On Saturday 14th May, the band competed at the Grand Shield in Blackpool, the qualifying contest for the British Open. After last year's third place, one place away from qualification, we entered the contest full of confience. Titan's Progress by Hermann Pallhuber had been a challenge from the start, but a challenge we had relished from the moment we started work on it earlier in the year.
After a performance that we felt was solid, drawn 16th out of 20, we didn't have too long to wait until we found out the results. The adjudicator's David Read and Frank Renton placed us 4th, which left the band slightly deflated, but we all know that we have beaten some close rivals in the rankings and this will have only done us well.
See what 4barsrest had to say here and here.
Chairman Brian Halliwell with Adjudicator David Read
Just a fortnight later, on Sunday 29th May 2011, the band were again on the contest platform, this time further afield, at The Lighthouse Theatre in Kettering for the All England International Masters. This year's set work was a new commission by Darrol Barry, which the band never really felt suited them and so did not commit to it with our usual Pem Spirit. This was reflected in the performance and the results, when we were placed 7th, although we did again beat some ranking rivals.
4barsrest views can be seen here and here.
Pem's B-flat Bass Team giving 'Gemini' some solid foundation
Less than a month later and the band were in contest action again, this time at what has been described as the Greatest Free Show on Earth - Whit Friday. On Friday 17th June, the band played at 9 contest in the Saddleworth Area, north of Manchester. This year wasn't dry, but it certainly wasn't as wet as two years ago. As is typical, the band made the most of the evening and enjoyed the whole evening. We received just two prizes this year as a band, however for the second year in a row, Joanne Johnson won the best Cornet Prize at Diggle contest. We were placed 9th in Saddleworth, and our full results can be viewed here, selecting our band from the drop-down list. If you search "Pemberton Brass Band Whit Friday" on YouTube you will also find some videos of us at some of the contests!
Just to make it a more hectic schedule, the band were in contest action again, just a week later. On Saturday 25th June, the band were competing at the English Nationals held in Preston. This is a prestigious contest for the ten best bands in England, and we were privileged to be invited after a small number of the original line-up had to withdraw. The format for this contest was a new two-test piece day, playing the set work Elgar Variations by Martin Ellerby in the morning and then an own choice piece in the afternoon.
We were drawn 3rd in the morning, and played a reasonable account, although we did keep one eye on the afternoon and this was reflected in the performance and then had a long wait to play band number 8 in the afternoon on the 2010 European Set Test Spiriti by Thomas Doss. Both pieces are of a high standard, Elgar Variations for its musical requirements and Spiriti for its teachnical and rhythmic demands as well as some very difficult solo lines. We were pleased overall, although some fatigue had started to set in.
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Pem in full flight, with a little encouraged from MD Mark Bentham |
At the results we were placed 8th out of 9 in the morning and 9th out of 9 in the afternoon, giving us an overall placing of last. However, as the only non-British Open band at the contest, we were still very pleased with our performances, especially after such a very difficult six weeks or so. 4barsrest were also very complimentary of our efforts, which is nice to finally receive some recognition in the banding media. Their full coverage can be found here, as well as videos here.
Two players who helped us out at this contest also agreed to join the band, strengthening the team to full capacity. Dave Mort has been helping the band since the departure of Neil Hodgson after the Area, due to work commitments, and is now a fully fledged member of the Bass section. Young Joe Barstow joins the band on percussion from Hade Edge and is about to join Chetham's School of Music's Sixth Form, in Manchester and has already shown great ability and promise as a star of the future.
We are due to finish for our Summer break in the next week or so and are looking forward to recharging ahead of another busy contest schedule, including a trip to a hall in London for some National something-or-other! Stay tuned for more updates.
