At the end of July 2012 we were invited to play at this beautiful National Trust venue. Gibside Pleasure Gardens hosts music throughout the summer on Sunday afternoon as their Music in the Park events
We were hampered somewhat by a chilly blustery wind but we blasted out a great extended set down the avenue of trees in front of the chapel and across the grounds.
To conclude our 2011/12 tour of Tyne Valley curry eateries we had another great night out at the Dewan e Am Hexham.
Again, somewhat predictably, our Director of Music was presented with a bottle of single malt to show our thanks for all of Daves efforts.
Somewhat less predictably Dr John our Bari Sax player was presented with a bottle of fine red by Mr Heathcote on behalf of the band. (Much appreciated subsequently thank you to all concerned. J)
Following on from the success of our Corbridge Debut we were excited to be invited to the Haydon Bridge Beer Festival held in July 2012. It seemed that a natural synergy was developing between Tyne Valley Big Band music and Beer Festivals.
This smaller venue proved a tight squeeze but we had a great night playing to an enthusiastic audience. We were followed by some fire eating young ladies on stilts.
The heady aroma of kerosene, mud and real ale, all very exciting.
On the 15th of June we were invited to play at our biggest Gig to date playing before the fantastic headline act the “Baboon Band” at this annual event held at Tynedale Rugby Club Corbridge.
As usual the tent was packed to a capacity Friday night audience, despite the deluge of rain, all eager to boogie on down to the Baboon Band.
Our set went down a storm with the early attenders who were all nicely warmed up for the Baboons.
In March 2012 we had a great night out at The Valley in Corbridge continuing our tour of Curry Houses of the Tyne Valley.
Mr Hignett was presented with a new baton, having broken all his others, together with a bottle of Scottish Wine from band members showing our continued gratitude.
Joint Concert Prudhoe Community High School
In March 2012 we had our first brief public performance as guests of Prudhoe Community Band playing a short set at a joint concert at Prudhoe Community High School together with Ponteland Community Band.
At that stage we had a fairly limited repertoire but we still managed to put together an exciting programme enjoyed by he audience and band members alike.
We had our inaugural end of term curry night at Saathis Restaurant in Hexham in December 2011. Most of the band were able to go after our last Thursday night rehearsal taking over most of one of our favourite Curry establishments.
Mr Hignett was able to demonstrate his prodigious skills at curry eating and was later presented with a bottle shaped gift from the band to thank him for giving up his time and expertise freely in directing the band.
Dave Hignett our director of music had been dreaming of starting his own big band in the region for many years.
Following further discussions with Geof Keys Artistic Director of the Queens Hall Arts Centre Hexham, the idea if setting up a community big band became a reality.
Well known to many musicians in the North East through his involvement with various Youth and Community ensembles (Northumberland County Youth Jazz Orchestra, Jambone and Prudhoe Community Band), Dave was the ideal person to direct a new big band in the Tyne Valley.
The Queens Hall kindly publicised the formation of the band on their website inviting players to our first ever rehearsal in the West End Methodist Church Hall, Hexham at 6pm on 22nd Sept 2011.
We have been fortunate to have the continued administrative backing of the Queens Hall Arts Centre during our first year.
The first rehearsal got underway with a group of people from all walks of life, ages and abilities. Lacking a full rhythm section things got off to somewhat shaky start but the seed was sown and the band was poised to develop further during its first year together.
We have been fortunate to attract some very talented musicians to play in the band including several music teachers, this has raised the standard of the band to an impressive level with some very exciting performances from our soloists.
The first chart we ever played was Glenn Millers “String of Pearls”, this remains a favourite of the band opening up our set.