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Bands hit by coronavirus lockdown finding ways to play on
By Julia Taylor Arts and LeisureThe Messenger, 27th January 2021
BANDS in Trafford have been affected badly by the lockdown although some are finding ways round it.
The 31-year-old Flixton-based Sweet Rhythm big band, directed by Jen Puckey, have kept in touch every Friday by playing to a Sibelius tape on Zoom.
Their co-ordinator and tenor sax player Diane Harris said: “At Christmas, we recorded two videos independently and then amalgamated our efforts. We put them both on Facebook and Twitter.
“The Christie used one of them for their Christmas Concert and it raised £450 for them.”The Stretford Band were less fortunate. “We haven’t been able to get together since last March. I feel it will be summer/autumn before we can rehearse,” said cornet player John Quirk.Graham Truffet, co-director of the Dave Egerton Band, which still uses its original name of Altrincham Concert Band on official occasions such as Remembrance Sunday, said: “Although we haven’t been able to rehearse since March, we have maintained our membership through Zoom meetings and arrangements by our librarian, Howard Keable.”
Formed in 1983, the Dave Egerton Band had rehearsed weekly at the LMRCA Club next to Navigation Road station until lockdown.He said: “We lost ten engagements in 2020. The performing arts have been all but destroyed by the pandemic.”
Flixton Band was established in 1877.Paul Thomason, their manager, said: “In order to maintain contact, we have held regular Zoom meetings for quizzes and, more importantly, some rehearsals. There will never be a substitute for live rehearsals though.“We have also made two videos.”
Sadly, the Flixton Band has had to cancel all its planned concerts.
Before lockdown, under the musical direction of Matthew Ryan, they were promoted to the First Section, one below the elite Championship section which includes the Grimethorpe Colliery Band and others.
Flixton Band has a sister band, the Flixton Community band.
A member, Richard Bond, last year won the Under 14 British Youth Band National Individuals Concert for Solo EuphoniumBrass Bands England has launched Save Our Brass Bands (Emergency Fund) on Crowdfunder. To donate see Crowdfunder.co.uk/save-our-brass=bands-emergency-fund.
Messenger Newspapers December 2019By Julia Taylor
THE Sweet Rhythm Big Band have been wooing Trafford audiences with their contemporary big band style for 30 years.
Their co-ordinator and tenor sax player, Diane Harris, said: “We play tunes people know such as Sing, Sing, Sing from the car adverts.”Her husband, Paul, a whizz kid on the drums, looks after the PA system.
Their older daughter, Georgina is a vocalist and also plays guitar, so it’s a family affair.The members, who perform voluntarily, are all good friends.
“We are all there because we want to be there,” said Diane. Paul said: “A highlight during the year was when we played at the Hilton Hotel in Manchester for the Engineering Excellence dinner.
“It went down very well and they have asked us to play again next year.”
In 2017 they took part in the Manchester Passion in the Cathedral Gardens Fundraising is their main aim and, over the years, they have raised £60.000 for charity.
They have focussed on cancer charities since 1999, after one of the band members died from the disease aged 17. “We were so glad to have had the opportunity to play for him when he was in hospital,” said Diane.
Their most recent appearance was last Friday at Handforth Dean Shopping Centre when they raised £185.55 for the Christie Hospital.
In September they played at a church hall in Flixton to raise money for The Toy House, a special needs centre where children can play with adapted toys.
Every year they appear at the Sale Festival fete in Worthington Park.
“We love it,” said Diane.
THE Sweet Rhythm Big Band have been wooing Trafford audiences with their contemporary big band style for 30 years.
Their co-ordinator and tenor sax player, Diane Harris, said: “We play tunes people know such as Sing, Sing, Sing from the car adverts.”Her husband, Paul, a whizz kid on the drums, looks after the PA system.
Their older daughter, Georgina is a vocalist and also plays guitar, so it’s a family affair.The members, who perform voluntarily, are all good friends.
“We are all there because we want to be there,” said Diane. Paul said: “A highlight during the year was when we played at the Hilton Hotel in Manchester for the Engineering Excellence dinner.
“It went down very well and they have asked us to play again next year.”
In 2017 they took part in the Manchester Passion in the Cathedral Gardens Fundraising is their main aim and, over the years, they have raised £60.000 for charity.
