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WEST End singer Emma Flett last night joined the Kew Wind Orchestra for a sell-out 'Winter Wonderland' concert at the Hampton Hill playhouse.
Emma, who has appeared in shows such as Martin Guerre and The Mousetrap, belted out festive classics including 'White Christmas' and 'A Christmas Song' during the two hour show.
The 200-strong audience was also treated to an enchanting performance of Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker suite by young ballet dancers from the Hampton Hill Theatre School.
The lively concert finished off a hugely successful year for the KWO, which won gold at the National Concert Band Festival finals in Glasgow and performed in front of a sell-out audience at St John's, Smith Square in Westminster.
posted: 18th December 2006
The Kew Wind Orchestra has won GOLD at the regional National Concert Band Festival heats in Colchester with its 'commanding' performance of Frank Tichelli's 'Blue Shades' and Martin Ellerby's 'From Kitty Hawk to the Stars'.
The judges, who gave top marks for tone, balance, dynamics, articulation, phrasing and style, praised the band's 'excellent' teamwork and programme choice.
The sky is now the limit for KWO as the result means the band has lift off for the national NCBF finals in Newcastle on Saturday 31st March and Sunday 1st April next year.
More info: www.ncbf.info
posted: 26th November 2006
KWO will be hosting their first ever Race Night on October 26th 2006.
The event will take place at 7:30pm in Meadows Hall, Church Road, Richmond, TW10 6LN. Tickets cost £7.50 and include entrance, food and two drinks.
To avoid disappointment be sure to book your place. Tickets can be purchased from Josie during rehearsals or via email.
posted: 24th August 2006
The Kew Wind Orchestra was last night thrilled to have performed in front of a sell-out audience at St John's, Smith Square, in Westminster.
Two of Britain's prominent composers - Michael Omer and Philip Sparke - were among the 500-strong crowd who turned up to hear KWO's joint 'American Connections' concert with XBY.
Both bands received rapturous applause throughout this exciting programme - which featured the London premiere of Omer's Mulholland Drive and the first performance of Gershwin's Concerto in F arranged for piano and wind orchestra.
KWO and XBY, two of Britain's top amateur wind orchestras, also played two challenging Sparke pieces - Dance Movements and Sunrise at Angel's Gate.
The composer later praised KWO for its 'musical' interpretation of Dance Movements.
More info: www.sjss.org.uk
THE Kew Wind Orchestra has won 'GOLD' at the National Concert Band Festival Finals in Glasgow with its 'excellent' performance of Philip Sparke's challenging Dance Movements.
The result officially makes KWO - the only ensemble to be handed a gold prize in the open class - the
top ranked amateur windband in the country for 2006.
World-famous trumpeter John Wallace OBE, who was adjudicating the finals, said: "Now that's what I call a band!"
Mr Wallace, who is head of the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, added there was a 'joie de vivre'
about the entire performance.
He said: "I only have good things to say about this - the sense of line was excellent, the ensemble was excellent.
"There was a culture of quality playing throughout each section. The alertness to the conductor and
commonality of purpose was compelling."
KWO's win means it has been invited to open the London International Wind Band Festival at The Anvil concert hall in Basingstoke on Saturday 1 July.
More info: www.ncbf.info
The Kew Wind Orchestra has confirmed it will be performing at the International Berlin Wind Music Festival from October 19th to 22nd.
The band will fly to Germany for the four-day tour - which will include at least one other concert, rehearsals, sightseeing tours and fun-packed social events.
KWO is still looking for strong players to join the tour in most sections. Please contact us as soon as possible if you are interested in playing on this exciting trip.
The orchestra will be staying in a four-star hotel with spa and sauna in the heart of Berlin. Main meals are also included in the cost.
KWO is travelling to Glasgow on the weekend of April 8/9th to compete in the BASBWE national concert band festival finals.
The Orchestra is looking forward to performing Philip Sparke's challenging and exciting 'Dance Movements'.
We are still looking for strong bassoonists, harpists and string bass players. Please contact us if you are available on these dates and forthcoming Thursday night rehearsals.
The Kingston Youth Concert Band is teaming up with the award-winning Kew Wind Orchestra for an entertaining evening of music from the stage and screen.
This enjoyable concert will feature scores from legendary Hollywood blockbusters including Harry Potter, Star Wars and Jurassic Park. Audiences will also be treated to music from West End classics Guys and Dolls, Miss Saigon and West Side Story. Refreshments - including wine and soft drinks - will be available.
7:30pm, Saturday 4th March at Kingston Parish Church (All Saints), Market Place, Kingston. Tickets cost £7 (£4 concessions) please call 01372 842 938 (Chris Mapleton).
