New players for the Senior Band!!

The Senior Band are pleased to announce the signing of two new players this week.  Kirsten Broadhurst joins on Flugel and Jordan Logan on Euphonium.

Kirsten started her playing at Astley Youth Band when she was 7 years old and continued to grow as a player by joining Bolton Youth Band when she was 9.  She was soon approached to join the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain and around the same time was appointed as principal cornet of the Besses Boys Band.

More recently she has played for Timperly in the North West championship section and for the last 3 years she has played Flugel for the famous Wingates Band in West Houghton.

Jordan's background as a player started in the Salvation Army and at an early age he played for Stowmarkets Corps Young Peoples Band and the Anglia Youth Band.  He has also taken part in the Territorial Youth Band course for the last 5 years were he has really learned his trade on the Euphonium.

More recently and before his move up North he played for Ipswich & Norwich Co-op band and is now studying a BMus in performance at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester. Jordan joins Nick Birch on Euphonium and we are sure they are going to make a great partnership for the future.

We would like to welcome them both to the band and look forward to working together. 

On a sad note the band said Goodbye to Solo Horn, Lynne Campbell at the week end.  Lynne has been a very committed member of the band for the last 2 and a half years and we are sorry to see her leave the band.  We would like to wish her all the best for the future and thank her for all her hard work.

Youth Band Workshop a Success!

Sunday 23^rd September saw the Pemberton Old Wigan DW Band hold its second workshop for members of the Youth Band this year.  Following the success of the April workshop, conductor John Don-Duncan asked for a few volunteers from the Senior Band to support and assist in preparing the youngsters for the upcoming Fleetwood Contest, were the Youth Band will perform Malcolm Arnold’s “Little Suite for Brass” as their own choice test piece.

At 10.30am the players from the Senior Band and the Youth Band arrived at Worsley Mesnes Primary School, where B Band Euphonium star Helen Don-Duncan teaches, and the band began with a ‘run-through’ of the chosen test piece.  Senior Band players sat in and played alongside the youngsters, despite having only finished a concert with Highfield Male Voice Choir at the Brindley Theatre in Runcorn twelve hours earlier.

After a short rehearsal, led by conductor John Don-Duncan, the band broke up into sections and soloists.  John Atkinson, soprano cornet from the senior band, worked with the Youth Band’s soprano cornet player Emma Barkley.  Joanne Johnson, the band’s principal cornet and recent recipient of her Master’s with Distinction degree from Salford University, worked with the band’s front row and their flugel player.  The Youth Band back row was coached by Steve Hyde, the senior band’s assistant principal cornet.  The whole cornet section was put through their paces for an hour of intense coaching from the three senior band experts.

The horns were coached by John Don-Duncan, the second trombone player of the senior band as well as the Youth Band’s inspiring conductor, while the Euphoniums and Baritones were coached by Helen Don-Duncan,Dave Chapman (solo trombone in the senior band)and Ashley Jeffers (Solo Baritone,Senior Band).  That only left one section, and in fact one player.  Andrew Potter is the bands only bass player and was coached by former senior band member and Fodens B-flat Bass player, Dave McGlynn.

After an hour of work with their tutors, the Youth Band were given a small break and returned as a band to put together the work they had done with the senior band players.  The band was much more confident in their performance and a difference was noticeable, even though stamina was taking its toll.  John finished the day with a bit of work on a new piece he has arranged ready for the Christmas period.

Conductor, John Don-Duncan, was pleased with the progress of the band and commented that “the kids really enjoyed themselves and the band sound great.  Fleetwood should be good!”  The tutors were also pleased with the day, John Atkinson commented that “the band have improved so much since April, they’re so keen and a pleasure to work with”.

The organisation would like to take this opportunity to thank John Don-Duncan for his continued hard work as well the parents of the Youth Band for bringing their children to the bandroom weekly for rehearsals and the time they have given over recent weeks to help renovate the exterior of the aged building.

The Senior Band wish the Youth Band and B Band well at the forthcoming Fleetwood contest, Sunday 7^th October, and hope that the workshop has made a difference.

A Farewell to Long Serving Flugel Player

Carina Halliwell joined the Pemberton organisation almost 20 years ago as a youngster hopeful of a chance to play at the band, following in her father's footsteps. After years working up through the organisation, from Youth to B Band and then into the Senior Band, from cornet to flugel, Carina has been a soloist the band has been able to rely on for a number of years.

