The Senior Band returned from the Spring Festival at Blackpool with a fantastic 3rd place in "The Grand Sheild".

Just a shade disappointed though because this meant missing an invitation to the prestigious British Open by just one place!!

Once again the band had been conducted by it'd professional musical director Andy Duncan, who had put the band through it's paces to extract the most from the test piece - the classic "Contest Music" by Wilfred Heaton.

Our congratulations go to Rothwell Temperance and Virtuosi GUS and we wish them success in the British Open.

Full Report & Adjudicators Remarks...See Articles

Pictures Here

Full results (from 4barsrest.com) were:

The Opera House
Test Piece: Contest Music - Wilfred Heaton
Adjudicators: William Relton & Nigel Boddice

Results

1. Rothwell Temperance (David Roberts), 13
2. Virtuosi GUS (John Berryman), 5
3. Mount Charles (Andrew Duncan), 8
4. Tredegar (Ian Porthouse), 18
5. Flowers (Garry Cutt), 11
6. Newstead Brass (Duncan Beckley), 3
7. Bactiguard Wire Brass (Paul Andrews), 7
8. Sovereign Brass (Trevor Jones), 4
9. Reg Vardy (Russell Gray), 10
10. Redbridge (Jeremy Wise), 15
11. Thoresby Colliery (Ian McElligott), 9
12. Pemberton Old Wigan JJB (Mark Bentham), 14
13. Freckleton (Gareth Pritchard), 19
14. Wingates (John Hinckley), 16
15. Jaguar (Coventry) (Dave Lea), 1
16. Tongwynlais Temperance (Philip Harper), 12
17. East Yorkshire Motor Services (Frans Violet), 6
18. Kibworth (John Hudson), 2
19. Aveley & Newham (Nigel Taken), 17

Withdrew: Yorkshire Imperial Urquart Travel (Richard Evans)

Soloist Prize: Solo Cornet - Tredegar: Dewi Griffiths

Qualifiers:

Rothwell Temperance and Virtuosi GUS

Click The Links Below For More (from 4barsrest):

Introduction

Results

Test Piece Review

Retrospectives

Postcard From Blackpool

Jeremy Willcock has been appointed as Musical Director, with Richard Marshall taking up the role of Musical Adviser.

Jeremy who hails from Cornwall will be working with the youth band on a day to day basis, continuing the musical development that the organization has embedded as a key part of their structure.

Jeremy studied music at London College of Music, Royal College of Music and the University of London. He then worked in London for many years playing and teaching trumpet/cornet including Junior Guildhall, Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

Jeremy is currently MD at St.Pinnock Band and a tutor with Cornwall Youth Brass Band.

Jeremy said 'I am really looking forward to working with Mount Charles Youth Band and their Music Advisor Richard Marshall'.

Richard Marshall (click here for biography) who has close links with the Mount Charles organization will take up the Musical Adviser role, for both the youth and junior bands.

Richard primarily will offer his support and knowledge to the conductors, assist in selecting new music, be instrumental in the bands development, as well as him working with the band at workshops and concerts when his time allows.

Speaking about his new musical adviser role Richard commented, "In 2006 I first conducted the Mount Charles Youth Band to victory at the National Youth Championships and the British Open Youth Championships and since then I have always been keen to work with the band. All the players involved enjoy playing and I hope to develop their playing skills even more".

Click here for Richard's website.

Derek Thomas, Chairman said 'I am delighted that both Jeremy and Richard have agreed to support the organization. We have a committed and enthusiastic group of young players aging from 7 through to 21 in our youth and junior bands, which we see as the life blood of the organization'.

The Junior Band continues to be trained by Gary Lannie, who performed their first concerts within 7 months of starting.

Last year the band had won at Torquay, becoming West of England Area Champions 2008 and this year had worked extremely hard on Gilbert Vinter’s “Salute to Youth” with professional conductor Andy Duncan in the weeks leading up to the contest in order to repeat this achievement!!

On the day, with a not ideal draw, the adjudicators Alan Fernie and Nigel Boddice awarded the band a respectable 4th place, giving the top two places to Camborne and Flowers.

So no trip to London this year but the band is already working hard for its next challenge – The Grand Shield in Blackpool in May.

Our congratulations go to Camborne and Flowers and we wish them success in the National Finals. Congratulations also to our Junior Band tutor, Garry Lannie, who conducted St. Breward to victory in the Fourth Section qualifying for the lower section finals at Harrogate in September.

Full Report & Adjudicators Remarks...See Articles

Pictures Soon

Full results (from 4barsrest.com) were:

Adjudicator(s):
Nigel Boddice MBE and Alan Fernie

Test piece:
Salute to Youth, Gilbert Vinter


1 - Camborne Town - G. Cutt - Dr8
2 - Flowers - Dr. R. Newsome - Dr5
3 - Lydbrook - S. Sykes - Dr11
4 - Mount Charles - A. Duncan - Dr2
5 - SWT Woodfalls - Dr. N. Childs - Dr9
6 - Aldbourne - M. White - Dr10
7 - Yeovil - D. Barringer - Dr7
8 - Helston Town - J. Hitchens - Dr3
9 - Bournemouth Concert Brass - J. Camps - Dr6
10 - St. Dennis - B. Minear - Dr1
11- St. Keverne - J. Maines - Dr4

Qualifiers:

Camborne and Flowers

Click The Links Below For More (from 4barsrest):

Introduction

Results

Archives

Retrospectives

Postcard From Torquay

The band held their annual Awards dinner on Saturday 31st January at the Britannia Inn, where there were many awards presented throughout the band.

The evening 4 course meal, was interjected with presentations from Andy Duncan and Derek Thomas, quizzes from Peter Jackson and awards ceremony hosted by Ian Thomas.

After a rather longer than anticipated presentation (due to the heckling) by the Chairman, Derek Thomas, the floor was open to Andy Duncan who was able to round up the band's activities for 2008, as well as outlining the objectives and goals for 2009 and beyond.

Following that, the awards voted for by the band members were presented.

Players, player went to Charlie Best
Personality of the Year went to Mark Bray
Bandsman of the Year to Andy Rice
The 'Special' award went to Tim Whitehead.

Andy Duncan as the professional MD, also made two nominations which was section of the year, which was awarded to the Trombones, and the most improved player that was presented to Charlie Best.

The evening finished with presentation to Christina Best and Andy Rice for all their hard work in supporting the band, behind the scenes.

The band thoroughly enjoyed the evening, and would like to send on their thanks to the staff at The Britannia Inn, along with to all those who attended to make the evening the success that it undoubtedly was.

Pictures Soon