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News Archive
2006
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Mount Charles
Return Home From the Albert Hall With 9th Place 28/10/06
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The Mount Charles Band returned to Cornwall after
earning 9th place in the Championship Section National
Finals, held in the Royal Albert Hall, London. The
band was pleased with its performance and result.
After drawing to play 17th out of 20, the band gave
a good performance of the set test Les Francs
Juges by Hector Berlioz arr. F Wright.
This was the band’s second appearance at
the competition and it was keen to consolidate upon
the great 7th place achieved on debut in 2004.
For
the full report and pictures please see the Articles
Section
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Mount Charles Feature
on Brass Band Aid Cd & Prepare for Nationals!
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Its a busy time for the Mount Charles Band right
now! As well as releasing there latest cd 'Memories'
(More info here) they have
recorded a track for the latest Brass Band Aid Cd
as well as preparing for the upcoming National Finals
at the Royal Albert Hall next Saturday (28th).
Brass Band Aid was founded by Steve and Sophie
Robson and Bob and Briony Thompson of the Stanhope
Silver Band. There aim along with World Vision is
to build a new school for the children of Adet,
Ethiopia. They have already raised £30,000
and are hoping to do even more. The Mount Charles
Bands have added "Fresh" by Torstein Aagaard-Nilsen
to the cd which includes pieces from Black Dyke,
Fairy and The Brazz Brothers as well as many other
top brass bands and groups and a special track from
the Brass Band Aid Celebrity Band. All proceeds
from the recording go to the charity, if you would
like more information visit the Brass Band Aid site
by clicking
here. The cd can also be bought from 4barsrest.com.
Your help is greatly appreciated.
In preparation for the Albert Hall the band will
be holding an open rehearsal to which all are invited
to have a listen. This rehearsal will be taking
place on Thursday 26th of October at 8pm in The
Keay Theatre, St Austell. The band would like to
see as many as possible there and your support is,
as ever, greatly appreciated.
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Youth Band
Declared British Open Youth Champions! 27/09/06
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Mount Charles Youth Band have added yet another
prestigious national award to their long list of
achievements. On Sunday 17 th September 2006 they
won the title of British Open Youth Champions 2006
(Section A) held at Pontin’s, Prestatyn, in
North Wales under the inspired leadership of Richard
Marshall.
Just to add a little icing on the cake they were
also awarded the prizes for best Solo Cornet (Glen
Philp), Best Solo Horn (Gavin Pedlar) & Best
Percussion Section (Rachel Scott, Jenna Preston,
Joanne Westlake, Carl Stevens & Jack Tucker).
The band had put a tremendous amount of effort
into the 25 minute programme which consisted of
“Agincourt Song”, the horn solo “He
Ain’t Heavy He’s My Brother”,
the set test piece “River City Suite”,
the hymn tune arrangement “Crimond”,
the wild circus march “The Waltonian”
and finally the visually spectacular “Kongolela”.
For
full report, pictures, adjudicators comments and
results see Articles
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New Bass Section
Line up Announced 02/08/06
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The band are delighted to announce a new look
bass section. Shaun Woodland and Andy Waugh will
be joining the band on a full time basis with immediate
effect to fill the two vacancies created by Nick
Boy moving back to Shropshire and Andrew Pascoe’s
decision to have a break from banding. Shaun will
sit alongside Ady Davies on Eb bass, and Andy will
be playing Bb bass with Alistair.
Derek Thomas said ‘Both players are experienced
bandsmen, good players and great additions to the
band. Bass players are thin on the ground in this
area, so I am really pleased to have filled the
seats with quality players so promptly.’
Shaun is well known in the banding world, and
has been taking a break from playing full time for
a few years now. Shaun recently played with the
band at Bugle and the English Nationals and has
now decided to return full time.
Andy Waugh plays Tuba and Bass guitar in the Marines
Band based in Plymouth. He recently helped the band
out at the English Nationals and has decided he
would like to commit full time with the band, to
fill the vacant Bb bass chair.
The new look team will start together from 3 rd
August when the band returns from its summer break,
in preparation for the concerts it has in August
and September, before their 2nd appearance at the
Albert Hall in October.
