Sunday 22nd March
Yesterday Matthew Darlington and I competed in the Duet Section at the Newcastle-under-Lyme Festival with the aim of retaining the trophy we won last year. I am pleased to say that this we did, whilst gaining the top mark of 90, earning us an Honours Certificate classifying "An exceptional performance, both technically and artistically". The full result and adjudicator's remarks are below:
Class 137 Open Instrumental Duet - Any Two Instruments
This was stunningly well co-ordinated - good ensemble and well matched sounds. Good balance and good intonation throughout. You managed the various speed changes with ease and it was a very characterful performance indeed with only minor blemishes.
Luan Shaw, Adjudicator
In addition, the Lions Junior Brass were in action in the 14 & Under and 19 & Under Orchestras/Bands Sections, directed by Sarah Raisbeck. After having some input rehearsing the band in the early stages of its preparation, I was very pleased with the performance, although I believe that the band has some ground to make up on the Macclesfield Junior Band. The Juniors were rewarded with 2nd and 3rd place respectively, full results are as below:
Class 142 Orchestras / Bands - 14 years and under
Class 143 Orchestras / Bands - 19 years and under
Wednesday 4th March 2009
On Sunday I was fortunate to perform for the first time in Championship Section at the North West Regional Championships with the Roberts Bakery Band. I felt that the band gave a decent account of themselves against some of the very best bands in the UK, and we were rewarded for all our hard work with 9th Place. Full results are as below:
Most importantly, the result keeps the band in the top tier of the brass band movement for 2010. However a strong result may be required to secure their place at that level come next March.
9th October 2008
Last Saturday saw me make my 'conducting debut' when I directed the Lions Junior Brass through a short programme in Musical Director Sarah Raisbeck's absense. Since then I have had many positive comments about the band's performance and how I came across when talking to the audience. Conducting the Junior Brass is a new venture for me, and I feel I am now settling into the role nicely after a month of observation. I next conduct the band in concert with the United Co-op Band (Crewe) on October 18th.
Earlier on Saturday I was fortunate enough to hear a range of very fine performances at the Lions Youth Brass Slow Melody Competition (while introducing acts in the main music room). None more so than the Principal Cornet of the Junior Brass, who won the 11 & 12 Years Class.
Sunday 27th July
Last night saw my final performance as Principal Cornet of Lions Youth Brass, following a very successful tour to Spain. I was delighted to be featured as a soloist on the trip, performing the Al Martino hit Spanish Eyes to a high standard throughout the week. Despite the heat (which reached up to 45C), the band played dates in Torrevieja, Mazarron and around Benidorm which were all well received by the Spanish audiences which on occasion numbered into their thousands.
It was a sad moment for me as I have thoroughly enjoyed my 11 year tenure with the organisation. However I will return in September as a Musical Director, helping Sarah Raisbeck with the Junior Band, and have already been invited to play on the Youth Band's new CD later this year and to accompany them on tour in 2009.
May I take the opportunity to thank Nigel Birch for giving me the opportunity to play Principal Cornet and lead the Band through two National Championships and tours to Minehead and Spain. It has been a fantastic experience, and all the hard work over the 2 years has been worth it. I will now continue to play for the Roberts Bakery Band, with the ambition to play Principal Cornet for them in the not too distant future.
Saturday 7th June
I have updated my 'Engagements' page ahead of my guest appearance with Ceramic Brass in Chester tomorrow.
Apologies for the lack of updates on this site as I have been busy with 'Webmastering' for Roberts Bakery Band. Check out their website at www.robertsbakeryband.co.uk for news of the Nationals test piece, two new signings and the return of percussionist Robert Smith.
Monday 14th April
Yesterday I took to the Bruntwood Theatre stage at the Royal Northern College of Music in the Community Section of the National Youth Brass Band Championships. As Principal Solo Cornet of Lions Youth Brass, I was called upon to play many of the solo passages in a 20 minute programme consisting of the test piece Dimensions, a Tenor Horn solo Caprice performed with aplomb by Neil Raisbeck and the band's finale Pirates of the Caribbean.
I felt that the band and indeed myself gave a performance to the best of our ability and having listened back to our performance of Dimensions I felt that we may have had a chance to break into the top three. However it was not to be and we had to settle for a Silver Certificate - a decent reward for months of hard work. The band was made to feel a little better by one of the adjudicators commenting afterward that had there been placings outside of the top three, Lions would have been awarded 6th Place. Full results are listed below:
Mount Charles Youth, Simon Dobson, 8, Gold Certificate
Carnoustie & District Youth, Richard Evans, 12, Gold Certificate
Horbury Victoria Youth, Tom Greatorex, 2, Silver Certificate
Tewit Youth, Craig Ratcliffe, 3, Silver Certificate
Lions Youth, Nigel Birch, 4, Silver Certificate
Poynton Youth, Andy Hirst, 5, Silver Certificate
Elland Silver Youth, Samantha Harrison, 14, Silver Certificate
Dalmellington Junior Band, Ian Taylor, 17, Silver Certificate
Enderby Youth, Trevor Hounsome, 7, Bronze Certificate
Astley Youth, Toby Hobson, 9, Bronze Certificate
Chalford Youth, Steve Tubb, 10, Bronze Certificate
Macclesfield Youth, Louise Renshaw, 13, Bronze Certificate
w, Aberystwyth Youth, Alan Phillips, 1
w, Dobcross Youth, Alan Lamb, 16
Best Instrumentalist:
Yasmin Stevens, Flugel Horn, Mount Charles
The Co-operative Community Award:
Macclesfield Youth
Monday 10th March
As reported on the official website last night, yesterday the Roberts Bakery Band pulled off a huge shock and won the North West Regional Championships 2008! The Band has now qualified for the National Championships to be held in Harrogate in September! Full First Section results are shown below:
I am extremely proud of the result, as is everyone involved with the Band, especially as it means that as of 2009 I will be a Championship Section player. A retrospective of the contest will appear on www.robertsbakeryband.co.uk this week so stay tuned!