Carina's commitment to the band has been exemplary, including a spell as band secretary. Her contributions on both the concert and contests stage have been infallible and will leave a gap which will be difficult to fill. Due to professional and personal reasons, Carina thinks it is the right time for a break. We are sad to see her leave, but are eternally grateful to her for the service she has provided to the band in her two decades with the organisation.

From all in the Pemberton Old Wigan organisation, we wish you well and look forward to seeing you in the future.

Pemberton Principal gains Masters with Distinction

Pemberton DW Brass Band are very proud and pleased to announce that Principal Cornet Joanne Johnson as gained her Masters with distinction in Performance at Salford University.

 

Joanne has played Principal Cornet with the band for the last 16 years, joining them in the 3^rd section in 1996 at the age of sixteen. She qualified as an Optician in 2001 but later in life had regrets that she didn’t go to Music College so enquired about doing the Masters last July.

Joanne says “I have absolutely loved the last twelve months at Salford; from having lessons with Cornet Legend Brian Taylor to making friends for life. I can’t thank the band and Mark Bentham enough for the time and effort they put into helping me prepare and accompany me for my final recital.

The band has a very busy concert period to look forward to now with only a couple of free weekends to the end of the year and are looking forward to their annual trip up North to Perth to take part in the Scottish Open Championships.

An Autumn Concert with Highfield MVC

The Senior band are in action again this weekend on "An Autumn Concert" with Highfiled Male Voice Choir.

Based in Runcorn, ‘The Highfield’ has a long and rich history, celebrating its centenary in 2011. The choir performs concerts throughout the region and regularly performs joint concerts with other male voice choirs and musical organisations such as ourselves.

The concert is Saturday 22nd September and is at "The Brindley Theatre", Runcorn and starts at 7.30pm.  To book tickets contact the box office on 0151 907 8360. Tickets will also be available on the door (poster and full details below).

You can also book online by pressing here.

Farewell to Jolly Simon.....

The band said farewell to 2nd horn player Simon Jolly aka "Chorley" at the weekend as he played his last concert for the senior band in his home town.

All from Pemberton would like to wish him the best of luck and we hope the Scottish Guards know what they are letting themselves in for.

All the best Simon you will be missed!!

Masters Recital

Featuring Joanne Johnson

Trinity Methodist Church

Pemberton

Wednesday 22nd August 2012

Principal cornet of Pemberton Old Wigan (DW) Band, Joanne Johnson, gave a recital to mark the end of her Masters of Performance degree with Salford University.  The "final recital" brings together all the hard work and dedication of any music degree to feature the performer at the height of their career to date and what a future this sparkling talent has ahead of her!

Johnson began the Masters Degree in the summer of 2011 with a fairly simple and innocent goal, claiming that she "just wanted to be a better player."  Gaining invaluable advice from cornet virtuoso, Brian Taylor through-out her studies, she has clearly excelled.

After a pleasantly presented short history of the Pemberton Band, Johnson kicked things off with the popular Jubilance by William Himes.  Vibrant and snappy, this piece introduced the player's unquestionable technique and artistic flair.  A modern classic which went down a treat!

Next up was a piece that was specially written for Johnson and the band back in 2000.  One Starlit Night by Frank Hughes, who made a special appearance amongst the sizeable audience, settled the heart rates with lyrical lines and beautiful harmonies.  The quality sound of the cornet brought light to the church like an astronomical firework display.

The soloist's playing career to date has naturally been influenced by the Pemberton Band and she thoughtfully paid respect to this with an old favourite from one of the band's previous Musical Directors, William Rimmer.  His Hailstorm is a technical feast for any cornet player, requiring not only superb control but great endurance.  Johnson paid joyous homage to Rimmer here with class and precision.

She extended the tribute by showcasing another of the band's associates.  A charming arrangement of Fields of Gold by Pemberton's current conductor, Mark Bentham exposed the warmth in the performer's natural sound.  Johnson undoubtedly had the 'Midas Touch' in this tender interpretation of the popular Sting ballad.

