Congratulations to our Principal Horn Ken Browne who made a successful return to the N.I.B.B.League 2010 Solo Competitions recently. After an absence of over 15 years Ken achieved a creditable 4th. Place(93pts.) in the B section solos which had an Entry of 16 competitors. Ken won this section in1993 and also had several 3rd. places in the early 90's. He intends to improve on this result next year
See below for the results for the Grade 3 Brass from the NIBA Contest on 31st October 2009
Grade 3 Brass 1st Prize Newtownards Silver 93 points
. 2nd Prize St Mark's Silver 92 points
. 3rd Prize Wellington Memorial Silver 91 points
4th. Comber Silver 90 points
5th C.W.A. Brass 89 points
6th Magheramorne Silver 87 points
Congratulations must go to Newtownards Silver on another winning performance.
Test Piece 31st October 2009 - The Shipbuilders Click on Shipbuilders
The Return Of Da Clegg
Festival brass visited Spain recently and would you believe it turned into a Comber Brass reunion. because the infamous Da Clegg and his good lady wife came to support their Ulster entertainers!
Pictured below are ex - CSB members Laura Farling, Alan Currie and the most Infamous of all Da Clegg!
Oh to play to an audience such as this?
Compact Disc/ Podcast on Friday 21st & Saturday 22nd November 2008.
Recorded in St Marys Church of Ireland, Comber
(This is not a final mastered mix!)
CSB Recording Photographs 21st & 22Nd November 2008 St Marys
Below if you wish to wait for the download is the major work and test for Comber band. Over 8 minutes of extreme contrasting playing, telling the story of children from a Salvation Army Childrens School during the Korean War, during which the children and staff were taken away on a long march through the Korean Jungle to their deaths. You will hear moments of hostility to the beatings and pain during their ordeal, but now and again a reflection on their faith and prayers being offered up for their deliverence.
Tone Poem - Faith Reborn ; Arr Leslie Condon
C.S.B. Recording Session
C.S..B. finally achieved what had been a long term objective during the
weekend of the 21/22 November by recording a short programme which it
is hoped will form part of a future podcast/C.D. The original idea came
from their M.D. Geoff Clarke and was fully backed by the Band Committee.The
opportunity arose when, to their disappointment, the band was unable to
enter the N.I.B.A. Nov. Contest as several key players were unavailable
on the day.This recording venture focussed the Band on an alternative
goal during the pre-Christmas season.C.S.B. is indeed fortunate that Geoff
is not only their conductor but also has a knowledge of and experience
in recording with access to the necessary sophisticated equipment.With
help from his friend Jeremy and assistance from Associate Conductor Jack
Burch the Session finally got underway in St. Mary's Church Comber which
was generously made available for the purpose.
Geoff carefully picked a programme which not only illustrated the variety
of music a Brass Band (B.B) can offer but chose Solo and Sectional features
which highlighted the versatility and expertise of sections and the different
sounds and rhythms possible from the various pitched instruments.
Every B.B. programme contains a march and the Rimmer contest march 'Punchinello'
proved to be as popular now as when I learnt to play (In the last Century).
Music from the Movies is always popular with the listening public as it
often evokes memories and events from the past. Geoff's choice here was
the theme music from 'The Magnificent Seven' - a stirring theme by Bernstein
(arr .Fernie) and a compilation of music from the Bond films - arranged
by Darrol Barry - a long-time favourite of C.S.B. In contrast the music
from 'The Mission' - Gabriel's Oboe by Ennio Morricone was slower and
simpler but nonetheless a beautiful melody. The final film piece 'Sway'
from the Picture 'Shall We Dance' indicated a much more rhythmic style
in which the importance of good percussion cannot be underestimated.
Another traditional side to a Brass Band's repertoire is the sacred or
semi-sacred piece. Our programme included the hymn, 'Be still for the
presence of The Lord'. This was a very simple and well-known tune which
normally supports a simple but poignant message. 'Jubilation' as the title
suggests is a joyful compilation which is a fantasy based on Negro Spirituals
from the pen of James Curnow. This type of music appeals too many and
is quite suitable to brass instruments. The final piece in this category
was a tone poem by the Salvationist Leslie Condon. 'Faith Reborn' tells
a story of persecution of the salvation Army's children's home set in
a war-torn Korea and although challenging for the Band, repeated work
at rehearsal has made the story come alive.
In Geoff's choice of Solo or Sectional features, his aim was to use a
Section or a Section Principal Player again to illustrate the variety
and versatility of both music type and shades of tonal colour achievable
from the medium of Brass. The Trombone Section played Heath's 'Frolic
for Trombones' and listening to this conjures up images of three eighteen-
year -old lads on a night out. Sounds can be deceptive! Our cornet solo
was Langford's arrangement of the ever popular song 'My Love is like a
red red Rose' which enables the cornet sound to be heard at its best.
The flugel Solo was another slow but very haunting melody. Although Rodrigo
wrote his concerto ' Concerto de Aranjuez' for guitar and orchestra the
Adagio movement adapts well to B.B. and the flugel sound is well suited
to the melancholy mood of the original. The Tenor Horn feature was also
a slow and popular song 'Try to Remember' a Broadbent arrangement which
enhances a melody which lingers in the memory (no pun intended) long after
the last note has sounded. In contrast our Principal Euphonium played
an old favourite in the long - established traditional Brass Band Solo
format i.e. A well - known Air followed by technically difficult and exciting
variations. The chosen piece was 'The Grandfathers Clock' by Geo.Doughty
- familiar to all brass band afficionados.
The weekend was a worthwhile and rewarding experience for all concerned
and the fact that the Musical Management, Technical Team, Members and
Guest Players from neighbouring bands all worked together ( Some folk
sacrificing valuable time) for mutual benefit makes all associated with
C.S.B. grateful for the memory .It is my opinion that this type of venture
helps convert a group of talented (and not so talented) musicians into
a cohesive Banding Unit.
By Ken Brown!
Featured Player
Sam Burgess 67yrs Service to CSB
Sam joined the band in 1940 when Comber was in fact a flute band. In 1949 the decision was made to make the change over to brass and Sam found himself on the cornet line for many years. He also had periods on soprano cornet and even the flugal horn.
In recent years he has moved to tenor horn and that is where you will still find him. Sam's commitment to the band has been immense over the years. He never misses an engagement or practice and continues to focus all his energy in everything he does.
Sam is not only a committee member but also one of four trustees of the organisation. Comber band would like to thank him for the service which he has given and continues to give in the bands future.
(Webmaster) Geoff Clarke
18th November 2009
