Tag: #dunstondragons

  • Jimmy Kelly Memorial Concert

    We are delighted to announce we will holding a memorial concert for the late, great Jimmy Kelly at Fulwell Methodist Church on 29th April, alongside special guest Jim Hayes. Tickets available through the band (via the number above or please send us a DM) or on the door. There will be refreshments and a raffle, and all are welcome to join us in remembering Jimmy. ALL proceeds from the evening will be going to @diabetesuk. If you are unable to join us but would like to donate to Diabetes UK, there is a fundraiser link in our Instagram bio
    Jimmy Kelly was an outstanding flugel player and had been prominent in brass bands in the region for most of his adult life. He’s played with Hylton Lodge Colliery Band, Durham County Police Band, Silksworth Band, Murton Colliery Band and Dunston Silver Band. He was a simply amazing player but very humble with it. He was always very generous with his time and talents and would help younger players with tips and techniques to help improve their playing. Jim Hayes, our soloist at our concert, modelled his sound on Jimmy’s.
    Jimmy joined DSB and played at the Areas with us in March 2007, as well as taking part in many contests with the band, winning many soloist prizes. The memorable Ripon Contest, where he played The Folks that Lived on the Hill in 2009 gave rise to the strapline coined by the band – There’s only one Jimmy Kelly – a small fact his son, also James (jimmy) disputes!
    Jimmy retired from playing with the band around the end of 2013, but continued to attend as many of our concerts as he was able to following his retirement, continuing to be a big supporter of the band and was occasionally known to help the front row with Christmas Carols during our Castletown concerts.
    Following illness Jimmy sadly passed away in June 2021 and we miss him dearly.

  • Dunston Festival

    Once again we’ll be opening this annual community event. It’s always great to play in Dunston and this year this event will return to Dunston Park with all the usual fun and games.

  • Dunston Silver Band and Voices Together In Concert

    Our first proper concert in Dunston for a few years. We’ll be joined by a great choir from Sunderland called Voices Together and there will also be a special; appearance from Dunston Silver Youth Band who’ll be kicking things off at 7.15 pm.                   Doors open at 7.00pm.

    Tickets are £6 ( under 18s FREE )  available from St Nicholas with Christ Church Shop, Willow Avenue, Dunston NE11 9UN and from members of Dunston Silver Band and Voices Together Choir

  • Dunston Silver Band and The Low Fell Singers present Music From The Stage And Screen

    Dunston Silver Band and The Low Fell Singers present Music From The Stage And Screen

    Tickets £7  under 18s free

    FOR TICKETS RING DAVE JAKEMAN 07808720568

    TICKETS ALSO AVAILABLE FROM THE CHURCH OF ST THOMAS THE MARTYR        ONE WORLD SHOP  Tel 0191 261 2284

    www.oneworldshop.co.uk            Facebook  @THEONEWORLDSHOP

     

  • A foray into the first section: blog post by Laura Foster

    Sunday 12th March sees Dunston Silver Band competing at the North of England Brass Band Championships. For the first time in the band’s history we will be competing in the first section following our recent promotion from the second section. The contest takes place at the Gala Theatre in Durham City Centre from 10.00am.

    The set test piece is Land of the Long White Cloud or Aotearoa by Philip Sparke. It is a wonderfully descriptive piece, written in 1979, depicting the landscape of New Zealand.  It was originally commissioned by the New Zealand Brass Band Association for their National Championships in 1980. Dunston Silver Band has been steadily working away on this piece since September, and it has brought a range of new challenges: from more complex textures to balance, faster passages to double tongue and more exposed solo lines for principal players.

    Once again we have been wonderfully supported by our MD Aidan Hodgson who has really put us through our paces and helped us step up into the first section. We have also had the support of Reg Vardy Band and the fantastic Russell Gray.  We are very fortunate to welcome many new members of the band to the stage at this contest and a massive thank you to them for joining us and I hope you enjoy your first Area contest with Dunston! These include Heidi Wilkinson and Mike Walton on the cornet bench, Matthew Naylor on euphonium and Max Albert on percussion, We’d also like to thank Tom Cooke who will be playing with us on soprano cornet.

    I will be incredibly proud to step onto the stage on Sunday with the best bunch of people who have given 110% into their preparations of this piece. I wish the very best of luck to all bands competing in the Area competitions – let’s make it a good one!

    Blog post by Laura Foster, principal cornet

  • Band Vacancies: Soprano cornet and percussion

    Dunston Silver Band are a first section band based in Gateshead. We are a highly committed team of musicians that works hard and has fun, including a varied concert diary and a balanced contest schedule. We now welcome applications for soprano cornet and percussion (ideally tuned and/or timpani) to join our band family in 2017.

    The Band rehearses in Dunston Community Centre every Monday and Wednesday evening from 7.30pm-9.30pm. Please check out our website for more information about the band: Dunston Silver Band.

    Please contact the Band’s Chairman Dave Jakeman in strict confidence on davejakeman@blueyonder.co.uk or 07808 720568. All interested parties will be given a warm welcome and help can be provided with transport if needed.

  • St Thomas’s To Be Filled With The Sound of Brass.

    Tonight Dunston Silver Band become the first North East Brass Band to perform a full concert programme in this wonderful building in the heart of Newcastle. The band are proud to be playing in this church fundraiser which could hopefully lead to the church becoming a regular concert venue. It promises to be a great night with a great programme and we’re all getting a little excited so come along and support Dunston Band and St Thomas the Martyr Church tonight at 7.30.      TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE AT THE DOOR.band-concert-poster