Charivari by John Iveson brought this recital to a close with some Spanish passion and style.  At the end of this exciting and rewarding performance, Bentham congratulated the soloist for her "brilliantly played, well varied programme."

Review by Rebekah Caldwell

Youth Cash Boost!!

Pemberton Old Wigan DW Band received a great boost to their successful Youth System this week. A grant from the Coalfield Regeneration scheme will provide a further 19 instruments in order to extend provision across a wider community.

The Senior Band was established in 1889 and is ranked 34th in the "all time best bands" by the British Bandsman and is presently 26th in the World Rankings – Pemberton are back at the top........and Youth has been the key.

The Youth band was formed way back in 1996. It currently has 29 members and 8 in the training band. A further 14 players have progressed through the Youth system into the 2^nd Section B Band and 6 into the Championship Section A band. Several have been members of the National Youth and Children’s bands.  It is no surprise that other Championship Section bands have now decided to follow Pemberton and form their own Youth band.

John Don-Duncan, the Youth band conductor, recruits new players from local Primary schools and hopes to take advantage of the Governments “Wider Opportunities Scheme” which provides children with a ‘one year taster.’ They are given free lessons and an instrument for one year. Children wishing to continue beyond this year will now be given the chance by the Pemberton Band.

“At Pemberton we teach children from the beginning but do welcome anyone who is interested and can already play The Youth band rehearses each Saturday morning (10.30-12.30) and learner groups meet Mondays & Fridays (4pm-5pm). We provide tuition and workshops supported by senior members of the A and B bands, some of whom are students at the RNCM and Salford University.”

English Nationals 2012

On Saturday 23rd June the Senior Band competed in the English Nationals Contest at the Guild Hall, Preston.  Each of the 8 Bands performed a set test piece “Masquerade” by Philip Wilby in the morning followed by an 'Own Choice' test piece in the Afternoon.

Having been at the bottom of the pile at this contest in the last couple of years and being the only Grand Shield band in the contest we knew it was going to be hard to turn over any of the British Open standard bands that were competing but nevertheless we put down 2 great performances. 

Our rendition of Masquerade in the morning was the best we had played the piece in the week leading up to the contest and after the final three notes, the listening public including composer Philip Wilby certainly gave us a good cheer for our efforts on such a difficult test piece.
 
The good form continued in the afternoon with our own choice selection “Harmony Music” by Philip Sparke.  Again it was a top draw performance that peaked on the stage and after we had played we received some great feedback from the band press and listeners alike.   Well done to soloist’s Nick Birch, Lynne Campbell and Joanne Johnson who did the band proud on both test pieces and thanks to Mark for all his hard working preparation.


Come results time we came 8^th on the set test and 6^th with Harmony Music in the own choice section.  Year on year we are getting closer to the rest of the pack at the contest and it was only because the set work takes precedence in the event of a tie that we ended up 8th overall on 14 points joint with Virtuosi G.U.S and Reg Vardy.

On a happy note the band would like to welcome Andrew Goodier to the organisation.  Andy joins on Bb bass from Marsden Band and enjoyed playing his first contest with band at the English Nationals.



Well done to Black Dyke and Leyland who will now represent England at the European Brass Band Championships in 2013.

Result = Set work / Own Choice
Set Work result takes precedence in event of tie

1. Black Dyke, (Draw:7/3) 1/1= 2
Dr Nicholas Childs
Own Choice Selection: Revelation (Philip Wilby)

2. Leyland (5/8) 3/2= 5
Michael Bach
Own Choice Selection: Audivi Media Nocte (Oliver Waespi)

3. Foden's, (4/1) 2/5= 7
Allan Withington
Own Choice Selection: Rococo Variations (Edward Gregson)

4. Fairey, (2/2) 4/3= 7
Ian Porthouse
Own Choice Selection: Audivi Media Nocte (Oliver Waespi)

5. Hepworth, (1/6) 5/4= 9
Russell Gray
Own Choice Selection: On the Shoulders of Giants (Peter Graham)

6. Reg Vardy, (6/4) 6/8= 14
Ray Farr
Own Choice Selection: Rococo Variations (Edward Gregson)

7. Virtuosi GUS (3/5) 7/7= 14
John Berryman
Own Choice Selection: Extreme Makeover (Johan de Meij)

8. Pemberton Old Wigan DW (8/7) 8/6= 14
Mark Bentham
Own Choice Selection: Harmony Music (Philip Sparke)

Whit Friday Update...

