A small group of Crystal Palace Banders ( Bob Barnes, Siân Evans, Peter Forbes, Richard Harber, Iain Lee and Anne Taylor) also play with Croydon Brass on a Monday Night under the baton of our very own Alan Murdock.
Since the Covid pandemic, a number of bands have found themselves depleted , and struggling to recruit new members, and Croydon is no exception.
Despite this, Croydon Brass is currently a friendly, small but beautifully formed ensemble of about 12 members, and recently scored a major success at the Sutton Music Festival, where they came first in their Class and were awarded the Instrumental Ensemble Challenge Shield as the best ensemble across the Festival.
Sadly, Alan was indisposed on the day, so the band played without a conductor, offering up the March, “Officer of The Day” and “Londonderry Air”, in an exquisite arrangement by Alan, specifically tailored to their current instrumental lineup. They were commended for their “sustained rhythmic pulse and colourful dynamics “in the first piece, and “expressive shaping to the phrasing “and “impressive attention to the dynamics” in the second. The adjudicator was uplifted and moved by their “very heartfelt performance”, awarding an “Outstanding” 94.
Not resting on their laurels, Croydon Brass would love to build on their success and welcome any players from Crystal Palace Band or further afield who fancy a blow on a Monday Night. Rehearsals are at 8.00pm at the Salvation Army Hall in Maple Road, Penge SE20 8JB.
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