News and reviews

Concert at Maidenhead Salvation Army

24 Feb 2024

Ascot Brass presented its annual concert at the Maidenhead Salvation Army hall, where the band normally holds its rehearsals, on 24th February. Also performing were the Maidenhead Songsters, in which several band members also participate.

Highlights included solos from Mark Dallas (cornet; Napoli), Kim Hollamby (euphonium; Pure…

Marlow: Rotary Autumn Concert 2023

7 Oct 2023

Ascot Brass joined with the choirs of Sir William Borlase's Grammar School at All Saints Church, Marlow, on 7th October to present a mixed programme of music in support of Rotary Club of Marlow charities.

The band's programme commenced at a cracking pace with Wilfred Heaton's march Praise, followed by Smetana's lively Dance of…

Serenata: concert with Sing Healthy choir

8 Jul 2023

Ascot Brass joined with Wokingham Sing Healthy choirs at Wokingham Baptist Church on the evening of Saturday 8th July in a concert titled Serenata. The choir presented a selection of opera choruses and folk songs, while the band's programme was a mix of brass band originals and popular arrangements. Solos were performed by Chris Hill (flugel: Rodrigo's…

Synergy: joint concert with Staines Lammas Band

22 Apr 2023

Ascot Brass and Staines Lammas Band joined forces on Saturday 22nd April to present a concert titled "Synergy" at St Hilda's Church in Ashworth. The large edifice provided an excellent environment for the big sound of the two bands playing together for the final two pieces: Bernaerts' I Will Follow Him as a trombone feature, with all six…

Concert at Maidenhead Salvation Army

4 Mar 2023

Ascot Brass presented its regular annual concert at the Salvation Army Hall in Maidenhead on 4th March. The Maidenhead Citadel Hall is the band's regular rehearsal venue; various members of the band are also members of the Maidenhead Citadel Songsters, so were able to perform with both groups throughout the course of the evening. The concert was…

Fundraiser for Rennie Grove hospice

26 Nov 2022

The band performed a concert at St Michael's in Beaconsfield in aid of Rennie Grove Hospice Care on 26th November, presnting as full Christmas programme ranging from traditional carols such as O Come All Ye Faithful (with audience participation) to more modern pieces such as Frank Bernaerts' Let's Do the X-MAS Rock and Philip Harper's…

Rotary Club concert in Marlow

1 Oct 2022

On Saturday 1st October, Ascot Brass performed at the All Saints Church in Marlow with special guests Frances Stafford and Emily Hoh at a fundraiser for the local Rotary Club. See Caitlin's blog for a full report.

Sing Healthy Wokingham Jubilee Concert

9 Jul 2022

The band presented a Jubilee concert alongside the Sing Healthy Choir at Wokingham Baptist Church on a very warm Saturday evening. The programme included favourites from throughout the decades since the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.  Proceeds went in aid of Thames Hospice and COATS Crowthorne charities.

Anniversary Concert at Reading Minster

25 Jun 2022

The band joined with Tamesis Chamber Choir at the Reading Minster on 25th June for a concert celebrating its 21st anniversary. Members of the band who have given 21 years of service (Ray Ayers, Derek Hawkins & Gary Terrar) were acknowledged, and we expressed our gratitude to Bryan Catcheside, Kelvin Ketteringham and Terry Brotherhood who have…

RAC Club Epsom

4 Jun 2022

The band played outside the RAC Club in Epsom through the morning and early afternoon to entertain racegoers as they gathered for the Derby. Though rain delayed the start time, the weather cleared enough for an enjoyable performance once we got going.

Concert at St Andrew's, Sonning

30 Apr 2022

Ascot Brass joined choirs from Bulmershe School for a concert at St. Andrew's, Sonning on 30th April. The well attended event was the first public outing for David Rudd as the band's Musical Director, and he set a brisk and lively pace.

View Caitlin's blog for a full report.

Concert at Maidenhead Salvation Army

5 Mar 2022

Ascot Brass took to the stage at the Maidenhead Salvation Army in East Road on Saturday 5th March to present an evening concert.

Ensemble pieces ranged from fast-paced marches to the faster-paced Armenian Sabre Dance by Gomidas Vartabed, to the lyrical Shepherd's Song and Stanley Myers' Cavatina. Several solos were presented...

