Central Band to play Cathedral Concert series in 2011

The Central Band of The Royal British Legion will play a series of Cathedral concerts in 2011. The concerts will form part of the Royal British Legion's 90th Anniversary celebrations and will start in Canterbury Cathedral on 7 May 2011, followed by Southwark Cathedral, London on 27 May 2011. The Band will perform a special Armed Forced Day concert in Lincoln Cathedral on 25 June 2011. The Central Band will perform in Salisbury Cathedral on 10 September and Return to London for the RBL's 90th Anniversary Service in Westminster Abbey. The Concert series will conclude on 24 September in Truro Cathedral.

Central Band plays Centre Court

The Central Band has completed a highly successful weekend entertaining the crowds at the Wimbledon Ladies' and Mens' Finals. The Band gave concerts on 'Henman Hill' as the thousands of fans gathered for each Final day. Following the concerts, the Band moved to Centre Court and played to the gathering crowds. Brief appearances on BBC TV followed and even a mention from Sue Barker and John McEnroe!

Images can be seen on the official Wimbledon website: http://www.wimbledon.org/en_GB/news/galleries/2010-07-04/2010-07-042.html

Central Band on Centre Court!

The Central Band will be entertaining the crowds on Murray Mound (Henman Hill?) and on Centre Court at Wimbledon this weekend at the All England Lawn Tennis Club Championships finals. This will be the third appearance for the Band at this prestigious event. More to follow...

Central Band rocks the Fjords!

The Central Band has just completed a week aboard the Fred Olsen Cruise Lines ship 'Balmoral' to Norway. The Band played daily concerts to extremely enthusiastic audiences on board in the Balmoral's superb theatre. The tour stopped at Bergen, Olden, Flam and Farsund. The Band's final concert was followed by a cocktail party in honour of the Band in the company of the ship's captain Atne Knutsen.

More to follow...

Central Band to record for BBC Radio 2

The Central Band goes into the BBC's Maida Vale studios on 1 July to record a programme for 'Listen to the Band' on Radio 2.

This will be the third time the Central Band has been featured on the popular radio show which showcases top bands from around the country.

The programme, hosted by Frank Renton, will be broadcast on Radio 2 later in the year - watch this space for details.

Fairfield concert a success

Saturday's concert at Croydon's Fairfield Hall was a resounding success. The joint concert hosted by The Central Band with special guests The Band of HM Royal Marines School of Music, lived up to expectations. A superb programme of music included Caroline's sensitive flute solo 'She's Out of My Life', an impressive display by the Royal Marines Corps of Drums and eight solo trumpets in Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy. The first half culminated with David Cole's breathtaking rendition of the great Saint-Saens Organ Symphony, conducted by Major Andy Thornhill.

The second half included a stand-up trombone section in Trombones to The Fore followed by a breakneck speed Two Imps xylophone solo. The finale sequence featured the suitably nautical Fantasy on British Sea Songs, Rocky fanfare and theme before we welcomed back the buglers for Evening Hymn and Sunset. The evening was suitably rounded off with David Cole's masterful arrangement Kaleidoscope, which included fine solos from the Royal Marines School of Music's sax and flugelhorn players.

A long day for us, but in all, a thoroughly enjoyable evening for the audience and bands alike and we look forward to working with the Band of HM Royal Marines School of Music again in the not too distant future. Look out for photos of the concert - coming soon.

Worthing audience goes wild!

Worthing seems to love the Central Band. Our recent concert there on Saturday 21 march, whilst a little underattended, went down a storm with the local audience. The band even received a standing ovation at the end!

The Assembly Room's natural acoustics helped the band sound at its best and it was a good performance overall. We'll definitely be going back next year with a view to building our audience there.