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.