Upcoming Concerts

Michaelmas Concert

Bridge the Atlantic and join us for our first concert of the year – from Hollywood to Holst, DUCB will be combining the very best music from the USA and the UK (but no politics please!)

Christmas Concert with DUBB

Let the festivities commence! Good friends Concert Band and Brass Band are teaming up to bring you a wonderful night of Christmas cheer (coupled with some complimentary mince pies and mulled wine – what’s not to love?)

Our Exec

President

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Charlotte Clews

Hi everyone, and welcome to our website! I’m Charlotte, a Biosciences research masters student and the President of DUCB. I’m here to make sure Concert Band runs smoothly, and the important people (you!) have a truly memorable experience being part of such a dynamic, vibrant and successful society. Alongside our Half Palatinate award for Society of the Year (2018-2019) and many other accolades, we’ve gone from strength to strength so far; come and chat to us at the Freshers fair to find out what we’ve got in store for 2019-2020!

Treasurer

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Eloise Ockenden

Hi, I’m Eloise and I am a third year studying Maths at Hild Bede. I have been playing clarinet in DUCB for the last two years and am now the Treasurer for this academic year. My role involves budgeting for the band, keeping track of the finances and making sure there is enough money for biscuits! I am really looking forward to getting more involved in Concert Band and can’t wait for this coming year.

Secretary

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Cécile Armitage

Hello, my name is Cécile, and I am the secretary for DUCB this year. My role involves sending the weekly email, taking minutes at exec meetings, and helping out with other general tasks such as room bookings. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask me. I hope that you will enjoy DUCB this year as much as I do!

Publicity Officer

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Rosie Cooper

Hi I'm Rosie, a 2nd year Liberal Arts student at Van Mildert. I do Concert Band's publicity, which includes organising posters for concerts, and running our social media.

Librarian

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Thomas Nolan

Hi, I'm Thomas and I am the librarian for the band this year. I ensure the correct music is in the folders and am responsible for sending music to other university bands which are part of the SWOP scheme.

Social Secretary

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Emily Price

Hi! I'm Emily, and I'm in my second year doing Geography at Grey. My role mainly involves ensuring that all members of the band feel included and that we always have a good time. I also organise all of the socials and stash for everyone!

Concert Manager

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Joe Tedd

Heya my name’s Joe. I’m at Durham studying Geophysics with Geology and the Concert Manager for DUCB. As the name suggests, I manage the concerts, booking venues, organising people, and making sure everything runs smoothly on the day of the concert. As well as concert band, I do a lot of sport, including playing rugby for the university and coaching Hild’s women’s rugby. With some great concerts already in the pipeline, this year is looking to be one not to miss!

Conductor

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Thomas Hicken

Hello, I'm Thomas, a third year physics PhD student in Ustinov College. I am one of the two conductors for concert band which means it is my responsibility to pick the music we play, as well as conduct concerts and rehearsals. One of my highlights about concert band is our participation in the National Concert Band Festival, where last year in our debut performance we achieved a Gold award at the National Finals!

Conductor

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Douglas Brown

Hi! I'm Douglas, I'm a 3rd year physicist from Trevs, and I'm thrilled to be one of Concert Band's conductors this year. Between us, Thomas and I choose the repertoire for the band and run rehearsals with the goal of producing some fantastic concerts and making Concert Band the best way to spend a Sunday afternoon. I played in my county's wind band for several years at home and have played in a whole range of ensembles in Durham. Whether you'll be playing or applauding, I hope you enjoy Concert Band this year!

DUCB's History

When Peter came to Durham in 1976 he was keen to join the university orchestra as an oboist. Unfortunately there were twelve oboists auditioning that year, including some studying music, so he was without a group to play in for the first time in quite a few years. At the start of his second year, Peter got in touch with one of his neighbours in Hatfield College, a clarinettist called Steve who practiced regularly, and the two of them started a band. They began finding others by various means, including a drummer (Tom) from Castle and a trombonist (Nick) from Collingwood and were able to start practising as a group. Peter got some music from his old school and they scrounged a little money from somewhere and bought a few marches and bits. Very democratically, Peter became conductor and Steve 1st clarinet!

There were no auditions for new members; anyone could join. They practised in the rooms opposite the Library on Palace Green.

Steve and Peter discussed a name for their band. The format of the group was really a military band, but Durham University Military Band (DUMB) didn't seem to be quite right, so they settled for Concert Band instead. In June 1978 they performed on Palace Green one afternoon for the first time.

In 1978/9 they were able to have a stand for the Freshers' Fair and gained quite a few members. In Peter’s final summer they used Castle's Hall for their first proper concert and had fun on Palace Green again. To try to ensure that the band continued, they attached themselves to the Music Society and appointed an assistant conductor to take over from Peter for the following year; his name was Eric.

Since the founding group left, Durham University Concert Band has continued to grow and flourish and we are proud of all we have achieved and continue to achieve to this day.