Fishburn Band recorded their first CD "Durham's Pride" in April 2000 at Hummersknott Comprehensive School, Darlington working alongside Brian Hillson from B & H Sound Services Limited. The release of the CD in July 2000 was to coincide with the Durham Miners Gala. Traditionally the 'Big Meeting' starts on the Friday evening with the band giving a concert for the people of Fishburn in the local Workingmen's Club. Early Saturday morning sees the band and banner marching through the villages of Fishburn and Coxhoe before moving onto Durham.
In 2000 the band played in Durham Cathedral - a great honour not only for the band but also for the village of Fishburn as their new banner was on display for the first time.
Music on the CD includes a wide variety of pieces that capture all aspects of this important weekend for the band and local community alike. Also selected for inclusion has been Eric Ball's 'Sinfonietta - The Wayfarer' - this was the test piece at the 2000 Durham League contest where Fishburn Band won for the fifth year in succession and made a clean sweep of individual solo prizes.
ARNHEM (Kelly)
THE MAGIC FLUTE (Mozart/arr Rimmer)
GEORGIA ON MY MIND (Carmichael/Gorrell) Cornet Solo: John Gill
CUTE (Hefti)
RAIN ON THE WIND (Herbie Martin)
THINK OF ME (Lloyd Webber/Hart/Stilgoe)
FISHBURN (Herbie Martin)
SWEDISH HYMN (Trad/arr Ian Robinson)
A CHANCE IN TIME? (Ian Robinson)
I'M GETTING SENTIMENTAL OVER YOU (Bassman/Washington) Trombone Solo: Malcolm Gill
The CD booklet includes contributions from a wide variety of people - Mike Neville MBE (Tyne Tees Television), George Robson (Gala Co-ordinator), Olly Burton (Artist - CD sleeve cover), George Bramfitt (Chairman Durham County Brass Band League), Billy Elliott (Support Group Secretary), Bishop Michael Turnbull (Bishop of Durham) - who give their views, thoughts, memories of what the Durham Miners Gala means to them - and these can be viewed in full on the CD booklet contributions link page.
FEATURED SOLOISTS:
John Gill has been with the band since 1982 and has sat Principal Cornet since 1990. John commenced playing at school in Hartlepool aged 14 under the tuition of Russ Nicholson and Bill Buckley. Contesting began with Hartlepool Youth Band, followed by Blackhall Colliery and Head Wrightson Works Band (M'Brough Brass). John lists his playing influences as Jim Shepherd and Alan Morrison. Married to Audrey who plays on Fishburn's back row, they have two children, Alison and Kieran.
Clive Parker started playing at age 10 with Consett Salvation Army, originally on tenor horn before moving onto euphonium. From age 14 Clive was a member of Consett Steelworks Band under the guidance of Jack Dodds. This is Clive's second spell with the band and his influences over the years have been David Moore and Stephen Mead. Married to Flugel Horn player, Sue, they have one son, Daniel. Clive's father-in-law, Ronnie Bannister, plays E Flat Bass and is the longest serving member of Fishburn Band.
Malcolm Gill has been the band's Principal Trombone for the last six years, although his playing career spans some 28 years in brass and dance bands. He started contesting at the age of 13 with Amoco band and has since played with Consett Whitbread and Boldon Colliery. Malcolm's influences in playing have been the charismatic John Pollard and the great Tommy Dorsey.
Durham's Pride - Fishburn Band's CD costs £10 (plus £1 p&p)
