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After our initial entry last year
with a pleasing 6th place in the 3rd section we entered with
high hopes this year, especially with a better test piece being
Philip Sparkes' "Music for a Festival". We were a bit
concerned at their being 29 bands entered as a likely lottery
was on the cards and it wasn't much better when there were 25
that actually played. A good rehearsal on the Saturday morning
with a reasonable draw of 9 and we were ready. Unfortunately
the performance didn't feel our best plus percussion problems
for the final movement and we knew it wasn't good. But still
we guessed a 15th-18th place. The adjudicators didn't agree as
they really didn't like the performance from letter B onwards
and we were placed 24th :-( Oh well....next year perhaps! On a personal note it was better for me as I also played for Margate Silver on the day who came 13th - well done to a friendly band making me and the 1st Trombone and 1st Baritone from Rhyl Silver very welcome. Rhyl did very well in their local contest coming in 2nd! Weather was not at all good but the family enjoyed the revamped facilities at Prestatyn. |
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 Early days yet...but....after one of
our Eagle-eyed members spotted in the British Bandsman that Duncan
Beckley (Musical Coordinator) was looking for local bands for
each of the weekly repertory tours of the stage version of the
film "Brassed Off" around the UK...we made enquiries.We weren't rejected "out-of-hand" at this stage by Duncan so raised the possibility at our next rehearsal of which members could/would commit to a week (nominally 24th-29th May 1999) for going for this when it appears at the Grand, Wolverhampton. Most members agreed that they would be free or would book holidays to accommodate a prestigious booking possibility like this....so we confirmed to Duncan our commitment. Well....last week...somehere about 25/26th November....Duncan contacted us to say yes to the first stage! :-)). We were surprised that there were no apparent equal runners for this but really pleased....although the money sounds good, the per performance/time of members doesn't make it a money spinner...but just to be a part and aim for this in our locality is a real spur to the band....thanks, Duncan for showing your commitment to local band support! :-) We now await the next stage where the inevitable contracts and details need to be finalised.....so watch this space and come and hear us!<G>. Also to any bands who may be doing the same.....let us know and we'll try and get support to your performances (in the Midlands<G>). |
 For information and booking for this here is the link for The Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton. Early days yet as Brassed Off isn't listed in the future dates but it will give our band members, friends and relatives a taste of what we hope to be doing in May! |
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After the disaster at Pontin's we
entered the WMBBA contest at Leamington hoping to do much better
playing "Dimensions" in the 3rd Section and to do ourselves
more justice with "Music For a Festival" in the 2nd
Section. Pleased with our performance in 3rd Section but slightly disappointed to be placed 3rd (same as last year) but at least we gained a cup and £50. In the 2nd Section we played much better than at Pontin's although not as good as we would have liked (do you ever?!) and although only being placed 5th out of 8 bands we were pleased to gain a £30 Headline Music Voucher as best placed WMBBA band not in the first 3 places as well as beating local rivals Avonbank (Evesham) and City of Birmingham. Congratulations to Arrow Valley who came 3rd playing "Hollywood" as in recent competitions they seem to have fared badly against us. Also congratulations to Bretforton Silver in the 4th Section who came 3rd which is much better than their usual more lowly placing - Tim Gutteridge from Bretforton played percussion for us in bothe sections so he had a hectic and satisfying day. We were happy to have Marc Robins play percussion for us for the last time in a competition as Marc is joining Carlton Main Frickley band from the start of 1999. Marc also had a hectic weekend playing for Carlton Main Frickley on Saturday night at a concert in Sheffield Cathedral, then playing for us in both sections and then for Newstead in the 1st and Championship sections. Thanks Marc and good luck with the Carlton Main Frickley! |
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| NEW PLAYERS | Several "young" players have joined us over the last few months - not sure if it's the music or the curries and fun we have that's attracted them!<G>. Welcome to Neil Muir (2nd Trombone), Becky Saunders (2nd Horn), Richard Snape (2nd Cornet), Theresa Mohan (3rd Cornet) and John Hunt (Eb Bass)! |
| LEAVERS |
Nigel Stallard on 2nd Cornet decided
he couldn't commit any more to our rigourous music schedule,
contests, curries and socials. Nigel Butler has now gone to Manchester University to study engineering (it says here!<G>). Marc Robins is now at Barnsley studying Band musicianship - bit of a misnomer for a percussionist? ;-) Marc has been playing for Holme Silver and Newstead of late and has now signed for Carlton Main Frickley Colliery Band so good luck Marc and hope to see you help us out at the odd concert! Best of luck to all of you and hope to see you still banding! |
