The history of the band is the history of an extended family of musicians, sponsors, patrons, well–wishers, and people working long and hard behind the scenes for the good of the band. To mention one would, by rights, require a mention of them all which is an impossible task.
However three men have had great influence in steering the band to the high standards it seeks to maintain and so Brian Hastings, alas now deceased, Robert (Bob) Howard and Stephen Kenna should be specially mentioned.
Dianne and Brian Hastings moved to Ipswich in 1966. Brian joined the Woodbridge Excelsior Band and became musical director from 1973 until 1982 when he resigned to form the progressive Connells Sounding Brass. Progressive and progress were words which were heard many times in those early years
Originally an ensemble of nine players it was fortunate in gaining sponsorship from Connells Building Supplies Ltd. During 1983 it absorbed into its ranks the last members of the ailing Orwell Band and thus became a full brass band. Later that year it became runners –up in the East Anglian Brass Band Association Suffolk Championship.
To form a brass band, obtain sponsorship and encourage players to join the new band is a considerable achievement.
Any band benefits greatly from expert leadership from its musical director and that can certainly be said as regards Bob Howard.
During the time he was conducting Connells Sounding Brass, Robert was also musical director of Clacton on Sea Co-op Band and enjoying considerable success with them in the Championship section
Nationally the band won promotion from the fourth section in 1984 and, at Corby, in 1988, was awarded first place in the Third Section playing Folk Song Heritage by Michael Kenyon. As a result, Bob lead the band to the National finals that year and again in 1990.
Bob always encouraged the highest standards in every aspect of the bands performance and it was he who provided a solid platform for the further advancement of the band. A number of good musicians, some living fairly locally, some from the former Ipswich Town Band, and some from further afield, joined .The Band has always been fortunate in being able to attract good players and that also extends to its conductors
Life as a musical director can be very busy and when Robert felt that he would not be able to continue , this was quite understood. However a supporter might have wondered whether the band might falter.
It was only a short while until Brian was introducing Mr Stephen Kenna saying to the band “please give him your best attention as this is quite a “coup” for the band to have secured his services”. Thus began an association lasting from 1990 to 2004.
An indication of the success and steady advance to the Championship section, under Stephen, is given below.
Robin Norman now conducts the band and his full biography is available from the Band Members section of the website.
The band was grateful, in the early years, for the sponsorship of Connells Building Supplies. However, there came a time when, although the actual sponsorship had ceased, the band still continued to be known as “Connells” for some time .When the way opened for the band to be sponsored by the Ipswich Co-op this was marvellous news to secure the future of the band .At the same time, because the actual link with Connells Building Supplies had been broken earlier, there was no problem changing the name of the band to the Ipswich Co-op Band.
Brian Hastings brought Mr Frank Talbot (Co-op President, at the time) to a rehearsal and the prospect of the sponsorship was put to the band.On a sunny evening in July 1992 the band formed up in front of the Christchurch Mansion Ipswich for its first photo, as the new band, and has been honoured to carry the Co-op name ever since.
The main meeting of brass bands, in the form of a competition to decide the best bands in each area, takes place in March annually. It is arguable that any band worth its salt would be keen to take part in the area contest and be hoping to win a place in the national finals the following autumn.
If we look at the area contest programme for 1979 ,as an indication of the relative weakness of “banding” in East Anglia ,a few years before Connells was formed, we see Cambridge winning the Championship with Clacton Co-op under Robert Howard competing in that section. A little lower down were Colchester Silver (conductor S Kenna) and then you would have to go to Norfolk, to Loddon and Reepham in the 4th section. It could be said that, with notable exceptions, the state of the brass band movement in East Anglia was not strong.
The following is a brief indication of the progress of the band and does not include the numerous more formal concerts (and more informal “beer nights”) which have been given over the years
1982
The band was formed and secured sponsorship from Connells Building Supplies.
1984
Promoted from the 4th section
1988
Won the Area 3rd Section on Folk Song Heritage- Michael Kenyon, and competed in the 3rd Section National Finals the same year.
1989
Competing in the 2nd section, on Orion by Granville Bantock, the band miss out on a top three place by two points.
The early 1990’s
Stephen Kenna takes the baton .Tim Mutum, involved as Concert manager, secures the first Lottery Grant for a new set of instruments and in 1992 the band is honoured to be sponsored by the Ipswich Co-op.
1993
The Co-op 125 years Gala Concert in the Ipswich Corn Exchange
1994
Now competing in 1st section the band is given 2nd prize at the Milton Keynes contest in February and 2nd prize at Watford on Maoriana by Arthur Butterworth .With this result ,the band competed in the National finals, at Wembly, the same year on Essence of Time by Peter Graham.
1995
1st prize at Folkestone contest.
1996
The band competed in the Championship Section for the first time on Sounds by John Golland .Because of the stiff competition the band was “relegated” back to the 1st section.
1997
The band obtained 2nd prize in the 1st section on ballet for Band by Horovitz and competed in the 1st section National Finals at Symphony Hall Birmingham the same year
September 1997 band tour to Luxembourg promoting British manufacturers and playing before the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and Prince Henry of Luxembourg
1998
The band is given a permanent “home” or bandroom in Ipswich by the Co-op.1999 concert in London at Regents Park
2002
The band now known as the Ipswich and Norwich Co-op Band
2003
3rd in the First section at Stevenage on Passacaglia on a theme of Brahms by Arthur Butterworth
2004
Once more competing as a Championship section band
When the band was first promoted to Championship status Brian Hastings did not say a great deal but he did mention that this was a great achievement and the result of much hard work by many people.
The band has a tradition of giving entertaining concerts to its audiences and winning friends along the way. This must surely provide a solid platform for future success.
