Latest News - Concerts, Weddings, Fanfares, Lots of Blowin'!

September 2006: Oxford Brookes University. Oxford Brookes University Graduation Ceremonies were the scene of our latest appearance. Nineteen ceremonies in seven days were introduced and accompanied by music from Caduceus Brass. This marathon engagement allowed the group to perform a wide range of music leading into each ceremony, as well as the traditional processional and recessional contribution.

July 2006. Caduceus Brass perform at the Aylesbury Pier Theatre a new initiative in partnership with Aylesbury Town Council. Music provided was typical of a Summer variety show and included features for the Trombone, Tuba and Post Horn!

April 2006: Aylesbury Crown Court. Caduceus Fanfares provide music for the Declaration of High Sheriff ceremony held in Aylesbury town centre.

January 2006. New Horn player. We are delighted to announce the arrival of Chris Howlings as our new horn player. Chris brings great experience to the group and we look forward to performing with him for a very long time.

January 2006. Patsy retires from the quintet. Patsy was one of the original member of Cauceus Brass when it was formed in 1995. In 2005, after 10 years as our horn player, she has decided to move on to other challenges. She has been a cornerstone of the group and her musical expertise will be sorely missed. We wish her well for the future and look forward to her performing with us again one day, maybe as our percussionist?!

2005 Roundup. Caduceus Brass completed a busy Autumn and Chistmas programme culminating in the annual 'Carols for Everyone' concert held in the Civic Centre with the Aylesbury Festival Choir, and an appearence at the Central Police Training and Development Authority Staff College, Bramshill, Hampshire.

15^th July 2005: Leighton Buzzard Salvation Army Citadel. Caduceus Brass presented music which scanned several centuries and many countries. Much of it was arrangements for brass quintet of excerpts from English and American shows, such as Iolanthe, Les Miserables and West side Story. There were moments of comedy and sheer joie-de-vivre and it is obvious that the players really enjoy what they are doing. An appreciated touch was the playing of an old Salvation Army 'warhorse', the Red Shield march.

The playing was exemplary. The whole evening was enjoyed by the audience but those who are brass players were particularly impressed by the technical and musical abilities of the group.

Thank you Caduceus Brass.

18^th June 2005: The Salvation Army, Aylesbury. Evening concert, of which a member of the audience wrote: I had a very enjoyable evening listening to Caduceus Brass performing at The Salvation Army in Aylesbury. Their repertoire took us from dancing Tudors to the swinging jazz of the U.S.A, to many places of the world, in fact. It was a superb evening of varied styles, eras and genres of music. The comparing was light, informative and humorous. Their skilful playing made it a night not to miss. Well done to you all and particularly on such a hot evening. Joyce Graham, 2005.

30^th March 2005: Crown Court, Aylesbury. Caduceus Fanfares provide music for the Declaration of High Sheriff ceremony held in Aylesbury town centre.

18^th March 2005: Church of St. Peter and St. Paul, Blockley, Gloucetsershire. Caduceus Brass return to Blockley three years after providing music at the wedding of Trevor and Joanna Davis held in the same church. An evening concert provided a wide range of music much appreciated by all present.

9^th December 2004: Civic Centre, Aylesbury. Caduceus Brass again performed at the 'Carols for Everyone' annual carol concert held in the Civic Centre with the Aylesbury Festival Choir.

Many Christmas carols were enjoyed by all present but the highlight of the evening (for Caduceus) was the competition to guess the number of Christmas tunes interwoven in their performance of 'Pachelbel's Christmas'. The winner was a young lady who also performed in the concert with the Turnfurlong School Choir.

19^th November 2004: British Legion Hall, Harpenden. For the second year running Caduceus performed at a charity concert organised by TOSE. And like last year the event was a tremendous success, raising over £500 for the charity.

TOSE runs a care home in Zimbabwee for severely handicapped children. The care home is widely respected in Africa for its innovative approach to care. Financial and logistical challenges resulting from the current political situation in Zimbawee make the continued success of the TOSE care home even more remarkable and external support is vital.

Caduceus produced a thoroughly entertaining program right from the introductory march 'Bravura', through to the concluding jazz classic 'Basin Street Blues'. There were several numbers receiving there first public performance, including Norman's arrangement of Shostakovitch's Jazz Suite no. 1.

9^th October 2004: Great Kimble, Bucks. Caduceus Brass downsized this evening, and gave a joint organ and trumpet concert in aid of the St Nicholas Church restoration fund. Norman and Trevor (trumpets) joined Duncan MacKenzie (organ) in a mixed program that included a number of organ solos and trumpet duets with organ accompaniment.

