Reinforcing the Links - Jugendblasorchester Coburg, Bravaria, Germany Announced 24/07/2007

A warm welcome to the Jugendblasorchester Coburg e.V.
 

Earlier this month Medina Marching Band were invited to experience the culture, have fun and perform with the Jugendblasorchester in Coburg, Bavaria, Germany. We were able to experience the sights, sounds and even the smells of Coburg! During our six days in Coburg we received excellent hospitality and were made very welcome.
 

Our first performance towards the main square in Coburg stunned the many locals in the packed streets. We marched to the main square and performed in the vibrant market place both on the march and later in an evening concert. Later in the week we performed a joint concert in a packed sports hall with an enthusiastic audience. We played music familiar to both bands ending with a rousing performance of "Highland Cathedral" and "Coburger March".
 

We are delighted to announce the return of the Jugendblasorchester to our shores here on the Isle of Wight from Wednesday 1st until Tuesday 7th August. We have many events and plans whilst they are on the Island and look forward in presenting our culture, heritage and history whilst reinforcing out mutual links between our County and the City of Coburg. We look forward to more fun and laughter in the time they are here and hope their journey to the Island in as painless as ours was to them.
 

Be sure to attend our joint concert on the 2nd August 2007 at Ryde High School Theatre, Pell Lane, Ryde, starting at 7.00pm. This is sure to be a memorable event with a massed band of some 100 members or more! Then the Shanklin Illuminated Carnival on Saturday 4th August will prove a huge task for both bands as we attempt what must be one of the largest massed band carnival performances in the UK!
 

So it's green and red all the way in the next few weeks. If you happen to spot members from either Medina Marching Band or the Jugendblasorchester at one of our many combined events throughout the Island during the next few weeks, make time to give us a wave and greet us with a hello! Have a look at our gallery page for some of the many photo's of our wonderful time in Coburg. Click here to view the Jugendblasorchester's website.

Special - Royal Marines Association Concert Band Announced 01/04/2007

We are delighted to announce the Royal Marines Association Concert Band is performing at the Medina Theatre, Medina Leisure Centre, Fairlee Road, Newport, Isle of Wight, on Sunday 20th May 2007, starting at 2:45pm.

Under the direction of Captain Ted Whealing (MVO BA ARAM ARCM RM Retd) and featuring Professor John Yates and the Medina Marching Band Corps of Drums, this promises to be a spectacle of colour and various musical styles. It will be an exciting afternoon of music and fun suitable for all the family to enjoy!

Tickets are available at a cost of £10.00 either on the door or in advance from the Medina Theatre Box Office - Tel 01983 527020

About the Royal Marines Association Concert Band

The RMA Concert Band formed in June 2006, initially in the Directorate Royal Marines complex at Whale Island, Portsmouth. Recently it has moved into the 19th century opulence of the Mountbatten dining room of the Royal Marines Museum at Eastney, probably one of the world's finest band rooms! The Band now has considerably more elbow room: the facilities are magnificent, and we are constantly reminded of our rich heritage via the countless number of our predecessors who have played here over the last 150 years. Food for thought and not a little inspiration. Rehearsals are held every Thursday evening, 7.30 to 9.30.

Our Music Director. Ted Whealing's career stretches from the 1950s - he joined the Band Service when Sir Vivian Dunn was its first Principal Director of Music - to the present day and includes appointments as the Director of Music of the Commander-in-Chief Fleet and the Royal Yacht bands. Subsequently he served for 15 years as Director of Music of the Royal British Legion where he made numerous recordings with the Central Band and thrilled countless audiences the length and breadth of the country. He therefore brings to the RMA Concert Band an almost unique degree of expertise and experience, as well as a dedication to Royal Marines music which matches the highest traditions of the Royal Marines Band Service. It has been largely thanks to Ted that the growth of the Concert Band has been exponential. And undoubtedly his presence has more than a little to do with the Band's excellence on these recordings.

About Captain Ted Whealing MVO BA ARAM ARCM LTCL MCMI RM (retd)

Capt. Ted Whealing gained his musical education on joining the Royal Marines as a Boy Musician from which he retired as a Director of Music after 36 years service. He also studied at the Royal Academy of Music. He is a holder of the Silver Medal of the Worshipful Company of Musicians and his Service career culminated in his appointment as Director of Music to the Royal Yacht Britannia, as a result of which Her Majesty The Queen honoured him with membership of the Royal Victorian Order (MVO).

He was appointed Director of Music to the Royal British Legion in 1991 and directs the Central Band. He was also Assistant Producer of the Festival of Remembrance, a major National event broadcast on BBC television and radio. He is proud to be Director of Music to the Royal Marines Association Concert Band since its inception in 2006 and will work hard to ensure its musical and commercial success.

