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National Finals 2002: The Second Section
Test Piece – Danceries – Kenneth Hesketh
Riviera Centre, Torquay
The following information for the bands listed below was acquired
by extensive telephone calls and/or researching websites. If it's
incorrect - contact us and we'll amend it. If it's out of date -
blame your webmaster!
Becontree Brass
Musical Director: John Morahan
Principal Cornet: Chris Storey
Solo Horn: Peter Nelson
Solo Euphonium: Paul Hicks
Solo Trombone: Chris Bailey
Soprano Cornet: Steve Stokes
History
Former members of the Barking and Dagenham Playleaders Band, Barking
Concert Band and its predecessor the Dagenham Silver Band formed
the band in 1981. They wanted to choose a name for the band, which
reflected both the bands and their own "home area" but
at the same time avoided reference to any of these former entities
- hence " Becontree Brass Band"
The Band entered their first brass band competition in 1989, winning
4th prize at the Milton Keynes Brass Band Festival. In 1996, they
entered the London & Southern Counties Regional Championships
for the first time and exceeded all expectations by winning 2nd
prize. Qualification for the National Brass Band Championship Finals,
held at Cardiff International Arena, began an impressive contesting
record, which brought qualification at the National Finals in 1997
(Birmingham Symphony Hall), 1998 (Harrogate International Centre),
2001 (Preston Guild Hall) and 2002 (Torquay Riviera Centre).
Background
The band practice in a Bernados premises at Barkingside, Essex and
as described have reached the National Finals 5 times in the last
7 years with their most successful result coming in 1997 at the
4th Section Finals. This year the band celebrates its 21st anniversary
and to mark this they asked Bill Rumford to become the band’s
first President. An acknowledgement in having conducted the band
through 4th section to summer this year when announced his retirement.
Bendix Kingswood
Musical Director: Kevin White
Principal Cornet: Andrew Jackson
Solo Horn: Tom Tippetts
Solo Euphonium: Martin Brown
Solo Trombone: David Hayward
Soprano; Dan Sharpe
Flugel Horn: Andrew Lee
History
The Bendix Kingswood Band, as it is known today, was formed in 1958,
initially of boys from the Potters Wood Methodist Church that went
by the name of 'Kingswood and District Band'.
The band rapidly grew in numbers and success, reaching the National
Finals in London in 1966, the year in which the now 'Potters Wood
Kingswood Hill, Bristol Silver Band' amalgamated with the Albion
Dockyard Silver Band. A name change to the 'Kingswood (Potters Wood)
Silver Band', they gained promotion to the Championship Section
before sponsorship came from local manufacturing company Bendix
in 1976. Championship status came again in 1988. The band then hit
problems but a major turning point in 1999 saw Kevin White appointed
musical director and under his leadership they band won West of
England (2nd Section) for 2001 and came runners-up in 2002.
Conductor & Players
MD Kevin White began conducting in 1987 with Tewkesbury Town Band
joining Bendix Kingswood Band in 1999. Andrew Jackson (Principal
Cornet) Has played with a number of bands including Weston-super-Mare
Silver Band, Melingriffith, City of Bristol, Thornbury and two stints
Sun Life Stanshawe Band. Tom Tippetts (Solo Horn & Chairman)
joined the band to avoid travelling long distances as it once took
it's toll on both him and his car, which blew-up one wet night in
the middle of the Forest! Martin Brown (Principal Euphonium) spent
his formative years with Bendix and Avon Schools Symphonic Wind
Band before rejoining Bendix on Principal Euphonium after University.
David Hayward (Principal Trombone) was for 7 years (until 2000),
Resident Conductor at SWT Woodfalls Band. He agreed to help the
band out at a concert 2 years ago and it seems to be going on a
long time! Dan Sharpe (Soprano Cornet) is a most shy individual
- a shy soprano cornet that’s rarer than shy drummer!