The trumpet and organ program demonstrated the dexterity of the trumpets and rich, complimentary organ accompaniment. Fanfares introduced both the first and second halves; the Vivaldi double trumpet concerto got an airing; and an unusual arrangement of Debussey's Clair de Lune was included in the program.

The church was filled to capacity, with an audience of around 100 people, who enjoyed an unusual and exciting concert, and delicious refreshments!

14^th October 2003: Leighton Buzzard Salvation Army Citadel. An appreciative member of the audience wrote to Caduceus Brass following the Leighton Buzzard concert saying 'Thank you Caduceus Brass for giving such a splendid concert. Everyone present was extremely impressed with your choice of music as the programme contained not only such a variety of styles but was performed with great expertise and obvious enjoyment. It was a pleasure to sit and listen.'

When we receive comments and audience appreciation like that it really makes performing a pleasure.

6^th July 2003: St. Mary's Church, Aylesbury. Caduceus Brass played at the annual Town Mayor's Civic Service held in St Mary's Church Aylesbury. A range of music was provided including baroque, trumpet, hymns and descants. The Mayor said "It was splendid and the theme of music turned out to be a great success".

13^th June 2003: The British Army School of Languages Officers Mess, Wilton Park, Beaconsfield. The Defence School of Languages invited Caduceus Brass to provide light musical entertainment during a dinner. A mixture of varied music, light-hearted arrangements, including music from the shows and jazz provided an entertaining and enjoyable night for all.

31^st May 2003: Riviera Suite, Lakeside, Aylesbury. Caduceus Brass were invited to play at a wedding reception, held on a warm sunny day, at the Riviera Suite. Playing on a veranda overlooking the lake provided a lovely setting. The calm outdoor location attracted many extra listeners, passers by who were able to enjoy the music and the occasion.

27^th March 2003: The British Army School of Languages Officers Mess, Wilton Park, Beaconsfield. The Defence School of Languages invited Caduceus Brass to provide musical entertainment during their Regimental dinner. A mixture of formal and ceremonial pieces were interspersed with more light-hearted arrangements, including music from the shows and jazz.

12^th December 2002: Central Police Training and Development Authority Staff College, Bramshill, Hampshire. The event was the Annual Christmas Dining-in Night. This is a large function attended by some of the top police personnel in the country. The Quintet provide a dinner call, background music during proceedings and fanfares prior to toasts, culminating in a Christmas carol sing-along.

6^th December 2002: British Army School of Languages, Wilton Park. The event was the annual Christmas Dinner attended by many military and civic dignitaries. Caduceus brass provided a range of seasonal music adding real festive spirit to the event. The evening concluded with a carol sing-a-long, including a memorable rendering of 'The Twelve Days Of Christmas', in which guests at each of the twelve tables attempted to out-sing each other!

5^th December 2002: Civic Centre, Aylesbury. Caduceus Brass featured in the 2002 Aylesbury Festival Choir Carol Concert held in the Civic Centre, Aylesbury. The group accompanied traditional carols and provided seasonal features especially for the occasion. Turnfurlong School Choir, Aylesbury Festival Choir and Caduceus Brass combined to make an enjoyable event for all involved. A great start to the Christmas festivities!

7^th November 2002: Officers Mess, Wilton Park, Beaconsfield. The Defence School of Languages invited Caduceus Brass to provide musical entertainment during their annual dinner. A mixture of formal and ceremonial pieces were interspersed with more light-hearted arrangements, including music from the shows and jazz.

19^th July 2002: Warwick Castle, Warwick. Trevor represented the Fanfare team, welcoming party goers at the Warwick University summer party.

5^th July 2002: Wendover, Buckinghamshire. Caduceus Brass perform at the Wendover Jubilee Street Party.

4^th July 2002: Warwick Castle, Warwick. Caduceus Fanfares, with Norman and Trevor, greeted guests of Sun Microsystems at Warwick Castle with fanfares from the ramparts. Guests enjoyed an Knighted escort, fire-eating and sword fighting, accompanied with many brilliant fanfares, before entering the castle for a formal dinner and prize-giving.

28^th June 2002: Edgcott Church, Edgcott, Buckinghamshire. Evening concert performed to a full audience in the beautiful north Bucks village of Edgcott. Beginning with medieval music, the first part of the programme went from operatic overture to the Threepenny Opera, via Bernstein, and demonstrated the versatility of the Quintet. The second half began with a clever combination of jazz and oratorio, followed by variations on a Mozart theme which stretched the capacity of the group to the limit. However, they proved able to switch style immediately to traditional jazz, and to follow that with the beautiful 'Somewhere' from West Side Story. The finish, with the swing classic 'Puttin' on the Ritz', was perfect.

