Bands in The Grove
London Metropolitan Brass Community Band: 10th September
The band was again blessed with hot weather and set up in the shade of the pines. The audience had the benefit of chairs recently bought for the Friends’ use by the palace, so at one point around 50 people were listening intently to the music, also from the shade of the pine trees.
Once again an extra during the interval was provided by the Beginners’ Band, and for some it was their first concert. London Metropolitan Brass has an excellent record of teaching people of all ages who are new to their instrument or returning after a long break, and the Grove concerts give them an opportunity to experience playing in front of an audience.
Swingbusters: 23rd July
Back for another year. The weather looked very dodgy just before the start with rain spotting, but as soon as the music started the rain stopped and eventually the sun came out. Swingbusters entertained us with great tunes including My Baby just cares for me, Black Coffee, Night Owl, and Java Jive.
Palace Band: 9th July
On a pleasantly warm afternoon, the Palace Band performed a short and lively concert of familiar music, with an opera piece specially included for Ciro, who serenades his customers in the Grove Café with opera arias. Unfortunately he was on holiday that day!
London Metropolitan Brass: 25th June
The last time LMB performed in the Grove, it was the Women’s Band marking International Women’s Day in March and the temperature was 2 °C. When the Senior Band played on 25th June it was 31 °C! Understandably the band set up in the shade of the pines. The audience, also in the shade, enjoyed stirring marches such as ‘Barnard Castle’, gentle melodies such as ‘Cavatina’ and the old favourite ‘Baggy Trousers’. An extra during the interval was a short performance by the Beginners’ Band, comprising people of all ages new to their instrument or returning after a long break.
More pictures from the day here.
Concert for International Women's Day: 4th March
As part of their aim of celebrating women in brass banding during this anniversary year, the band decided to commission a new piece of music, An Exhilaration of Light by a contemporary music composer, Angela Slater and performed in the park to great acclaim. An extract of the musical performance.
London Metropolitan Brass Community Band: 4th September
Our final session of music in the Grove in 2022 was on a lovely afternoon, despite gloomy forecasts in the week before, and the band played their customary varied programme to an appreciative audience.
Rick Hayter and Friends in The Grove
We were lucky to have another new group in The Grove..... Rick Hayter (right of photo) sang with Denis (bass guitar) and Jake (on percussion).
Gentle mostly folk style music with songs about Muswell Hill and Richmond-upon-Thames amoung others. An idea of their music.
More pictures from the entertaining set here.
Swing Busters in The Grove
Great music and even audience participation for this very entertaining session of jazz under the trees in The Grove. A little extract of one of their songs.
Tony Engle on the saxophone and Steve Benaim on the guitar were highly engaging and we hope to welcome them back next year.
Rob Thom Band in The Grove
A welcome first visit from the Rob Thom Band to entertain us folk style music. Most the music was written members of the band, but there was a Simon and Garfunkel cover.
Major question posed by the band was "What should the band be called?". The members of the band are Jo Giggs, Tom Poslett and Rob Thom. Several ideas came from the audience who were mostly crowded into the smaller areas of shade close to the band. Email us and we will pass on any ideas. An extract from one of the band's songs "Miss Kitty".
Although The Grove was closed, we had the well received attendance of an ice cream van.
London Metropolitan Brass and Palace Band - July
Music in the Grove: 10th and 17th July. In the hot, dry weather the bands chose to set up in the shade of the pine trees. On 10th July the London Metropolitan Brass (LMB) played an entertaining selection, sometimes lyrical, sometimes lively. (pictured) In the interval the LMB Beginners Band, comprising graduates of the LMB Learners course and players returning to instruments set aside years ago, gave an impressive performance of popular numbers. On 17th July there was a polished performance from the Palace Band, a wind band that rehearses in Cufos. To the casual onlooker, the audience seemed sparse, until one spotted all the listeners in the shade of the surrounding trees.