We all welcome them to the band, and look forward
to them both being part of the team.
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Nick Boy Leaves
The Band 02/08/06
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Following the English Nationals in Manchester
on 1st July, the band were sorry to say farewell
to one of its members. Nick Boy who has played with
the band for just over 3 years is leaving Cornwall
in his search for employment after completing his
studies.
Nick successfully gained a 2:1 in Broadcasting
from University College Falmouth in June, and is
now planning to move to London in order to secure
employment in his chosen field.
Joining the band in 2003, Nick moved to Cornwall
to study from Shropshire and has been a dedicated
and committed member of the bass team ever since.
He has been an excellent bandsman, and a great friend
to all of us in the band, and he will definitely
be missed by us all.
He has played a key role in the bass team, and
has gone about his playing in a quietly conscientious
manner. A credit to himself and to the band, Nick
has enjoyed the success of two area wins, performances
at Brass in Concert, the bands debut at the National
finals, an appearance at the inaugural English Nationals
and recently winning Bugle contest, where he was
also part of the ‘Best bass section’.
He does continue his relationship with the band,
and as our Webmaster will still be a important part
of the band’s development.
We wish Nick all the best and we hope that he
will be able to play with the band again in the
future.
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Extra Concert at
Minack Theatre Announced 17/07/06
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We are delighted to announce that the Mount Charles
Senior Band will be putting on an extra 'last night
of the proms' concert this year at the Minack Theatre,
Cornwall at 2.30pm on Sunday 24th September.
This third performance has had to be added due
to incredibly high demand from the audience. The
concerts have been extremely popular in previous
years and this year tickets for the two nights,
which were originally planned, sold out in record
time. With many people dissapointed at not being
able to attend this event, the band and the theatre
decided they coudn't let the public down and have
added the extra concert.
Demand for this extra night is expected to be very
high, so if you don't want to be dissapointed book
soon....
Tickets can ONLY be ordered direct from the Minack
Theatre from Monday 18th July on 01736 810 181.
We look forward to seeing you at the Minack for
what is sure to be another very enjoyable series
of concerts for band and audience alike.
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The Baritone
Section at last years concert
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Another Prize for
Mount Charles Youth Band! 13/07/06
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The Mount Charles Youth Band were delighted to
be awarded with the Highly Commended Award (equivalent
to 2nd place) in the recent Open Section Brass Band
contest at the Music For Youth National Festival
held in the Symphony Hall, Birmingham on Thursday
13th July.
The band were led by the inspirational Philip Harper.
The band now looks forward to a busy summer of concerts
before they return to the contest scene at Pontins
Youth Band Championships over the weekend of the
16th and 17th of September.
More
from Birmingham in the Articles section
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Mount Charles Youth
Prepare for Birmingham 10/07/06
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The young players of the Mount Charles
Youth Band are set to represent their county at the National
Festival of Music for Youth. West of England Youth Brass
champions and National Youth Champions, the Mount Charles
Youth Band have been selected from a regional festival held
earlier this year to take part in the National Festival
of Music for Youth which is to be held at the prestigious
Symphony Hall, Birmingham this week. The National Festival
of Music for Youth is the biggest events of its kind in
the world with up to 10,000 young musicians performing over
800 works before large and appreciative audiences.
Every kind of music played by every kind
of group and ensemble is represented at this celebratory
event and the venue comes alive with the sound of youth
music. Over the past weeks, David Loukes, Musical Director
of the St. Austell band has stepped in at short notice and
directed the MCYB to a winning performance at the recent
Bugle band contest, which has given these ambitious young
musicians another title to add to their achievments.
MCYB will be under the baton of another 'celebrity' conductor
in the form of the flamboyant Philip Harper, Musical Director
of the PolySteel band and are very much enjoying having
the opportunity to work with such a highly regarded professional.
The competition is going to be tough, with 23 top youth
bands from across the country taking part in this festival.
MCYB along with Philip Harpers expertise will be aiming
high to achieve an outstanding award and certainly hope
to impress the panel of adjudicators so much so, that they
could be invited to perform at the Royal Albert Hall London
in November for the third time.