Christmas concert at new venue in Maidenhead

4 Dec 2021

The band's traditional Christmas concert has a new venue, St Mary's church in Maidenhead. On Saturday 4th December, together with the Taplow youth choirs, Ascot Brass presented a programme including audience participation in Schneewalzer and several carols.

Opening with Norman Bearcroft's bouncy march Sounds Like Christmas,…

Beaconsfield hospice fundraiser

26 Nov 2021

The band joined once again with the Thames Valley Chorus to present a Friday night concert at Beaconsfield's St Michael's church in aid of the Rennie Grove hospice. The very Christmassy programme included The Christmas Song, The Snowman - Walking in the Air, Alan Fernie's arrangement of The Rocking Carol as a cornet solo…

Memorial service for David Mortlock

16 Oct 2021

Ascot Brass and Reading Central Salvation Army band joined on the stage at Reading SA on 16th October to accompany a service in memory of retired bandmaster David Mortlock, who passed away in March 2020.

David was a good friend of Ascot Brass, who often attended rehearsals and filled in on horn or baritone when needed. His two sons Simon…

Marlow

9 Oct 2021

The band joined with the Thames Valley Chorus at All Saints Church in Marlow on 9th October to present a concert of light music in aid of Rotary charities. The event was well attended, with entry by prior booking only because of Covid precautions.

Windsor bandstand: first public outing since 2020

12 Sep 2021

The first Ascot Brass public engagement since resuming rehearsals in May was a bandstand concert in Alexandra Gardens, Windsor, on 12 September. The weather was fine, the park was well populated, and the band was complete and playing very well. The reduced noise from Heathrow air traffic was welcome. A number of people came up to the bandstand to…

Maidenhead Salvation Army

29 Feb 2020

Ascot Brass, with the support of the Maidenhead Salvation Army Songsters (choir), played a concert on the evening of 29th February to a full hall at the Salvation Army Maidenhead.

New to the repertoire were the Goff Richards arrangement of Nicolas Brodszky's I'll Walk with God and an original romance by Alan Fernie, Forever Shining.…

Ascot Races

21 Dec 2019

A small band played in the grandstand at the Ascot Christmas meeting on Friday 20th December, accompanying racegoers for a set of carols following the last race of the day.

On Saturday 21st, the full band played a selection of festive numbers throughout the day, starting with a set before the racing began, then playing in between each race.…

Wokingham

14 Dec 2019

Ascot Brass took to the stage at St Crispin's School on 14th December, supporting the various Wokingham Singhealthy choirs in their Christmas Concert.

Windsor

7 Dec 2019

The band presented its traditional Christmas concert at the Parish Church in Windsor on 7th December, raising funds for Macmillan Cancer Support. The Taplow Youth Choir, as ever, delivered an excellent series of pieces to supplement the band's programme, and the audience, as ever, joined in heartily with carols and bobbed up and down to join in with…

Beaconsfield

9 Nov 2019

Ascot Brass presented a concert at St Michael's Church, Beaconsfield, on 9th November, joining with the Wycombe Orpheus male voice choir to raise funds for the Sharon International Ministries charity Changing Lives. Opening with the contest march Keighley Moor, the band's programme included Suppe's Morning, Noon and Night and Alan…

Marlow

5 Oct 2019

Ascot Brass joined with the choirs of Sir William Borlase’s Grammar School at All Saints Church in Marlow on 5th October to present a concert in aid of Rotary Club charities. Opening with William Rimmer's classic march The Cossack, the programme featured Stacy Hall as horn soloist playing He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother and the…

Reading Salvation Army

6 Jul 2019

Ascot Brass joined with singers of the Thames Valley Chorus for a Saturday evening concert on 6th July at Reading Salvation Army. The event raised funds for the Employment Plus scheme.

The band's programme opened with…

Staines Salvation Army

8 Jun 2019

An “Into Africa” fund raiser was held at Staines Salvation Army on Saturday 8th June for The Kenya Trust, which will use the money raised to improve facilities at two schools in that country. Ascot Brass and Staines Salvation Army Songsters presented a mixed programme of music for the evening, which made £1720 for the charity.