16^th June 2002: St. Mary's Church, Aylesbury. Norman and John announce the arrival of the Leader of Aylesbury Vale District Council at a special service at St Mary's Church in Aylesbury. Trumpets accompany organ to several hymns and other pieces.

16^th April 2002: Crown Court, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire. Caduceus Fanfares, with Andy and Trevor, greeted local dignitary for the opening ceremony of Aylesbury Crown Court.

12^th April 2002: Warwick Castle, Warwick. Norman plays fanfares to greet guests at a corporate function.

1^st January 2002: Chris Clark replaces Andy Smith as 1^st Trumpet in the Quintet.

22^nd December 2001: Shopping Centre, Northampton.Caduceus Brass provide Christmas music at the Northampton shopping centre leading to a Christmas Fanfare announcing the arrival of Father Christmas.

14^th December 2001: Caduceus Brass perform at the Police Staff College Annual Christmas Dinner. This is a large function attended by some of the top police personnel in the country. The Quintet provide background music during proceedings and fanfares prior to toasts, culminating in a Christmas sing-along.

11^th December 2001: Civic Centre, Aylesbury. Caduceus Brass feature at the Annual Aylesbury Festival Choir Carol Concert at the Civic Centre. AFC, Caduceus Brass, and local school choirs all contribute to a fine evening of Christmas entertainment.

7^th December 2001: Aylesbury. Caduceus Brass play at the annual scout carol concert held by Aylesbury 5th Scout Group. A festive occasion attended by scouts and their parents/grandparents with carols and mince pies for all. Caduceus Brass entertain with appropriate Christmas music.

25^th August 2001: Aylesbury. Caduceus Brass open the Aylesbury Street Festival. A wide range of music performed at the first and opening event sponsored by AVDC.

20^th July 2001: Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire. Three trumpeters play fanfares for guests as they arrive for a private function.

13^th July 2001: Grange School, Aylesbury. St George's day event held by the Scout Association at The Grange School. The Quintet played a wide range of background music that was much appreciated by passers-by.

9^th July 2001: St. James Church, Barton Hartshorne, Bucks. Summer concert attended by a full and appreciative audience. The program began with Pastime with Good Company and contained many classical arrangements in the first half, culminating with 'Parigi, O Cara' from La Traviata, with Norman and Matt dressed in outlandish costume and walking amongst the audience who were in fits of laughter. Refreshments were available during the interval. The second half contained many modern pieces taken from shows, jazz and TV themes, such as the encore 'Theme from Thunderbirds'. 'In conclusion, Caduceus Brass is an experience of superb music making not to be missed. We hope to welcome them back in the near future.'

31^st March 2001: Church of St. Peter and St. Paul, Blockley, Gloucetsershire. The Quintet were invited to play at the wedding of Trevor (a member of the fanfare team) and Joanna. Trevor and Andy chose the music, which contained many of the Quintets favourite pieces, such as Selections from West Side Story and Clair de Lune. The Quintet re-grouped after the church service to entertain the wedding guests at the start of the reception. Trevor joined the Quintet for Top Hat, White Tie and Tails, rounding the number off with an ad-lib rendition of Oh My Darling, with Joanna sat on his knee!

30^th April 2000: Wing Church, Wing, Buckinghamshire. Charity concert in aid of 'The Friends of Wing Church'. The program included a mixture of classical and contemporary works and was watched by a large, appreciative audience.

8^th February 2000: 1999 review. 1999 was a varied year for the Quintet who performed anywhere from shopping centres, schools and wedding receptions to full concerts. The highlight of the year was a performance of light music and jazz at the Princes Risborough Arts Festival. A new 'formula' was adopted when compiling the program, with lighter music from the shows and jazz world mixing with classical favourites. The formula turned out to be a great success and will be repeated in the future.

25^th September 1998: St.John The Baptist Parish Church, Stone, Buckinghamshire. Quoted from the Bucks Herald 'Saturday evening, more than sixty people enjoyed the music of Caduceus Brass, a group of five from Aylesbury who played classical pieces and some more modern light music and jazz.' Trevor Davis joined the quintet for their opening piece: 'Fanfare for St. Edmundsbury' composed by Benjamin Britten, written for three trumpets and played antiphonally with the players standing in separate parts of the church.

4^th and 5^th September 1998: Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire. Caduceus Fanfares welcomed new member Trevor Davis to the line up and celebrated with Fanfares at Blenheim Palace! The Trumpeter's welcomed dinner guests in style at a corporate function over two evenings.