So today was the day Strata brass said farewell to it’s home after 35 years. With the impending sale of the land which we called home, the band have completed it’s move to the Elsecar Parish Hall 1 mile down the road.

On Saturday, Fuelled by bacon sandwiches and coffee, several of the band arrived to transport the last of the bands possession’s to their new home ready for the start of rehearsals in the build up towards the 2 contests in October.

Behind the scenes, the search for a new Musical Director continues. The band have had several auditionees, but so far no decision has been made.

Elsewhere in the band there have been a few personnel changes. Liz Hatch moves up to Solo Euphonium and is joined by new recruit Davey Webster on 2nd Euphonium. Len Hodgkiss, who only recently joined the band has slide along the bench to Solo Trombone, leaving the 2nd chair waiting for another new face.

With almost a full band, only 4 vacancies, Post Lockdown life for Strata Brass is looking like it will be an exciting time.

Strata Brass have been working hard over the last few weeks to prepare for Weatherby Bandstand on the 20th of June and their ‘Return of the Concert’ programme.

With regulations relaxed enough to allow them all back in to a rehearsal room for the first time since the start of the global pandemic in March of 2020, The band very quickly fell back in to the playing habit very quickly, leading the management team to take the decision that a full band performance would be possible.

As much as getting back on the proverbial bandstand is great news and a sign things are getting beter, this performance will be the last with Strata Brass for James Atkins and Riley Anderson.

James has been the bands Principle Cornet for the last two years, but has been offered a seat at the Fairey Band, which is a fantastic opportunity and the band whole heartedly support him in the move. James will feature as the Cornet Soloist on Sunday for the last time before handing over the reins to James Corking who will be making his debut as Principle.

Riley like wise has been the Principle Euphonium also for the last couple of years while he was studying at the RNCM under the fabulous David Thornton and Steve Mead, He is a promising young player and in the last week has completed his final recital. He will be heading back to his native Virginia in the coming weeks, and we at stratabrass.com will be interested to watch his progression over the next few years to see where his playing career can take him.

Speaking on behalf of the Management team, Band Manager Robert Hardy said “Both players will be missed by the band, but we want to thank them both for being a part of the band, especially for their hard work on the Lockdown Videos. We wish them both the very best in the future.”

After the (hopefully) last of our long list of Virtual videos, Strata Brass came full circle with its entry to the Fodens Online Whit Friday Championships. Against a strong field of 24 bands the band once again showed its class and ability with an excellent second place. The band is now looking forward to Wetherby on the 20th of June and once again being able play together live.
David Heiland of the media team at stratabrass.com said “Our congratulations go to all the bands who took part and especially the Prize winners in all sections. A big thank you also go to the team at Fodens on such a well run contest once again.”

So here is the teaser for our Fodens Online Whit Friday Championship video. We can only wonder what march the band are playing and wait with bated breath to find what the video will bring. All will be revealed on the Whit Friday Weekend.

Hot on the heels of their win in the First Section of the Kapitol Cory Online Brass Band Championships, Strata Brass are honoured to be featured as the Centre Band in the April edition of Brass Band World magazine.

Getting all the band together under current circumstances wasn’t a possibility, but the technical wizard behind the competition winning performance, our vwey own Jonny Bates, found a way to show the band as we hope it will be again in the near future.

The band’s management team are hard at work in the background preparing for a return to rehearsals in a couple of weeks, and the latest Strata Brass virtual video has been submitted for the Fodens Online Whit Friday Competition on the 28 & 29 of May. The band are showing no sign slowing down and are looking forward to the rest of 2021 and beyond and being able to get back to live performance and hopefully find a way to incorporate a new way of entertaining at our concerts.

Following on from the exciting news of our First place in the Kapitol Cory Online Brass Band Championships, here is our winning entry for the competition.

Our thanks again to the Cory Band for organising such a great 3 weekends of brass band entertainment – making us all realise just what we’re missing and can’t wait to return to!

TRIBUTE TO THE BEATLES
Video & Audio production – Jonathan Bates
1. ELEANOR RIGBY*
(Lennon/McCartney arr. Jonathan Bates)
2. SOMEONE LIKE YOU (from ‘Jekyll & Hyde’)
(Lesley Bricusse arr. John Barber)
Trombone Soloist – Elliot Gray
Piano – Ruth Hollick
Bass Guitar – Gary Williams
3. WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS*
(Lennon/McCartney arr. Jonathan Bates)
*performed and arranged with kind permission from Hal Leonard Europe/SONY BMG

After 3 fabulous weekends of very strong competition in the Kapitol Cory Online Brass Band Competition the results are finally. Nearly 100 bands took part from all over the World.

The Band entered the fray in the First Section on the 20 of March with our video which was put together during the recent lockdown and a huge thanks go to all the band who took part in making it such an amazing performance especially the Bands MD, Jonny, for all of his hard work.

On the Sunday evening, many of The Band met up on a Zoom call to watch the final evening of performance and results in which the band were delighted to be awarded the best horns and also the Champion Band of the First Section.

The band would like to offer their congratulations to all of the bands who participated in the contest and also say a massive thank you to Cory and all involved in making the competition such a success again.

After the announcement last week giving us the lockdown relaxation details, we can start to look forward to getting back into rehearsals and back out on to the concert and contest stage.

Jonny and the committee are hard at work planning for this, with programme content planning and virtual rehearsals starting soon.

It has been a long time coming but the band seem in great shape for this return, with the vast majority of members on the weekly zoom meeting where we have engaged with Kahoot quizzes and with guest speakers.

We are now in a position to update our events page with concerts and contests we hope we will be able to attend this year.

The future is still uncertain, but with the current status of the virus, a vaccination program which seems to be progressing at pace and the Governments plans, the future is looking bright and we can’t wait to see you at an upcoming engagement.