Tickets are now available for our massed band concert on 14th March 2020

We are delighted to be taking part in a Massed Band Concert along side Bournemouth and District Concert band and Christchurch and District Concert band. It set to be a great night with over 100 musicians taking part ending with a massed performance

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Tickets are now available either online at  https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/booking/select/ukzsUQwFyvGW

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Or you can buy them at rehearsals:

Tickets are £8 Adults

                    £6 concessions 

                    £25 for a family of four 

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We are hoping to sell out the venue so best to book tickets early to avoid missing this unique event 

NEW  FOR 2020!!  FIRST BAND

We were excited to launch our First Access Band In January 2020. This band is aimed for any woodwind or brass players just starting out. Run by Cheri Wallace an experience music teach will help and guide players to learm more music while having fun. 

If you can play 3 notes or more then this band is for you. To get started please either send us a message either via our contact page, email or Facebook or just pop along to our next rehearsal 

Christchurch Christmas Festival 2019 

On 23 November 2019  we were happy to open up to the celebrations for the Christchurch Christmas Festival. We played in Saxon Square and played lots of Christmas music to get everybody in to the Christmas mood. 

details of of what else happened at the festival can be found at: https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/18057848.pictures-christmas-light-switch-ons-dorset/

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Christchurch Music Centre Has Partnered up with 

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We are proudly now are working closely with Soundstorm who are funded  BCP council  and the Art Council to offer music education to local school Children

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As a music development agency, SoundStorm has been working across the area and wider Dorset for almost 20 years. From large scale outdoor events to supporting the first musical steps at infant school, we are committed to ensuring that music is accessible to every student. The Music Education Hub has been providing schools in Bournemouth and Poole with musical inputs, performance opportunities and a range of other services since it formed in 2012. We also offer instrument loans and hires, funding for students experiencing financial challenges and ongoing support to music teachers in almost every local school!

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We are currently  working very closely with SoundStorm for us to help as many local schools children the opportunity to learn and play instruments within a band setting to help them on their musical journeys. 

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more info about the great work Soundstorm offer can be found https://soundstorm-music.org.uk/

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New Milton Music Festival 2019

Well done to our senior band and brass quintet who went up against some tough competition at this years New Milton Music Festival. We received some positive feedback from the judges resulting with the brass quintet receiving a merit  the senior band receiving distinction.

-------------------------2018------------------------------

Christmas Concert 2018

For our annual Christmas concert at Christchurch Prior we also celebrated our 50th year of making music with Christchurch.

It was a great concert was lots of Christmas music along with some new pieces including the greatest showman which just sounded fantastic and a great peice to end the concert with. 

We also had our new brand new brass quintet play their debut showcasing some of our key brass players from the senior band.

For this concert we also teamed up with Julia House who we thank for the refreshment through the break.

Martin Fulker Solo Competition 2018

1st Place:

Martha Lloyd Cozens - Flute

Performed City Life 2 by Paul Hart

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2nd Place:

Helen Carroll - French Horn

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3rd  Joint Place

Shirley Weaver  - Bassoon

Ciaran Coughlan - Alto Saxophone

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Judges: Nicky Green and Steve Hayes

Fairmile Grange Nursing Home

CMC were delighted to support our good friends at Fairmile Grange celebrate the Queen's 92nd birthday. Enjoying the first warm weekend of the year the band played to residents in the grounds of the nursing home.

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The home had been in a party atmosphere all day and the residents thoroughly enjoyed and danced to music performed by the band. In return, the cakes offered were thoroughly enjoyed by the band.

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"Please accept sincere thanks for keeping us in the party mood on Saturday. What a kind and talented bunch" Heidi Johnstone, Fairmile Grange.

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Martin Fulker Memorial Concert

A celebration of the life of our former Music Director  dedicated his life to inspiring young people to play and enjoy music.

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We heard stories from friends and family, and music from the band he enjoyed being part of. It was a truly amazing evening and so nice to see so many people with such lovely stories and memories of an inspiring and wonderful man.

