Sunday 27th February saw the senior band and the B band compete at the annual Regional Championships in Blackpool. This contest is a qualifying contest for the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain. The Championship section finals are held at the Royal Albert Hall, London, and the remaining sections will be held at Cheltenham racecourse this year.
For the Pemberton Organisation, the day began when the coach left the bandroom at 7.30am to take the B band to their rehearsal in Blackpool. The band had a comfortable rehearsal whilst waiting for the draw, which turned out to be in their favour - 12 of 13. Later draws always help bands relax and are more likely to give the adjudicator something to think about come the results.
The band waited... the Senior band arrived in Blackpool for their rehearsal... the B band waited... and then it was their turn. The band delivered an impressive account of the set test piece "A Little Light Music" by Philip Wilby, which demonstrated good band sound, confident, stylish soloists and good musicianship led by MD Peter Ashley. It was not long then to wait for the results. Adjudicator Steve Pritchard-Jones awarded the band a credible, but disappointing 5th prize. The remarks, although complimentary of the band, suggested that the band were overblowing. However, all at the organisation know that the B band is just a band with a big sound, and this must have been a mis-judgment compared to the sounds of other bands in the section!
Whilst this was going on the senior band were rehearsing at Wesleyan Methodist Church where they always rehearse on Raikes Parade, just around the corner from the Winter Gardens, the venue of the contest. This church has two rehearsal spaces, and the one we used for rehearsal this year we last used for the area two years ago, when we qualified for London last time! Members of the band felt this was a bit of an omen, and perhaps, this year would again be our year.
During our rehearsal we learned of the B band's result, and then of our draw. We had drawn 7th out of 11 bands. We thought of this as a good draw, especially when we learned that our main rivals, Leyland, had drawn number 2, not a good draw! We were to follow Wingates onto the stage, but that wasn't a worry!
After much waiting, the band took to the stage relaxed, confident, happy and excited about playing the set test piece "Paganini Variations" by Philip Wilby. At almost 4.45pm, the adjudicator gave the signal that he was ready for us to begin. From the first notes, the band were on good form and we knew this was going to be a performance to be proud of. As the performance unfolded, the band demonstrated strong soloists, full, rich sound and exceptional technical prowess. One or two clipped notes from soloists, nothing that detracted from the music, were the only blemishes in a musical account of the test piece.
More waiting for the band as four more bands had to lay down their rendition of the test piece. In this time, various members of the band were talking to members of other bands present at the contest who were giving us mixed opinions of the performance, some saying it was great, others saying it was fragile. So by the time results were on just before 7pm, we were uncertain of which way the adjudicator would go. Carina Halliwell appeared in the bar, where most of the band were, on the phone announcing that we were again going to London!
John Berryman placed the band 3rd, behind pre-qualifiers Faireys and winners Fodens. For the second time in three years (and only the second time since 1907!) the band had beaten off some tough competition to book their ticket to the best contest hall of them all - the Royal Albert Hall. The band left Blackpool elated and overjoyed at the result (which can be viewed in full on 4barsrest).
Out of two contests the senior band has entered this year, the band has had the result it wanted from both! A 100% podium record for the senior band so far, which we hope to maintain at the next contests - the Grand Shield (where we hope to qualify for the British Open) and the Masters in May; Whit Friday and the English Nationals in June.
Monday 28 February 2011
Saturday 12 February 2011
2011 Pemberton's Year?
On 22nd January the B Band were crowned Third Section champions of the Butlins Mineworkers Championships, held in Skegness. Peter Ashley's lively and exciting, story-telling rendition of the set test piece "Hungerford Town" by Darrol Barry played off a number two draw saw the band hold off any of the remaining competition, beating some of the band's biggest North West rivals. 4barsrest.com reviewed the contest and gave a favourable account of the band.
So, two weeks later and it was the Senior band's turn to begin their 2011 contest assault, this time closer to home, at the Brass at the Guild Championship in Preston. The band has had a good record at this contest, winning 5 out of the 10 contests, and rarely being out of the top 3. Two years ago, the band won the contest and soprano cornet player John Atkinson won best soloist. Last year the band came second. It was time for a return to winning form!
As an own choice contest, Mark Bentham chose a piece the band played as the set test at the Grand Shield last year, where the band narrowly missed out on a place at the British Open. Edward Gregson's "Rococo Variations" has since been a favourite of the bands. The choice of a return to a previously used piece was a decision made with the looming Area Championships which are to be held at the end of February (earlier than previous years!).
