A really great afternoon on the bandstand in Aldeburgh, Suffolk.  Part of the world renowned Aldeburgh Festival at Snape, a temporary bandstand is erected right on the beach to offer concerts by diverse artists in all styles.  Todays concert was received very well by the crowd.  The set included classics like Abu Hassan and Pavane, modern original brass music such as Gaelforce and Sosban Fach with a bit of a Thriller from Michael Jackson thrown in for good measure.  A few of the crowd were looking a bit pink in the 30 degree heat.

On Saturday 6^th May, The Salvation Army Hall at Chelmsford lived up to its shiny exterior when it hosted a dazzling evening of voice and brass. Excitement and anticipation filled the air as over 100 people bustled into the hall wondering what to expect.

The audience were not the only ones looking forward to hearing and experiencing what was to come, as both performing ensembles had only met and heard each other for the first time that afternoon. Both Unify Community Choir and East of England Coop Band had spent many weeks rehearsing separately in order to prepare a top quality programme. Time, skills and facilities were all donated free of charge after the idea had been born to host a concert to raise money in support of Chelmsford’s local homeless charity: CHESS.

CHESS is the Churches Homeless Emergency Support Scheme based in Chelmsford and they provide support and care as well as facilities to meet the practical needs required by some of  most vulnerable and deprived people. The charity has recently purchased a property that will be used to provide shelter to those who need it most, however, an empty building is not enough on its own. For that reason, CHESS have a £300,000 fundraising target that must be reached in order to transform the new property into a functioning safe haven. The money will provide all the amenities and equipment needed to allow this new hub to become an effective stepping-stone to a more positive pathway for anyone who may find themselves in the position where they have no other option but to use it.  This was the heart of the concert; the aim to contribute towards the rather daunting monetary target was the motivator to create a tantalising musical programme that would fill every seat in the hall with a paying ticket holder.

And so, as the clock struck seven blue and gold jackets marched onto the large platform with their brass instruments and under the baton of Nigel Cooper opened the nights entertainment with Paul Lovatt-Cooper’s Walking with Heroes. The bright opening fanfare intertwined with a lyrical melody that was passed around the band set the tone for an evening of musical contrast underlined with a rich, heartfelt sound.  This was immediately followed with Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody, and at this point it became clear to the audience that they were not going to be able to guess what was around the corner, but that they could relax knowing they were in store for a varied and fun-filled evening.

Unify begun their contribution to the evening by performing Gary Barlow and Andrew Lloyd-Webber’s Sing. Having been commissioned for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, this song inspired a powerful sense of togetherness and community that nicely portrayed the purpose of the concert, and also the roots and origins of the choir, which is a community based group led by Joanne Schultz.

The musical delights continued as we were treated to pieces taken from almost every known genre, including: film music; extracts from musicals; traditional hymns; reflective meditations; classical works; and contemporary music. A particularly memorable conclusion to the first half was presented by the band, which transported the audience to the rural, mysterious and sometimes scary far north of the country with Philip Sparke’s Hymn of the Highlands.

After some refreshments, and a jovial introduction to the second half that included an entry into the Acrobat Challenge, the musical extravaganza continued. There were just as many oratory treats in the latter part of the evening, all leading up to a joint presentation of Sanctus from Karl Jenkins The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace. The voices of the choir were combined with interjections from the brass and percussion to produce an eerie and ominous beginning that eventually built up to an extraordinary and shocking climax.

The night soon drew to a close but not before the money raised was counted and a cheque for almost £1500 was presented to Lindsay Hurrell from CHESS. An uplifting and enjoyable evening was made worthwhile by everyone who was a part of it and enabled CHESS to come closer to being able to fulfil their mission to the homeless people of Chelmsford City.

Our charity concert in Chelmsford was very well received.  A happy audience, a happy band and £1300 raised for local charity CHESS.  Job done!

Its that time of year again, its Area Contest weekend in the London & Southeast area.  The band have had an intensive weeks preparation and has had its last full run through of Herbert Howells Pageantry.  It has really come together after a lot of hard work by the band and particularly our MD Nigel Cooper.    All are focussed on Sundays contest in Stevenage.  Wish us well!

The east Of England CooP Band’s charity concert at Stowmarket Salvation Army raised a fantastic £3649 for SARS (Suffolk Accident Rescue Service). The concert was organised by band member Harry Wilding whose father Andy received life saving treatment last year.  It was fantastic to play for an appreciative, sell out audience.   A really worthwhile evening.

Stowmarket, Salvation Army Hall, 4th March ……ALMOST SOLD OUT!!

If you miss us in Stowmarket then make sure you get tickets for ……..

2016 was a momentous year for the band.  So much has changed.  We have a new name, new musical director, new players and a new band room.

There were many highlights.  We scored a creditable 3rd place at the LBBA ‘Open’ Brass Band Contest, Recorded our new Album “Horizons”, played at the BBC Radio Suffolk carol concert and enjoyed a bracing afternoon playing on the beach at the Aldeburgh Festival.

There were some low points including the passing of former Musical Director Stephen Kenna.

We look forward to 2017 which promises to be a busy and exiting year.