Latest News
Vacancies Section added to the About Us Menu - Band Website
We are always looking for new faces. Maybe you are looking for a change, or just keen to get back into banding? Cantium Brass currently have vacancies around the stand, and would especially like to hear from you if you are a proficient Tenor Horn, Euphonium or EEb Bass Player. We are also looking for 2 competent cornet players, and seats are negotiable depending on experience
Happy New Year from all at Cantium Brass
May I take this opportunity to thank everyone for their contribution to Cantium Brass Band over the past year. Whether you are a player, Musical Director, Committee Member, Family member, Concert Promoter or one of our highly valued loyal supporters, your support has been invaluable in the continued development and success of Cantium Brass during 2011.
As we move forward into 2012, the Band are right back in the swing of things with their first rehearsal on Monday 16th January. Already we have secured a number of bookings for the 2012 concert season with the addition of two Charity Concerts scheduled for March and October. Please check out our Calendar page for further details……
We currently have vacancies for Cornets (both front & back row opportunities are available), Flugel Horn, Solo Euphonium and an EEb Bass Player. In addition to our current vacancies, we are always happy to welcome players who would like to join in and play at one of our rehearsals. Likewise, students studying in the City of Canterbury will also be made very welcome. Should you wish to register your interest regarding any of the above positions, please email our Musical Director md@cantiumbrass.co.uk and please feel assured any correspondence will be treated with strict confidentiality.
We hope you will keep an eye on this website for all of the news, forthcoming events and pictures etc. Any suggestions / contributions are welcome by email to info@cantiumbrass.co.uk
Christmas Carolling - Canterbury
As in previous years, members of Cantium Brass have been very busy over the past few weeks entertaining local shoppers, and bringing plenty of musical cheer to the local Supermarkets in the Canterbury area. We would like to extend our most grateful thanks to both Sainsbury's & Morrisons for their kind hospitality, and making us feel very welcome in their stores! We would also like to take this opportunity to thank Dee and Sue for collecting on behalf on the band.
Dover Town Hall - Remembrance Sunday
Every year on Remembrance Sunday, the Town Council holds a service and parade to remember those who fell at the two world wars and other conflicts. For several years now, Cantium Brass have played a prominent part in the service by providing the usual inaugural music prior to the service, and the accompaniment to the Hymns. Those taking part include the Mayor of Dover, Town Councillors, local dignitaries, serving members of the Armed Forces, local ex-service organizations, local Cadet Forces, Cubs, Scouts, Guides, Brownies, Girls Brigade etc.
Jerry Pond - BBb Bass
Jerry started playing 2nd Cornet in Crawley Silver Band in the late 60's, slowly moving to Flugelhorn, Euph, and finally EEb Bass. He then played with Copthorne Band as well as Crawley Silver Band until CSB disbanded. In Copthorne, he played Sousaphone and Sopranino Recorder until he moved to Wallington and stopped playing brass for a while. He continued playing Sousaphone in a jazz band as the opportunity arose. In 1995, Jerry moved to Cranbrook (with all his sheep), and it was there he made contact with Brass Bands again. Whilst testing the local pubs, he bumped into the Cranbrook Town Band in the White Hart Pub after their practices. He joined Cranbrook as BBb Bass with his wife as Solo Cornet and played with them, even after his move to Folkestone in 2000. The travelling became rather tedious so he left Cranbrook and joined Hythe Town Concert Band as Tenor Saxophone. After a few years the pull of brass Bands drew Jerry to Cantium Brass in 2011.
Kent Garden Show - Detliing Showground
Cantium Brass have entertained the general public for a number of years at both The Kent Garden Show & the The Autumn Kent Garden Show which are held at Detling Showground. The show featured over 150 exhibitors with a wide variety of goods for sale including floral marquees with stunning floral displays including medal winners from Chelsea. There are over forty nurseies with a craft pavilion, brass band and children's rides.
Hever Castle
Easter will soon be upon us once again, and Cantium Brass will be returning to perform for the many crowds at Hever Castle over the Easter Bank Holiday Weekend. Hever is a firm favourite amongst our members as we share very fond memories of overhead flying Ducks and a certain Baritone Player! Take an Umbrella, even if it's sunny!
Clive Marriott (Trombone)
After a break of a few years, Clive Marriott has decided to dust off the cobwebs and return to playing once again. It's an absolute pleasure having such a fine player return to the band. Clive joins Nigel Weeden (1st Trombone), Harriet Kersey (2nd Trombone) and Alan Wardle & George Inman on Bass Trombone bringing our total bones to 5! Clive is an exceptional player and some may even recall his fine rendition of the Trombone Solo "Blue John" by Peter Kneale which he performed at the Oval Bandstand in Cliftonville a few years back.
Cantium Brass 125th Anniversary Concert
The Band's 125th Anniversary Concert will be held in conjunction with the Canterbury Festival Event 15th-29th October 2011. The Venue will be St Stephens Church, St Stephens, Near Canterbury and all proceeds will be dontated to the Church Funds on this occasion. Further information will be available soon, and details will be published on the Canterbury Festival Website from June 2011. The bands planned CD recording for March/April 2011 has been rescheduled for later in the year. Please keep an eye on this page for more events
Keep It In The Family
Well, I love it when a plan comes together! We would like to extend a very warm welcome to Phoebe Allebone-Salt who has recently joined the Horn section. Thanks to the persuasion of her sister Amy, and encouragement from her teacher Sally Hannan, we are now fortunate to have another very fine young player in the band. Phoebe, who is only 15 years of age, has already passed her Grade 7 which is a fine achievement for such a young player. We would also like to take this opportunity to welcome Sally Hannan to the Horn Section. Sally & Phoebe have brought an entirely new dimension to the art of brass band horn playing! To find out more, pop along to one of our rehearsas.
