2010 2021
A timeline of news, stories and pictures from 2010 2021.
If you have stories, memories or pictures of the band we'd love to hear from you.
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L&SC Regional Contest
17 March 2019At the 2019 Regionals COSB came 9th out of 20 bands in the 4th section. The test piece was Stantonbury Festival by Ray Steadman-Allen.
COSB Becomes a charity
July 2016COSB is accepted as an organisation with charitable aims: TO ADVANCE THE EDUCATION, APPRECIATION AND PUBLIC BENEFIT OF THE ART OF MUSIC AND IN PARTICULAR, BRASS BAND MUSIC BY PROMOTING THE STUDY, PRACTICE AND ENJOYMENT OF BRASS BAND MUSIC IN ALL ITS FORMS THROUGH EDUCATION, PUBLIC PERFORMANCE AND OTHER MUSICAL ACTIVITIES ACROSS OXFORD AND THE SURROUNDING AREA.
Massed Band for Queen's Birthday
12 June 2016COSB joined 7 other local bands for the Queen's Birthday celebrations at Blenhiem Palace. As part of the day's events the band joined a massed band of about 150 players. Singing the national anthem and other songs with the massed bands was Mary Williams, widow of former COSB conductor Harold Williams. The bands were conducted by former COSB conductor Ken Membury.
2016 L&SC Contest
20 March 2016COSB competed in the London & Southern Counties regional championship performing A Cambrian Suite. Unfortunately COSB came last out of 16 bands at this event.
RIP Harold Williams
10 October 2015Harold Williams, former trustee and bandmaster of COSB, died 10 October 2015. Harold joined the band in 1947 and conducted the band for several years in the 1960s. He produced the first history of the band for its 75th anniversary in 1962. Here he can be heard describing the first performance of the "Thames Valley March" in 1971.
Harold led the Senior Band from 1964 eventually reaching the Championship Section but in September 1972 he left COSB to found Oxford Concert Brass which later merged to become the present Kidlington Concert Brass. Harold later settled in Wales.
2015 L&SC Contest
21 March 2015COSB competed in the London & Southern Counties regional championship performing Evolution: Five States of Change by Philip Sparke. COSB came 7th out of 16 bands in their first 3rd section contest since gaining promotion in 2014.
Commemorative Clock Found in USA
January 2015A clock, now owned by a gentleman in Tennessee, USA. The plaque reads "Presented to Mrs M. Edwards by the Headington Silver Prize Band (Oxford) as a token of esteem and appreciation for services rendered." M. Edwards was active with the Silver Band in the 1920s to 1940s, if you know more let us know!
Christmas Light Night at the Ashmolean
21 November 2014More than a 1000 people came to the Ashmolean on 21 November for the Christmas Light Night. We were delighted to be asked to play as enjoyed displays of dancing, ice sculpture, children's activities, and exhibitions in the awe-inspiring setting of the Ashmolean museum.
National Championship
20 September 2014The City of Oxford Silver Band played in the fourth section contest at Cheltenham; the test piece was Narnia Suite by Geoffrey Burgon.
Oxford Open Doors
13 September 2014The City of Oxford Silver Band opens its bandhall for the annual Oxford Open Doors event. With displays, demonstrations and a free concert.
Frank Wolff 60 years...
18 July 2014AFTER playing with the Oxford Silver Band for more than 60 years, Frank Wolff has earned the right to blow his own trumpet.
OXFORD MAIL, 18 July 2014Friendship through music...
18 June 2014Friendship through music is key to The City of Oxford Silver Band's longevity
THE City of Oxford Silver Band has a history that stretches back more than 125 years.
But since its beginnings, the Cowley-based group has grown to be able to provide free music schooling to beginners and performs at musical events across the county.
OXFORD MAIL, 18 June 2014Hi yo Silver Hurrah
16 June 2014The City of Oxford Silver Band is celebrating a small but significant milestone in its history this year...
OXFORD MAIL, 16 June 2014
Success at Stevenage
14 March 2014COSB played at the 'London and Southern Counties Area Championship' on Sunday 14th March playing the test piece Three Spanish Impressions by Alan Fernie. Out of twenty bands entering COSB came second and so qualify for the National Finals at Cheltenham in September 2014, for the second year running! By coming second COSB also won the 'Christie Challenge Cup' together with a cheque for £100.
From occupation to Oxford
1 November 2013From occupation to Oxford
Philip Hind talks to a Dutch-born cornet player about Oxford Silver Band and life under the Nazis
OXFORD MAIL, 1 November 2013Little white lie...
19 October 2013Little white lie led to a very big award for Mr Music
HE'S been sharing his music with people across the world for more than 70 years. And now it's time for the City of Oxford Silver Band's president Frank Wolff to blow his own trumpet.OXFORD MAIL, 19 October 2013
Band's blast of glory
17 March 2013At the London and Southern Counties Area Championship COSB ranked 3rd in the fourth section playing the test piece Devon Fantasy and thereby qualified for the National Finals.
Pictured left to right: Oliver Perera, Scott Benest, Steve Sizeland (holding cup), Adam Hardiman, Jack Woods, David Hoffler, Kate Banks, Gareth Morris, Sam Le Breton
Band's blast of glory
THE City of Oxford Silver Band has reached the finals of the National Brass Band Championships.
OXFORD MAIL, 21 March 2013125th anniversary
6 November 2012Oxford Silver Band blows its own trumpet for 125th anniversary
Trumpets triumphantly marked 125 years of an Oxford band at a special concert.
OXFORD MAIL, 6 November 2012Concert will mark 125 years
19 October 2012Concert will mark 125 years
Since its foundation as the Headington Silver Band in 1887, the group has played hundreds of concerts, trained thousands of young people and even built its own headquarters.
OXFORD MAIL, 19 October 2012National Championships
21 September 2012At the 2013 National Championships COSB compete in the fourth section contest. The test piece was A Malvern Suite by Philip Sparke
L. & S. C. Area Championship
17 March 2012At the London and Southern Counties Area Championship COSB rank 15th in the fourth section with the test piece English Folk Song Suite.
City's silver band hits the high notes
31 May 2011Resplendent in their uniforms, their highly-polished instruments glinting in the sun as they entertained the tourists and shoppers in Bonn Square last month, the City of Oxford Silver Band (COSB) gave no clue as to how close they had come to the scrapheap in recent years...
OXFORD MAIL, 31 May 2011L. & S. C. Area Championship
20 March 2011At the London and Southern Counties Area Championship COSB rank 13th in the fourth section
Leonard, 80, named 'best beginner'
20 July 2010YOU could be forgiven for thinking that pensioner Leonard Spiers was a bit long in the tooth to pick up a best beginner award. After all, it's a prize usually reserved for youngsters.
OXFORD MAIL, 20 July 2010Bands got soaked...
29 March 2010The first Oxford and District Brass Band Association contest was an unforgettable occasion.
OXFORD MAIL, 29 March 2010RIP: Ron Sudworth
11 March 2010Death of Ron Sudworth, former leader of the City of Oxford Junior band and founder of the Kennington (Oxford) Youth band.