On the 25th September, Willie Kneale was presented with his British Empire Medal by the Isle of Man’s Lieutenant Governor Mr Adam Wood at an investiture at Government House.
28/10/2012 New Trailer
On Friday 5th October, our Musical Director, Rodney Evans received a new percussion transportation trailer, kindly donated
by Castletown Ale Drinkers Society.
The Bands existing trailer, which is quite elderly, was fast becoming unserviceable, and CADS kindly stepped in to provide a replacement. The members of the Band are most pleased that CADS have been able to provide a replacement trailer. The band has supported the CADS at the Tin Baths for a considerable number of years and will continue to do so in the future. Rodney thanked the CADS for their generosity.
19/10/2012 Band Dinner and Awards
This years annual band dinner and awards was held at The Pavillions in Port St Mary on Saturday 24th November. The evening was opened with a welcome from our Musical Director Rodney Evans who gave a short round-up of the last 12 months, which has included over 50 engagements, the band’s building project, and Willie Kneale being awarded the BEM, as well as great support from our regular supporters.
17/06/2012 Queen’s Birthday Honours
“Well deserved”. That was the first reaction from the bands Principal Cornet player Brian Osborn to the news that the bands compere and Principal Trombonist Willie Kneale had been awarded a BEM in the Queens Birthday Honours list.
11/05/2012 Mona’s Queen Anchor Memorial
The band were pleased to be asked to take part in the opening of the Mona’s Queen Anchor Memorial. The Mona’s Queen was an Isle of Man Steam Packet Company ship that was requisitioned at the outbreak of World War Two but was sadly sunk during the Dunkirk evacuations.
18/04/2012 Jason and the Olympics
Castletown band has a link to the London Olympics 2012. Our very own Jason Evans who is currently attending the Royal Academy of Music in London, was one of the trumpet players in the National Youth Orchestra when it recorded the soundtrack to one of the promotional videos being used to publicise the London Olympics.
28/03/2012 Manx Music Website
The band have recently been listed on the Manx Music website. This site is dedicated to bring together information about the history of a wide range of genres within Manx music – including church, concert, music hall, West Gallery and traditional music – as well as details of the development of Manx dance. This rich music heritage is displayed within the Manx Music Database which catalogues all known pieces of Manx music and writings about it as well as free downloads of sheet music and sound files.
14/03/2012 World Premiere
The audience at Castle Rushen High School on Sunday afternoon for Castletown Bands concert at the end of a weekends intensive rehearsing, were treated to the World Premiere of Leigh Bakers’ arrangement, ‘Carol of a Kingdom’. This arrangement of a traditional Manx carol was specially arranged and dedicated by Leigh to the Castletown Metropolitan Silver Band following discussion with the bands new Associate Musical Director David Horsfield.
01/03/2012 Weekend Workshop Concert
In conjunction with the Isle of Man Arts Council, the band will be welcoming David Horsfield again over the weekend 8th-11th March to work with the band, culminating in a concert at Castle Rushen High School on Sunday 11th March at 2.30pm
Everyone is welcome, admission will be free, but there will be a retiring collection.
