccles ably took the baton for the evening, and made light work of introducing the music to an appreciative French speaking audience.

The band transformed in the second half to perform an atmospheric Acid Brass set which buzzed through the crowd on this warm October evening. Getting a French audience dancing is apparently something of an achievement in itself, but the sounds of 'Cubik' and 'What Time is Love?' drove them wild, as Eccles turned frontman in rallying their appreciative noise. As the night led to a close, neither crowd or band could find it within themselves to leave the arena. An encore was followed by a return to stage before the lips were finally beginning to give in, and the thirst for a well earned bière overtook.

The band would like to extend its thanks to the players standing in for those who couldn't get time off work, including a few Faireys old boys! Thanks also to the organisers for superb hospitality, especially the exquisite French cuisine on the Friday evening!