|
Bearpark & Esh Colliery Band would like to wish our followers a very Happy Christmas to all of our members, followers and supporters. After a busy December we have put all of our instruments away for a well deserved rest and to have some family time. We hope you have a lovely day however you are spending it.
0 Comments
The last 2 nights (22nd/2rd December) has seen the band perform at Sainsbury's at the Arnison Centre in Durham for the final two band engagements of the Christmas season. A massive thank you goes to everyone who has donated across the two nights either in our physical collecting buckets, or our virtual collecting buckets. A small band tonight, were honoured to play outside of St. Nic's Church in Durham Market Place to provide festive music prior to their carol service. Thank you goes to our helper Corinne, for helping us out tonight on Solo Cornet. A big thank you goes to everyone who put a little something into our collecting bucket as they passed by. The band has spread some Christmas cheer in Durham Market Place this morning. A big thank you goes to James, from Durham Markets for your continued support. Also, a massive thank you goes to all the shoppers who donated into our collecting buckets or virtual collecting buckets. Your support is highly apprieciated. Tonight saw the band perform at Ushaw Historic House, Chapels & Gardens, for their Christmas Carols event. A full standing ovation from our very appreciative full audience makes what we do all the more special. The stunning chapel was in full glory last night as the band filled it with festive music and with lots of audience participation. We featured two of our fantastic soloists, our Solo Horn player Lindsey Rowell played In the Bleak Mid Winter and our Solo Euphonium player David Thomas played O Holy Night. There was also a lovely vocal rendition of Silent Night in Alan Beaumont's Festive Brass by Helen Miller, our 3rd Cornet Player. A big thank you to Stephen Jack for coming along to record and take photos of our concert. Another thank you goes to David Petherick who has been a great help on Soprano Cornet over the last 7 months. You're help is greatly appreciated. Finally, we would like to thank Jonathan Ward, who is the Co-CEO and all of his staff at Ushaw for their valued and constant support of the band. The band class this venue as our home and it is always an absolute privilege to play in the chapel. There are lots planned in 2026 with them so keep an eye out on all social media platforms. Tonight saw the band join forces with the wonderful Crook & Weardale Choral Society to perform an amazing sell out concert in St. Catherine's Church, Crook & Howden le Wear. It was amazing to see such a fabulous audience with only standing room available as the concert started. The band played a mixture of Christmas music along with two joint pieces with the choir. Our featured soloist for the evening was our Solo Euphonium player, David Thomas who played Keith Wilkinson's O Holy Night. It is always a joy to join together with other musical groups to perform together and Crook and Weardale Choral Society are no exception. This concert has always been a firm favourite of the band over the last decade or so. This morning saw half the band playing for the residents at West Lodge Care Home in Billy Row. They were in fine voice and loved having the band play some festive favourites. Tonight has seen the band perform at Quebec Village Hall. The band were honoured to play to such an amazing audience with only standing room left in the hall. Thank you to each and every one of you for turning out and joining in with all of the singing. Your rendition of Alan Beaumont's 12 Days of Christmas was fantastic. The local support means a lot to us and tonight you didn't disappoint. We featured two wonderful soloists, our Principal Cornet Michael Evans played Alan Beaumont's Santa Baby, and also our Flugel player Nicola Evans played If Everyday was Like Christmas. The band would also like to say a Happy 80th birthday to George, the grandad of Leila - our 3rd Cornet player and a huge supporter of the band. We would like to say a big thank you to Ellie and all the trustees at Quebec Village Hall for organising such a great night and for all your support to us as your local band. Tonight saw the band perform again, at Beamish Museum as part of their Christmas evening events. It was lovely to see so many people visiting the museum and enjoying the festivities. Tonight saw the band perform a fabulous concert at Birtley Masonics. It has become a firm favourite of the band and tonight certainly didn't disappoint with a super audience. There was rivalry between the ladies and gentlemen in the carol singing competition and lots of new music to enjoy. We featured two wonderful soloists, our Principal Cornet, Michael Evans played Alan Beaumont's Lonely this Christmas. Our Flugel Horn player, Nicola Evans played If Everyday was Like Christmas, which is also a new arrangement by Alan. A big thank you to our two helpers, Dave and Jeremy. This morning saw the band entertain the busy crowds, as they visited the Durham Christmas Festival in the Market Place. A big thank you goes to our collectors and to everyone who donated in either our physical collection buckets and our virtual collection buckets. Tonight has seen the band play at the wonderful Christmas evening at Beamish Museum. Due to the rather wet weather, it was unsure if we were going to be able to perform in the town bandstand. With some quick thinking between the band and the staff at the museum, we were able to get set up in the main entrance and play for everyone arriving and leaving. |
