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The Burbage Band of Buxton
ESTABLISHED by local quarry owner Robert Broome and fellow industrialists in 1861, The Burbage Band (Buxton) is one of the oldest brass bands in the world, and proudly maintains its original aims and objectives.
We were formed as a village band, with the patronage of the Church and Duke of Devonshire, to teach music without charge, provide an educational and constructive pastime, develop community spirit and entertain. The band has earned an enviable reputation and has taught many hundreds to play.
Today, Burbage Band continues to promote and represent Burbage and Buxton both locally and abroad at a whole host of differing concerts, functions and celebrations, providing music in a wide variety of styles, and has active members from every generation.
The band is one of the most successful, busiest and friendliest bands in the area and is renowned for having trained most of its own players as well as many now playing with more famous bands.
Lessons, instrument loan and insurance are provided free of charge to anyone with the commitment to learn. This provision is popular with all ages, but particularly where pupils also use the instruments at school.
Although busy with a varied series of concerts and engagements all over the country, which in 2007 included a BBC Television broadcast, the band also participates in competitions. In 2007 we were awarded best High Peak Band and second over all in our class at the Buxton contest, and we were over all winners of our class at the last Oxford and District BBA contest.
As a result of our consistency and success at the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain, we were promoted to the third section in 2008.
For membership details, contact Musical Director and Resident Conductor Steven Critchlow on 01298 79152 or by email at steve@burbageband.co.uk, or for more information visit www.burbageband.co.uk.The Three Tiers of Burbage Band
Senior Band
BURBAGE Band has an enviable widespread reputation as a brass band. As a result we are busy with many concert engagements.
Our standard, and hence our reputation, is built on the fact that we have a full band and our players are loyal and dedicated. As a member of the main Burbage Band you would be part of something very special.
Members of the main band are competent players of all ages and practice together at least twice a week. The main band is still a learning environment where players develop technically and the ethic of teamwork is forged.
Rehearsals are currently on Tuesdays and Fridays, starting promptly at 8pm through to 9.30pm. The band is sometimes the recipient of others' expertise and is indebted to the renowned Roy Newsome for his advice and services as professional conductor, and to the world famous Foden Courtois band for their assistance with rehearsals, and the soprano cornet legend Alan Wycherley, all of who regularly offer they experience to benefit our players.
The band is very busy with engagements and is proud that it usually manages to perform and enter contests without the use of guest players. However, the band is proud to describe itself as one of the friendliest bands around, and as such they are always pleased to welcome experienced players on either a permanent or guest basis.
If you'd like to join us, feel free to get in touch. You can call Steve Critchlow on 01298 79152 or email steve@burbageband.co.uk. We are always keen to strengthen the band with the right characters, and have a good reputation for developing the talents of players.
Learners
Since 1861, members of Burbage Band have been passing on their skills, lending instruments and teaching others to play. Hundreds of musicians, including many players with more famous bands, started this way and owe their foundation to the services of Burbage Band.
Today, with the removal of free instrument tuition in Derbyshire schools, the services of the band have never been in greater demand. There are currently over 40 members who are still in full time education and many of them are in the category of Learners and Juniors.
Learning is best done when young, but the band operate an equal opportunities policy and welcomes learners of any age from 7 upwards.
Each learner is loaned an instrument free of charge and is taught individually, or in small groups, by senior members of the band on Thursday evenings from 6.30 - 7.15pm or 7.15 - 8.00pm.
The senior band members give their services free of charge and depending on the speed of learning and competence of playing, the learner will eventually move to the Junior Band. Learner players will be expected to show commitment in return for your free lessons and instrument, as that is the only way to become a good enough player for the main band!
Junior Band
The Juniors learn to play together as a band, rather than individually, although individual tuition is still given where necessary. Juniors currently meet on Thursday evenings from 8.00 to 9.00pm.
The junior band is still very much a teaching environment, but with an emphasis towards ensemble playing in preparation for the players progression upwards. Competent juniors will eventually be phased into the main band, and offered a permanent place as vacancies occur.
As players progress, training instruments are exchanged for instruments from the main band.
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Weather for Buxton
Tuesday 07 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: -6 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: -4 C to -1 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: South