The band supplied us with tons of information just a pity we couldn’t
include it all but to add that on 8pm on Saturday 5th October at
Clifton Cathedral, together with the South Yorkshire Police Band,
they are putting on a memorial charity concert in memory of one
their former members Alan Parker who sadly passed away last September.
Brackley & District
Musical Director: Jason Glynn
Principal Cornet: Russell Bennett
Solo Horn: Des Stimpson
Solo Euphonium: Eric Young
Solo Trombone: Karon Davies
Soprano Cornet: Dave Redhead
History
The band was formed in 1973 and seven of the founder members are
still associated with the band today. The band has journeyed through
all sections starting in the 4th Section to Championship (L/SC ‘84)
through the now defunct South Midland Area to its present 2nd Section
status in the Midland Area.
Background
Brackley Band Supporters Club off Market Square Brackley in Northamptonshire
was originally a British Legion Club that they were able to acquire
in 1980 when the RLB re-located. Jason Glynn, conductor, plays solo
cornet for City of Oxford Band and works in the music industry locally.
Principal cornet Russell Bennett is studying at Music College and
will be supported on 2nd man down by his father John Bennett. (his
mother playing Flugel will be making it a real family affair).
Dave Redhead on sop has just celebrated his 60th birthday and we
send him our best wishes.
The band organise a concert series entitled ‘The Tower and
Spires” with local churches which reaches its 10th season
in 2003 and they have also played in the orchestra pit for both
“The Wizard of Oz” and “Calamity Jane” which
is somewhat unusual for a brass band.
Cockerton Prize Silver
Musical Director: Graham Catherall
Principal Cornet: John Liversage
Solo Horn: Charles Harrison
Solo Euphonium: Adrian Gardner
Solo Trombone: Richard Harrison
Soprano Cornet: Andrew Rolfe
History
The band started in 1877 in the Darlington district and they had
many and varied homes until some years ago a property became available
and the band bought the premises. The band rehearses in what were
the old stables and the rest has subsequently become the ‘Cockerton
Band and Musical Institute’. It is reputed that some members
actually mortgaged their homes to help fund the purchase, which
probably included the Harrison family, who have been ever present
in the band since its inception. Two descendants of this family
take the stage at Torquay, as can be seen, so this particular family
will continue to play an important part in this performance represented
here again.
Background
Conductor Graham Catherall, brother of the well-known arranger Alan,
is in his second spell conducting the band. In the 80’s he
took the band to four consecutive London Finals, two in each at
2nd and 3rd Section. The band rehearses in what were the old stables
and in this period under his leadership they have a win in 2001
in Section C at the Durham League Contest and the 2nd place in the
Regional Championships.
Croy Parish Silver
Musical Director: Alan Friel
Principal Cornet: Jim O’Donnell
Solo Horn: Caroline Lochrie
Solo Euphonium: Hugh Campbell
Solo Trombone: Tom Carberry
Soprano Cornet: Roy McCann
History
The band has been in existence since 1875 and is a well-established
2nd Section Band. Their most successful periods in contesting were
in the 60’s when they came 3rd in the National Finals and
mid 90’s when they again reached the National Finals.
Background
Alan Friel, trumpet with the Scottish Ballet, has taken the band
over the last two years and is taking the band forward with style.
They practice in their own hall in Croy and have undertaken a number
of fund raising events to cover the cost of trip to Torquay. Included
in these were number of concerts, raffles and most recently a ‘race
night’ but, unfortunately, none of the band members were able
to secure handsome profit from their ‘dodgy predictions’
either!
Hade Edge (J&E Dickinson)
Musical Director: Simon Ward
Principal Cornet: Sarah Ogden
Solo Horn: Cona Harran
Solo Euphonium: Rebecca Hawkes
Solo Trombone: Sarah Curtis
Soprano Cornet: David Turnbull
Flugel: Donna Mellor
History
With a history that dates back to 1908 the band rehearse in their
own band room on the outskirts of Holmefirth. Their contesting history
has seen one of mixed fortunes, appearing in the National finals
in 1995, this was their first major success in 21 years and saw
promotion to the 1st Section. Again fortunes changed and the band
needed to re-build yet again. The appointment of Simon Ward almost
three years ago saw them again turn a corner and success at the
Yorkshire Regionals came in both 2001(2nd) and 2002 (winners).