St Nicolas Church, Taplow

11 May 2019

The band once again joined with Taplow Girls' Choir at St Nicolas Church in Taplow for an evening of fine music on 11th May. The band's programme included the pacy Latin number Cumana, Bohemian Rhapsody and Forty Second Street, and featured cornet solo You Raise me Up (soloist: Mark Dallas). The choir, as always,…

Maidenhead SA Citadel

9 Mar 2019

Ascot Brass now regularly rehearses at Maidenhead Salvation Army Citadel, and on 9th March it also became the venue for the band's first concert of 2019, together with the citadel's Maidenhead Songsters. New…

Windsor Parish Church

8 Dec 2018

Ascot Brass joined with Taplow Youth Choirs at Windsor Parish Church on 8th December for the traditional Christmas concert, raising funds in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support. The evening included several very entertaining readings by Patricia Hodge.

Highlight of the band's programme was without doubt Kevin Norbury's Gaudete, while…

Sonning

2 Nov 2018

Together with Bulmershe School choirs, Ascot Brass presented a concert at St Andrew's church, Sonning, on 2nd November, raising funds towards new lighting in the building.

The programme opened with The Dambusters March, marking the…

Beaconsfield

13 Oct 2018

Ascot Brass joined with the Sear Green CE School choir and Sear Green male choir at Beaconsfield’s St. Michael’s Church on 13th October to present a concert raising funds for the local Bradbury House care home. A packed and enthusiastic audience heard a good mix of pieces, with impressive contributions by the school choir.

The band’s programme…

Marlow

29 Sep 2018
Ascot Brass joined with the singers of the Thames Valley Chorus in Marlow's All Saints Church on Saturday 30th September to present a concert in aid of causes supported by the local Rotary Club.

Reading Minster

9 Jun 2018

The band performed together with Wokingham Singhealthy choir at Reading Minster on 9th June in a programme focusing on British folk music. Opening with Britannia, Ascot Brass pieces included All Through the Night, Annie Laurie and The Water of Tyne, and the band and choir joined to present Percy Grainger's arrangement…

Concert at Salvation Army hall, Lower Earley

24 Feb 2018

The band's first concert of 2018 was at SA church in Lower Earley on 24th February, performing to a full audience together with choir of Hawkedon Primary School.

The programme included a number of new additions to the band's repertoire, among them Alan Catherall's arrangement of Bohemian Rhapsody, the same arranger's sparkling variations…

St Crispin's, Wokingham

16 Dec 2017

Ascot Brass joined the combined local Singhealthy community choirs at Wokingham's St. Crispin's School on 16th December, playing seasonal pieces and backing the choir and audience for carols and a version of Twelve Days of Christmas that made for a rousing finale.

Windsor Christmas Concert

9 Dec 2017

The Taplow Youth Choir once again proved to be an excellent partner for the band's Sounds of Christmas concert at Windsor Parish Church on 9th December. As well as music from the band and choir, actor David Robb contributed entertaining readings in each half, and Richard Gash made his customary good job of compering.

Band pieces included…

Beaconsfield

1 Dec 2017

The band joined with Taplow Children's Choir and Taplow Boys' Choir at St. Michael's Church in Beaconsfield for a Friday evening concert in aid of the local Rennie Grove hospice on 1st December. A very Christmassy programme included solos Rocking Carol (Mark Dallas, cornet) and Peter Graham's arrangement of  Away in a Manger

Marlow

30 Sep 2017

The band joined with the Thames Valley Chorus a capella ensemble at Marlow's All Saints church on Saturday 30th September to present a concert in aid of Rotary Club charities.

Highlights included My Love is Like a Red, Red Rose (cornet soloist Mark Dallas), Friedmann's Slavonic Rhapsody No 2 and cornet trio Trumpets…

Taplow

13 May 2017

Ascot Brass joined with Taplow Girls Choir in our annual concert at St Nicolas Church to raise funds for the Taplow Choirs.

Under the direction of acting MD Kelvin Ketteringham, the band's programme opened and closed with marches - William Turkington's Able and Goff Richards's Barnard Castle - with a mix of lyrical pieces…

Bluecoats School, Sonning

11 Nov 2016

Ascot Brass presented a concert on behalf of Friends of St Andrew’s Church, Sonning, to an appreciative capacity audience at Reading Blue Coat School.

Joining us in concert were the combined junior choirs of St. Andrew's Church and Sonning School and vocal soloist Ray Higgs.

Funds raised went towards a new heating boiler for the church.