London Metropolitan Brass - June
First the Senior Band (pictured left) and then the Community Band were blessed with sunny days. The fresh breezes required the copious use of clothes pegs to keep music sheets on music stands but the players were undeterred.
As always, the sound of the brass band attracted many passers-by to stretch out on the grass and let the rich sounds of traditional brass band numbers and film music wash over them.
London Metropolitan Brass
Early September 2021, the London Metropolitan Brass Community Band made great use of our hot, late summer weather entertaining people in The Grove on Sunday. Perfect weather for great rousing tunes. Thanks again to them (and their picture!).
London Metropolitan Brass
A very large contingent of musicians graced The Grove in early September, 2019 as we welcomed back the Community Band of London Metropolitan Brass.
Some excellent tunes as always including Singing in the Rain - wholly inappropriate (no singing no rain!), Jesus Christ Super Star, Greased Lightning, an Abba medley and Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines.
While we are on the subject of inappropriate songs Mud, Mud, Glorious Mud was also played with the ground and sky remaining stubbornly dry.
A large audience by The Grove Cafe enjoyed the tunes and applause was heard some way off. A great performance and we are very much hoping to hear this band again next year as this was the last performance scheduled in the park.
Barnet Band
Another great performance by the Barnet Band.
Tunes included medleys of the Beatles (Ob-la-di Ob-la-da, Hey Jude etc.) and songs from the Sound of Music (Climb every mountain, I am 16 going on 17 and the Hills are Alive with the Sound of Music.
It was extremely pleasant to just lie on the grass and let the music sink in and the weather played its part as well with warmth and a little sunshine to give us all a proper summery feel.
People sat around and kids danced to the notes flowing from under the trees.
More pictures from the performance here.
London Metropolitan Brass
The hot weather showed no sign of breaking with the welcome return visit of the Palace Band.
Warming up with the Radetzky March, the wind ensemble took us through a guided music walk through some familiar tunes.
As with last week, the band chose to refuge themselves in the shade as this weather melts the energy out of even the most young and athletic members of the musicians.
The audience as well were mostly in the shade although some people still can't get enough of the sun....
A pleasure to hear the band again and we hope that they will be back again in 2019.
London Metropolitan Brass
The fine weather continued with people wishing for it to be a little cooler. The band sought out a patch of shade from which to play.
Pleasing to see the smart new banner that the band now has.....
Many rousing tunes and a few gentle ones to please the surrounding people. They also were searching out some shade as being in 25 degrees plus was not to everyone's taste.
Thanks again for for great performance demonstrating the depth of music in their repertoire.
London Metropolitan Brass
It is a little complicated. London Metropolitan Brass now have an Intermediate Band and a real Beginners Band.... On a dodgy Sunday (the weather), we were treated to music from both of these groups of players.
Of special note it was a pleasure to welcome Beginners to their inaugural concert. In order to quell the nerves and make sure everything was perfect for their performance they did a quick run through in the Park Information Centre (picture left) while the main band were entertaining the people in The Grove.
When the Intermediate Band went on a break, in stepped the newbies who (correct us if we are wrong) have only been playing together for 8 weeks.
They gave a well disciplined and entertaining performance cheered on by their fellow musicians - a great show and they were not put off by the very light drizzle.
Later back came the Intermediate Band fortified by wedding cake to resume their set with rousing music of all styles. The quality of this band continues to improve and a great experience for all in The Grove on our the Band performance of the year in the Park.
They finished with vibrate rendition of Baggy Trousers.
Palace Band in The Grove
The Palace Band returned for more gentle wind music. A pleasure to just lap it up while sitting in The Grove. Another great day of music on a Sunday....
London Metropolitan Brass Training Band in The Grove
In early July, we again had the pleasure of welcoming the London Metropolitan Brass Training Band.
They played a rousing selection of numbers in the sunshine.
A receptive audience sat on the grass and lapped it up. Encore!