Background
The band unfortunately loses two key players after this contest.
Principal Cornet Sarah Ogden moves away to study at University and
Solo Euphonium Rebecca Hawkes takes up a new appointment at the
University of Huddersfield. Simon Ward, who has previously conducted
Rothwell Temp’ and Dobcross, has certainly contributed enormously
and encouraged the band to actively pursue the development of a
youth band which is currently home for about twenty five players
with ages from 6 –11 years of age.
One of the most notable events in the recent history of the band
was their integral part, both acting and playing, in the first ever
stage production of ‘Brassed Off’. By the way they should
not be difficult to miss them at Torquay as they are taking two
coach loads, some 90 people to the Championships with them. (A noisy
shower I bet!)
Horbury Victoria
Musical Director: Ian Shires
Principal Cornet: James Ellis
Solo Horn: Fay Hanmer
Solo Euphonium: Rebecca Johnson
Solo Trombone: Paul Thewlis
Soprano Cornet: Jenny Sedgwick
History
The band dates back to 1868 and to this day they continue to be
very much a local and homegrown unit. The band hut was of wooden
construction and unfortunately burnt down in 1983 but the unity
of the band was demonstrated when they moved into their purpose
built brick unit only 6 months later. They have a strong community
spirit and much of their concert work is to the benefit of the community.
A lottery grant in 1997 help with instrumentation and this allowed
flugel Tom Greatorex the opportunity to further develop his much
appreciated work in Youth development and MD of the Youth Band.
Background
Ian Shires, Flugel horn with Grimethorpe has conducted the band
for the last 15 months and he took over as the band as they prepared
for their appearance in the 2001 finals at the Guild Hall in Preston.
This year sees the bands make its third consecutive appearance at
the National Finals. Concert work plays an important part of the
band activity and straight after the contest they immediately begin
working towards two important concerts in the first being St.Peters
Church on 13th October and then onto Ossett Town Hall on 19th October
2002.
Kirkintilloch Kelvin Brass
Musical Director: Raymond Tennant
Principal Cornet: Susan Morrison
Solo Horn: Gemma Gardiner
Solo Euphonium: John Corrigan
Solo Trombone: Chris Pugh
Soprano Cornet: Richard Pugh
History
Kirkintilloch Kelvin Brass was formed in 1994 as the result of many
years of teaching brass in Kirkintilloch. Taking its name from the
river Kelvin that flows through part of the town and it also names
the town and the senior band.
They competed in the fourth section of the Scottish Championships
for the first time in 1995.
In 1999 they were placed second in the fourth section and therefore
qualified for the national finals and we were also promoted to the
third section. The year 2000 saw promotion for the second year running
after finishing second in the Scottish Championships. They won the
third section National Finals playing Howard Snell's 'Excelsior'
Background
The band recently welcomed three new members to the band: Laura
Hall and Ranald Rixson have both transferred from Campbeltown on
flugel horn and euphonium respectively and Emma Pirie who made her
contesting debut at the recent West of Scotland Championships on
Eb bass.
Lancashire Life Morecambe
Musical Director: Andrew Warriner
Principal Cornet: Samantha Burbury
Solo Horn: Julie Backhouse
Solo Euphonium: Ian Burgoine
Solo Trombone: Alan Bateson
Soprano Cornet: Eilidh Snell
History
The band was formed around the turn of the century circa 1904/05
and adopted the name of Morecambe Borough Band and early records
are quite sparse. In 1974 the band changed its name to Morecambe
& Heysham Silver Band. Since 1987 the has been sponsored initially
by Marsden Building Society then Nuclear Electric and from April
2001 Lancashire Life and Lake District Life Magazine
Background
1984 signalled the arrival of a new musical director, Stephen R.
