Rayleigh Brass
An innovative brass band based in Essex, UK
15th December2024
Rayleigh Brass presented
A Christmas Adventure
in front of a bumper audience at the Mill Hall.
Set List
A Christmas Adventure / When Christmas comes to town (Polar Express) / Once upon a December / For the beauty of the earth / What's This ? / I'll be home for Christmas / Juledans / I Believe in Father Christmas / Christmas Encounters
interval
Festive March - The wonder of Christmas / It's Beginning to Look a Bit Like Christmas (Soloist: Sam Hall) / Good King Wenceslas (sing along) / O Holy Night (Soloist: Jan Clements) / Ding Dong Merrily On High (sing along) / Carol Setting - The Manger scene / I saw three ships / Fanfare & O Come all ye Faithful (sing along) / Do They Know It's Christmas / All I Want for Christmas is You
encore(s)
Rudolph , The Red Nosed Reindeer / Jingle Bells - (Arr Ashmore) In
Testimonials
"Great show. Wonderful music."
"Great concert. The added percussion really made it 'Christmassy'!"
5th October 2024
Rayleigh Brass presented
Dynamic Duos & Perfect Partners
at the Mill Hall with a celebration of dynamic musical partnerships including Lennon & McCartney, Laurel & Hardy, Morecambe & Wise and much more. We had a blast, even if we made ‘Another fine mess’!
Huge thanks to all involved.
Set List
March of the Peers / Essential Joseph / Don't cry for me Argentina
Featuring Tom Marshall on vocals: Rondo (Mozarts 4th Horn Concerto) & Spider in the Bath
Cartoon Music / Bridge over Troubled Waters / Do-Re-Mi / You'll never walk alone
interval
Another Fine Mess / Batman 60s Theme / Batman the Movie / Penny Lane / Ticket to Ride / Let it Go / 1941 March / Jurassic Park
encore(s)
The Stripper / Bring me Sunshine
Testimonials
"We thank you for a marvellous and humorous evening. Well done to all. Cannot wait for your next concert"
"Great show as always."
YouTube Playlist
7th September 2024
Southend Bandstand
Thanks to everyone who came along and saw us at Priory Park Bandstand.
Despite a few parking and audible challenges, we really loved bringing our sound to those enjoying a late summer’s afternoon. It was great meeting up with a few old friends and, as ever, thank you to our deps who filled a few gaps in our ranks.
15th August 2024
Find out more about our musical director, Bob Bearman, by viewing his new profile page
22nd June 2024
Rayleigh Brass provided the sounds of summer with help from the Cantare choir. The concert was warmly received by our audience on a nice summers evening.
Set List
Cantare: Summer is Icumen
Rayleigh Brass: Shostakovitch - A Spin Through Moscow / Shostakovitch - The Second Waltz from "Jazz Suite No.2" / Vaughan Williams - Prelude '49th Parallel' / Padstow Lifeboat
Cantare: River Song, Ships of Arcady, The Seal Lullaby, Look for the Light, Adiemus
Rayleigh Brass: Benedictus / Marquez - Danzon No. 2 / Williams - Hymn to the Fallen
interval
Rayleigh Brass: 42nd Street / Opus One
Cantare: It Don’t Mean a Thing / The Way You Look Tonight / And So It Goes
Rayleigh Brass: He Ain't Heavy - He's My Brother / Stairway to Heaven
Cantare: Look of Love / Say a Little Prayer
Rayleigh Brass: Bridge Over Troubled Water / Mr Blue Sky
encore(s)
Cantare & Rayleigh Brass: Let it Be / Hey Jude
Testimonials
"Brilliant concert- fantastic music - best value evening you can have
Thank you all for taking all that time to create something beautiful for us all to hear xx"
"Fantastic show! Well worth coming that is for sure."
"Another fabulous evening of entertainment - see you in the park "
16th June 2024
Rayleigh Brass dodged the showers at Southend Airport on Fathers Day to provide some entertainment for the Vulcan Restoration Trust
7th June 2024
The hymn tune 'Repton' - in honour of all who gave so much for us 80 years ago.
11th May 2024
"A Spin Through the Classics" Concert (again)
Rayleigh Brass are probably best known for their lighter themed concerts, but on Saturday we dipped our toes into the daunting world of the classics. An audience pleasing performance featured well known and lesser known pieces from the band’s classical repertoire.
We were also delighted to bring the latest word in brass band technology to the Highland's Methodist Church, Leigh-on-Sea in the form of Chris Bearman’s ‘iBand’.
Set List
Shostakovitch - Festive Overture / Shostakovitch - Romance from Gadfly / Herold - Clog Dance. La Fille mal Gardee / Marquez - Danzon No. 2 /Morricone - The Mission / Bizet - Carmen Fantasy
interval
Shostakovitch - A Spin Through Moscow / Vaughan Williams - English Folk Songs - March - Seventeen Come Sunday / Bizet - Deep Inside the Sacred Temple / Shostakovitch - The Second Waltz from "Jazz Suite No.2" / Vaughan Williams - Prelude '49th Parallel' / Traditional - Simple Gifts / Time to Say Goodbye - Con Te Partiro / iBand
encore(s)
Radetsky March
6th April 2024
"A Spin Through the Classics" Concert
Rayleigh Brass are probably best known for their lighter themed concerts, but on Saturday we dipped our toes into the daunting world of the classics. An audience pleasing performance featured well known and lesser known pieces from the band’s classical repertoire.
We were also delighted to bring the latest word in brass band technology to the Mill Arts and Events Centre, Rayleigh in the form of Chris Bearman’s ‘iBand’.