Barnet Band in The Grove - June 2017
This popular local band entertained us again in The Grove on a blisteringly hot day in June. Great to have them back.
click for a video extract of their performance..
More about the Barnet Band here.
London Metropolitan Brass Training Band, Sept 2016
We welcomed the Band for another set great of tunes. Missed the purple trombone though! (apparently it is made of plastic and great for people starting out.)
Music included "I'm Going to Be" and "Lord of the Dance". At the second break, the Band offered members of public the chance to try out one of the instruments.
Luckily it was dry enough for people to enjoy listening to Band on the grass - a great way to end the Summer.
Barnet Band in The Grove, June 2016
It was great to welcome back the Barnet Band with their usual great mixture of music for our first concert of the year. There were tunes of many different types even including a medley of Mary Poppins songs.....
A little sunshine pushed the Band to shelter under the shade of the pine trees.
They played for a good 2 hours allowing the crowd spread out in front of The Grove Cafe to have plenty of time to enjoy the music in traditional way - by sitting on the grass.
London Metropolitan Brass Training Band, Sept 2015
Blessed with sunshine the band played an interesting and eclectic mix of tunes including "Baggy Trousers" and "The Stripper".
A good crowd lounged on the grass greatly enjoying the performance.
Intriguing everyone was the purple trombone....
At the break the members of the band invited the audience young and old to out the instruments.
The last band date of the year. Hopefully back in 2016.
Muswell Hill Brass in The Grove, July 2015
Sun was shining on Muswell Hill Brass as they regaled us with super music.
They played hymns (I vow to thee, my country) as well as other favourites including Colonel Bogey. Braking at half time for ice cream before continuing the excellent performance.
What can be better than lying on the grass just absorbing the beautiful sounds? A good crowd appreciated the joyful tunes.
Palace Band in The Grove, July 2015
Flutes and clarinets wafted gentle music to the listeners providing an idyllic atmosphere for our second concert of the year.
The Palace Band treated us to a mixture of songs including many favourites like "I do like to be beside the seaside, I do like to be beside the sea"... ...although the sea did keep a respectful distance.
The performance was well received by the Park Users enjoying the Summer Sunshine.
Barnet Band in The Grove, June 2015
Sunny intervals brightened the day when the Barnet Band brought us some beautiful music to The Grove.
Returning after last year's success with their harmonic blend of woodwind and a little brass. An enrapt audience were stretched out on the grass with The Grove Cafe providing welcome refreshment.
More pictures from the Sunny Afternoon....
Very much hope to see them again next year.
London Metropolitan Brass Beginners Band, September 2014
Making their debut appearance on the big stage. This band was given great weather to match their enthusiasm. We were treated to lots of different Brass Band tunes and also adaptations of great favourites like "Yesterday". There is nothing better than lazying on a Sunday afternoon on the grass and listening to music. Extra pics here.
At the half-time pause, members of the public of all ages were encouraged to come and try out one of the instruments to their obvious delight. If you have been inspired to start/restart band playing contact the band via their website here.
Muswell Hill Brass in The Grove, August 2014
We were treated to a great concert by Muswell Hill Brass on the first Sunday in August, 2014.
The weather was kind to us as well and lots of people took the opportunity to spread out over the grass. There was even a guest conductor for one tune. We hope that you have enjoyed this chance to hear several local bands in Alexandra Park over the Summer.....
London Metropolitan Brass, June 2014
A welcome return for Fortismere Community Brass with their new name. Again a delightful performance from these talented musicians.
A good crowd and some excellent weather (a change from their last appearance!)
Lots of great rousing music to entertain the onlookers.
Barnet Band, May 2014
The first of the summer’s band concerts organised by the Friends took place in The Grove in near-perfect conditions. The members of the Barnet Band under their conductor, Matt Smith, entertained the audience with a selection of pieces – some stirring and some gentle.
Over a 100 people were enjoying the sun on the grass, or seeking shade under the trees or in Ciro’s café.