Ted’s wide experience as a Musical Director ranges from dance bands to wind bands and concert orchestras with particular emphasis on musical comedy and light concert productions, to much public and artistic acclaim. He has worked with a number of top presenters and a variety of household names including the late Sir Harry Secombe, Dame Vera Lynn, Benjamin Luxon, Robert Docker, Moira Anderson, Cantible, the Morriston Orpheus Choir and many others. In addition he has conducted the London Bach Orchestra. In July 1996 he was invited to conduct the Russian Admiralty Band in the St Petersburg Philharmonia at a concert to celebrate the 300th Anniversary of the Russian Navy.

Venues in which Ted has appeared include the Royal Albert Hall, the Royal Festival Hall, Fairfield Halls Croydon, De Montford Hall Leicester, Theatre Royal Norwich, Buxton Opera House, Chichester Festival Theatre and Portsmouth Guildhall, all to capacity audiences.

He has worked on many radio and television productions, including Friday Night is Music Night, Marching and Waltzing and The Generation Game. Recordings he has directed include many productions with Music Masters Records plc (Michael John), two of which won the Music Retailers’ Association Award for Excellence in the Orchestral Concert section.

Sandhurst & District Corps of Drums Announced 12/03/2007

We are pleased to announce a joint event with Sandhurst & District Corps of Drums. Further to our visit during 2005, we welcome Mark, Rose and members of the band to the Island on Sunday 15th April for an all day workshop and massed band rehearsal. With plans at an advanced stage this looks to be an exciting day for both bands; to share ideas, experience different musical styles and gain confidence and performance skills. Learn more about Sandhurst & District Corps of Drums; click the link to their website. http://sandhurstdrums.co.uk/

BandTalk Announced 11/03/2007

We are pleased to announce BandTalk - Your discussion forum from Medina Marching Band has had a make-over! We’re a little more whizzier and a little BIGGER!
 

Should you have any difficulties registering or have any problems with using BandTalk please notify BandTalk Admin urgently. If you are new to BandTalk or have not registered on the forum you are more than welcome to join us in our discussions, congratulations, rants and raves!

To register; Click on "Register" at the top of the BandTalk welcome page and follow the on-screen instructions. Be aware, you will need a valid e-mail address to complete a successful registration as BandTalk will require a reply from your e-mail address to confirm your details and registration. Please make sure you note down your password!

Click on the link below to go straight to BandTalk – Enjoy!

MMB Awards Evening! Updated 10/03/2007

What a success! Everybody enjoyed the new look awards evening. We pay special thanks to our special guests who were kind enough to present the certificates and awards to many surprised band members!
 

Congratulations go to Tim, for receiving the "Medina Marching Band Player of the Year" award. This proves the hard work our band members put in every year does not go unnoticed! After the awards, we all enjoyed and crooned along to the karaoke, although some "singers" were hardly crooning! Go to Band Talk2 for further information.

Coburg, Germany Announced 21/07/2006, Updated 25/01/2007

We are pleased to announce our invitation to visit, perform, experience the culture, holiday and shop in Coburg, Germany during 2007. More details will follow shortly. This is a wonderful opportunity for Medina Marching Band to both promote the Isle of Wight, it's rich culture, many opportunities and re-establish our ties to Coburg. There is much to organise including date's, time's and itinerary, however you can be assured we will keep you posted with the latest information right here as soon as it's announced. The band departs for Coburg, Germany on July 4th and returns on the 11th, the itinerary is still fluid but gathering pace and there is a growing excitement for both our visit to Coburg and for their return to the Island.

A welcome return and a warm welcome. Announced 04/11/2006

We welcome the return of the Band Talk forum. Although off line for a few weeks whilst necessary background work was carried out we can now continue to post and view messages and discuss our passion that is, Medina Marching Band.

A warm welcome to all our new recruits. The band has grown enormously in the last few months, so we will work with our new members throughout the end of this year to achieve the high levels of music, drill, parade and performance professionalism we pride ourselves on.

We also give a warm welcome to Kevin - who makes a welcome return from his short absence. From what we have seen so far the all new improved bionic metronome man is fitter, stronger and even more determined to play the bass drum in our forthcoming engagements!

2007 looks to be one of the most important seasons so far as we are gearing up for an engagement in Coburg, Germany. Although some elements of our trip are still to be verified the excitement is growing. So watch this and our main website for further details.

Lots of preparation, lots of hard work, but lots to look forward to!

Isle of Wight School of Percussion Announced 01/08/2006

Striving to create and enable new opportunities for the Island youth, we are proud to announce a new partnership; The Isle of Wight School of Tuned Percussion (IOWSOTP), will promote, encourage and engage youngsters of all ages in the learning, fun and experience of tuned percussion. Update; we are proud to announce IOWSOTP have gained a grant from Community Champions for new instruments and teaching aids. Further details will be announced soon so keep an eye on this news page.