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Check the site at
the end of this week for the Youth Bands Result
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Mount Charles Band
Compete at Inaugural English Nationals 01/07/06
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The Mount Charles Band were delighted
to have been a part of the inaugural English Nationals
contest held at the Lowry Centre in Manchester. Although
the band were slightly dissapointed with there eventual
result of 11th place, they were pleased to have had
the opportunity to once again compete against some
of the very best bands in the world, such as YBS,
Fodens, Brighouse and Fairys.
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The band were led once again by
musical director Nigel Weeks and performed the specially
commissioned work 'Dances and Alleluias' by Philip
Sparke, which proved to be a very popular choice of
test piece with audience and band alike.
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The contest was won by Fodens with Brighouse and Rastrick
in second place and Leyland in third. After another dissapointing
result in the football the band enjoyed a Mexican meal
washed down with a few drinks, before making the long
trip back to Cornwall on Sunday. Thanks to Andy who helped
out on B-Flat Bass.
The band now look forward to a summer of concerts and
carnivals before they return to the contest scene on the
28th October at the Championship Section National Finals
at the Royal Albert Hall.
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Mount Charles 'Little
Stars' Look Forward to Next Year 20/06/06
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The “Little Stars” of
Mount Charles Youth Band are shining brightly under
the baton of Bianca Davies. Bianca started this beginner
brass group and named them after one of their first
real pieces of music called Little Stars. They have
come to the end of this year’s weekly band practices
having been meeting at Roselyon Preparatory School
since October 2005 until June 2006.
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The group includes young people
of all ages and also players already in the Youth
Band who come along every week to help the beginners.
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Bianca has taught and encouraged
the group to play to their best abilities and they
have played at concerts with the Youth Band.Bianca
and the Little Stars have achieved great success with
six of the Little Stars being selected to join the
Youth Band. Already these young players have experienced
the excitement of being part of the Youth Band when
in April they played at the National Youth Championships
in Manchester, which the band won, under the inspired
leadership of Richard Marshall (principal cornet Black
Dyke Mills).
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Thanks to
Robert Hammett for this article
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Mount Charles Senior
and Youth Band Triumph at Bugle 17/06/06
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Both the Mount Charles Band and the Mount
Charles Youth Band returned from the recent West of England
Bandsmans Festival, held in Bugle, Cornwall, triumphant
after winning many of the awards on offer including wins
in both there sections.
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The day started at 10 am with the Senior
band taking part in the traditional march through Bugle
to the contest ground playing 'Imperial Echoes'. The Youth
Band took to the open air contest stage at 12.30pm, having
drawn to play 2nd in the youth section. They performed the
set work 'Kaleidoscope' by Philip Sparke and were conducted
by David Loukes.
Then at around 5.30pm the Senior Band took
to the stage having drawn to play 1st in the Championship
Section. They performed the set hym tune 'Love Divine' arranged
by Philip Wilby, followed by the set test piece 'Year of
the Dragon' by Philip Sparke. They were conducted once again
by there recently appointed musical director Nigel Weeks.
Then came the results ceremony and both
bands were delighted to pick up the following prizes from
adjudicator David Horsfield (Points and full results in
articles section):
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Youth Band
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1st Place, Youth Section.
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Best Musical Director (David Loukes).
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Best Player (Yasmin Stevens - Flugel
Horn).
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Senior Band
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1st Place, Test Piece, Championship Section.
(Including £1000 prize money)
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1st Place, Hym Tune, Championship Section.
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Best Basses in Contest (Alistair Whitehead,
Nick Boy, Shaun Woodland, Laurence Barton)
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Best Player (Chris Thomas)
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Best Solo Horn in Contest (Graham Barker)
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Best Solo Euphonium in Contest (Neil
Pascoe)
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Once the results had been announced it
was time for the march back through Bugle. The Youth Band
led the way carrying all of the days trophies at the front
of the band, and the Senior Band marched behind once again
playing 'Imperial Echoes'. The Senior Band then ended the
days contest by performing 'O.R.B' 'Ave Verum' and 'Seventy
Six Trombones' in the square.
