Description

The Sevenoaks and Tonbridge Concert Band is a symphonic wind band based in Sevenoaks, Kent, but with its players drawn from a wide area. With a busy schedule of performances at different venues across the region, our repertoire ranges from original works for wind ensemble to arrangements of orchestral pieces, military band items and light music of various styles

Our Training Band offers an opportunity for less experienced players to develop their skills.

Formed in 1980, the Sevenoaks and Tonbridge Concert Band is well-known in the area’s musical community. As well as local players, it attracts musicians from further afield across Kent, and from East and West Sussex and south east London.

Our indoor concerts usually follow a theme, and explore a wide range of music chosen both to please the audience and to challenge to the players. They also enable us to raise money for selected local charities. From time to time the Band will support a noted guest soloist in a major work.

Through the summer the Band fulfils a busy schedule of performances on bandstands and at community events across south east England. We also programme concert tours in the UK and abroad, and occasional residential music workshops.

The Concert Band generally recruits experienced ensemble players, but our musicians range in age from school students to retired members. To support and develop less accomplished players, we also have a Training Band. Members of the Training Band are encouraged to join the Concert Band as they progress.

Membership of the Concert Band is open to all woodwind, brass and percussion players of at least Grade 7 standard with ensemble playing experience, subject to the need to maintain an appropriate balance between different sections.

There are no formal auditions, but we invite prospective new members to participate in three rehearsals to enable the Band to get to know you, and for you to get to know us. Membership is then at the discretion of the Musical Director. For more information please contact the Musical Director.

Our Training Band welcomes less experienced players, and aims to give them the opportunity to develop their skills. As with the Concert Band, we operate a trial period rather than holding auditions. For information about the Training Band please contact the Conductor.

Both bands rehearse weekly on Friday evenings during school term times at Knole Academy West, Bradbourne Vale Road, Sevenoaks TN13 3LE. Timings are as follows:
6:00 to 7:30pm: Training Band
7:45 to 9:45pm: Concert Band

A membership application form is available on the bands website.

Description

Central Park comprises some 26 acres ranging from formal gardens near to the Town Centre, through ornamental areas to informal open space at the southern end towards Princes Road.

The picturesque River Darent runs along the park's eastern boundary.

The formal gardens abut the War Memorial and Library and include summer and winter bedding, herbaceous and shrub beds, together with a carpet bed which depicts the badge of a local organisation in the summer months.

Each summer at least 45,000 plants are used to create stunning colourful bedding displays.

The formal gardens are complimented by a rose garden and pergola, which was installed in 2002 and is quite spectacular when in full bloom.

The park is extremely popular with local children and visitors alike.

Image of riverThe informal areas of the park include large grass areas, junior football pitches, secluded tree shaded walks by the river and is home to the Dartford Harriers running track and pavilion.

Central Park hosts numerous events, particularly in summer, including the popular Dartford Festival in July.

There are public conveniences* and a small car park near the Cranford Road entrance at the southern end of the park (next to Fairfield Pool), and conveniences just outside the park in Market Street.

The park has a large children's playground which has a variety of traditional swings and slides as well as a climbing net, aerial runway, climbing wall, graffiti wall, track for bikes, skate boards etc, and a fully enclosed ball games area, all of which is monitored by CCTV.

The very popular Skatepark is located in Central Park.

The new bandstand has been erected very close to the original site of the first bandstand and will form a vibrant centre-piece for a range of concerts. The stone paving; steps and edges are of Ragstone composite to match the traditional materials of the plinth cladding. Protected by CCTV and other security measures, the bandstand has its own power supply, lighting and a music system for effect when not in use.

Central Park,

Dartford,

Kent,

England,

DA1 1EU.