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Yesterday, the band performed at the Easingwold Contest; an annual march contest for all levels of banding. We are pleased to announce that we received the award for Best 4th Section Band. The band were thrilled, as they now have achieved this title for 2 years in a row. Let’s just hope we can win another trophy next year, when the we are in the 3rd Section.
The adjudicator’s remarks commented on times of tuning and intonation issues and a sections with loose ensemble work, however the performance was stylistic and convincing. He went on to say the performace was “generally well blended and cohesive". Well done to all the band and the players who helped us out.
The next job is part of the Wallsend Festival, where the band will play outside the Forum.

This week saw the band playing at the prestigeous Alnwick Castle. The event was a garden party for local volenteers and carers. The band were speechless that they had the oppotunity to play for such a remarkable occasion and to have seen the Queen and Prince Phillip. Although the weather didn’t stay nice all day, the band still had fun playing for such a large crowd.
The band now look forward to a march contest in Easingwold this Saturday, where they hope for a pleasing result and more pleasant weather. The will play the march they played at the Whit Fridays last week; The Contestor.
MD

Below are the results from the Whit Friday Contest last Friday.

Contest Position
Delph 63
Denshaw 30
Dobcross 47
Friezland 35
Greenfield 55
Uppermill 34

Yesterday evening, the band competed in the annual Whit Friday March Contest held in Saddleworth; and what a great night it was! The band performed the march, The Contestor, to the highest of each players’ abilty. At one point I thought I could have been standing in front of a Champion Section Band. I must thank the players that helped out from Peterlee. As always your support is greatly appricaiated.
The Whit Friday Contest, titled by supporters as “the greatest free show on Earth", was of unprecedented scale this year with with a new record of 82 bands competing in a popular village, Delph. Something I feel strongly about, is the growing support for the brass band community and I think this year’s contest has shown me that the Whit Fridays Contest unites the whole brass community, reaching out futher than our own country. Next week, the band will compete in another march contest; Easingwold. I hope the band will keep their motivation and passion and play just a well as they did yesterday.
MD

Last night saw our first ’sit-down’ concert this summer at Longhirst Village Hall. We played a diverse range of music which I hope suited the musical tastes of all the audience. The band performed very well, despite early troubles with a broken bass! We would like to thank Bob Stephenson and Chris Reay who helped us out. Next job is the Whit Fridays Contest - the bus leaves from Backworth Club between 1:00 and 1:30.

Another great concert on Saturday at Seaton Sluice Music Festival. We now look forward to performing in Longhirst Hall next weekend and the Whit Friday’s March Contest the weekend after. This year, the band are playing ‘The Contestor’ by T J Powell; a challenging, yet great march the play. The Solo Cornets certaninly have their work cut out! That aside, I hope the band arise to this challenge and show the Brass Band community we have a strong band ready for the challeges of the 3rd section.
MD