They have focussed on cancer charities since 1999, after one of the band members died from the disease aged 17. “We were so glad to have had the opportunity to play for him when he was in hospital,” said Diane.
Their most recent appearance was last Friday at Handforth Dean Shopping Centre when they raised £185.55 for the Christie Hospital.
In September they played at a church hall in Flixton to raise money for The Toy House, a special needs centre where children can play with adapted toys.
Every year they appear at the Sale Festival fete in Worthington Park.
“We love it,” said Diane.
Manchester Passion 2017
by Alex Stewart-Clark in Manchester, England, UK
We did it. On 10th April 2017 we successfully raised £625 with 18 supporters in 21 days. Raising funds to bring the Passion of the Christ back to Manchester in 2017!The Passion of the Christ returns to Manchester
This is the year Manchester retells the Greatest Story Ever Told. The Passion of the Christ will take place in Manchester Cathedral Gardens from noon onwards on Saturday, 8th April 2017.The Manchester Passion has already raised £40,000, but we need your help to raise another £20,000 to bring the Manchester Passion to life. Any additional funds raised will go towards the next Passion Play. We shall present the story of Jesus’ teachings, his betrayal, his trial and his Passion as he moves towards his death and Glorious Resurrection. In addition, the Manchester Passion will be televised on BBC Songs of Praise, giving true national significance to this event.
Our cast of local people is supported by the Manchester Inspirational Voices Choir and the Sweet Rhythm Big Band.
To find out more about the project, visit manchesterpassion.org.
Background
The Manchester Passion was conceived in a discussion between Canon Falak Sher and Nakib Narat. They thought it was time, that a Passion Play was again presented in Manchester City Centre since it has been 10 years since the production staged by the BBC. They began to rally support from amongst colleagues and move the idea into a reality...now we need YOUR help to realise our dream.Manchester Passion in Cathedral Gardens, Manchester 8th April 2017
ACTORS and actresses from Bolton took to the stage to star in a major production of the “greatest story ever told.”
Bolton Evening News 9 April 2017
Shaun Crossley, Emily Kay, Rob Slater and Donna Claire were a few names from Bolton to perform in the Manchester Passion of Christ, at the Cathedral Gardens in Manchester on Saturday. Mr Crossley played the role of apostle Simon Peter and it was the third time he has starred in the live re-telling of Jesus Christ’s life, death and resurrection. He performed it at the powerful and moving Passion for Bolton last year, which attracted thousands again in 2011. It was the first Passion held in Manchester since 2006 and featured Mr Slater, who resurrected the lead role of Jesus, which he performed in Victoria Square last year.Manchester Inspiration Voices choir and Sweet Rhythm Big Band also helped to entertain more than 3,000 people who flocked to watch the show.
Geoff Millard, creative director behind Passion for Bolton, who lead Manchester Passion, said: “We were blessed with the beautiful sunshine and a wonderful stage to perform on. “There were 37 actors and actresses in total and we were over the moon to have the Manchester Inspiration Voices choir on board. “They won the BBC’s Songs of Praise Gospel Choir of the Year in 2016 so they were a big deal and we were really pleased. “They attracted the interest of Songs of Praise who actually came down to film bits of the production and interview cast members. “We’ll be on the Easter Sunday show which is fantastic for everyone.”
Paint Urmston Pink! 15th April 2017
Trafford General Hospital hosts 1940s themed music night to celebrate 80th birthday
The Messenger 26 May 2009
HEALTH staff are getting ‘in the mood’ to celebrate Trafford General’s 80th birthday - with a night of Glenn Miller-style music.
Nearly 60 years after the man himself performed at the hospital, a 1940s-themed evening will be held on June 7. The bash will include music from Sweet Rhythm Big Band, a hotpot supper and licensed bar at the John Alker Club on Flixton Road, from 7.30pm-11pm.
Time to Jitterbug?
During the Second World War, Trafford General Hospital - then called Park Hospital - was taken over by the War Department for use by the armed forces, including the US military. Among its famous visitors was big band leader Glenn Miller, with his US Army Airforce band, who entertained troops on the hospital’s spacious lawns.Fundraising co-ordinator Jane Tilley said: “We’re delighted to bring the Glenn Miller sound back to the hospital for this very special birthday. We hope people will really get into the swing of things and come along in fancy dress, whether it’s your ‘Sunday best’, 40s-style, or military uniform. “Maybe someone who remembers the original concert back in the 40s will come and share their memories with us.”