Since we posted the last blog on Tuesday, it has come to our attention that we won a little more than we first thought.  Our last contest of the evening, at Lydgate saw us take a few individual prizes:

Best Cornet: Black Dyke and Pemberton Old Wigan (Tie)
Best Soprano: Black Dyke
Best Euphonium: Pemberton Old Wigan
Best Trombone: Black Dyke
Best Basses: Pemberton Old Wigan

A big well done to the individual winners, Joanne Johnson (cornet), Nick Birch (euphonium) and the Bass Team (Steve Parfitt, Ian Bateson, Keiran Higham and Andrew Myers [guest for the night]).

Its a shame that even with all of these prizes we still only came 8th overall at Lydgate, I'm sure that there is some logic to that, but we can't work it out....

May we also take this opportunity to thank our two guests on Friday, Andrew Myers who was a last minute call on B-flat Bass after our dep fell ill and did a superb job on this foreign instrument away from his regular E-flat (he obviously did well!).  It was nice to welcome him back to the band, even if it is a one night only appearance.  Also, many thanks to Michael Jackson (not that one) for stepping in on Second Baritone for the evening.  We hope you enjoyed it guys!

Whit Friday 2012

Friday 1st June saw the Senior Band compete at the annual Whit Friday contests, this time over the Tameside district (the first time since 2009).  This year we played Honest Toil by William Rimmer at 11 contests in Tameside (which is the most you can do) and one performance at Lydgate in Saddleworth on the way to Scouthead where we have finished for the last two years.

The band were on good form, playing to a consistently high standard throughout the evening.  This consistency was recognised in the results.  We have been placed 5th overall in the district, with 3 x 4ths, 2 x 5ths and 6th the best 6 of our results (by which our placing is judged).  Apart from a poor result at Heyrod, where we started and played under par, and Stalybridge Celtic, which is a mystery, we did consistently well throughout the evening in terms of results.

In the end, the more demanding marches of "The Wizard" and "The President" were place overall higher than us with ten time winners in the last 11 years Fodens, Faireys and Leyland taking the top three and Northop, from Wales, coming 4th.  The band had a fun evening, jumping straight off the coach and onto the stage at each venue, only waiting briefly at Broadoak.

We have a busy month ahead with a concert in Longton this Friday (8th June), a joint concert with Yorkshire Imps next Saturday (16th) at Morley Town Hall and preparation and competing at the English Nationals in Preston on the 23rd, for which we have to prepare the set work Masquerade by Philip Wilby and an Own Choice, which we have chosen, but are sworn to secrecy...

We look forward to seeing you soon!

2nd Section beckons for "B" Band!!

Following promotion to the Second Section, and with recent players changes, Pemberton Old Wigan DW "B" Band are seeking CORNET and HORN players to complete our team (positions negotiable, including the possibility of principal seats for the correct candidate).

The band are the middle tier of the organisation, with a strong sense of family and teamwork across all three bands.  This is a fantastic, unique opportunity for players with the commitment, passion and drive to move forward with this progressive band.

Any interested players should contact:

Peter Ashley (B Band Conductor) on 07921 551159 Mob 01942 716676 Home

Kathleen Marsh (B Band Secretary) on 07511 634159

Email: pembertonoldwiganband@hotmail.co.uk

Our Youth Band are always open to new players, rehearsing on a Saturday Morning.  Please contact conductor John Don-Duncan (07746 443724) or Youth Band Secretary Kathleen Marsh (07511 634159).

Grand Shield 2012 & Farewell

On Saturday the Senior Band took part in the Grand Shield contest at the Winter Gardens at Blackpool.  After just missing out on a British Open place the last 2 years we were hoping this would be our year to finish in the top 2 qualification places and finally realise our dream of playing at the top contest in the banding calendar.


The Band played really well off a number 2 draw, but despite our best efforts finished 11th out of  20 in a strong field of "Open" hopefuls.  We will be back again next year for another try and will be in action soon at Whit Friday and the English Nationals in June.

