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Durham University Concert Band is a non-auditioned ensemble open to all woodwind, brass and percussion players. We aim to create a relaxed, friendly and informal atmosphere where everyone feels welcome, while at the same time playing music to an excellent standard. We have played concerts in Elvet Methodist Church, Castle Great Hall and Durham Cathedral, as well as competing at the National Concert Band Festival (NCBF) in Warwick, where we received a Platinum Award. This year we plan to do this again and more, leading up to a tour in the summer with Durham University Brass Band.

The band covers a range of repertoire, from wind band classics and film music, to orchestral arrangements and jazz. For example, we have recently tackled music including Philip Sparke’s Hymn of the Highlands, James Bond, Dave Brubeck: A Portrait in Time, and Vaughan Williams’ English Folk Song Suite.

Rehearsal Times 2024/25: Monday evenings 19:00 – 21:30, The James Knott Hall, Trevelyan College

If you have any questions, please contact our President, Tom Wall, at [email protected]!

Our Exec

Tom Wall

President Van Mildert – 4th Year Mathematics – Flute
As president, I organise general running of the band, liaise with Durham Student Music and staff to plan events, and aid the rest of the exec in their roles. This year I’m looking forward to expanding our outreach and alumni activities, they have always been really fulfilling and positive events!

James Riley

Treasurer Collingwood – 3rd Year Mathematics – Clarinet
As Concert Band’s treasurer, I manage the society’s finances and facilitate spending on important items like snacks, stash and music. I’m looking forward to playing Sleigh Ride at a breakneck speed this Christmas, and more of our own conductor Timothy’s compositions!

Timothy Tsang

Conductor South – 2nd Year Music – Saxophone
As a conductor, I choose the repertoire of the band and also run rehearsals. My favourite DUCB memory was winning Platinum in the National Concert Band Festival Nationals last year!

Oscar Bovenizer

Conductor Collingwood – 2nd Year Mathematics – Trumpet
I am delighted to be one of your conductors this year! Along with conducting rehearsals and presenting performances, duties include choosing repertoire with my co-conductor, Timothy. My favourite memory this year was being given the honour of clapping in Sleigh Ride!

Jessica Banfield

Secretary Mary’s – 3rd Year History & Geography – Flute/Piccolo
As Secretary I manage general admin by sending out weekly emails, booking rooms and minuting exec meetings. My best memory is the annual carolling social with Brass Band. It’s always a fun event but due to the ice we were all sliding down the hill on the way home!

Will Smith

Concert Manager Mary’s – 2nd Year Mathematics – Trumpet
As the Concert Manager, I plan all of the logistics of the band’s concerts. This year I’m excited for our tour in the summer, we have big plans!

Sophia Bridle

Librarian St John’s – 3rd Year Chemistry – Clarinet
It’s my job to make sure that everyone has the correct music for each rehearsal and concert. My favourite DUCB memory is chatting with my fellow second clarinets so much we have to ask the first clarinets what song we’re playing!

Izzy Bullows

Social Secretary Snow – 3rd Year Archaeology & Anthropology – Flute
As social sec, I organise all the band’s socials, and take on the important role of choosing the band’s rehearsal snacks! I’m looking forward to more fun concerts this year and some great socials!

Lizzie Ferneley

Tech Officer St John’s – 3rd Year Geography – Clarinet
As the Tech Officer, I’m in charge of recording our concerts and managing other tech for the band. My favourite memory was our tour to Cologne – I’m looking forward to our next one this year!

Matthew Currie

Alumni & Outreach Officer Stephenson – 2nd Year German & Spanish – Trombone
As Alumni & Outreach Officer, I manage outreach events with local school groups and keep in touch with alumni. My favourite concert band memory is winning Platinum at the NCBF finals – on my first contest performance with the band!

Luke Chadwick

Publicity Officer St John’s – 2nd Year History – Saxophone
As publicity officer, I design all the band’s publicity, including posters and concert programmes! My favourite memory this year was achieving Platinum at last year’s National Concert Band Festival.

DUCB’S HISTORY

When Peter came to Durham in 1976 he was keen to join the university orchestra as an oboist. Unfortunately there were twelve oboists auditioning that year, including some studying music, so he was without a group to play in for the first time in quite a few years. At the start of his second year, Peter got in touch with one of his neighbours in Hatfield College, a clarinettist called Steve who practiced regularly, and the two of them started a band. They began finding others by various means, including a drummer (Tom) from Castle and a trombonist (Nick) from Collingwood and were able to start practising as a group. Peter got some music from his old school and they scrounged a little money from somewhere and bought a few marches and bits. Very democratically, Peter became conductor and Steve 1st clarinet!

There were no auditions for new members; anyone could join. They practised in the rooms opposite the Library on Palace Green.

Steve and Peter discussed a name for their band. The format of the group was really a military band, but Durham University Military Band (DUMB) didn’t seem to be quite right, so they settled for Concert Band instead. In June 1978 they performed on Palace Green one afternoon for the first time.

In 1978/9 they were able to have a stand for the Freshers’ Fair and gained quite a few members. In Peter’s final summer they used Castle’s Hall for their first proper concert and had fun on Palace Green again. To try to ensure that the band continued, they attached themselves to the Music Society and appointed an assistant conductor to take over from Peter for the following year; his name was Eric.

Since the founding group left, Durham University Concert Band has continued to grow and flourish and we are proud of all we have achieved and continue to achieve to this day.