We would like to thank the Isle of Man Arts Council for their continued support of the Islands Brass Bands running the Summer Brass Band Series concerts in the Villa Marina Arcade.
We have played several times this year with great audiences each time. These concerts are vital to the band and it is a great chance for us to get out of the band room and perform. Thank you to all the audience members who have come from far and wide to see us you support, is appreciated.
This is the first time Garff Commissioners have put this event on and what a great afternoon of music it was. Well done to everyone involved in the organisation and all the supporters on the day.
Three Bands took part Ramsey Town Band, Castletown Metropolitan Silver Band and ourselves – Douglas Town Band.
There were three venues: The Mines Tavern, The Bridge and The Queens. The Bands all started at different venues at 2pm and played a short 20minute programme before moving onto the next venue.
We started at Mines Tavern then went onto the Queens and finished at the Bridge. Following this there was then a massed bands in the village square.
We really enjoyed this and there was a great and appreciative crowd at all the venues.
The massed bands finished off the afternoon in style with 75+ musicians playing 3 marches conducted by the MDs for each band, then Ellan Vannin conducted by Ian Cottier, then afternoon of music rounded up with the Manx National Anthem.
Below is the Massed Bands Playing the DTB March thanks to David Kneale for sharing this with us.
Below is the Massed Bands Playing Ellan Vannin thanks to Jennifer Wade for sharing this with us.
For more videos from the event check out our YouTube Playlist – https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLB9n0k9drumTFOd0KhL5Fb94vQnDU8GwD
Then the awards were presented – Best presented went to Ramsey Town Band and both Castletown Metropolitan Band and Douglas Town Band were presented with certificates of Excellence. Ramsey Town Band took the overall prize for the afternoon.
It was a fab afternoon and we hope that Garff Commissioners turn this into an annual event.
For more pictures of this great event please check out our Google Photos Album here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/ih9nSg1L8hCV3vs23
On Sunday 15th April, the band presented Shaken, Not Stirred! featuring spectacular local artists alongside the band. The Bond themed night went off with a bang, and was truly spectacular as you would expect from your 007!
The band performed with and alongside the great local talent of Alexandra Slater, Jack Divers and Roc Vannin Choir. The interval cocktails shaken not stirred were served.
All funds raised from the evening are being donated to the Douglas Town Youth Band and Hospice Isle of Man. The current total to be split between these two great organisations is over £1,000 watch this space for final totals and presentations.
On the evening the Rotary Club of Douglas also presented a brand new Baritone Horn to the band more information about that can be found here. (http://douglastownband.org.im/2018/04/new-baritone-horn-and-youth-band-instruments/)
For more pictures from the evening please check out our google photos album: https://photos.app.goo.gl/0ZHJJbjxdVmglHXB2
The band as always had a very busy Christmas with 15 jobs playing for over 30hrs and rehearsals for our Christmas concert.
We would like to say a massive thank you to everyone who supported the band at any of their events over the Christmas period this is much appreciated and such a key time of the year for the band.
It has been a special weekend celebrating the bands 130th Anniversary.
On Friday 24th November the band celebrated their 130th Anniversary in style, with a gala concert featuring the world famous Welsh male voice choir – Only Men Aloud.
The band opened the show by filling the Villa Marina Royal Hall with the sound of Goff Richards Fanfare for a New Age. It was then onto Principle Cornet player Robert Mitchell who gave a masterclass in playing, performing Children Of Sanchez by Chuck Mangione. Following this, the band then played Benedictus featuring Brian Mitchell on Euphonium before finishing off with Fire in the Blood by Paul Lovett-Cooper.
It was then over to Only Men Aloud who took to the stage and wow they were amazing. They performed several traditional welsh songs which were fantastic, as well as performing a compilation of James Bond tunes.
Picture from OMAniacs. A special mention to Joan and Lynn who are part of the OMAniacs fan club for joining us for the weekend, it was great to meet you ladies and thanks for the pictures!
After an exciting set from Only Men Aloud, the band the continued the 2nd half with a March written for their 120th Anniversary by their musical advisor Gordon Higgingbottom.
The band concluded their set by performing the showstopper ‘All that Jazz’ with some great choreography.
Picture from OMAniacs.
