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The
Grand Shield - Blackpool 9th May 2009 25/05/09
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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 results were: The Opera House Results 1. Rothwell Temperance (David Roberts), 13 Withdrew: Yorkshire Imperial Urquart Travel (Richard Evans) Soloist Prize: Solo Cornet - Tredegar: Dewi
Griffiths Rothwell Temperance and Virtuosi GUS |
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New
Conducting Team For Mount Charles Youth 28/03/09
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Mount Charles Youth Band are delighted to
announce that they have a new look conducting team with
immediate effect.
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 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". 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. |
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Area
Qualifiers 15th March 2009 28/03/09
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The Senior Band made its annual pilgrimage
to the Riviera Centre at Torquay on Saturday 15th March
2009 and was looking to qualify for the National Finals
at the Royal Albert Hall in October for the third year running.
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 results were: Adjudicator(s): Test piece: Camborne and Flowers |
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Yeovil
Contest 7th February 2009 Updated 29/08/09
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The 2009 contesting season has commenced
for the band following the Yeovil Entertainment Contest
held at the Octogon Theatre, Yeovil on 7 February.
Despite the snowy weather, which had caused the band to cancel 2 rehearsals the week prior to the contest, the band made the journey up to Yeovil without incident. The band had pre-drawn to play no 8 out of the 14 strong field. After the rehearsal and final words of wisdom from Andy Duncan, the band took to the stage performing a programme consisting of March from the Jazz Suite, It Don't Mean a Thing (If it Ain't got that Swing), Scarlet Ribbons featuring the band's flugel player Tim Whitehead, Four Impressions for Brass and A Witches Sabbath. Special mention must go to Tim for his solo and to Hannah Hawken who was helping out on the piano accompaniment. However, the best reaction was for the Band's Elvis's (or is it Elvii??) in the form of Mark Bray, Martin Sanders, Shaun Woodland and last (but not least) Peter 'Jinky' Jackson. They were all featured in Andy Duncan's new arrangement featuring 'Are you Lonesome Tonight?' and 'Blue Suede Shoes'. The audience reaction to both the playing and dancing/ hip thrusting was very positive but unfortunately it didn't find favour with adjudicator David Read. Not a case of 'Uh huh, huh' but more like 'Oh no, no!' as far as he was concerned describing the performance as 'slapstick'. Despite that, the band received a lot of praise on the piece, the remainder of the programme and the playing generally. Many thanks for those comments. The Adjudicator's remarks will be up shortly. Our congratulations go out to all the prize winners. The band is now preparing for the Area Qualifying Contest at Torquay next month but wishes to extend thanks to Hannah Hawken from St Austell Band for stepping in to cover the piano accompaniment at short notice and also to Leonard Adams who helped out again on cornet and Duncan Alexander who dusted of his sticks from semi-retirement to help out in the percussion team. Full results were: 1. Flowers Band, Philip Harper, 3, 194 Best Soloist: J. Pippen (BTM) Adjudicator: David Read |
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Awards
Dinner 2009 13/02/09
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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 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. |