© Bletchington Silver Band 2011

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“Its been a long week!” said Kerry as fiddled with her Flugel following a stick on number one valve half way through her solo. “A long week?” retorted Kevin on Euphonium, “ But it’s only Tuesday!” Rehearsal was going well then! Having teased the valve into operating perfectly we continued to rehearse the test-piece.

The test-piece is called ‘Oregon’ and has been written by Jacob de Haan. It is an evocative piece that tries to musically describe a trip across Oregon aboard the North Pacific Railway. The listener is whisked through the landscape past Indians, cowboys, gold-diggers and hooded wagons. There are various melodies that occur that give it a real western movie feel. We intend to play the piece at a competition in Leicester in November and at our concert in September so you will have the chance to hear this very interesting piece.

Throughout the past months we have been performing at various locations such as Boarstall, Bloxham Steam Fayre, Duns Tew, and Kirtlington. We have further gigs to perform later in the year at Blenheim Palace and Oxford Utd.

Dates for your diary;

6th August – Come and join us at our Band Quiz night at Bletchington Social Club. Why not enter a team? You can get further details from Will Taylor (07879 464143) or Tony Saunders (01869 350705)

4th September – Allotment Show, Bletchington wher the band will make an appearance

25th September – Band Concert, Village Hall

There may be some of you who are not sure what certain music terms mean. Having spoken to the band here is what they think some of the musical terms mean;

Largo – A non alcoholic beer

Prestissimo – Something that needs ironing quickly

Prelude – An old Honda car model

Allegro – An old British Leyland car model. Also a leg fertilizer

Vivo – An old Vauxhall car model

Lento – The days leading up to Easto.

Expressivo – To a Euphonium player this means continue play loudly but with your eyes closed

Metronome – A small person who regularly travels on the Paris underground

Andante – Spaghetti that is not fully cooked

Transposition – Someone who prefers clothes of the opposite sex.

Tenor Horn – An instrument that cost two fivers

Frugel Horn – A sensible, inexpensive musical instrument

Time signature – Something drummers ignore.

Hope to see you at our quiz night and our concert.