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Backworth Colliery Band won acclaim from adjudicator Chris Wormald for its confident interpretation of Philip Sparke’s “Music for a Festival", at the DCBBA League Contest, walking off with the award in Mr Wormald’s words as “best percussion section in Sections C and D". Well done Band, and congratulations to percussionists Andrew and Andy.

Other remarks from the adjudicator included:

• Good dynamics, nice Trombones
• Well played Soprano
• Percussion generally very good
• all detail has been rehearsed well
• This is such beautiful music
• .. at the Appassionato … Well played Euphonium
• Good Bass Trombone
• Overall, many nice moments

Although not amongst the cups this time, the band - with a third of the players under 18 - gave an encouraging performance, having stepped up a grade after winning last year’s Section D. A challenging piece, not easily mastered - confirmed by other bands’ uneasiness at times - provided confirmation of the band’s progress as part of their longer-term plan towards the 2010 Regionals next March.

Backworth Colliery Band would like to thank Scott Meikle and Easington Colliery Band for the use of their bandroom before the contest, and the much appreciated hospitality shown.

Please note the final week of rehearsals for the DCBBA Contest.

• Sunday, 15th, 10.45
• Tuesday, 17th, 19.30
• Friday, 20th 19.30
• Sunday, 22nd, 09.00

The penultimate rehearsal will be held on the Friday, 20th at Into Change.

The final rehearsal – at 9.00am on the morning of the contest – will be in Easington Colliery Brass Band’s bandroom, with our thanks to Easington for the use of their facilities on the Sunday morning.

Would players please note the following schedule during November for DCBBA Contest rehearsals.

• Tuesday, 3rd, 19.30
• Friday, 6th, 19.30 (with Duncan)
• Sunday, 8th, No Rehearsal - Remembrance Day Parade
• Tuesday, 10th, 19.30
• Friday, 13th, 19.30
• Sunday, 15th, 10.45
• Tuesday, 17th, 19.30
• Sunday, 22nd, 09.00

The penultimate rehearsal will be on either the Friday 20th or Saturday 21st, the date to be decided based on band availability.

The final rehearsal – at 9.00am on the morning of the contest – will be in Peterlee, nearby to the Contest venue. Details later.

Players are reminded of the times for the remaining rehearsals for the Borders Entertainment Contest in Peebles on 31st October.

• Friday 23rd 19.30 (with Duncan, “Music for a Festival")
• Sunday 25th 10.45 (Tony, Borders)
• Tuesday 27th 19.30 (Tony, Borders)
• Friday 30th 19.30 (Tony, Borders)

Draw to be announced this weekend and then we’ll confirm departure time for the coach to Peebles, provisionally booked for leaving at 6.30am prompt.

The rehearsal schedule for November leading up to DCBBA Peterlee (22nd November) will be released soon. No rehearsal on the 1st (or 8th - Remembrance Day parade).

REVISED REHEARSAL SCHEDULE FOR BORDERS CONTEST

Please note, 16th October charity concert has been postponed at the request of the organisers, and consequently the rehearsals for the Borders Contest on 16th and 23rd October are revised.

The “Lower half” sectional will now take place on Friday 16th; Duncan will take Full Band on Friday 23rd, and all Friday evenings will be 19.30 start. Thank you.

• Tuesday 6th 19.30
• Friday 9th 19.30, Sectional (Cornets, Horns)
• Sunday 11th 10.45
• Tuesday 13th, 19.30
• Friday 16th 19.30, Sectional (Euphoniums, Baritones, Trombones, Basses)
• Sunday 18th 18.00
• Tuesday 20th 19.30
• Friday 23rd 19.30 (Duncan)
• Sunday 25th 10.45
• Tuesday 27th 19.30
• Friday 30th 19.30

Transport to Peebles on the 31st will be via coach. Provisional departure time from Backworth IntoChange is 6.30am. Time to be confirmed on Tuesday 27th after the draw is known.

Would players please note the following rehearsal schedule during October for Full Band and Sectional rehearsals.

