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.