Tarry and the band rapidly gained promotion from section 4 to section
1 Nationally and Championship section in the North West Region.
They reached the National Finals in London in 1986, 1987, 1991 and
1993. In 1998 Steve Tarry bade farewell and Andrew Warriner who
gave up his playing commitments with Grimethorpe Colliery Band to
take up the post joined the band.
Langbaurgh Brass
Musical Director Tim Oldroyd
Principal Cornet Adrian Shelley
Solo Horn Andrew Champion
Solo Euphonium Chris Coupland
Solo Trombone John Avery
Soprano Cornet Michael Holliday
History
Langbaurgh Brass was founded in 1983 as the junior section of the
North Skelton Band. By 1987 the junior band had won two competitions
and they decided to become a competition band in their own right,
registering for the fourth section with the British Brass Band Registry
as North Skelton Concert Band. In 1990 they separated from North
Skelton Band, who were then sponsored by British Steel Teesside
and they renamed themselves Langbaurgh Brass thus gaining their
present identity.
Background
MD Tom Oldroyd has a long association with the northern brass scene
and has conducted the band getting on for 5 years. Under his baton
they have proved a consistent outfit taking 4th prize in the 3rd
section Finals in 1999 (Nottingham) playing ‘Three Musketeers”,
4th prize in National Finals 2001 and also winning at Pontins in
the same year. In March 2002 the band gained its best ever results,
winning the North East Area Second Section Contest on their first
attempt, resulting in an invitation to the National Finals in Torquay.
Rehearsing in the North Skelton Village Hall, the band is very
much a family unit with at least 5 couples in the band. The find
the time to work hard for others as well and on the 14th September
2002, just before the Finals, they are finding the time to play
in a Charity Concert for the Yorkshire Cancer Trust at the Oakwood
Centre, Eaglescliffe, Yarm
Langley Band
Musical Director: Mark Vause
Principal Cornet: Dave Webb
Solo Horn: Richard Perry
Solo Euphonium: Sue Hadley
Solo Trombone; Beth Musgrave
Soprano Cornet: Sarah Caswell
History
The band history goes back to the 1870’s who practice in their
own bandroom in Langley that was built as a gift from a local builder.
Having competed in the first section previously they won the Midlands
Regional at the Belvedere Club in a twenty band field having moved
into the second section in 2002.
Background
Conductor Mark Vause originates from Morcambe and studied at the
Royal Northern. He is currently Head of Music at Cannock Chase which
unfortunately suffered form severe fire damage recently. Thanks
to Paul Hathaway for supplying the names of the players taking the
stage at Torquay.
Moston and Beswick (Manchester)
Musical Director: Rob Taylor
Principal Cornet: Joanne Landon
Solo Horn: Nick Guzman
Solo Euphonium: Catherine Proffit
Solo Trombone: Steve Walker
Soprano Cornet: Daren Blake
History
By tradition Streetfold Methodist Church took part in the Whit Friday
Procession of Witness following the Beswick Prize Band. With time
a winning band developed which became Streetfold Prize Band. Streetfold
Band became Moston Band and merged with Beswick Prize Band in 1965,
to become Moston and Beswick Band. In the early 1980's, the Chain
Bar Methodist Band was amalgamated and in the year 2000 the band
became Moston and Beswick Manchester Band.
Background
Principal cornet Joanne Landon takes up an appointment teaching
in Yorkshire after the contest where she will no doubt be putting
her skills to use as a published author of children’s books,
which saw her featured in the Manchester Evening News to good use.
Rob Taylor has conducted the band in the region of 10 years and
they contested with a good deal of success last season.
The band have worked hard raising the money to go to the Finals
and part of which was came from donations received as they entertained
visitors to the recent Commonwealth Games in Manchester.