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The Senior Band thanks Chris Thomas of
Cory (Solo Trombone) and Laurence Barton of Glossop Old
(B-Flat Bass) who deputised for the band due to regular
players being unavailable. Thanks also go to Mike Smith
who made the trip back from the Marines in Portsmouth to
play for the band and they congratulate Aldene Button (2nd
Baritone) who made her debut with the band at Bugle.
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The Youth Band thanks David Loukes (St
Austell) who stepped in at very short notice to conduct
the band and put in a lot of hard work in the week before
the contest which clearly payed off.
Both bands now look forward to there next
contest outings. For the Senior Band this will be at the
inaugural English Nationals in the Lowry Centre, Manchester
on 1st July. For the Youth Band this will be when they defend
the title they earnt last year at the Music For Youth National
Festival in Symphony Hall, Birmingham on the 17th July.
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Mount Charles Youth
Band Welcome the Queen to Cornwall 01/06/06
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The Youth Band were delighted to be invited to
perform in front of the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh
on there first visit to Cornwall since the Golden
Jubilee tour in 2002. The band played as the royal
couple arrived at St Austell train station to start
there day long visit to the region. Katie Matthews,
Solo Euphonium with the band, was delighted to be
given the opportunity to present the Queen with
a Mount Charles Band recipe book, and the latest
cd from the youth band - 'Inspirational Showcase'.
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The Queen becomes the second member
of the royal family to own a copy of the cd, after
a copy was presented to Prince Charles when the youth
band performed for him last year.
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The Queen went on to open the new education
centre at the Eden Project in front of 4000 people, later
in the day she visited Mountford House care home in Truro
and the Combined Universities Campus in Penryn where she
was welcomed by 500 people. The band were delighted to have
been involved in this prestigous visit.
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The Band Returns
from Grand Shield with Respectable Result 13/05/06
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The Mount Charles Band finished 7th at the recent Grand
Shield, held at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool. The contest
is often referred to as the hardest to win of any Brass
Band Contest, and the standard was once again very high.
The band were conducted by new musical director Nigel
Weeks, and they came away happy with their performance
of the test piece Whitsun Wakes by Michael Ball. The Adjudicators
praised the performance but this year it just wasn't enough
to secure one of the top two places and therefore qualify
for the British Open.
Despite slight dissapointment at the result everyone
enjoyed the weekend. On the Friday night the band and
supporters enjoyed a Thai meal, organised once again by
solo baritone Terry Sleeman and on the Saturday night
everyone enjoyed a few drinks and some Karaoke! The band
arrived home at 5.30pm on Sunday after making the 7 and
a half hour journey.
Thanks go to Colin Barret and Andrew Blewett who helped
out the band.
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Mount Charles Band announce
Musical Director 09/05/06
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Mount Charles Band are delighted
to announce that Nigel Weeks is to become the
band’s Musical Director with immediate effect.
The band has been working with Nigel increasingly
since his return to the UK last September, including
contests at Brass in Concert and Butlins Championships
this year. The band and Nigel have worked together
over the last 6 months and both parties are enjoying
the working relationship, which have now been
formalised for the remainder of the year.
Derek Thomas, Chairman said
’Nigel is so enthusiastic and has formed
a great relationship with the band since coming
back to the UK. We are pleased to be able to get
some stability and continuity for the band’s
development. Nigel and I plan to review the situation
again at the end of the year.’
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Nigel will be preparing the band for all
the contests in the reminder of the year and also be conducting
the band at the vast majority of its concerts.
Nigel said ’whilst the drive from
Manchester to Cornwall is a long one, the band are really
enthusiastic, and are keen to improve together and individually.
We are all striving to get the best possible performance
at every event, which I find very rewarding’. I am
looking forward to remainder of the year with contests throughout
the UK, some high profile concerts in Cornwall’.
The band have plenty of work to do with
the Grand Shield, West of England contest in Bugle and The
English Nationals all coming in the next 8 weeks.
Derek Thomas added ‘Cornwall is
so far (traveling wise) from the rest of the UK as Nigel
will testify, but the band look forward to and enjoy being
part of the big contests. We have a hectic contest schedule
this year and everyone is looking forward with great anticipation
to the National finals and Brass in Concert again’.
