2010 2023
A timeline of news, stories and pictures from 2010 2023.
If you have stories, memories or pictures of the band we'd love to hear from you.
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decade
RIP: Ron Sudworth
Thursday 11 March 2010
Death of Ron Sudworth, former leader of the City of Oxford Junior band and founder of the Kennington (Oxford) Youth band.
Bands got soaked...
Monday 29 March 2010
The first Oxford and District Brass Band Association contest was an unforgettable occasion.
OXFORD MAIL, 29 March 2010Leonard, 80, named 'best beginner'
Tuesday 20 July 2010
YOU 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 2010L. & S. C. Area Championship
Sunday 20 March 2011
At the London and Southern Counties Area Championship COSB rank 13th in the fourth section, the test piece was Prelude, Song and Dance by John Golland.
City's silver band hits the high notes
Tuesday 31 May 2011
Resplendent 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
Saturday 17 March 2012
At the London and Southern Counties Area Championship COSB rank 15th in the fourth section with the test piece English Folk Song Suite.
Concert will mark 125 years
Friday 19 October 2012
Concert 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 2012125th anniversary
Tuesday 6 November 2012
Oxford 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 2012Band's blast of glory
Sunday 17 March 2013
At 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 2013National Championships
Saturday 21 September 2013
At the 2013 National Championships COSB compete in the fourth section contest. The test piece was A Malvern Suite by Philip Sparke
Little white lie...
Saturday 19 October 2013
Little 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
From occupation to Oxford
Friday 1 November 2013
From 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 2013Success at Stevenage
Friday 14 March 2014
COSB 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.
Hi yo Silver Hurrah
Monday 16 June 2014
The City of Oxford Silver Band is celebrating a small but significant milestone in its history this year...
OXFORD MAIL, 16 June 2014
Friendship through music...
Wednesday 18 June 2014
Friendship 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 2014Frank Wolff Honoured
Sunday 13 July 2014
At the annual summer concert, the band president Frank Wolff is honoured for his 60 years dedication to the City of Oxford Silver Band, with a special presentation.
Frank Wolff 60 years...
Friday 18 July 2014
AFTER 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 2014Oxford Open Doors
Saturday 13 September 2014
The City of Oxford Silver Band opens its bandhall for the annual Oxford Open Doors event. With displays, demonstrations and a free concert.
National Championship
Saturday 20 September 2014
The City of Oxford Silver Band played in the fourth section contest at Cheltenham; the test piece was Narnia Suite by Geoffrey Burgon.
Remembrance Sunday
Sunday 9 November 2014
On 9th November we visited Upper Heyford for the annual act of remembrance. After marching to the church The Last Post was played by Nick Taylor. At Dorchester-on-Thames Frank Wolff led a small contingent from COSB in hymns and played The Last Post.
Christmas Light Night at the Ashmolean
Friday 21 November 2014
More 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.
Broad Street Christmas Market
Sunday 14 December 2014
We played carols and festives tunes throughout the Christmas Period, in Oxford, High Wycombe and Kidlington. Here we are playing carols for visitors to the Christmas Market on Broad Street.
Commemorative Clock Found in USA
January 2015
A 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."
The clock was presented at a band social meeting on 27 February 1927
Evolution Masterclass
Sunday 15 February 2015
This weekend the City of Oxford Silver Band welcomed Melvyn White who took the senior band for a special rehearsal of Evolution ahead of the Regional Championships in March where, as a late stand-in, Melvyn led BAE systems to 3rd section victory.
2015 L&SC Contest
Saturday 21 March 2015
COSB 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.
Oxford Open Doors
Sunday 13 September 2015
For the second year running COSB opened its bandhall to visitors for Oxford Open Doors.
RIP Harold Williams
Saturday 10 October 2015
Harold 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.
Churchill's Birthday at Blenheim Palace
Saturday 28 November 2015
We enjoyed playing some Carols with visitors and a great Winston Churchill looalike at Blenheim Palace
2016 L&SC Contest
Sunday 20 March 2016
COSB competed in the London & Southern Counties regional championship performing A Cambrian Suite. Unfortunately COSB came last out of 16 bands at this event.
Massed Band for Queen's Birthday
Sunday 12 June 2016
COSB 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.
COSB Becomes a charity
July 2016
COSB 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.
Countryfile Live 2016
Saturday 6 August 2016
COSB entertained visitors to the inaugural Countryfile Live event at Blenheim Palace..
Oxford Open Doors, 2016
Sunday 11 September 2016
COSB had a captive audience for this year's Oxford Open Doors when we played at Oxford Castle (the former prison).
Templars Sqaure
Friday 18 November 2016
Christmas Carols in November! Got to be done for the switching on of the Christmas lights.
FrightNight
Friday 25 November 2016
We performed at the Ashmolean for the Live Friday FrightNight event, including a specially composed fanfare to accompany live performance art.
2016 Christmas Concert
Sunday 11 December 2016
Our hall was packed on 11 December for our annual family Christmas Concert, when all three bands performed
Carols at Blenheim Palace
Friday 23 December 2016
Once again we returned to the great hall at Blenheim Palace to play Christmas Carols
Worcester College
Saturday 10 June 2017
COSB returned to Worcester College for the annual founders day garden party.
Sheldonian Theatre
Friday 1 December 2017
COSB joined the Helen and Douglas House Divas at a fundraising concert to support the Oxford Children' Hospice.
L&SC Regional Contest
Sunday 18 March 2018
After a brief hiatus COSB returned to competing. The band had a disappointing result, coming 17th out of 18 bands in the 4th section. The test piece was World Tour by Rodney Newton.
2019 Charitable Giving
2018
At Christmas 2018 we raised £1500 for national homelessness charity Shelter.
L&SC Regional Contest
Sunday 17 March 2019
At the 2019 Regionals COSB came 9th out of 20 bands in the 4th section. The test piece was Stantonbury Festival by Ray Steadman-Allen.
Worcester College
Saturday 15 June 2019
COSB returned to Worcester College for the annual founders day garden party. Owing to torrential rain we played in the theatre.
2019 Summer Concert
Sunday 21 July 2019
Our Summer Concert was held on 22 July 2019. With all three bands (almost 90 players!) playing. The Senior Band Programme was: Home of Legends, An Irish Blessing, Midnight in Moscow, Doyen and Breezin' through Broadway.
2019 Entertainment Contest
Sunday 20 October 2019
The City of Oxford Training Band win most entertaining band in the unregistered section, and best Instrumentalist (Cornet: Sam Pogose)
Sobell House Hospice
Friday 20 December 2019
Throughout 2019 we raised a total of £3500 for Sobell House Hospice.
One of the more unusual gigs was playing in a music video for the Carabao Cup with Chris Kamara and Dennis Wise.