Notes From The
Bandroom
 Michael Whybrow, NCB
Secretary, Reporting
(Posted, 26 January, 2010)
Christmas 2009:
The Christmas season was as busy as ever with
many engagements. NCB's own 'Joy to the World' concert was
introduced by local BBC personality Louise Priest. The Singing
Company supported the event and the band's choice of music came from
all around Europe. Four Saturdays playing carols in the city centre,
visits to three care homes, participation in a carol service at the
Royal Norfolk Showground with the Bishop of Norwich, also one at a
school, a dinner with carols at a restaurant, carol singing at a
masonic hall, and a carol concert at a village church. This year we
even had to cancel one event due to heavy snowfall. After the
busyness of the season a well-earned rest was enjoyed by most of the
bandsmen.
2010 hold many opportunities for the Band. A
planned tour to the US and Canada has now been approved and we have
commenced fund-raising for the 38-strong group who will be
travelling to America and Canada on 15 October until 25 October. A
recording for the tour is also planned to be recorded in May.
Watch out for fund raising activities around
Norwich and Norfolk, many of which are going to be of a more relaxed
social nature. We would love to have you join in with us.
 | | Reg Brightman |
Special Thanks to Reg Brightman:
Some time ago Reg Brightman, a bandsmen in our band quietly transfered to the Band Reserve. I am not even sure that it was announced, certainly not in any meeting that I attended. In an effort to put the matter right, on behalf of Norwich Citadel Band and Bandmaster Ricghard Woodrow I wanted to put on record the acknowledgement and appreciation of the many years Reg has been part of our fellowship. Prior to his coming to Norwich, Reg was Songster Leader at Bury St Edmunds, and prior to that was a bandsman at his home corps of Folkstone in Kent.
Reg has never been a demonstrative person. For a number of years he was our flugelhorn player, touring South Africa in that capacity with NCB in 1993. Mostly though folk remember him as a first cornet player, dependable and with a good sense of musicianship. Reg also possesed a lovely tenor voice and was featured from time to time on band programmes, particulary on our 1985 tour of North America.
For a while Reg put away his cornet in its case, but I can now announce that whilst he is one of our Reservists, he has rejoined the Norfolk Fellowship Brass.
Thank you Reg for your loyal service.
Ray Todd Retires from NCB:
Ray
grew up in the corps at Felixstowe, where his parents were active
Salvationists. He became a singing company member, and also joined
the YP band, where he played the drum before taking up the
cornet.
After leaving school he signed a printing
apprenticeship, which later deferred his three-year National
Service. He was persuaded to join the Royal Horse Guards Band, and
accepted for a place in the cornet section. Within a short period he
became principal cornet, remaining in that position for 22 years
until his retirement from military service.
During those years Ray served as a State
Trumpeter, and played for many royal occasions - taking part in
Trooping the Colour, Garter ceremonies and Lord Mayor's Show events,
mostly within the Household Cavalry Mounted Band. The regiment was
stationed at Hyde Park Barracks, Knightsbridge, and Combermere
Barracks, Windsor, alternating three-year terms with the Life
Guards.
The Royal Horse Guards later amalgamated with
the Royal Dragoons to become the Blues and Royals.
In 1957 - while stationed at Knightsbridge - Ray
was invited to attend the corps at Chalk Farm, where he immediately
felt at home. After a short time he became the band's principal
cornet, a position he held for 42 years. He was also commissioned
deputy bandmaster and was briefly bandmaster, before returning to
the deputy position which he held until retiring to Norwich in
1999.
Chalk Farm was also where he met his wife
Elizabeth. They married in 1961, and have a daughter, Lindsey - the
singing company leader at Norwich Citadel - and a son, Garry, who is
a member of the Melbourne Staff Band and corps bandmaster at
Waverley Temple in Melbourne, Australia.
Becoming bandmaster of the North London Youth
Band in the 1980s added a new dimension and much enjoyment to Ray's
life. The response from these young Salvationists was a source of
great encouragement to him.
Throughout his military career Ray was also a
peripatetic music teacher in schools, and taught individual pupils.
He continued teaching for a time after moving to Norwich.
Even after 57 years as a bandsman, retirement
from Norwich Citadel Band does not mean the end of banding for Ray -
he is still the conductor of Anglia Fellowship Band, and a member of
Norfolk Fellowship Brass.
We wish Ray all the best in his retirement.
Whilst we at Norwich have enjoyed his friendship and experience
within the band during the ten years he has been with us, we realise
that his service at Felixstowe together with 42 plus years at Chalk
Farm mean that he is well-known around the Army and in banding in
general around the world.
It is our privilege on behalf of Felixstowe and
Chalk Farm Corps as well as Norwich Citadel to pay this tribute to
him for his outstanding service as a Salvation Army bandsmen
par-excellence.
God bless you and regards from all at
NCB!
Michael Whybrow - Band Secretary
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