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!