Amy Allebone-Salt (Repiano Cornet)
We are extremely pleased to welcome Amy Allebone-Salt to the cornet section. I was fortunate enough to hear Amy perform at her Christmas School Concert in December and my first impression was, "WOW". She is a very fine musician and we are very fortunate to have her join the cornet section. Amy comes from a very musical family, and we are hoping her enthusiasm will rub off on her sister, who we have been told, is a very good horn player! Apart from playing with Cantium Brass and the School Orchestra, Amy also plsy for the Pfizer Wind Band in Sandwich. I'm sure Amy will provide us with a short biography very soon.
New Members..............
Monday 17th January saw the arrival of Giles Stamp on BBb Bass. It has to be said (and sorry in advance Giles), what should have been a 20 mile trip from Margate to Canterbury, turned out to be a tour of Kent due to Giles' Sat Nav and own limited Navigational Skills. Well, he's certainly a character and it's an absolute pleasure having him in the Bass Section. Giles has recently moved into the area as he is currently studying at Christchurch University, Broadstairs Campus. His previous Band was The Tilbury Band based in Essex.
Russell Hall's Biography
Russell started playing Cornet at the age of eight, while at St Lawrence School in Ramsgate. He was influenced by his Mother and Grandfather who were both Pianists. His earliest childhood memories are from the age of three, standing beside his Mother while she was playing the Piano Accordion to guests at Christmas time. Russell joined a local Wind Band along with his Sister, Heather; who was already an accomplished Clarinet and Tenor Saxophone player and received tuition under Vic Valentine. His early musical experiences focused on Military Band arrangements and Big Band. Russ became Band Chairman on the 1st April 2011.
Tom Pascoe's Long Awaited Biography
I received the following message this evening. It goes along the lines….Here is Tom's Bio, I've done it for him! Sorry for the 20-year delay!!!!! By Joe Hillyer. Joining us in October 2009, our "tuba" player Tom first took an interest in music from the age of 9, and is currently in his second year at the local university of Canterbury Christ Church, studying Music with Business. Originally from Bearsted, in Maidstone, our newest addition to the bass section is already fitting in well with Kent's finest band. To read more about Tom, follow this link!
Chris Leech joins the Cornet Section
Cantium Brass would like to announce the arrival of Chris Leech who has taken up residence in the cornet section. Chris comes from a Military Background and although he hasn't played for a number of years, he brings with him a wealth of experience. Extremely frustrated with his current lack of chop Muscles, Chris is eager to regain his former standard which I am sure will enable him move up the
cornet section very soon. We look forward to hearing more about Chris in his forthcoming Mini Bio...
Peter Hodkinson joins the Cornet Section
Cantium Brass would like to extend a very warm welcome to Peter Hodkinson who has taken up residence in the Cornet Section. Peter travels over 100 miles round trip to play with Kent's finest Band. Peter has already proved a very dedicated member of the team. Pete's musical career began at an early age, when like many other youngsters he was subjected to compulsory piano lessons….. To read more about Pete, follow this link!
Phil & Lynne Carruthers-Smith
Cantium Brass would like to extend a very warm welcome back to Lynne and Phil, can't believe it's been almost seven years! Lynne has taken over the Solo Horn spot, a position that has been vacant for some time and Phil joins George, Roland, Joe and Tom in the Bass Section. The band still have a vacancy for a solo and second cornet player so please give us a call.
A Night of Terror at the Band Hall of Horror!
Came they all on Hallows' Eve, into the Hall of Horror there, mid pumpkin's flickering orange glowtwas merriment and hearty fayre. Vampire, goblin, witch and priest, gathered for the season's feast- O'fun and frolicking time to share, amid the night's macabre stare. a perfect eve for friends to meet trust you loved our trick 'n treat! I am sure that all band members and their families enjoyed a sociable and fun event celebrating All Hallow's Eve. Fun and games, embarrassing moments, and not a drop of booze in sight! Wonderful!……... we had it all! Lots of hard work behind the scenes from John, Bridge and Sam preparing the Bandroom for the evening, & clearing the mess no doubt! Special thanks to Tony and Mary Dennis for their buffet beautifully prepared and presented and enjoyed by all I am sure. Thank you all for your participation in what was a very memorable evening! By Alan Finemore
Tuba Smarties!
5th Oct 2009 For the first time since competing at the National Finals FOR TWO CONSECUTIVE YEARS, Cantium Brass now have a full Bass Section. Although both George and Roland have admirably set a firm foundation for the band, our two new tubas, Joe and Tom are very much welcomed additions to the band. Not only have they completed the long awaited bass section, they are very talented young musicians and already proving to be huge characters within the band. Joe must be the first musician to present his Biography within 24 hours of it being requested……well done Joe and many thanks. Tom's Biography to follow. Check out Meet The Band Page.