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The evening ended with the windband playing alongside members of Bournemouth and District Concert Band where Martin was the Principal conductor and other musicians that Martin had either taught or conducted all joined in to finish the concert off with his two favourite pieces Funky Town and Moment of the Morricone.

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-------------------------2017-------------------

Priory Christmas Concert 2017

Festive favourites and movie classics were the order of the day as Christchurch Priory hosted Christchurch Music Centre, for our Christmas Concert. The concert, entitled ‘Christmas at the Movies’ was in aid of Wessex Autism and played out to a hugely appreciative audience.

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Music Director, Polly Phillips, said after the concert, "Autism Wessex is a fantastic local charity helping young and old, and their families, in their daily lives. We are a community band and therefore it is extremely important for us to support other organisations in our local community."

December 2017

Music By The River

A performance supporting the RSPB at Kingfisher Barn Muscliff in an event of acoustic music to celebrate life by the river Stour.

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The awful weather didn't dampen spirits and despite band and audience packing into the tiny barn a great afternoon was spent supporting this local group

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September 2017

-----------------------------2016----------------------------

A Musical Christmas Celebration

Christchurch Music Centre performed it's annual Christmas concert to a

packed Priory church in aid of Macmillan Caring Locally. This years concert, entitled 'A Musical Christmas Celebration' featured music from Disney favourites, Christmas at the movies and traditional Christmas carol

The Martin Fulker Solo Competition

The Martin Fulker Solo Competition was held on Saturday 12th November. There were entries from 20 different music centre members playing a huge variety of music. Some people played a piece on an instrument they don’t normally play at music centre and some performed their own compositions.

The adjudicator, Stella Jackson-Smith, was delighted by the selection of music and the enthusiasm shown by each performer. She was impressed by the standard of the playing commenting that, had it been an exam, everybody passed with good marks.

Congratulations to our winners:

1st Theo Richens performing Scherzo Kolomyjka by Joseph Haydn on the bassoon.

2nd Ciaran Coughlan performing Solfeggietto by CPE Bach on the piano.

3rd Katherine Garner performing Prelude from The Victorian Kitchen Garden by Paul Reade on the clarinet.

A commendation was also given to Sonny Young for the performance of his own composition Sonny Song on the drum kit.

Summer BBQ and Concert 

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Another busy year comes to an end with our annual Summer concert and BBQ.  Featuring all three of our bands, (Junior Wind Band, Senior Wind Band, and the Percussion Ensemble), this performance was a fantastic showpiece for all the hard work during the year.

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Music Director, Polly Phillips, said after the concert, "Well done everybody for a fantastic concert and another fantastic CMC year. You've all worked so hard over and I am so proud of you all tonight. Have a great summer and I look forward to seeing you all again in September."

July 2016

Bournemouth Bandstand 

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CMC gave a special performance at Bournemouth's bandstand to coincide with the Race For Life. With the town full of people the joint band performed a variety of bandstand music.

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Well done to everybody involved, especially those younger members who were playing in this wonderful venue for the first time.

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June 2016

Lions Club of Christchurch Supporting CMC

CMC are delighted to announce that we have received a donation of £500 from the Lions Club of Christchurch towards our Percussion Group. This donation follows the first ever performance of the Percussion Group at our Christmas Concert in the Priory, attended and enjoyed by Lions members.

This donation will enable us to secure the Percussion coaching services of Jack Whitton as an added member of the CMC team. Additionally we will be looking to purchase some specific percussion based music which Jack can use to help him deliver his percussion development aims with the Percussion Group. This extremely generous donation is a massive boost in helping CMC develop and deliver a specialist percussion based opportunity for musicians.

Musical youngsters boosted by JP Morgan donation

November 2016

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Christchurch Music Centre were absolutely delighted to receive a donation from JP Morgan to help the group build its Percussion Ensemble. The hugely generous donation will be used to fund a new Glockenspiel for the band as well as other percussion instruments.