Only Men Aloud continued the night with several more well known pieces, including an arrangement of Amazing Grace and a Tom Jones medley which had the whole hall swaying to Dhelila.
The concert concluded with the band and Only Men Aloud joining forces in spectacular style performing Hymn to the fallen and a Disney Fantasy. To bring the night and they closed with an acappella version of Ellan Vannin with both groups singing together.
Douglas Town band would like to say a massive thank you to Only Men Aloud for this opportunity, it was thoroughly enjoyed by all and we couldn’t imagine a better way to celebrate our 130th Anniversary.
On Saturday morning the band invited all local choirs and budding vocalists along to a workshop with Paul, Craig and Steffan from Only Men Aloud.
This was a great workshop with them covering activities on technique, posture and breathing. They worked on a performance of White Christmas which was enough to warm anyone on a cold winters night. Why not have a listen to the final version of this the video is below.
Finally, we would like to finish off by thanking all our sponsors as without them, the event wouldn’t have happened. This weekend was supported by the Isle of Man Arts Council.
To round off our 130th celebratory year our Christmas concert will feature, our Youth Band, Ballacottier School Choir and Douglas Town Band. In what promises to be an evening to get you in the festive spirit and will entertain all the family.
The event is taking place at St. Ninian’s Church, on Saturday 16th December – 7.30pm start, doors open 7pm. Get your tickets now!
Tickets are available now from Peter Norris Music, 54 Bucks Road, Douglas IM1 3AD or online below:
(Inc. Mince Pie and Mulled Wine)
(Inc. Mince Pie and Hot Vimto)
(2 adults and up to 3 children)
We are proud to present in association with the Isle of Man Arts Council an open workshop with Only Men Aloud! This will take place on Saturday 25th November at 10am in the Villa Marina, Promenade Suite.
Everyone is welcome all you need to do is register your place via our online registration from here – http://douglastownband.org.im/2017/08/registration-for-the-only-men-aloud-workshop
If you would like any more information please email secretary@douglastownband.org.im or call 07624 469076
In Celebration of our 130th Anniversary this year as we are performing at a unique concert featuring special guests, the world famous male voice choir Only Men Aloud. The concert will take place in the Villa Marina Royal Hall on Friday 24th November starting at 8pm. (Doors Open 7.30pm)
Tickets are available now from the Villa Marina Box Office on 600555 or via their website: https://villagaiety.ticketsolve.com/shows/873580256
Only Men Aloud was formed in 2000, with the aim of injecting new blood into the Welsh choir tradition. September 2013 saw a complete reinvention of the group, as the choir became a honed and toned vocal ensemble.
The men bring both a new sound and a more varied and eclectic repertoire to the mix, from Welsh folksongs and hymns to music theatre and opera, barbershop and swing to pop.
Following their shake-up, the Classical Brit Award winners who came to prominence as BBC One’s Last Choir Standing have embarked on many extensive tours, all around the world. They now have worldwide record sales of over 300,000.
Over the years, the hugely popular group has built up a strong fan base across the country and were honoured to be asked to sing in the London 2012 Opening Ceremony at the very moment the Olympic Flame was lit.
OMA have given many memorable performances, with numerous appearances at outdoor festivals and proms. In 2014, they undertook a highly successful tour of the USA including performances at Chicago’s Ravinia Festival and the North American Festival of Wales in Minneapolis.
OMA have now recorded five studio albums and plans are afoot for a sixth, later this year. They continue their busy touring and concert schedule, right across the UK and beyond.
More details on the starring acts can be found on their websites: Douglas Town Band (www.douglastownband.org.im) and Only Men Aloud (www.onlymenaloud.com).
What an amazing venue to play music in with a very appreciative audience on Wednesday evening. Thank you everyone who joined us for our concert at St. Thomas’ Church.
The band performed a great variety of music from Abba to Ruby Tuesday.
Our soloist of the evening was Tara Hampson. It was the first time Tara has stood up in front of the band to play a solo and she did a great job! So we must say a big well done to Tara for performing Annie’s Song with the band, we can’t wait for the next solo!
Below are a couple of pictures from the evening and more pictures can be found here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/TXqIkBavZNNwrg7o2 thanks to our resident photographer Ernie for these great photos.
