Category: Senior Band

Vacancies – Solo Cornet

Peter Scott Leave a comment

EXCITING OPPORTUNITY

The Shepherd Group Brass Band are seeking an experienced SOLO CORNET PLAYER to join our cornet section.

What we have to offer:

  • Championship level banding
  • Great concert-contest balance
  • Fun contemporary music and the latest arrangements
  • Some of the best rehearsal facilities in the country
  • One of the largest banding organisations around, as recently featured in the British Bandsman
  • A busy and lively social scene
  • Spring Festival Senior Cup, Blackpool

The band practices on Tuesday and Friday evenings in York – however, our members travel from all over Yorkshire so lifts could most likely be arranged.

For anymore information or an informal, confidential chat about the position, please contact Our MD Richard Wilton on 07973442249, richardwilton@nesyork.org

Alternatively Feel free to message us directly through the bands Facebook page. 🎺🎼🎺

Sean Chandler joins Shepherd Group Band

Peter Scott Leave a comment

We are delighted to announce that Sean Chandler has joined the bands Cornet section.

Sean hails from Liverpool but has now settled in York, here’s a little bit about him.

“I had a brilliant teacher in Secondary School who encouraged me to join the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain when I was 15. After 5 successful and enjoyable years performing with the band all over the UK I left and went to study at Salford University. I then qualified as a Music teacher at Liverpool Hope University. I’m now a qualified teacher to deaf children through Edinburgh university and lead workshops with Youth Music, Music and the Deaf and of course, Yorkshire Youth & Music.

I’ve had some amazing experiences as a player, with Goldie’s Band at Buckingham Palace, and plenty of other bands and places.”

Richard Wilton our MD commented, ‘Sean’s personality is infectious and the dynamic he has brought to the band-room in such a short space of time is incredible. He brings with him so much quality and strength to the team. I’m absolutely delighted he’s made the decision to join the Sheps family and I’m sure he’ll be an inspiration to over one hundred of our youngest members too.”

We all wish Sean a long, happy and successful time at Sheps.

Sean Chandler
Sean Chandler

A welcome in the City!

Peter Scott Leave a comment

We can confirm the news that our good friends at Cory Band will be joining us again in York on November 19th. This is a great opportunity to see the Cory Brass In Concert set on the same day as their performance at the Sage in Gateshead. This will of course be followed by a roof lifting joint performance from Cory and the Shepherd Group Senior Band. Keep an eye out for details of the venue and tickets.

A new ambassador in the band.

Peter Scott Leave a comment
Imogen Fewster

We are delighted to hear that our solo Baritone Player Imogen Fewster has been appointed as a Young Ambassador for Mercer and Barker mouthpieces.

Imogen started her playing career in the Shepherd Group Academy band and has progressed through our band organisation and is now our Solo Baritone player. She is a member of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain and has been the Principal Baritone player with the NYBBGB since 2021. This year Imogen won the Euphonium/Baritone section of the NYBBGB Katie Ogden solo competition and will represent her section in the concerto final at the forthcoming NYBBGB summer course playing the Ellerby Baritone Concerto.

We are so proud of Imogen and listening to her rehearsing her concerto piece in the bandroom before a recent rehearsal, the band were in awe at the virtuosity on display.

George Barker, one of the founders of Mercer and Barker mouthpieces said “We are looking forward to working with her and all the young ambassadors in the future. She’s a fabulous player”.

More details on the Young Ambassadors can be found on the Mercer and Barker Website along with details of their range of mouthpieces.

The website address is https://mercerandbarker.com

Joint Concert with Black Dyke

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On February 5th 2023, the Senior Band will join forces with the World Famous Black Dyke Band from Queensbury near Bradford in order to raise money for York Against Cancer. This will be the second time the band has taken part in the York Against Cancer events with the last concert back in early 2020 with Brighouse and Rastrick.

This is a great opportunity to take in a great afternoon of Brass music held at York Grand Opera House, while contributing towards a great York charity. Do keep your eyes open for tickets, bookmark the date and we look forward to seeing you there.

Spring Festival 2022

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The Senior Band made a return visit to Blackpool for the first time since 2019 when the the British Open Spring Festival returned to the contest calendar. The band performed Freedom by Hubert Bath in the Senior Cup after being promoted from the Senior Trophy in the 2019 contest. It seems such a long time ago that happened.

The test piece was originally chosen to mark the 100th spring festival but COVID intervened and the contest was delayed for 2 years. Freedom was originally written for the National Championships of 1922 so playing it in the Senior Cup 100 years later is still quite fitting.

It would have been great to come back with qualifiation for the Grand Shield next year, but the band produced a creditable 12th out of the 20 bands competing and saw a number of well known bands come below them. The result consolidates our place in the Senior Cup and will be something to build on next year.

A few photos from the day in Blackpool

Joint Concert Success

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What a fantastic night with both our Senior and Youth bands performing at the brand new York St John University Creative Centre. The Youth band ran out their pieces ready for Music for Youth Regional Festival, whilst Seniors previewed Wilfred Heaton’s ‘Contest Music’ in preparation for next weeks North of England Brass Band Championships. We closed the concert with a massed band rendition of the Ukrainian State Anthem, which received a poignant and unanimous standing ovation. A great evening of brass and solidarity!