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Click HERE to read the full Daily Echo article.

CMC Secure Sponsorship deal with Kingsley Healthcare

July 2016

CMC are delighted to have secured a sponsorship deal with Kingsley Healthcare for the 2016/17 year. CMC’s Music Director, Polly Phillips, was keen to stress the value that this sponsorship deal with Kingsley Healthcare will have. “For a small group like CMC managing our finances and cash flow is a constant issue. This deal with Kingsley Healthcare will mean that we can focus more on working with local schools to encourage music, developing the musical skills and talents of our band members, and playing to the public in our many performances over the coming year.”

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Mr Stephen Pullinger, Kingsley Healthcare’s Head of Public Relations, said “Kingsley Healthcare is delighted to be supporting Christchurch Music Centre for the forthcoming year. Our Highcliffe Nursing home prides itself on the quality of the care provided for our residents, and as a group we pride ourselves on making a difference to the wider community. To be involved with supporting the young musical talent within Christchurch Music Centre is something we really wanted to do.”

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In announcing the sponsorship deal the young CMC members gave a performance on Saturday to staff, residents and families at the Highcliffe Nursing Home as part of their Summer Craft Fayre event. Highcliffe Home Manager, Tracey Miller, said “all the young musicians are amazing and it is fantastic that Kingsley Healthcare can provide them with some financial support to help them become even better.”

Percussion Workshop

On Saturday 28th May 2016 the CMC Percussion Ensemble were delighted to host the BSO Percussionist, Peadar Townsend, for 'An Exploration of Percussion Music' workshop.

The workshop was a fully interactive session involving a mixture of musical instruction, group percussion playing, as well as Peadar sharing his experiences as professional percussionists. It was an enjoyable and enthusiastic session, engaging a large group from 4years to 70+! Learnt lots and had fun along the way.

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------------------------------------------2015-------------------------------------

CMC Christmas Concert 'Winter Wonderland' a Huge Success

December 2015

For the first time ticket's for our end of year concert were sold via the Regent Centre and the large and appreciative audience were treated to a concert of the highest quality. With a mixture of seasonal favourites, Christmas Carols, and special movie based pieces worked on by the bands the concert provided a fine variety and blend for all to enjoy.

With performances from both the Junior and Senior Wind Band, as well as a first ever performance from the Percussion Ensemble, this was a show for everybody involved  in CMC.

Christchurch Christmas Festival

CMC were delighted to be open the entertainment programme for the Christmas lights switch on festival. The performance featured members from both Junior and Senior Wind Bands and entertained the growing crowds.

Playing to a busy Saxon Square, full with shoppers and visitors to the street market, we were lucky that the rain stayed away whilst we played. This is a key performance in our calendar as it allows the band to demonstrate their talents to the local community. Well played everybody.

November 2015

Cobham Families Day

Bournemouth Airport

CMC were delighted to be asked to play at the Cobham Families Day once again. This event conincides with the Bournemouth Air Festival and involved performing to 1000 Cobham employess and their families.

With a fairground themed arranged by the Families Day organisers the band were able to enjoy the Dodgems, Helter Skelter and other stalls following their performance as well as watching the Air Show aircraft taking off from the airport runway. Another hugely enjoyable day at this very popular event.

August 2015

Christchurch Bandstand

All credit to the band members, and their families, who braved an unusually wet and grim day to perform at Christchurch Bandstand. You did us all proud performing to the hardy few that braved the worst of the English Summer weather to her us play.

Such a disappoint after the sun and warmth enjoyed the previous week at Highcliffe castle, but still a great performance. Well done everybody.

June 2015

​Highcliffe Castle

What a fantastic day! Lots of sun, plenty of sunglasses (mostly being worn by the band) and a large appreciative crowd enjoying a perfect day at Highcliffe Castle.

With the fantastic hot weather we were able to showcase the band in the stunningly beautiful grounds of Highcliffe Castle. This is a great opportunity for the band to perform in a very public event in order to raise funds for both CMC and Highcliffe Castle itself.

