Earworms this Sunday

Sunday's performers have been giving workshops over the last few weeks.  here are some photos from workshops with Park School and Landscove Primary at KEVVICS.  The children had a great time learning some African songs and dance moves.  Come along on Sunday - we'll be in the auditorium at Exeter Phoenix at 4pm.  Tickets on 01392 493493 or on the door.
If you enjoy it - come back int eh evening at 8pm for a full length performance including music devised in Exeter Contemporary Sounds recent colloboration with Chartwell Dutiro and Denise Rowe.

Next concert 10th May - Marenje Ensemble

There are a couple of important changes for our next concert on 10th May: 

it will take place at the Phoenix 

and will start at 4:00 pm. 

Tickets are available from 

Exeter Northcott Box Office 01392 493493 

or 

Exeter Visitor Information, 

Dix's Field, Exeter. 

The concert will feature the Exeter Contemporary Sounds' string quartet of Andrew Gillett (viola), Julie Hill (violin), Jane Pirie (cello) and Emma Welton (violin).

The string quartet have been working on a research project with Bath Spa University's Amanda Bayley. They have been collaborating with Mbira player Chartwell Dutiro and dancer Denise Rowe, exploring music from their individual heritages and attempting to meet in the middle!

'Zimbabwean Mbira and European String Quartet, icons within their cultures, provoke and explore each other with dance delving deep into their rhythms, moods and creative drive.'

Here are some pictures from a recent rehearsal:

 

The Earworms' concert will consist of some of the pieces that have evolved from the project. There will be a full concert of all the pieces, including a new piece by Bristol based composer Daniel Linker, later in the evening (tickets available from the Phoenix).

Some pictures from last Sunday's concert with the Exeter Railway Band

Earworms' Jingle Performed by the Exeter Railway Band

Here is the brilliant performance of our Jingle by the Exeter Railway Band from the March 2015 concert:

BBC Radio 2 Young Chorister of the Year Helena Paish

We are pleased to announce that the BBC Radio 2 Young Chorister of the Year, Helena Paish, will be joining us and The City Of Exeter Railway Band in a special concert for Mother’s Day this Sunday 15th March 2pm at The Northcott Theatre.

A wonderful clip of Helena performing in the final at St Paul’s Cathedral can be found on the BBC Radio 2 website.

And in honour of all mothers in the audience, Emma’s Bread from the Real Food Store is providing free yummy offerings for Mother’s Day.

As usual the concert will be presented by Earworms' host Mervyn Bedford.

Tickets available here.

Exeter Railway Band March 15th

We are delighted (and very excited) to announce that our next concert on Sunday March 15th will be given by the Exeter Railway Band, the concert will be at the Northcott Theatre starting at 2:00pm and, as it's Mothers' Day, there will be some yummy offerings for all mums, very kindly provided by the lovely Emma's Bread at The Real Food Store.

The band was founded on 15th October 1944 by a group of railway workers who formed a sub-section of the Southern Railway Recreation Club. This club lent them £100 to purchase a set of instruments and the first official rehearsal was held on 12^th January 1945 and from that date, rehearsals have been held nearly every Tuesday evening, only allowing for occasional concerts on that evening.

The founding name of the band was "Exeter & District Southern Railway Band" but when the railways were nationalised in 1948, the band changed its name to British Rail (Western Region) Band. Subsequently, with changes of regional control, it was decided to use the title Exeter British Rail Band.

Although the band has been self-supporting from the start, it had been very fortunate to have the use of a rehearsal room on Tuesday evenings at Exeter Central Station. This facility continued by courtesy of the Railtrack contractors, Amey Railways, until 1997 when they were asked to vacate the Conference Room. Storage space for music, spare instruments and jackets is still provided in an adjoining room. Subsequent moves have been to British Red Cross HQ in Butts Road and in 2003 to John Stocker School (now called Bowhill Primary School) where the Band currently holds rehearsals.

The railway logo, consisting of two parallel lines with embedded arrows, is immediately recognisable on road signs and maps denoting railway stations and was previously used by British Rail. Use of this logo is now controlled by the Government's Department of Transport so the band enlisted the help of local Member of Parliament, Ben Bradshaw, who wrote to the Secretary of State, Gavin Strang, to obtain the necessary permission. This was immediately forthcoming by means of a letter from Glenda Jackson, the then Transport Minister. The band members chose the name "City of Exeter Railway Band" and decided to include the castle motif from the city coat of arms. Councillor Chester Long was most helpful and the permission plus the official copy of the crest were obtained.

Regular concerts have been held in the summer and at Christmas for the last 27 years. The annual Mayoral Christmas Concert in the Exeter Cathedral featuring the band, the Police Choir and various school choirs has been given for the last 18 years, the first at short notice as the Royal Marine Band had to go overseas.

Some pictures from January's concert by the Somerset Hills Chorus