In recent weeks the City of Chester bandroom has started to fill up with old friends who have returned to pay a visit to their former band.

Hello again

The band recently had the opportunity to say hello again to former player Kirsty Blain who has just ended her second year at Aberystwyth University, whilst 4BR photographer Ian Clowes, whose professional work often takes him away from home, was also a welcome returnee.

Ian's work had meant that he had to relinquish his roles as a regular playing and conductor of Chester Brass, the band's training ensemble, so on his return he was made a vice-president of the City of Chester Band.

Meanwhile, another visitor, Alan MacDonald, played with the band as far back as the late 1960s and went on to play flugel with Fairey Band4BR

Further back

Meanwhile, another visitor, Alan MacDonald, played with the band as far back as the late 1960s and went on to play flugel with Fairey Band. With his home now in Finland, Alan is currently working in Taiwan where he is principal trumpet of the Taiwan Symphony Orchestra.

At the two rehearsals he came down to, Alan sat on the front row cornet bench and was immeditaley taken back to his brass band days by MD Phil Mottershead selecting some challenging pieces (for a Fourth Section band that is) with Wagner’s 'Introduction to Act III of Lohengrin'.