The band were drawn 9 of 12 and had a leisurely afternoon following an 11 0'clock rehearsal (which finished around 12pm) before taking to the stage at around 4pm. This meant the band were relaxed and looking forward to playing on stage. The opening theme began confidently and in a relaxed manner before a rhythmically complex Toccata was well handled by the band, with confident playing across the stands.
The delicate, lyrical Siciliana was very well played, with some excellent solo work from all corner chairs. The Waltz followed showing the band's outstanding virtuosic capabilities, as did the Moto Perpetuo that followed. The potentially fragile Lament was also played well, again displaying some fantastic solo work from all corners of the band. Following the Lament was the technically demanding last movement, which passes a virtuosic melody across the band. The Fugal Scherzo was also well-handle with technical security and control before the big finish where all the themes collide and the work finishes with the band displaying their enormous sound and rich tone.
After a lengthy wait for results (partly due to rivals Hammonds' soprano player collapsing on stage), the band were once again crowned Champions of Brass at the Guild. The band's soprano cornet player John Atkinson was also awarded the prize for best soloist once again. The full results of the Championship section can be viewed here.
Obviously, the band and the organisation are thrilled with the results of the start of 2011, and are eagerly awaiting the Area Champions, where the two bands are hoping to qualify for their respective National Championship Finals.
Along with the great results, the senior band has also welcomed a new set of players into the Pemberton fold. Nick Birch joined the band just before Christmas on Solo Euphonium, and Adam Keech also joined before Christmas on back row cornet. After the withdrawal from contesting of Wire Brass, we have quickly snapped three of their players to fill our own vacancies. Lynne Rigby has joined our front row, Tony Daniels has filled the Second Baritone vacancy and John Breeze has joined the back row. This has already proven to be a winning combination!
So, two weeks later and it was the Senior band's turn to begin their 2011 contest assault, this time closer to home, at the Brass at the Guild Championship in Preston. The band has had a good record at this contest, winning 5 out of the 10 contests, and rarely being out of the top 3. Two years ago, the band won the contest and soprano cornet player John Atkinson won best soloist. Last year the band came second. It was time for a return to winning form!
As an own choice contest, Mark Bentham chose a piece the band played as the set test at the Grand Shield last year, where the band narrowly missed out on a place at the British Open. Edward Gregson's "Rococo Variations" has since been a favourite of the bands. The choice of a return to a previously used piece was a decision made with the looming Area Championships which are to be held at the end of February (earlier than previous years!).
The band were drawn 9 of 12 and had a leisurely afternoon following an 11 0'clock rehearsal (which finished around 12pm) before taking to the stage at around 4pm. This meant the band were relaxed and looking forward to playing on stage. The opening theme began confidently and in a relaxed manner before a rhythmically complex Toccata was well handled by the band, with confident playing across the stands.
The delicate, lyrical Siciliana was very well played, with some excellent solo work from all corner chairs. The Waltz followed showing the band's outstanding virtuosic capabilities, as did the Moto Perpetuo that followed. The potentially fragile Lament was also played well, again displaying some fantastic solo work from all corners of the band. Following the Lament was the technically demanding last movement, which passes a virtuosic melody across the band. The Fugal Scherzo was also well-handle with technical security and control before the big finish where all the themes collide and the work finishes with the band displaying their enormous sound and rich tone.
After a lengthy wait for results (partly due to rivals Hammonds' soprano player collapsing on stage), the band were once again crowned Champions of Brass at the Guild. The band's soprano cornet player John Atkinson was also awarded the prize for best soloist once again. The full results of the Championship section can be viewed here.
Obviously, the band and the organisation are thrilled with the results of the start of 2011, and are eagerly awaiting the Area Champions, where the two bands are hoping to qualify for their respective National Championship Finals.
Along with the great results, the senior band has also welcomed a new set of players into the Pemberton fold. Nick Birch joined the band just before Christmas on Solo Euphonium, and Adam Keech also joined before Christmas on back row cornet. After the withdrawal from contesting of Wire Brass, we have quickly snapped three of their players to fill our own vacancies. Lynne Rigby has joined our front row, Tony Daniels has filled the Second Baritone vacancy and John Breeze has joined the back row. This has already proven to be a winning combination!
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