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Boobs & Brass |
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There were once two ladies, Jane Nichols and Maggie Betts talking over a cup of tea, whilst having a break from making a recording. Jane is principal cornet with Rushden Windmill Band and Maggie, a cornet player with Raunds Temperance Band. They have been good friends for many years.
Jane says to Maggie 'Do you know what my dream is?' 'No, but I suppose your going to tell me anyway' came Maggie's reply. 'I'd love to form an all girls band!.
'Then do it, I'll help you' was the response...from Maggie, quite simply ...that was the birth of "Boobs & Brass".
Within a matter of weeks, the venue, Kettering Parish Church of St Peter and Paul, was booked and a list of 'bandswomen' drawn up. Players were contacted and everyone responded with enthusiasm, even players hearing of the idea offered their services, girls and chaps alike.
Sadly, a great number of players had to be disappointed due to the lack of space in the church, the band could have been two or three times as big as first anticipated.
In keeping with the 'All Female' theme, Adele Sellers (former MD of Towcester Studio Band) agreed to conduct "Boobs and Brass". The band first came together on Sunday 21st May 2006 to meet up and 'blow through' the programme. Everyone who took part in the concert offered their services free of charge. This first rehearsal produced a wide, warm, well-rounded sound.
"Boobs & Brass" were also very fortunate in being given the use of the Parish Church in Kettering free of charge. The players represented up to 10 local brass bands and for the first half of the concert they wore their bands' uniform before changing into pink t-shirts for the second half.
The Charities: All the proceeds from the evening were donated to two charities Kettering General Hospital's 'Ophthalmic Ward' and the Breast Cancer Campaign.
Janes chosen charity is 'The Ophthalmic Ward' where they are currently raising funds for a hand held Biometer and Pachymeter Machine.
Jane works within the department treating approximately 550 - 600 patients weekly from all ages, birth to 100+. Anything that helps to maintain the good health of the eye, especially the early recognition and diagnosis of problems is of benefit to us all.
Maggie's chosen charity is the 'Breast Cancer Campaign', which she thought was very apt with it being an all female band.
Maggie commented that a playing friend had just undergone treatment for breast cancer and, when speaking with other players, found how many of us have friends and relatives who have or are being treated for this disease. Therefore, it was and is a cause very close to our hearts.
Incidentally, it is not just women that are affected; men can also suffer with breast cancer.
Amazed: Jane and Maggie were both amazed at the response they have received from companies pledging their support for the event and Brass Bands. The length and breadth of the country were requesting details to put on their own websites. The band were even on the TV! Jane and Maggie were interviewed by Joel Mapp and the band played 'I Got Rhythm' the whole thing was broadcast on 'BBC Look East'.
Costs were kept to a minimum with "Boobs and Brass" seeking sponsorship, with companies/organisations being invited to place an advert in the events' programme. The concert was promoted in the local press, on local radio and brass band journals and web sites. Judging by the response from bandsmen wishing to participate in the event they were sadly disappointed as they can't quite fit all the entrance criteria, skirts or not!
The concert took place on Saturday 30th September 2006, with the baton coming down at 7.30pm and proved to be a very enjoyable evening for the audience and performers alike. It certainly turned a few heads and started a lot of ears twitching! Due to it's overwhelming success there are plans to to make this concert an annual event.
The aim was to raise £500 for each charity, but in the end well over £4000 in total was achieved! And that was the story behind Janes long-standing pipe dream now fulfilled and exceeding ALL expectations!
Bringing the story up to date: At the beginning of 2007, the 'Boobies' performed at a concert for the 'Crazy Hats Appeal' an event that raised over £1400.
We also took part in 'The Greatest Free Show On Earth' - 'aka' the Whit Friday Marches in Saddleworth and Tameside, Greater Manchester. Again the band were very lucky to secure sponsorship . The event exceeded all our expectations once again. According to a local paper we were the first 'all-girl' band ever to take part which is some achievement! We raised around £1500. The 'Boobs and Brass' logo is now a 'Trade Mark' and Copyright protected.
Jane and Maggie visited the "House of Lords" to celebrate their success in fund raising, this was a national event, so by being asked to attend by invitation only, we can only imagine how proud they both felt.
On October 6th 2007 we played our 2nd annual concert, once again in the Kettering Church of St Peter & St Paul. This years concert was conducted by Betty Anderson, who has a wealth of banding experience, and as a woman, has proved many things in banding and music in her long and extensive career. The music once again was very rousing, ending in "The last night of the proms". Once again with overwhelming support and full house the sponsorship kept on coming, and we hope to have raised over £3000.
In 12 months, since our conception, "Boobs and Brass" have raised over £11,000 for our chosen charities, and are continuing to evolve. We already have 4 concerts booked for 2008, and are really enjoying our exciting musical and worthwhile journey. We now have sponsorship for t-shirts, stand banners, uniforms and have had much help with coach transport. Advertising offered both locally and nationally has also helped in our quest to continue to raise funds. We are now looking to make our percussion section the stars of the show, with kit to be proud of, ready for the 2008 season. We only hope some musical instrument distributors will be interested, we already have contacts with two. Our dream, a PINK drum kit and accessories, just to add the final "pink feel" to our fantastic jackets sponsored by First Choice Holidays. Once again, many thanks to everyone for their support. Our next goal must be £20,000! but it's not all about the money.
Raising awareness we know has saved lives, and we all are very aware how difficult for certain Breast cancer is to speak about. We know we are making a difference, and hope to be able to continue for some time to come...
'Watch this space.....!' as we should have some very big news coming up in the next few weeks! Anyone wishing to contact us at the band can contact Maggie Betts on margaretbetts@btinternet.com
Alternatively feel free to add your support to our guestbook at our website: www.boobsandbrass.com
We would love to hear from you! |