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Currently conducted by Peter Bassano, the band is tackling ever more challenging and entertaining repertoire. Recent concert programmes have included Peter Graham’s Windows of the World and Gaelforce, as well as the Ashmore arrangement of Mussorgsky’s Night on a Bare Mountain and pieces such as James Bond Collection and Disney Fantasy. As well as termly concerts, the band also plays for the annual OICCU carol service in the Sheldonian Theatre and plays for the St George’s Day Parade and the Lord Mayor’s Parade. This year we also entered and came 6th in the University Brass Band Championships of Great Britain, held in Lancaster. When it does not fall in exam time, the band also takes part in the Whit Friday Marches. This year, for the first time, the band went on tour to Bournemouth. An ‘about us’ section of this website would be incomplete without a mention of the band’s social side. Apart from semi-compulsory pub trips post rehearsal, the band enjoys dining at formal halls and trips to Oxford’s many infamous curry houses. In fact, the band even has a prize, the ‘OUBB Award for Well-Oiled Valves’, for the band member who is most ‘social’ at each event.
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The band is available for hire, either as a full band or as a smaller ensemble. We often play for SCR Christmas parties and have played for balls such as Christ Church Commemoration ball and Merton Ball. Contact brass@oums.org for more information.
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Although the band is student run for students – anyone is welcome to join. Email brass@oums.org for more information. Although the standard is high, the advantage of a brass band is that a large number of parts requiring different skill bases exist – meaning there is a seat for everyone. There is no audition needed to join, although we usually audition at the beginning of each year for the people wishing to hold one of the principal seats (principal cornet, principal euphonium, solo horn and 1st trombone).
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The band is very kindly supported by the Oxford University Music Society and the Oxford University Music Faculty and is sponsored by UBS.
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Matt Harland and Katie Young, who founded the band, left a lasting legacy by donating a shield to the band, which is awarded annually to the bandsman of the year. The bandsmen of the year so far have been: 2008: Freddie Nobel, Jesus, Trombone 2009: Jez Saskein, Keble, Tuba 2010: George Bray, St John’s, Tuba 2011: Victoria Paulding, Christ Church, Soprano Cornet
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Peter has recently taken over the conductorship of the band and already has exciting and ambitious plans for the year ahead. After studying trombone at the Royal College of Music, Peter played with the London Philharmonia Orchestra before taking up a post as Head of the Brass Faculty at the Royal College of Music. As well as conducting and guest conducting a number of prestigious orchestras, including the Royal Philharmonic and Royal Omani Symphony Orchestra, Peter has conducted a number of brass bands. He took City Of Cambridge Brass Band from 1st to Championship division and formed the first ever RCM Brass Band, now called ‘Zone One Band’. Peter has also guest conducted bands including Brighouse and Rastrick, Grimethorpe and Fodens and has adjudicated a number of brass band contests including the European Brass Band Championships. For more information on Peter, visit his website at www.peterbassano.com. The band is looking forward to working with Peter and we hope our audiences will enjoy our challenging and entertaining programmes that he has planned!
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President: Dom Burrell, Keble Treasurer: Matt Durey, LMH Secretary: Katie Jones, St Catherine’s Musical Director: Peter Bassano Librarian: Michael Howe, Staff at Worcester College Concert Secretary: Lucy Lyndon-Jones (Dept of Continuing Education) and Alasdair Hill (St Catherine’s) Social Secretary: Josh Moorhouse, Corpus Christi |
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2010-2011 President: Duncan Alston, Corpus Christi Treasurer: Victoria Paulding, Christ Church Secretary: Josh Moorhouse, Corpus Christi Musical Director: David Jones, Corpus Christi Librarian: Michael Howe, Staff at Worcester College Concert Secretary: Gemma Bailey, St Hugh’s Social Secretary: Luke Tullo, Oriel
2009-2010 President: Duncan Alston, Corpus Christi Treasurer: Victoria Paulding, Christ Church Secretary: Siân Haseldine, Oriel Musical Director: David Jones, Corpus Christi Librarian: Lucy Lyndon-Jones, University Concert Secretary: Sammo Swinerton, Queens Social Secretary: Jenifer Smith, St Hilda’s
2008-2009 President: Louise Harrison, Christ Church Treasurer: Freddie Nobel, Jesus Secretary: Philip Hush, Balliol Musical Director: Duncan Alston, Corpus Christi Librarian: Duncan Alston, Corpus Christi Concert Secretary: Gemma Bailey, St Hugh’s Band Master: Henry Bradford, St John’s Social Secretary: Andrew Cooper, Brookes
2007/2008 President Matthew Harland (Queen's) Secretary Katharine Harris (Mansfield) Treasurer Freddie Noble (Jesus) Musical Director Graham Lunn (Wycliffe) Librarian Louise Harrison (Christ church) Concert Secretary Steven Baldwin (St Hugh's) (Assistant: Dominic Williams (St Catherine's)) Publicist Peter Kerthaler (Hertford) Band Master Porter White (Princeton/St Hilda's) Instrument officer: Louise Steele (Queen's) Social Secretary Katie Young (Queen's) Duncan Alston (Corpus) Susan Lewis (Wadham)
2005/2006 and 2006/2007
President: Matthew Harland (Queen's) Secretary: Katherine Young (Queen's) Treasurer: Frederick Noble (Jesus) Webmaster: Daniel McGowan (Keble) Musical Director: Graham Lunn (Wycliffe) Socal Secretary: Steven Baldwin (St Hugh's) Louise Harrision (Christ church)
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