Archive

A LOOK BACK AT 2015

Saturday 19th July 2015 - Bishop Wilton Show

It was a great privilege to be invited to play at the Bishop Wilton Show and this event was conducted by Peter Andrews of the Golden Rail Band because John, our conductor, was on holiday. The band, perched on a stage made up of two long lorry trailers placed side by side, delighted the country show fans with a couple of 45 minute sets of assorted music including the country dance of 1702, “Dick’s Maggot”, music by Gilbert & Sullivan, marches and the odd hymn tune arrangement.

Wednesday 24th June 2015 - Joint concert with In Harmony ladies’ choir

The Development Band once again joined forces with In Harmony for a concert of “Voices and Brass” in the Church of Our Lady in Acomb. The band, looking very smart and wearing its new blazers for the first time, opened its first set in true style with the march, “Blaze Away”, or in this case, “Blazer Way”!! A good contrasting programme followed including “Whiter Shade of Pale”, our two euphoniums soloing in “Another Day” and finished off with a rousing rendition of “Mack the Knife”.



The choir entertained with music ranging from “Let It Go” from ‘Frozen’, “As Long As I Have Music”, a medley from “West Side Story” and finishing with “Bohemian Rhapsody” making the whole evening a night to remember.




Saturday 23rd May 2015 - Picnic and Play in Homestead Park

This was an event previously postponed from September 2014 because of inclement weather. However, the day was very successful and the sun shone while the Development Band entertained quite a number of people who had turned up with chairs and picnic baskets to listen to the bands.

This was followed by a rounders’ match with some competitive but good humoured participation from both bands.

The Golden Rail Band then played to the appreciative audience which continued to nibble on assorted delicacies from picnic baskets as the band poured out a varied feast of music bringing a most enjoyable afternoon to an end.

'Come & Play' at the NCEM - Sunday 1st February 2015

This event, organised by Brassed On York Ltd, offered free lessons in the morning followed by a free family friendly concert beginning at 2.30pm given by the York RI Golden Rail Development Band and York RI Golden Rail Band.

The lessons, open to absolute beginners, commenced at 10.30am and ran in half-hour slots through to 12.30pm. There was an opportunity for the beginners to play their first few notes with the Development Band in the afternoon.

Christmas 2014

Out and about, hither and thither with carolling and concerts. A carolling session in the Acomb shopping precinct was a new venture which went down well with local shoppers. The busking on Bishopthorpe Road also helped to swell the coffers by the generosity of the local businesses and people out shopping.

December 2014 - ‘In Harmony’ Christmas Concert

A return invitation to share a concert with the ladies’choir, ‘In Harmony’ , at the Church of Our Lady in Acomb, was a huge success and the band impressed the audience with its performance and variety of Christmas music. With the enchanting songs from the choir and children from Our Lady Queen of Martrys singing and playing, the whole concert was a fantastic evening of music.

December 2014 - RI Joint Christmas Concert

The RI Band Section organised the Christmas Concert, once again, in the York RI Club and the Development Band gave a brilliant 30 minute performance of a splendid assortment of Yuletide music. The rendition of “Blue Christmas” by a quintet of youngsters, some of whom were quite new to playing, was rapturously received by the audience.

September 2014 - Picnic in the Park

This was going be an opportunity for the band to give a performance and also to join forces with all the RI bands but ‘rain stopped play’!!

June 2014 - Concert with ‘In Harmony’

The band joined forces with ‘In Harmony’, a ladies’ choir based in Acomb, for a concert at Our Lady’s Church on Gale Lane in Acomb. The band captivated the audience with its programme of music and the choir sang a delightful selection of songs making the concert a huge success.

June 2014 - “Brassed On” Festival

All the RI bands took part in this magnificent weekend of brass band music given by all the brass bands in York and some from surrounding areas. Once again the Development Band gave a rousing performance and showed what standard can be achieved with enthusiasm and dedication and just how much enjoyment there is in learning to play an instrument within a brass band.



May 2014 - Rowntree Park Model Boat Regatta

The band worked hard at preparing a performance for this event and even included some nautical pieces in keeping with the occasion. However, too much water in the form of rain meant the regatta had to be cancelled.

May 2014 - Martin House Appeal

The band was pleased to receive an invitation from the White Star Band, Malton, to take part for an hour in a 24 hour ‘Play-a-thon’ to raise money for the Martin House Children’s Hospice. This took place in St. Michaels’ Parish Church, Malton, in front of a good audience. The Development Band joined forces with the Golden Rail Band for three items before continuing its own brilliant performance for the following hour.


Christmas 2013

Another busy Christmas with carolling at Tescos, Bishopthorpe Road and outside the Minster. The band also took part once again in the York RI Club Joint Christmas Concert but this time under the baton of its new Musical Director, John Stuart. The band gave a 30 minute programme of music which was well received by an enthusiastic audience.

CONCERTS - Christmas around York December 2012

THE band had a really busy Christmas this year, carolling at Tesco at Askham Bar, performing a Christmas Concert at the York RI Club and even playing outside York Minster! Perhaps you saw us out and about. Now that the festive season is over, why not come and see what our Development Band is all about. Contact us for more details. 

CONCERT - "Have a Go!" Session 1st October 2011

BOTH York RI Golden Rail Bands joined forces in the "Have a Go!" evening, where many new prospective beginners had the chance to give brass banding a go. The event was a great success and was very popular indeed. There were concerts by both Golden Rail bands and "everyone involved played briliantly", says Musical Director Nicholas Eastwood. "Hopefully this is the next big step for the Development Band and we all hope at the Railway Institute that this is the start of big things to come!"

If you missed this great event, then don't panic! Simply turn up to a Development Band rehearsal at 18.15 any Wednesday. For more information, feel free to check the Development Band page or contact MD Nicholas Eastwood on .

CONCERT  - Parliament Street, York 28th May 2011

YORK RI Golden Rail Beginners Band took to Parliament Street for a fantastic debut opportunity. The 20 strong team ofplayers performed a blinder of a concert to kick off the banding 'marathon' Saturday, featuring all of the York RI Bands on the same day. 

This has all come about just four months after its founding! Musical Director Nicholas Eastwood was hugely impressed with the performance. "The commitment and effort that has been put in in the last few weeks has been sensational. Let's hope that this carries on and we can continue to enjoy brass banding like we do. Beginners Band is where it's at!".