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Youth Band Pick
up a 2nd Prize at the CBBA Contest 22/04/06
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Mount Charles Youth
Band took a 2nd place at the Cornwall Brass Band Association
contest on Saturday at the hall for Cornwall. Scoring 181
points from adjudicator John Maines they were presented
with the Eddie Williams memorial rose bowl. The band were
delighted for their tenor horn player Gavin Pedlar as he
won two special awards and was announced best instrumentalist
of the youth section and for winning the Ivan Kessell memorial
trophy for the best player of the day.
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The icing on the
cake for the band was when the CBBA invited them to present
their prize winning concert programme, which crowned them
the title of National Youth Champions of Great Britain,
which the audience enjoyed very much. Yasmin Stevens, the
flugel horn player for the band, has also been on a winning
streak recently as she was presented with the players player
award and the best improved player at the Cornwall County
Brass Band course held this Easter under the direction of
Robert Childs.
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The band now eagerly
waits to hear from Music for Youth in London to find out
if they have been successful from a regional event, with
the hope of an invitation to perform at the National Brass
Band festival to be held at the very prestigious Symphony
hall Birmingham.
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Mount Charles Youth
Band Win at National Youth Finals 09/04/06
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The Mount Charles
Youth Band returned from Manchester jubliant after
being crowned champions at the National Youth Brass
Band Finals for the second year running. Black Dykes
principal cornet player Richard Marshall led the
band and the result will surely have made his conducting
debut one to remember!
The programme which
Richard had chosen was tough, but the Youth Band
met the challenge, performing to the highest standard
in 'Lucerne Song' and 'Feather Theme' before closing
their programme with the set test piece 'A Caledonian
Suite' by Alan Fernie.
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Speaking Afterwards
Richard was clearly delighted with the bands efforts -
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"They did everything I asked of
them and more and the attention to detail and enthusiasm
from everyone was just fantastic. They are a fabulous
bunch of people here and they deserve every bit of the
success"
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Richard Marshall (Quote from www.4barsrest.com)
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The results from the
community section of the contest were as follows:
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Community Championship
1. Mount Charles Youth, Richard Marshall, Gold Certificate
2. Chalford Youth, Steve Tubb, Gold Certificate
3. Horbury Victoria Youth, T. Greatorex, Silver Certificate
Most Improved Band: Sellers Youth
Best Instrumentalist: Hannah Godwin; Soprano, Chalford
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Mount Charles Band,
West of England Regional Champions 200619/03/06
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The Mount
Charles Band are delighted to have won the Championship
Section at the recent West of England Regional Championships.
The result means that they have earnt a place at the
National Finals, held at The Royal Albert Hall in
October, where they will compete against the very
best bands from across the country.
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After drawing to play 11th
(last in the section) the band had a lot of time to kill,
before finally taking to the stage at around 8.30pm. The
band were conducted by Dr Nicholas Childs and the test piece
was Journey to the Centre of the Earth. Congratulations
to the Camborne Band who finished 2nd and also earn a place
at the National Finals.
Comments
and photos in the articles section.
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Butlins Mineworkers
Championship 23/01/06
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The Mount Charles
Band finished 7th overall at the recent Butlins Mineworkers
Championships held in Skegness. The band finished 6th on
both days of the contest and were led by Nigel Weeks. (Saturday
- test piece, Sunday - entertainment.)
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Nick Hudson Signs
for Mount Charles 13/01/06
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Mount Charles are
delighted to announce that Nick Hudson will be performing
with the band at the forth coming Mineworkers contest
in Skegness. Due to a last minute requirement by the
band, Nick has agreed to play with the band for the
Butlins Championships and has signed for the band.
Having moved to Somerset from Huddersfield in September
2005, Nick has agreed to perform with the band as
often as his solo schedule will allow.
Derek Thomas, Chairman
said ‘Having someone like Nick in the squad
to play whenever he is able is a great boost for the
band, and we are hoping that we can form an ongoing
relationship with him’.
Nick responded by saying ‘Now that I’m
living in the west country it makes sense to have
my registration with a local band. I wish to keep
my roots within the band movement, even though the
majority of my solo playing is now outside of the
banding fraternity. I’m very much looking
forward to playing with the band and working with
Nigel Weeks again’.
Click
here for Nicks biography
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