What's your name?
Gerald Lawrence
What do you play?
Flute and Piccolo
How long have you been playing?
Flute since I retired, Piccolo recently.
When did you join the band?
2011- my teacher said I was ready for joining a band or orchestra and gave me details of a couple of orchestras in the area. The lady who answered about the orchestra told me about Stratford Concert Band and because her husband was playing in it she said they were desperate for flutes as there were only two at the time. So I was welcomed because I was the second flute to the other two playing piccolo and first flute. I have learned a lot from playing in the band.
What do you enjoy playing?
I enjoy most pieces we play in the band
What do you enjoy about being in the band?
After playing solo piano for over 60 years, I took up the flute and discovered that I really enjoy playing in an ensemble. The band provides me with music challenges and is such a warm and friendly group that I enjoy every rehearsal and concert we play.
What other music do you like listening to?
I really like all things musical except Heavy Metal and many of the modern popular songs Classical music from the romantic period, especially Rachmaninov, and Big Band Swing music are my favourites.
What's the favourite piece you've played?
With the band it is the Ted Parson arrangement of “(We Wish You) A Merry Christmas” because it swings! With the orchestra it is George Butterworth’s “Banks of Green Willow” because I got to play the gorgeous flute solo in it.
What other things do you get up to outside the band?
I play flute in a Coventry based concert orchestra. I have done a bit of composing, I like playing the piano, and also flute with piano parts (usually with CD accompaniment), and I do charity work for the Kenilworth Talking News Association in which we prepare memory sticks containing local news for the visually impaired. I also love it when my grandchildren are staying with us. I have recently taking up going to photograph disused railway stations around the country.
If you've enjoyed our Christmas concerts recently, tenor sax Rose will be familiar to you, as her solo always gets the crowd swinging.
What do you play?
Tenor sax, however have been known to try the clarinet and even the Aerophone! (It's an electronic wind instrument, that's been compared to a breathalyser and a vacuum!)
How long have you been playing?
In the region of 20 years...
When did you join the band?
2015
What do you enjoy playing?
I do like the more interesting modern contemporary pieces, they pose a challenge! But I generally just enjoy playing with others, no matter what the piece is.
What do you enjoy about being in the band?
Friendships, banter and seeing how far we have come in the last few years, we're pretty good!
What other music do you like listening to?
I'm a 90s girl at heart, cheesy pop will always be a winner for me! (Yes, I did queue for over 12 hours for Boyzone tickets as a teenager!)
What's the favourite piece you've played?
I played Lutoslawski Dance Preludes on clarinet for my degree recital, probably one of my faves! That was a long time ago though now... I might need to dust it off and try it again!
What other things do you get up to outside the band?
I love to travel, recently have I had the opportunity to visit places like Mexico, Dominican Republic, Morocco (one of the most awesome places I've been!), as well as European cities such as Budapest, Krakow, Zagreb to name a few.
I also play in several other ensembles - party band, Warwick Junction, 'jazz' with Shades on Black and Quatresax, a sax quartet.
What's your name?
Mike
What do you play?
Trombone
How long have you been playing?
Took up when I retired … a few years ago!
When did you join the band?
2017 - when moving to area
What do you enjoy playing?
Pieces (modern?) written for concert bands/wind bands and hence challenging!
What do you enjoy about being in the band?
Joy of making music, plus the camaraderie.
What other music do you like listening to?
Catholic tastes - from Bach to Dylan; from Sibelius to Pink Floyd; from early blues to more contemporary (but not frenetic ‘tuneless’) jazz!
What's the favourite piece you've played?
NSB Jazz Vocal a cappella group renditions of ‘Blackbird’ and ‘Fix You’. Caused goosebumps & tears … every time.
What other things do you get up to outside the band?
Play in Stratford Orchestra, Shades on Black Jazz ensemble, golf, lots of education stuff (as consultant, trustee, governor, member of a Trust etc etc), watch Wolves FC, … and practise trombone!
