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Riviera Concert Brass are very pleased to support Torquay United Football Club at events. The MD and second horn, Garry, are avid fans. Here are two pictures of members of the band playing the national anthem at a match. Although we were unable to help for the Sunday game, Mike and Hannah will be sounding Last Post for the game on Wednesday evening.

On Saturday we joined forces with the Torbay Police and Community Choir to present a ‘Last Night of the Proms’ style event at Central Church in Torquay. The audience were fantastic and were motivated to join in by the superb Dave Easton from Shiphay Amateur Dramatic Society who had everyone ‘rolling in the aisles’ with his funny antics. Singing was as good as in the Albert Hall from the unofficial Jubilee Anthem ‘Sweet Caroline’ to t he more traditional ‘Jerusalem’ and ‘Land of Hope and Glory’. Fantasia on British Sea Songs gave the opportunity for hornpipes, and flag waving and our wonderful singer in residence, Theresa Moorin, inspired everyone to sing heartily in Rule Britannia. The Choir were in fine voice and finished with a rousing rendition of Widecombe Fair. We were also treated to Sally singing songs from Mary Poppins with Theresa. As a bonus, £540 was raised for the church roof appeal. If you missed this year’s event, we are hoping to do another proms next year so keep looking on the website as we update. Pictured are Barbara (one of our most loyal supporters and friend), our percussion section (Shirley and Roger) who went above and beyond to get into that proms spirit and the wonderful Sally.

Some members of RCB have been helping schools to celebrate the Queen’s Jubilee at their Jubilee picnics. Here are some photos of the group at All Saints Babbacombe School who had a lovely time sat in the school’s bandstand playing some patriotic music for the children and their families.

The band were unanimous in voting the Chairman, Ray Lloyd as Band Person of the Year. Ray worked tirelessly through covid to arrange weekly meetings. He would send out parts so that we could join together for a weekly chat and play through. Ray was presented with the trophy at our first post covid concert.

Last Wednesday saw us at Central Church in Torquay for our first post covid concert. It is safe to say that both the audience and the band enjoyed the evening. It was a varied evening with marches, solos, film music and a finale including sunset. The wonderful Theresa was with us and Sally made a guest appearance with hits from Frozen and even a duet with some Hebrew in! The band also premiered our new piece ‘World Without You’ which was written by Ray Lloyd in memory of Bernard Ryan. Ray dedicated this to the three members of the band who have passed away recently. We are now eager to play at our next concert newt Wednesday (1st June) at St Matthias Church in Torquay which is in aid of the local Mencap charity.

It is with great sadness that we have learnt of the passing away of our dear friend Steph Reeves. Both Steph and her husband John were well known in banding circles until Steph became unwell and John became her carer. Steph was a superb back row cornet player and we will miss her smiling face.

The Band are enjoying being back to regular (covid safe) rehearsals and have some great music which we are practising. We have some concerts lined up with some great venues and themes. The events page has been updated to show you when these are so be sure to check it out.

This weekend we have been shocked and saddened to hear about the death of our Eb bass player Chris. Chris was one of the kindest friendliest men you could know and was always willing to help people out. Chris was a stalwart of the Salvation Army Band at Exeter Temple but was always in demand from local bands, helping out whenever he was needed. We were lucky to have Chris as a member of Riviera Concert Brass and loved having him driving the Band forward in the bass section. Our thoughts and prayers are with Chris’ family at this sad time.