Looking back at band’s positive moments in 2020 

It’s safe to say 2020 has been a different year for all of us. In times of difficulty people come together (even if it is virtually), and we’re so grateful to have such an amazing bunch of people in band. We wanted to look back at some of the positive moments we’ve had this year, and to wish everyone a much brighter 2021. 

Massed Bands Concert in March

Cast your minds back to the beginning of March and we were lucky to perform our Massed Bands Concert with Christchurch and District Band and Christchurch Music Centre.

What a concert it was, with a spectacular ending featuring the bagpipes as we all played Highland Cathedral together.

Weekly online meet-ups

Band members meeting for online quiz

Band members concentrating during an online quiz

One week later we found ourselves in the first lockdown. Soon after, we jumped onto the online quiz trend and our weekly Zoom quizzes began. Who else learnt this year that an octopus has three hearts?!

Thanks to the power of technology, we’ve got to know our fellow band members well over the last few months. There’s been a healthy bit of competition among us too, as we divided ourselves into four fabulously-named teams:

  • The Flutifuls (flutes and piccolos)
  • Phantom Raspberry Blowers (brass)
  • Can I have a reed please, Bob (clarinets and bassoons)
  • Les Quizerables (saxophones, oboes and percussion

We’ve done virtual quizzes, bingo, rehearsals, cheese and wine tasting and Christmas tree bauble making. On Thursday evenings we joined the nation to clap and play music for our NHS and keyworkers – including our own amazing band members on the front line.

We want to say A BIG thank you our bandmaster – and ultimate quiz master – Nick, for organising us each week. And thank you to our guest quiz masters too for keeping us entertained. We’ve had a lot of fun, haven’t we?

Getting outside to help our community

Band members starting walk in New Forest

“The Musicians’ Legs” at the start of their 10-mile charity walk

During the summer when the Covid rules had relaxed, “The Musicians’ Legs” formed – aka five members of our band who did a socially-distanced 10-mile walk across the New Forest. They raised an amazing £707.05 for the Wessex Cancer Trust. Thank you to everyone who supported us by donating to this wonderful charity.

Band members picking litter on beach clean

A socially-distanced beach clean on Bournemouth beach

In September, some of us took part in the Bournemouth Beach Clean which was a fantastic way of meeting up safely outside while helping the community. We just about missed the impending storm, too! In total we collected a whopping 19 bags of rubbish and recycling which we were really chuffed with.

Then before we knew it, it was December. Following government guidelines in a socially-distanced group of six, a few of us were able to play Christmas carols outside Hockey’s Farm Shop and the Meeting House in Ringwood to bring some cheer to shoppers and passers by. It was lovely to play together, even if there weren’t many of us!

Wishing you a positive, Happy New Year from all at BDCB

These are just some of the positive things that happened for us in 2020. THANK YOU everyone for your continued support for Bournemouth and District Concert Band (BDCB). If you follow us on social media, we hope we’ve put a smile on your face over the last few months and that you enjoyed our positive posts in our Christmas advent calendar.

Here’s to 2021. Hopefully we can celebrate our postponed band’s 30th anniversary with you all soon. Stay safe. Love BDCB x

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for more positive posts in 2021.