The Band failed to achieve its aim of qualification to
the British Open despite putting on a solid show on The
Night to Sing by Bramwell Tovey at the Winter Gardens, Blackpool
on 19 May 2007.
The band was well prepared by guest conductor Garry Cutt
and left the Eden Project on the morning of 18 May to make
the long journey to the North West. After a rehearsal at
Fodens Bandroom on the way up the players enjoyed a night
out at a Chinese Restaurant, arranged by Terry Sleeman although
on arriving some seemed more interested in the other establishment
appropriately named 'Terry's Balti House'!
An early start faced the players on Saturday as we arrived
for rehearsal at 8:30 am but found out we had avoided the
dreaded no 1 draw and were drawn 14 out of 19 bands. This
allowed the band to relax (or in some cases sleep) before
heading over to the Winter Gardens. The performance had
some excellent moments but a couple of moments of unease
gave the adjudicators reason to tick the band of the list
of potential qualifiers. 9th place did seem a bit harsh
but the band lives to fight another day and special mention
must go to Neil Pascoe who performed admirably on the very
difficult euphonium part.
Despite the result, the Band as always enjoyed itself after
a good meal at the local steak house the band members retired
to the hotel for their own version of The Night to Sing
as the likes of Peter Jackson, Martin Sanders, Andrew Jay
and Miles Johns serenaded the band and other hotel guests
with karaoke classics such as Suspicious Minds, Ticket to
Ride, Sweet Caroline and Groovy Kind of Love. Pretty it
wasn't, but we can perhaps be thankful that Shaun Woodland
didn't quite get 'selected' to sing (despite Miles' best
efforts) and come 2am it was time to crash out before the
long journey home on Sunday morning.
Our congratulations go to the 2 qualifiers, PolySteel and
Sellers International and our thanks go to Alex Kerwin and
Mark Bray who helped out on Solo cornet and 2nd euphonium
respectively and to Simon Kerwin for his sterling work in
rehearsing band prior to Garry's arrival.
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