• Sunday 4th, 10.45
• Tuesday 6th 19.30
• Friday 9th 19.00 – 21.00, Sectional – Cornets, Horns
• Sunday 11th 10.45
• Tuesday 13th, 19.30
• Sunday 18th 18.00 – 21.00
• Tuesday 20th 19.30
• Friday 23rd 19.00 – 21.00, Sectional – Euphoniums, Baritones, Trombones, Basses
• Sunday 25th 10.45
• Tuesday 27th 19.30
• Friday 30th 19.00 – 21.00

Transport to Peebles on the 31st will be via coach. Provisional departure time from Backworth IntoChange is 6.30am. Time to be confirmed on Tuesday 27th after the draw is known.

With seventeen bands entering and one withdrawing, Backworth’s results suggest an excellent night at Easingwold.

Coming joint 11th in the Deportment March, placed 10th in the Concert March, and 13th overall, the latter from both sets of marks totalled.

In Deportment, Backworth (4th section) came joint 11th from the 16 bands; joint with Frickley South Emsall (2nd section) and Knottingley Silver (1st section); and ahead of Broughtons (1st section), Emley (3rd) and Northumbrian Water (1st section).

Better still, in the Contest March, Backworth’s 10th place came ahead of Garforth, Broughtons, Houghton, both Shepherd Group and Shepherd Group Concert, and Northumbrian Water.

In the 4th section class, Backworth lost out to Shepherd Group Concert by 1 point – 261 to 262, being the totalled points from the two march classes. Backworth were 7 points ahead of Shepherds in the Contest March, but 8 points adrift in Deportment.

It’s probably quite easy to make significant improvements in Deportment; it’s harder to make equivalent improvements in a Contest performance. Suppose we had been just 2% better in Deportment: we’d have made up the shortfall on Shepherds and won our section. Makes you think.

So well done this year – a great result on the Stand.

Results are online at http://www.yhbba.org.uk/easingwold5.htm

Saturday evening at the Easingwold Deportment Contest saw the Band parade around the village square to “National Emblem” followed up with a stirring performance on the stand of “Ravensworth”.

In a strong field that included several Championship and 1st section bands, Backworth came 10th out of 17, losing out narrowly out in the 4th section category. Our 10th place put the Band above Northumbrian Water Ellington Colliery and Broughtons, amongst others.

The evening represented a fitting send-off for Colin Harris who stands down as Musical Director, having served the Band as MD, contest secretary, arranger, player, and in numerous other capacities. Colin’s decision pass the baton on comes after several successful and enjoyable years, leaving the Band stronger after his recent 5 years as MD.

We sincerely wish Colin every future happiness and warmly acknowledge his significant contribution to Backworth Colliery Band.

Bus leaves Into Change Backworth 16:00.

Runners and Riders from
http://www.yhbba.org.uk/easingwold1.htm:

Backworth Colliery 4th C. Harris
Broughtons Brass 1st N. Davies
Emley Brass 3rd G. Hallas
Fishburn Ch TBA
Frickley South Elmsall Brass 2nd David Nichols
Garforth Brass 3rd S. Bailey
GT Group Peterlee 1st S. Malcolm
Houghton Brass 2nd H. Smith
Kirkbymoorside Town Brass Ch J Woodward
Knottingley Silver 1st O. Wedgwood
Shepherd Group Brass 1st T. Oldroyd
Shepherd Group Concert Brass U/G M. Pratt
South Yorkshire Police 2nd Leigh Baker
Stape Silver 3rd M. Breckon
Wakefield Metropolitan Brass 1st N. Law
Wetherby Silver 3rd G. Hallas

The band took part in the 2009 Whit Friday marches in East Manchester on 5th June, and despite the worst weather in living memory, the band played at 4 venues, excelling to two of them.

At Denshaw, the band won a prize for being 2nd out of the 4th section bands, and at Dobcross the band finished a lofty 22nd out of 59 bands.

Diggle and Scouthead saw the band take the worse of the weather, although results there were not bad for a 4th section band.

A big thank you to Peter, Rob, Dionne and Gareth who helped us out and too all the band for performing in the face of wet, wind, hail and cold.