If you missed the concert, don’t panic! You can see an amended performance at Highlands Methodist Church, Leigh-on-Sea on 11th May.
Set List
Shostakovitch - Festive Overture / Shostakovitch - Romance from Gadfly / Herold - Clog Dance. La Fille mal Gardee / Bizet - Deep Inside the Sacred Temple / Bizet - Carmen Fantasy / Morricone - The Mission / Saint-Saens - French Military March
interval
Shostakovitch - A Spin Through Moscow / Vaughan Williams - English Folk Songs - March - Folk Songs from Somerset / Vaughan Williams - Prelude '49th Parallel' / Shostakovitch - The Second Waltz from "Jazz Suite No.2" / Masagni - Cavalleria Rusticana –Easter Hymn / Traditional - Simple Gifts / Time to Say Goodbye - Con Te Partiro / iBand
encore(s)
Radetsky March
Join Rayleigh Brass!
We have vacancies for front and back row cornets, Bb bass.
Did you learn a brass instrument at school, but have never experienced the joy of playing in a brass band?
Maybe you played years ago, and are interested in a return to brass banding in a relaxed and fun environment.
Perhaps you currently play in a contesting band, and are becoming tired of the pressure and test pieces.
We are a friendly and inclusive band who aim to play a varied programme to a high standard whilst maintaining a fun and family friendly atmosphere. See our previous concerts page for examples of our repertoire, and contact us if you would like to attend a rehearsal.
9th December 2023
"Christmas Gifts" Concert
Rayleigh Brass treated a packed Mill Hall to a festive soaked evening at the recent 'Christmas Gifts' concert.
The band performed a mix of traditional and modern Christmas classics, helped along by the audience who were in fine voice.
Testimonials
"Lovely Concert, we really enjoyed it (especially Jingle Bells, my favourite)"
"Fantastic concert especially the 3 solo’s - well done Jan, Jordan & Sam.
Loved ‘Elfis’ and the 12 days of Christmas. Paul - love your really naff cracker jokes😝😝😝"
Set List
Troika / Frozen / Winter / Nightmare before Christmas / Somewhere in my memory / Love Actually /
Three Kings Swing / Merry Christmas Darling / Stop the Cavalry / Gaudete
interval
Spirit of Christmas / A Muppet Christmas Carol / Santa Baby / God rest ye merry gentlemen /
Candlelight Carol / Frosty the snowman / Good King Wenceslas / Sleigh Ride / Fanfare and Carol
I wish it could be Christmas every day / Twelve days of Christmas (Carol book 136)
finale
Jingle Bells
encore(s)
Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
7th December 2023
Meadow Croft Garden Centre
Last night was our last visit to Meadow Croft Garden Centre's German Market.
Thank you for having us! Happy Christmas!
26th October 2023
Meadow Croft Garden Centre
Christmas is coming!
Yesterday we performed the first of seven (yes seven!) Wednesday evenings at Meadow Croft Garden Centre's German Market.
Please come along to one of remaining evenings to say hello and ask for your favourite festive tune!
7th October 2023
"Icons" Concert
Rayleigh Brass left a packed Holy Trinity Church rockin' in the aisles at the recent 'Icons' concert..
The band performed an eclectic set of iconic rock and pop from Led Zeppelin to Simon and Garfunkel via Queen and ABBA.
Guest Elvis was truly in the house leading the audience in a rousing, foot stamping finale.
Testimonials
"Another fantastic concert from Rayleigh Brass - Icons from the music world - the best of the best made an appearance (in more ways than one) Not your average brass band - so much more fun and entertaining than others. Can’t wait until the Christmas concert."
"Fantastic concert last night. Well done guys and gals. It was brilliant! "
"Loved it - you even drew people in off the street because they saw the light show and thought someone was having a disco in the church ! And they stayed to listen"
Set List
Elvis Rocks / Mr Blue Sky / He Ain’t Heavy / Sir Duke / Bridge Over Troubled Water / A Whiter Shade of Pale / Essential Elton John
interval
Baggy Trousers / ABBA goes Brass / Something Stupid / Stairway to Heaven / Life on Mars
finale
Bohemian Rhapsody / Hey Jude
encore(s)
Crazy Little Thing Called Love /Sweet Caroline
9th August 2023
Southend Bandstand
Thanks to everyone who came along and saw us at Priory Park Bandstand.
Sorry about the wind (the weather, not us!), but at least the rain stayed away 🙂
5th July 2023
Our "Meet the Band" page is now complete, where you'll be able to meet the faces behind-the-mouthpieces and learn a little more about the eclectic bunch who make up Rayleigh Brass!
18th June 2023
Visit the Vulcan
Southend Airport
Rayleigh Brass had a fantastic day playing beneath the wings of Avro Vulcan 426 at Southend Airport. Great to see so many people enjoying the music and all the other attractions organised by the Vulcan Restoration Trust. Hopefully we will be winging it back again next year!
21st April 2023
We were pleased to return to the Mill Hall on Saturday 21st April, and under the direction of guest Musical Director Chas Sludden played a wide selection of music, from The Sound Of Music to Bohemian Rhapsody. The concert was well received by a near capacity audience.
December 2022
Seasons Greetings from Rayleigh Brass!
Christmas is our busiest time of year. As well as our well received "Christmas Soundtrack" concert at the Holy Trinity Church, we have enjoyed playing at various engagements including Meadow Croft Garden Centre, Thorpe Bay and Benfleet Yaucht Clubs and Hullbridge Scouts Gift and Carol Service. Below are a few images from the 2022 Xmas season