On a sad note we were sorry to say goodbye to Dave McGlynn who played his last notes with Pemberton Band at the weekend. Dave has been more than just a valued member of the Bass section in his seven year tenure, he has been a committee member, van driver, Youth Band tutor and more recently Senior Band secretary.  His passion and enthusiasm for the band and organisation will be missed and we wish him well on his move to Fodens Band.

The youth scene in Pemberton is alive and kicking!!

The Pemberton brass and percussion workshop on Sunday 22nd April was a huge success with 21 young players turning up to take part.

The workshop started at 10.30am and the morning consisted of one on one brass lessons for some of the further advanced players lead by Joanne Johnson, John Atkinson, Becky Caldwell, Lynne Campbell, Nick Birch and Ian Bateson.  There was a group percussion session lead by David Chapman and Helen Don-Duncan and band training for the beginners was headed up by John Don-Duncan.

After lunch the youngsters that had the individual lessons came together to do some sectional work and then at 2pm all 21 players joined as a band to practice a few items for a short concert for all the parents. 

As the pictures below suggest we had a great day and both the children and the Pemberton Band players got a great deal from the experience.

Massive thanks go to all our players who gave up there time to make the day a success, John Don-Duncan, John Atkinson, Becky Caldwell, Lynne Campbell, Nick Birch, Ian Bateson, David Chapman and Richard Johnson.  Thanks to Helen Don-Duncan for tutoring the kids and providing us the Worsley Mesnes school for the day.  Also, thanks to Angela and Julian Barkley for their continued support and as usual Derek Green was on hand to over see the operation.

Finally the day would not have been possible without Joanne Johnson who planned and arranged the whole day.  Joanne staged the event as part of her community project for her MA, but was more interested in the big picture, which was recruiting new local talent for our Youth Band.

Please enjoy snaps below and feel free to make a comment at the bottom.

 

Calling all young brass and percussion players!!!!

On the 22^nd April 2012 the Pemberton Old Wigan DW Band are hosting a Brass and Percussion Workshop  for young children.

It is to be held at Worsley Mesnes School on Clifton Street, Wigan from 10.30 till 3.00pm. The children are guaranteed to have a great day with the guidance and tuition from players that have studied at both the Royal Northern College of Music and Salford University.

The day will consist of sectional work and also full band training with a short concert held at 2.30pm, which parents are more than welcome to attend.

Children from our Junior Band have been invited along with 9 schools around the local area currently taking part in the Wider Opportunities scheme run by Dave Little and his team at Wigan Music Services. Click Here to view letter of endorsement.

Please confirm your attendance by email j.johnson5@edu.salford.ac.uk  or MOB 07817 945477

You will need to complete a medical consent form on arrival at the event, or Click Here to complete prior to the day.  (Link opens as PDF in new window and will allow you to print). 

Please note that children will need to bring a packed lunch.

Thank you and look forward to seeing you soon!!

Joanne Johnson

Pemberton DW Band

North West Area 2012

On Sunday 26th February both the Senior and B band took part in the North West Area contest at the Winter Gardens, Blackpool.  Both bands went to the contest very confident in the knowledge that we had prepared performances that could persuade the adjudicators to award us qualification to the national finals in the championship section and the 3^rd section respectively.

The senior band were only playing later in the day so by the time we got to Blackpool the B band had already played and MD Peter Ashley was very pleased with the bands performance of their test piece ‘Olympus’ and was still hoping that it would be good enough to take them to the finals.  It was a similar story also with the senior band, because after we had left the stage it was hand shakes and hugs all round after a very clean and solid performance of ‘Devil and the Deep Blue Sea’ from the band and soloists alike.

Come results time it was not to be our year for qualifying for the finals.  The B Band came a very creditable 8^th out of an 18 band line up and the senior band were 5^th out of 12 against the North West’s finest.


Full results courtesy of 4BR below.

