Cornet player Mark Rogers, tutor and conductor of the Delph Youth and Training Bands, gives us an insight into the band world with his column, Brassed off.
BLACKPOOL SADLY didn’t really rock to our beat this year, with none of our local bands managing to qualify for the National Finals in September.
Diggle came very close, with an impressive third place in a very competitive First Section, a great result for new conductor Sean Conway. Fifth seemed to be a very popular placing for our bands with the adjudicators, Mossley gaining this in the Second Section, Boarshurst Silver in the Third and Dobcross Youth in the Fourth Section.
Delph managed seventh place off the dreaded number one draw, with an impressive performance that unfortunately didn’t stick in the memories of the judges after seventeen bands had played.
A special mention should go to one of our neighbouring bands. Milnrow put the proverbial ‘cat amongst the pigeons’ by coming third in the Championship section. 2012 National Champions Fodens were placed second but had already pre-qualified for this year’s finals.
This means Milnrow, a band that was languishing in the lower sections this time ten years ago, will be representing the North West at the Royal Albert Hall in October. I’m sure everyone will join me in saying well done to everyone involved.
The Tameside Contest, held for years at the Tameside Hippodrome in Ashton and more recently at Dukinfield Town Hall, has seen a very low number of entries this year and has sadly been cancelled.
I was quite looking forward to a return to this local contest with Delph Band, It isn’t often that you get the chance to perform at a competition that is only half an hour away from home. It would have made a pleasant change from the unnaturally early starts many of us experienced for Blackpool. Let’s hope the organisers see an upturn in interest next year.
Holmfirth Contest may fill the gap for those bands that still have the contesting bug. I hope to have good news from this event next month as it is usually a happy hunting ground for the Saddleworth bands that make the trip over the tops.
With contesting out of the way, it will be a case of ‘back to normality’ for our bands. Concerts are now appearing on bandroom notice boards and in players’ diaries. The young musicians of Dobcross Youth Band will be looking forward to their May 4 concert with the famous Fodens Band at Uppermill Civic Hall. Tickets are available from Dobcross Band Club and the village Post Office.
