There’s no stopping Littleport’s favourite brass band! They have overcome all that the months of lockdown has thrown at them and come out better than ever.
Under the enthusiastic and expert baton of Musical Director Ian Knapton the members of Littleport Brass have even entered contests when not only have the musicians been unable to rehearse together, but the competitions themselves have been conducted online!
One very good aspect of this otherwise unfortunate state of affairs is that literally thousands of people have been able to watch and listen instead of the few hundred who could have attended the concerts in person.
On the 27th March the Kapitol Cory Online Brass Band Championships were broadcast live on the Cory Band YouTube channel.
After huge efforts to rehearse the very ambitious programme in their individual homes using video cam technology and an amazing presentation video put together by MD turned film maker Ian, the band found themselves up against European bands who had not only been able to rehearse together but were presenting a non-social distancing live set for the judges.
Needless to say our band didn’t win…The complete video that is entitled Our Village is available to watch on Facebook pages for Littleport Brass (don’t forget to ‘like’ them) and Littleport Life magazine.
Nothing daunted, Littleport Brass worked hard on their next challenge which was the Foden’s Whit Friday March Contest. 134 bands were entered, and it was decided to hold it over two days on the 28th and 29th of May.
Again this is available to view on the Foden’s YouTube channel and those Littleport Facebook pages.
Sean Brodrick, aka ‘Animal’ made his bid to be voted for in the Wessex Tubas competition in May, while the youngest member of Littleport Brass, Dexter Speed, entered the Under 13 Slow Melody Contest and came a creditable 4th.And James Stygall came 3rd in the 2021 East Anglian Brass Band Association Online Slow Melody Contest.
And there have been signings too! Matt Ralph is the new solo trombone who brings a wealth of experience having recently played at the top level in the Championship Section. On Saturday June 26th Littleport Brass will be playing in Jubilee Gardens at the Ely Bandstand from 2pm.Earlier in June the band will give a birthday concert for keen supporter of Littleport Brass Lyn in the garden of the Littleport Ex Servicemen’s Club outside the Band Room.
And rumour has it that there is a plan for an outdoor concert in Peacock’s Meadow after midsummer! Glyndebourne and Woodstock watch out!
Check the Facebook page Littleport Brass and Littleport Life and Littleport Living Extra pages for updates.
LGdeS
Littleport Brass: Plays into the Summer in Style
