Cornet player Mark Rodgers, tutor and conductor of the Delph Youth Band and Training Bands, gives us an insight into the band world with his column, Brassed Off.
MY JUNE column saw me bemoaning the cold, damp weather we endured on Whit Friday. As I write for this month’s edition, Saddleworth is bathed in sunshine and there is a garden to be weeded and mown later.
Summer seems totally different to the other seasons for our bands. The first change is the appearance of previously well-covered legs as the temperatures in the bandrooms soar (in some cases, this is not a positive of the summer months I must stress).
The other change will be concert repertoire: contest pieces will have been put away until the Autumn and lighter, more ‘public friendly’ music will be on the stands. This is the season of playing on park bandstands, at elaborate garden parties and other local outdoor bookings. The music has to be accessible to all tastes, not just brass band fans.
Band secretaries will now be a lot busier, as engagements will clash with holidays, especially after the end of school term. Guest players from other local bands will be seen in unfamiliar colours over the next few weeks as the concerts pile up and the players depart.
Dobcross Youth have the excitement of a concert tour and holiday in the Spanish resort of Plajta d’Aro to look forward to after their Friends Gala Concert at the Band Club (Saturday, July 13) and an appearance at Saddleworth Summer Show (Sunday 14).
Delph Youth will also appear at the Show, opening the proceedings on the Saturday. They have a ‘home booking’ at the Delph School Summer Fair the week before, with several players returning to their ‘alma mater’.
Uppermill returned from the Holme Valley contest with an impressive haul of trophies. They came second overall in a field of nine bands and also collected prizes for Best Hymn, Best Basses and Best Conductor along the way. They will certainly be in buoyant mood when they take part in the Durham Miners’ Gala (Saturday, 13).
Diggle will be giving a ‘Marches and Waltzes’ concert at their Club on Sunday 21, with a programme of old favourites no doubt. Boarshurst Silver will welcome soloists from the upwardly mobile Milnrow Band to Greenbridge Lane on Sunday 14, with proceeds going to the latter’s National Finals fund.
Lydgate will appear at Uppermill Conservative Club on Sunday 7 (2pm) before rounding the month off with an intriguing ‘Edwardian Garden Party’ at the picturesque Dunham Massey near Altrincham.
If you see our bands out and about, please stop and listen, even for just a few minutes. It makes all the effort much more worthwhile.
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