CSD Brass

Cambridge and Surrounding District

• About CSD
• Booking CSD
• Engagements
• Members
• New players & patrons
• Training band

New players

We’re a strong, all-round band, so we’re always looking for new players in all sections to join us and have fun making music together. The friendly, relaxed atmosphere means that players of all abilities enjoy playing with the band, so please come along to a rehearsal: if you’re an experienced player, if you’re looking to move to a different instrument, if you’re coming back to banding after a break, or even if you’re not very confident yet.

Opportunities to play

As you can see from the Engagements page, we have a busy calendar every year, so there are plenty of opportunities to play out. We deliberately keep a varied programme, so there’s sure to be some music to your taste: some of our engagements are outdoors, with new and traditional marches, show-tunes, some rock and pop arrangements, and other crowd-pleasers. Two or three times a year, we play a big evening concert, often with trickier pieces composed for the specific event and venue. Although we’re easy-going, we always strive to play our best for the audience, and to give a professional performance.

All work and no play…

We believe that banding is more than just making music: there’s a strong social angle to the band as well. After each rehearsal many band members retire to the local hostelry, and the committee regularly arranges band socials. In addition, at Easter of each odd-numbered year the band travels to Cambridge’s twin town of Heidelberg, Germany, to join our partner band of Orchesterverein-Heidelberg-Handschusheim and play together as part of the Cambridge-Heidelberg Partnership Association. In the even-numbered years, our German friends return the compliment by joining us here in Cambridge.

But I’m a beginner…

For complete beginners, there is a Training band that rehearses immediately before the senior band. The training band has frequent concerts too, and some players do play in both bands.

What next?

Come along to a rehearsal, and see for yourself. Rehearsals are on Monday evenings in the music block of Chesterton Community College, Gilbert Road, arriving at 7:30 to start playing 7:45. The rehearsal finishes around 9:45, and there is a tea break in the middle. Training band rehearsals are in the same place starting from 6:45 and finishing at 7:30 as the senior band arrives.

We can offer instrument loans.

Patrons

If you’re not a playing member but you want to support the band, please consider becoming a Patron. Patrons receive details of engagements and a copy of the CSD Newsletter.

© 2011 CSD Brass (Cambridge and Surrounding District)

CSD Brass (Cambridge and Surrounding District) is a traditional brass band playing music for garden parties, concerts, fêtes, carols, and other events in the City of Cambridge and towns & villages in Cambridgeshire, including Cherry Hinton, Chesterton, Ely, Eversden, Horseheath, Huntingdon, Newmarket, Peterborough, Ramsey, Royston, St. Neots, and Witcham.