Author Archives: Dave Giannasi

🎶 Last Night at the Proms – Congleton Town Hall

Posted by Dave Giannasi

Join us for a spectacular evening of flag-waving musical fun as we bring the spirit of the Albert Hall to Congleton!

On Saturday 13th September, the magnificent Congleton Town Hall will come alive with the traditional Proms favourites that everyone loves to sing along to. Expect an evening full of atmosphere, celebration, and outstanding live music.

The concert will feature the Rode Hall Silver Band, under the direction of their Musical Director Ken Mackintosh, joined by acclaimed pianist Christopher Cromar and the wonderful mezzo-soprano Sarah Maxwell. Together, they will perform a programme that captures the excitement and splendour of the Proms – a truly unmissable event.

đź“… Date: Saturday 13th September

🕡 Time: 6.30pm for 7.00pm start

đź“Ť Venue: Congleton Town Hall

🎟️ Tickets: £12.50

Tickets are available from Congleton Information Centre, any Rotarian, by calling 07805 298142, or by scanning the QR code on the poster to book online.

ℹ️ Please note: All food and drink must be purchased from the Town Hall. Tables of 10 are available for group bookings.

Come and be part of this uplifting evening, wave your flags, sing your hearts out, and celebrate the very best of British music in true Proms style!

Celebrating Charlotte & Phoebe’s Wedding

Posted by Dave Giannasi

Rode Hall Silver Band had the absolute pleasure of helping two of our own celebrate their big day on Saturday 9th August 2025, when Charlotte and Phoebe were married in a beautiful ceremony surrounded by family, friends, and of course, music.

In true RHSB style, we didn’t just play the traditional wedding favourites — we put together an innovative, upbeat programme designed to keep the wedding party dancing late into the night. The set included a mix of swing, pop, party classics, and modern favourites, showing just how versatile a brass band can be.

A particularly special moment came when Phoebe stepped up to conduct a couple of numbers, to the delight of the guests. Both brides even joined the band for a few items, making the evening’s music extra personal and memorable.

The atmosphere was electric, with a packed dance floor from the first note to the last. It was a truly joyful celebration of love, friendship, and community — and one we’ll all remember for a long time to come.

From all of us at Rode Hall Silver Band:
Congratulations Charlotte and Phoebe!
We’re so proud to have shared this day with you and wish you both a lifetime of happiness together. ❤️

Rode Hall Silver Band at the 2025 Whit Friday Marches

Posted by Dave Giannasi

Rode Hall Silver Band made its annual pilgrimage yesterday to the iconic Whit Friday Marches, taking on the challenge across Saddleworth Moor and Tameside. Known as “the greatest free show on Earth,” this much-loved event once again delivered a fantastic day full of music, community, and celebration.

This year, we marched with “Death or Glory” and chose the ever-popular “Knight Templar” as our contest piece. We performed at ten brilliantly organised contests throughout the day, enjoying favourable weather, enthusiastic crowds, and a brilliant atmosphere wherever we went.

We’re thrilled to report that we took the 2nd place third section band at Stalybridge Celtic, where a particularly special moment saw us spurred on by the presence of the famous Foden’s Band, who gave us a cheer and helped lift the performance even higher.

A huge thank you to all the contest organisers and volunteers, and of course to our players and supporters for their hard work and commitment throughout a long and memorable day and our MD Ken Mackintosh who put a huge amount of effort into getting the band ready to compete this year. Whit Friday remains a highlight of the banding calendar — and we can’t wait to do it all again next year!

Double Celebration for Charlotte and Phoebe!

Posted by Dave Giannasi

There was plenty to celebrate recently as many in the band came together to raise a glass (or two!) to two of our brilliant players; Charlotte, our horn player, and Phoebe, our cornet player, who will be tying the knot this August.

To mark the occasion, we headed to Manchester for a double hen-doo packed with fun and laughter. The day featured a round of Tree Top Golf (with varying levels of skill on display!), delicious food at Mackie Mayors, and a steady tour of some of Manchester’s fine pubs. It was a fantastic way to celebrate two amazing people and share in their excitement ahead of the big day.

Charlotte and Phoebe have both played important roles in the band and it’s been a joy to see their relationship blossom both on and off the stage. We’re all looking forward to the wedding in August and wish them every happiness for the future.

Congratulations, Charlotte and Phoebe!

I Vow To Thee, My Country

Posted by Dave Giannasi

This evening, members of The Rode Hall Silver Band joined with members of the local community, outside Scholar Green Village Hall at 2130 to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day.
As part of a nationwide tribute, we played “I Vow to Thee, My Country” - a moment of reflection and remembrance for those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms, and a celebration of the peace they helped secure.
Together, we honour the past and look to a future of unity, hope, and peace.