Test piece:

The Devil and The Deep Blue Sea, Derek Bourgeois

1 Leyland Michael Bach 10 -

2 Fairey Ian Porthouse 5 -

3 Foden’s Allan Withington 4 -

4 Co-op Milnrow Marieka Gray 11 -

5 Pemberton Old Wigan DW Mark Bentham 8 -

6 Blackburn & Darwen Nick Sheppard 7 -

7 Co-operative Funeralcare NW Jef Sparkes 2 -

8 Wingates Andrew Berryman 1 -

9 Bollington Brass Peter Christian 6 -

10 VBS Poynton Colin Short 3 -

11 Ashton-Under-Lyne Simon Stonehouse 9 -

w Longridge Mark Peacock - -

Test piece:

Olympus, Philip Harper

1 Besses Boys James Holt 17 -

2 Whitworth Vale & Healey John Binns 7 -

3 Trinity Girls Stuart Barton 9 -

4 Hazel Grove Nigel Beasley 18 -

5 Farnworth & Walkden Peter Ashley 6 -

6 Cheshire Constabulary David Woollam 14 -

7 Rivington & Adlington Brian Harper 15 -

8 Pemberton Old Wigan DW 'B' Peter Ashley 10 -

9 Lostock Hall Memorial Graham Martin 4 -

10 Blackpool Brass Tariq Ahmed 8 -

11 Eccles Borough Marieka Gray 11 -

12 Boarshurst Silver David Ashworth 5 -

13 Skelmersdale Prize David Chapman 2 -

14 Nelson Brass Roy Waite 1 -

15 Stalybridge Old G. Smith 16 -

16 Old Hall Brass John North 3 -

17 Eagley Neil Parkinson 13 -

18 Formby Anthony Higham 12 -

Great start to the year

If you have not been following the bands on twitter then you will be pleased to know it has been a great start to the year since our last update.

First of all the B Band went to Butlins late January and put up a sterling defence of their title.  MD Peter Ashley drew out a performance full of character, helped by positive contributions from all his main soloists and gained 3rd place out of 15 strong line up.

The band left Skegness with £700 for their efforts which has got the organisation off to a great start this year.

Full results from Butlins at the bottom of this page.

Now to the Senior Band, who took part in the Brass at the Guild contest in Preston on 5th February.

“There is nothing like starting the new contest season with a win, it sets the scene for the whole year”. (MB) 

And that is exactly what we did!!

We were already the bookies favourites to win this contest, but that did not stop MD Mark Bentham from working the band hard in preparing Hermann Paullhuber’s very challenging work Titans Progress.

Over the last decade the band has had some fantastic results at this contest and even when we were the underdogs from the 1st section we were beating established Championship section bands to 1st place (full breakdown below). This time however, Mark wanted us to put a real stamp of authority on this contest and be clear winners, and as the results show we did just that winning the contest with a 2 point margin from Yorkshire rivals Hammonds Salataire.

We also added a further £1000 to the prize fund which should keep our bands treasurer Aunty Anne happy............for a couple of weeks.

Pemberton Bands decade at Brass at the Guild.

Both bands are fighting fit ready for the North West Area and are already working hard to qualify for the finals in the 3rd section and Championship in 3 weeks time.

Full results for Butlins and Preston below.

Adjudicator(s): Kevin Holdgate and Graham O'Connor Test piece: Three Miniature, Philip Sparke

<><><><><><><><> Pos Band Conductor Dr 1 Boarshurst Silver David Ashworth 5 2 Stamford Brass Robert Prew 1 3 Pemberton Old JJB (B) Peter Ashley 4 4 Whitworth Vale & Healey John Binns 8 5 Emley Brass Garry Hallas 3 6 Dronfield CMW John Davis 6 7 Hucknall & Linby Brass Paul Whyley 7 8 Hemel Hempstead David Klein 2 9 Rolls-Royce (Derby) Graham Cardwell 13 10 Eccles Borough Marieka Gray 12 11 Dinnington Colliery Jonathon Beatty 11 12 Backworth Colliery Callum Harrison 9 13 Ibstock Brick Brass Huw Thomas 10 14 Hitchin Craig Patterson 15 15 Croft Silver Ian Needham 14

Championship Section:
Adjudicator: Paul Andrews

Test Piece: Own choice

1. Pemberton Old Wigan DW (Mark Bentham) – 191
2. Hammonds Saltaire (Morgan Griffiths) – 189
3. Felling (Steve Malcolm) – 187
4. Longridge (Mark Peacock) - 186
5. Harrogate (Craig Ratcliffe)- 184
6. Oldham (Lees) (John Collins)- 183
7. Newstead Welfare (Duncan Beckley) - 181
8. Poulton Le Flyde (John Wood) - 178
9. Hade Edge (Simon Wood) - 177