On the 12th of November the band entertained our local supporters at St Matthews Church round the corner from the band room. As per usual there was an underlying remembrance theme to this concert with some special contributions from the soloists including remembrance items ‘Loss’ By Don Ellis performed by John Atkinson on Soprano Cornet and ‘Nightfall in Camp’, which includes the Last Post performed by Joanne Johnson. There was also a first performance of Eva Cassidy’s arrangement of ‘Somewhere over the Rainbow’ superbly performed by Ashley Jeffers on Baritone. As well as the remembrance items and solos the audience were treated a large variety of music ranging from classical overtures to hymns and film music finished off by a rousing ‘Last Night of the Proms’ finale. The band received very good feedback and will hopefully be performing again for our local supporters next year.
Following this concert the band participated in the Remembrance Sunday parade in Hindley. This is always an important date in the bands calendar and our thanks go to Steve Hyde for performing the Last Post and Reveille. Despite the cold weather, an early start and marching around the streets of Hindley, the band are honoured and privileged to support those who are fighting and those who have fought for our country.
On Wednesday 16th November our Secretary Dave received an unusual phone call from the BBC, saying that they were doing a piece on the newly refurbished Mesnes Park in Wigan. Some money had been left to introduce bands once more to the parks bandstand and they were doing a feature for North West Tonight about the park and could the band send some people to provide music. After some quick organising a mix of the Senior Band and ‘B’ Band, consisting mainly of students and retirees, performed some marches for the camera. There was also some stardom for the bands trombone player and conductor of the Junior Band John Don-Duncan as he was interviewed for the programme. This was great publicity for the band and our thanks go to all those who gave up their time at short notice to either organise or play in the makeshift ensemble.
A week before the Scottish Open the Band played at St Ann’s Church in Rainhill for the 19th year in a row. This is always an enjoyable concert with a large appreciative audience. The band once again entertained with a variety of music including the overture ‘The Force of Destiny’, the relatively unknown Rimmer March ‘Arabian’ and included some of the bands singing skills with an arrangement of Michael Jacksons ‘Beat it’. There were some fine solo contributions from Solo Horn Lynne Campbell performing ‘Rainforest’ from Windows of the World and Ashley Jeffers performing a reprise of ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’. There was also some fine band playing in the popular ‘Sweet Shepherdess’ and some good solo contributions in the testing ‘Fives and Threes’ as is usual in this concert we once again finished with the customary last night of the proms set. This was a very well received concert with a standing ovation from the entire audience ending an enjoyable concert.
The band was now in full swing preparing for the Scottish Open on a very difficult piece ‘Music for Battle Creek’ and with a full week of rehearsals done the band turned up in good spirits at 10am on Friday morning for the 5 hour coach trip to Perth, Scotland. After a happily uneventful journey the band arrived at our hotel in the centre of Perth and went to our rehearsal. After a good workout the band were in confident mood. After half a shandy it was early to bed ready for the contest.
For once the band didn’t have to be up at the crack of dawn for a contest and after a leisurely breakfast we had a warm up rehearsal in the hotel. After double checking a few corners of the piece we had a rousing team talk from Mark we had a short walk over to the Hall.
The Band was pre-drawn 3rd so knew if we wanted to figure in the prizes we needed a very good performance that would stick in the memory of the three judges. The band performed admirably however there were just a few small errors which crept in meaning the band didn’t perform to its full potential. Credit however must go to the bands Principal Cornet (Joanne Johnson) and Euphonium (Nicholas Birch) who both performed exceptionally with their fiendish and lengthy solos. Overall the band thought they had played well, but may have left the door open with regards to the prizes. This was reflected with two of the three judges giving us 5th and 8th however we were shocked to be placed 12th by the 3rd judge. We were disappointed with the results especially as the band has performed so well here over the last few years. However, the band still enjoyed its trip to Scotland and had a great weekend no matter the result.
Next we start our Christmas Concerts with another busy few weeks on the horizon, including the bands annual Christmas Concert with the ‘B’ and Junior Bands at the Rose Club in Hindley (Formally the Monaco Ballroom) on Sunday the 4th of December at 2pm. All welcome to what is always an amazing event! For more details of the Band’s Christmas Concerts (including the ‘B’ and Youth Bands) please visit the band’s website www.pembertonoldwiganband.co.uk
Thanks to David Chapman for writing this Blog update.
Thanks to David Chapman for writing this Blog update.
