Ventura British Brass
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Thanks to all for a great 4th Season!
 
There certainly were some memorable moments, wonderful performances and we played some great literature. 
On her return visit to England, Anne was able to acquire several new works. Among these are several Beatles pieces and "Slaughter on Tenth Avenue." We should be all set to start the next season with some exciting new material. Thanks Anne!
 
 Birgit will be leaving us soon to return to the "old country" and she will be missed. It was great to have her as part of our organization if only for one year. We also have a couple of vacancies that need to be filled. So if you know of someone who is capable and would like to join us, please bring them to one of our rehearsals.
 
As of this writing we have two concerts planned in December and we will be back at the Yacht Club on the  2nd.
 
If you have to miss a rehearsal or a performance, please let Anne, Randy or myself know in a timely manner so that we can find a substitute. It would be evern better if you could find someone to sit in for you.
 
 
GE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ALFORD, KENNETH J. 

(1881 - 1945)

 

 

Frederick J. Ricketts (1881-1945) composed under the pseudonym Kenneth J. Alford. When he was just fourteen he lied about his age in order to join the First Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment and, after seeing service in India, he joined the Royal Military School, Kneller Hall. He is supposed to have helped a number of other students who were given the task of composing music but were not as proficient as he was. In 1930 he became director of music for the Plymouth Division, Royal Marines. Under his leadership this ensemble achieved worldwide fame, with tours to France and Canada. During the Second World War, Alford, by then promoted to the rank of major, took the ensemble all over England. He retired a year before his death. His most famous march is Colonel Bogey, not least because of the prominent role it plays in the film The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957). It also became extremely popular during the Second World War among British soldiers, who provided it with texts unsuitable for printing.

source: Naxos music library