VE Day 80 – Join Us in Tribute

Posted by Dave Giannasi

Rode Hall Silver Band will be taking part in the national tribute for the 80th anniversary of VE Day by playing two verses of “I Vow To Thee, My Country” at 9:30pm on Thursday, 8th May.

We’ll be playing outside Scholar Green Village Hall, in the car park (weather permitting), and we’d love for residents to come along, sing with us, and mark this special occasion together.

VEDay80 #ScholarGreen #RodeHallSilverBand #IVowToTheeMyCountry #CommunityTribute #LestWeForget

New players at Rode Hall Silver Band

Posted by Dave Giannasi

We are delighted to welcome five new musicians who have joined Rode Hall Silver Band over the last few months:

Marcus Redgrave – Euphonium

Marcus is a talented euphonium player who brings a strong sound and great musicality to the band. He’s a real team player and a committed bandsman, always ready to support and strengthen his section. His enthusiasm and positivity will be a huge asset, and we are excited to have him on board.

Harrison Lewis – Trombone

Harrison is a gifted young multi-instrumentalist with experience on euphonium, baritone and Trombone. His enthusiasm for brass playing is evident in his commitment to developing his skills across multiple instruments. Now joining us on Bass Trombone, Harrison’s musicality and versatility has already show him to be a great asset to the section and we are delighted Harrison has chosen Rode as his first major contesting band.

Lindsay Clowes – E♭ Bass

Lindsay is a highly respected brass musician with a distinguished playing history. A former cornet player of great renown, his experience in top-level brass bands speaks for itself. We are thrilled to have him supporting the bass section, bringing a wealth of knowledge and musicianship to both his section and the whole band.

Martin Popple – E♭ Bass

Martin is an accomplished orchestral musician with a strong background as a French horn player and more recently strung Double Bass! His transition to Eâ™­ Bass (via Bass trombone!) demonstrates his versatility, and his orchestral experience and positivity brings a positive dynamic to the lower brass section.

Seren Bates – Tuned Percussion

Seren is a talented young percussionist who has developed her skills through Lions Youth Band. Joining Rode Hall Silver Band as her first major contesting band, she is already making fantastic progress and thriving under the guidance of our experienced percussion section. Her enthusiasm and dedication make her a wonderful addition to the band.

We look forward to introducing our new players in our forthcoming concerts and are excited for the musical contributions they will bring to the band. Keep an eye out for them in our upcoming performances!

Celebrating the Incredible Women of Rode Hall Silver Band

Posted by Dave Giannasi

On International Women’s Day, we want to take a moment to celebrate the incredible women of Rode Hall Silver Band, past and present, who have shaped our band and continue to inspire us with their dedication, musicianship, and passion.

Brass banding used to be a male-dominated tradition, but times have changed and we are proud to be a band where women play a vital role both on and off the stage. Whether leading sections, mastering complex percussion parts, supporting the band behind the scenes, or bringing their energy and enthusiasm to rehearsals and performances, the women of Rode Hall Silver Band are at the heart of everything we do.

As we celebrate International Women’s Day, we also acknowledge the generations of women who have helped throughout the history of the band. From those who first broke barriers in brass banding to those who continue to champion the next generation, we are grateful for the lasting impact they have made.

To all the brilliant women in Rode Hall Silver Band—thank you for your talent, dedication, and the spirit you bring to our music and community. The band wouldn’t be the same without you.

Happy International Women’s Day!

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Rode Hall Silver Band victory at NEMBBA

Posted by Dave Giannasi

Following a successful period of appointing new players and a new Musical Director, Rode Hall Silver Band emerged victorious from the North East Midlands Brass Band Association (NEMBBA) contest, held on February 16th 2025 at the Post Mill Centre in South Normington.

Under the baton of their new Musical Director, Ken Mackintosh, Rode Hall Silver Band delivered a captivating performance of the test piece "Arkansas" by Jacob de Haan. Their performance, adjudicated by Mark Wilkinson, Principal Cornet player with the world-famous Foden's Band, clearly impressed and took first place, despite playing off the fateful first band on position.

The band's hard work and dedication over recent months paid off, culminating in this well-deserved victory and sets the stage for the upcoming North West Area Championships at Winter Gardens, Blackpool.

Adding to the band's accolades, their Principal Cornet player, Anna Whitehurst, won the coveted "Best Soloist" prize.