Category: All Bands

Our British Bandsman photoshoot

13th April 2016

Big things are happening here at Shepherds, and we are delighted that the rest of the brass band community is catching on! A few weeks ago the band was lucky enough to welcome down an editor from the internationally published magazine British Bandsman to come write a feature on our organisation.

Negotiations for us having a feature originally started when the Senior Band played at the Bolsover Contest back in October. During the contest a series of interviews took place and the band’s conductor Richard got into a conversation with the magazines editor about all that we do at Shepherds. The editor was simply amazed at the sheer number of players that we have in the organisation and at the sound of our facilities and set up, and he suggested that we would make a perfect feature for the magazine.

So one Monday night we called all five bands together and Paul Hindmarsh from the magazine came down and our sponsors were even kind enough to provide us with a photographer. Whilst down he carried out a series of interviews with Richard Wilton, Craig Brown, Mike Pratt, David Gregg, Samantha Woodman and Imogen Brown to gain a feel of the organisation. Meanwhile each of the five bands carried out a short rehearsal and at the end we gathered everyone together for a big group shot.

It was a great evening all round and we were absolutely delighted when the magazine came out and our own Audrey Brown, former conductor of the Brass Academy, was on the cover.

Oh what a night – our first Christmas Party!

12th April 2016

A true first for Shepherds! This year marked the bands first ever Christmas party – and what a party it turned out to be…

The party itself was hosted after Christmas in January to allow all our lovely members a well deserved few weeks off and really got new year off to a cracking start. Held at the York Sports Club on Shipton Road over 100 members of the Shepherd Brass family turned out to celebrate the successful Christmas concert season. There was a full buffet, dancing, party games and a very cheap bar, so naturally the night was a huge success – even the elusive Mr Wilton was spotted on the dance floor!!

A highlight had to be when our wonderful Youth Band MD Mr Craig Brown showcased the skills he gained during his time working for Royal Caribbean and ran cruise ship party games! Everyone got involved and it added so much fun to the night – so thanks a lot Craig. 

The evening was so successful that we’re already looking at booking the same venue for this years Christmas Party – so watch this space! 

12th April 2016

Every year the bands of the Shepherd Group club together and spend a weekend in December carolling to raise funds for the band.

This year was no exception and on the weekend of the 12th and 13th December members of all the Shepherds bands braved the winter elements for a weekend of carolling and managed to raise a whopping £1,000 and even the weather turned out to be in our favour! 

This is a great total and will be put towards new instruments for our future generation of players!

Massive thank you to all those who turned out and it was great to see so many of our young players giving up their weekend to help the band. 

Another Christmas Sell-Out!

12th April 2016

Every year the four bands of the Shepherd Group put on a Gala Christmas Concert at the Joseph Rowntree Theatre in York, and every year the concert is a huge success!

This year audiences were treated to some beautiful festive music played by musicians of all ages, they experienced Mike Pratt’s dancing and even witnessed a flashmob! But it’s safe to say it all went down a treat.

Our sponsor Mr Patrick Shepherd had this to say:

“Each year each of the bands gets better but this year we were struck by how good the Academy band is now, but the Brass Band was exceptional, particularly its playing of ‘Fire in the Blood’ that was really moving. It is a great pleasure that the group is associated with such a successful enterprise, it has achieved so much over the last 10 or so years.”

Our Christmas concerts at Joseph Rowntree are proving to be so successful that we are even in talks with the theatre about putting on a third night next year – so keep an eye out!

Tickets for our summer concert, which is taking place on 4th June at the Joseph Rowntree Theatre are now on sale and are selling fast!

12th April 2016

Ever since Richard Wilton joined the organisation back in 2010 it has been his aim to do a big CD recording featuring all of the bands. Well, almost six years on his wish has been granted, when all four of the Shepherd Group Brass Bands took to the recording studio at the end of January for a weekend of CD recording!

Each band recorded a few tracks each, which for many was a totally new experience. This is the first time that the Concert Band, Youth Band and Academy Brass have ever been in a recording environment and everyone handled the pressure brilliantl

The CD was recorded by KMJ recordings, who go around the country recording some of the best bands in the country including the Brighouse and Rastrick Band, Black Dyke Band and the Grimethorpe Colliery Band. The bandroom literally became transformed into a fully fledged recording studio and the fabulous Jess Tredrea guided everyone through the recording process with the upmost professionalism and musicality. She really was an absolute pleasure to work with.

Richard says:
“This has been something that I have always wanted to do, I’m absolutely over the moon at how well it has gone and I literally can’t wait to listen to it!”

The CD, which has been aptly named “All Four One” is due to launch at our upcoming concert at the Joseph Rowntree theatre in York on 4th June. This evening is always hugely popular and always sells out.