Many thanks to all involved in putting this concert on, not least all the band members themselves.

June 2015

Christchurch Food Festival

The Summer Season brings a busy schedule of performances, starting off with the Christchurch Food Festival. The band attracted plenty of interest as it performed to the crowds in Saxon Square on the Saturday of the food event.

As well as the Junior Wind Band, who started proceedings on the day, and the Senior Wind Band, there was a performance from the Wind Quartet. This Quartet featured some of the more experienced members of the band and performed on behalf of Dorset Scouts for whom they were fundraising.

May 2015

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CMC Open Rehearsal & Reunion Concert

What a brilliant, successful morning!! Great to see so many faces-new and old! We are all overwhelmed. Thank you to all for joining in, supporting, nagging, planning, focusing well and playing wonderfully.

With only a mornings rehearsal, and so many new and old faces in the band, the quality of the performance in the Reunion Concert was testament to the talents and hard work of all involved.

'Merry normal weekend :-)' as quoted by one band member.

January 2015

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Percussion Ensemble

July 2015

CMC are pleased to announce the start of a new percussion ensemble in September 2015. This group will aim to develop orchestral percussion skills in a fun and friendly environment.

A strong percussion ensemble used to be a key feature of CMC and it is our aim to re-establish this group. There will be an emphasis on exploring the wide variety of percussion instruments and musical performances. The percussion ensemble is open to new and existing CMC members and will help to develop your rhythm, reading and will broaden your playing abilities.

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New Milton Music Festival 2015

March 2015

Wow! What a great effort at this years New Milton Music Festival. Excellent results and great comments from the judges. A big step up from last year and a massive compliment to the bands that the judges positive feedback is in the exact areas we've been working on.

Both bands entered the Ensemble Class with the Senior Band placing 2nd, and earning a Distinction from the judges, whilst the Junior Band placed 3rd earning a Merit from the judges.

Following the Junior Bands performance of Jazz Cat and Castlewood March the judges commented "Good ensemble playing & balance. Good dynamics and nice feel for jazz idiosm - plus they kept it swinging. March was well played - perhaps more clear accents and syncopation. Well Played."

Following the Senior Bands performance of Mars and Caravan the judges commented "Mars - spirited performance with good use of dynamics. 5/4 time kept well. Rhythms need to be precise and as dramatic as possible. Caravan - good performance. Nice swing and Latin feel. Enjoyment came across in the performance."

Martin Fulker Solo Competition 2015

February 2015

Well done to everybody that took part in this years solo contest You all sounded great ! But there could only be one winner which this year was ... Jason Hayter

Jason wowed the judges with his performance of Vocalise - Rachmaninov. Congratulations.

-----------------------------------------2014------------------------------------------

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Christchurch Priory Christmas Concert

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Our annual Christmas Concert showpiecing both the Junior and Senior Wind Band, as well as the clarinet ensemble. This concert is a firm favourite of the band. The Christchurch Priory provides a fantastic setting and outstanding concerts making this and absolute highlight of the CMC Calendar.

December 2014

Pig & Pumpkin,
High Mead Farm.

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A  fundraising event for High Mead Farm, a supported work environment for those with learning and physical disabilities.

CMC were kindly asked to play and support High Mead Farm at an open event raising money for this worthy cause. The band greatly enjoyed the relaxed informal atmosphere as well as the opportunity to demonstrate our talents to the good people at the farm.

Thank you so much to those who played, you're efforts much appreciated as always!

November 2014

Cobham 

Bournemouth Airport

Cobham Aviation Services, based at the airport, celebrated the Bournemouth Air Festival with a staff BBQ. As a musical 'thank you' to the staff at Cobham, who recently donated sponsored shirts to Christchurch Music Centre, the Senior Wind Band played for the staff.

"We couldn't have wished for a better band to entertain us all during this wonderful day," said Chris Churchill who heads the Charities and Social Committed with the global aviation company.

August 2014