The Phoenix Concert Band

About the Band <

The Phoenix Concert Band is based in Borehamwood, Herts, and draws its members from the surrounding areas of London, Beds, Bucks, Herts, Surrey and Essex. The band aims to set high standards in its performances, giving playing opportunities to musicians at the upper end of ability.

We also aim to make a real contribution to our community, by undertaking many of our performances in conjunction with charities and other fund raisers.

The band also has a strong emphasis on the social side of its activities, with regular events, such as 10 pin bowling, gliding, ski-ing, the inevitable curry nights, and so on.

The band was formed specifically to give brass, woodwind and percussion players the opportunity to perform wind band music to a high standard.

The Musicians

When a player comes to the band, we are looking for someone who can read and understand the music on the page, play the music they are reading quickly and accurately, with due regard to phrasing, dynamics and so on. Where players have done formal exams, they will typically have achieved the higher grades

The Band

Proper balance throughout the band is very important to us, and we have a limit on the number of players in each section to maintain a proper balance. We have regular sectional rehearsals to keep us all on our toes!

The Music

As well as a proper balance of musicians, a proper balance of music is critically important. The repertoire for our concerts includes the standard fare of film music, songs from the shows, and arrangements of classical music, but also heavily features modern contemporary concert band music, from composers such as Edward Gregson, Alfred Reed, Philip Sparke, Nigel Clarke and Martin Ellerby.

Our Community involvement

Through our activities we aim to be a band that makes a significant contribution to the local community and to the community at large. We are keen to do what we can to the benefit of others and do as many of our performances in conjunction with local charities, to help in their fund raising.

In this way, not only do we aim for a high standard of performance so that our audiences enjoy what we do (we hope!), we can also try and make a  difference in areas where a little extra money can always be of use.