All proceeds from the night will go to Trafford Healthcare NHS Trust’s charitable fund to buy a Pulsox probe to measure oxygen in the blood for the orthopaedic department at the hospital.
Birthday Goes with a Big Band
Birthday Goes with a Big Band
Manchester Evening News 29 May 2009
GET into the swing of things to help celebrate a milestone in the history of Trafford General. The hospital, regarded as the birthplace of the NHS, will mark its 80th birthday with a night of Glenn Miller-style music – almost 60 years since the legendary jazz musician performed there.
FABULOUS FORTIES: Wendy Dodgson and Jane Tilley are organising the WWII era party
In the Second World War Trafford General, then called Park Hospital, was taken over by the Armed Forces, including the US military. Among its famous visitors was big band supremo Glenn Miller with his US Army Airforce band, who entertained troops on the hospital’s spacious lawns.
The 1940s-themed bash will take place on Sunday, June 7 and everyone is invited to enjoy music from Sweet Rhythm Big Band, a hotpot supper and licensed bar.
Jane Tilley, a fundraising co-ordinator at Trafford NHS Healthcare Trust, which runs the hospital, said: "We’re delighted to bring the Glenn Miller sound back to the hospital for this very special birthday. We hope people will really get into the swing of things and come along in fancy dress, whether it’s your ‘Sunday best’ Forties-style or military uniform. With that fantastic Glenn Miller sound encouraging everyone to get up on their feet, we know it will be a night to remember. Maybe someone who remembers the original concert back in the Forties will even come and share their memories with us."
The hospital was officially opened on June 1, 1929 by the Princess Royal, HRH Princess Mary. It had 12 wards with 372 beds, a sick children’s block, a maternity ward and an isolation unit.
The celebration will be held at the John Alker Club on Flixton Road from 7.30pm until 11pm. Tickets cost £6.50 and all proceeds will go towards buying equipment for the hospital’s orthopaedic unit.
Gala night raises £1,750 for Davyhulme Macmillan Wellbeing Centre
The Messenger 29th November 2013
A SELL-OUT gala by a group in memory of one of their friends who passed away from cancer two years ago raised £1,755.89 for Macmillan Wellbeing Centre in Davyhulme.
“A Pink Rose for Marie Gala Concert” held at Our Lady's and the English Martyrs Hall, was organised by ‘Marie's Angels’ in memory of Marie Rossiter. Ticket sales, a raffle, and sales of handmade craft and poetry contributed to the fundraising and relaxing Baroque and joyful big band music entertained guests.
Sweet Sound of Music
Wigan Today 5 March 2007
A custom-built outdoor bandstand is to be used to encourage young musicians. The bandstand at St James School in Daisy Hill, Westhoughton, is where Music in the Park is being staged.
Westhoughton Rotary Club is planning the event for Saturday, July 7. Several schools are already signed up but Rotary is urging other schools who would like to be involved, to call 01204 669336. With up to six hours of music, this outdoor family event will not only feature local school singers and performers but also talented Sweet Rhythm whose big band sound has been gaining an ever larger following in the North West. There will be refreshments including soft drinks for the children and a beer tent for the adults.
Steve will be starting in style
Wigan Today 3 July 2007
Steve will be starting in style The new President of Westhoughton Rotary Club is secondary school deputy head Steve Harrington. He and Vice-Presidents Ron Bell and John Forshaw have a busy and exciting programme of events planned for the year. The first one is on Saturday, when the club hosts Music in the Park at St James’ School, Daisy Hill, from 2.30pm. There will be entertainment all through the afternoon by eight primary school bands, choirs and dance groups. And at 6pm, an excellent semi-professional band, Sweet Rhythm, will be entertaining with their big band sound and various other styles. Admission is by programme for 1. Refreshments will be available but there is limited parking.
Concert for churches
Bolton Evening News 18 September 2008
Plenty of foot-tapping is in store when a concert is staged at St Helens Road Methodist Church in Bolton next week. The Sweet Rhythm Swing Band will be performing from 7.30pm on Friday, September 26, and the proceeds will go to Melbourne Road and St Helens Road Methodist churches.
The organisers wish to thank Sweet Rhythm, Teleman Baroque orchestra and Jacqueline Wilden for their contributions.
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