Northfleet Brass
Musical Director: David Lewis
Principal Cornet: Barbara King
Solo Horn: Stuart James
Solo Euphonium: Aaron Barnes
Solo Trombone: Al King
Soprano Cornet: Phil Lawrence
Flugel Allison: Elia
Background
Northfleet Brass who played off the number 11 draw and gave a wonderful
performance to win the London and Southern Counties region. The
band were keen to supply further information about themselves but
unfortunately time ran out before our editorial deadline. Nevertheless
thanks to Allison Elia for the personnel details.
Penclawdd
Musical Director: Tony Small
Principal Cornet: Rhydion Griffiths
Solo Horn: Lowri Edwards
Solo Euphonium: Alun Evans
Solo Trombone: John Richards
Soprano Cornet: Gurnos Rees
History
Tony Small Musical Director formed the band in 1973 and has guided
the band, which celebrates its 30th anniversary in May 2003, to
many contest successes. Through their history they have played in
every section from Youth to Championship and in a 14-year period
appeared in 11 National Finals. In 1983 the band won the National
Finals 2nd Section at the Albert Hall playing ‘Variations
and Fugue’ by D.Henshall.
Background
Penclawdd have a core of experienced players around the stand, and
many of them have played at a high level and are rightly proud of
their contest achievements. Principal Cornet Rhydion Griffiths having
played with the NYBB of Wales and NYOrch.of GB moves on to study
at Oxford University after the Finals.
Tony Small has brought through some excellent players and these
include his son Gareth who went on to play for London Brass and
currently plays with the Halle Orchestra. In his career Tony, as
well as guiding Penclawdd, also guided the West Glamorgan Youth
Band to the pinnacle of Youth Band success.
Rhyl Silver
Musical Director L.Lawrie
Background
Rhyl Silver are a bit of an enigma. The website is down and any
attempts to contact the band have proved elusive. A lady on the
phone said “The band doesn’t live here anymore”
and the contact address in the Band Directory is out of date. So
does this make them Dark Horses on the day! Rhyl have been comfortable
contenders in this section since they were promoted following their
win in the third section in 1999 and in 2000 they were 2nd and last
year were 3rd.
Shirley
Musical Director: Dave Lea
Principal Cornet: Sheila Lucas
Solo Horn: Derek Lucas
Solo Euphonium; Kevin Short
Solo Trombone: Alan Harniess
Soprano Cornet: Catherine Kelsey
History
The town of Shirley in the Borough of Solihull and the band were
initially formed as The Shirley Town Band in 1919 by William Hodesdon.
There has always been one of the Hodesdon family in the band and
Don Hodesdon the grandson of William, is still an active member
of the band.
The band first practised in a slaughterhouse by the Saracen's
Head pub in Shirley. The membership soon increased from 8 to 16
players and with help from Kings Heath Brass Band, engagements,
parades and fetes were undertaken.
During the Second World War the band rehearsed at the Robin Hood
Pub and then moved, in 1944, to a football ground. They stayed there
for the next 25 years until it became part of the Robin Hood Cemetery!
The band has spent much of its life in the 1st section, with brief
forays into the Championship, the last time being four years ago.
Background
MD Dave Lea was principal cornet of the Coventry City S.A. Band
and was appointed Musical Director of The Shirley Band at the end
of year 2000.The band has spent much of its life in the 1st section,
with brief forays into the Championship, the last time being four
years ago but under their experienced conductor they have been in
fine form.
Torbay Brass
Musical Director: Colin Waller
Principal Cornet: John Reeves
Solo Horn: Sandie Heyworth
Solo Euphonium: Brent Heyworth
Solo Trombone: Robert Bennett
Soprano Cornet: Hannah Griffiths
History
The band practice in the Unitarian Church Hall in Torquay. The band
was formed in the mid 70’s with its lead coming form the teaching
department of a local Technical College. They made steady progress
through the sections from their formative 4th section roots to the
1st Section.
Background
The band’s most successful period probably came in the 193
when they won the 2nd Section Regionals on ‘Oceans’
and won the National Finals 2nd Section at the Wembley Conference
Centre on a Stephen Bulla piece ‘Firestorm’. The piece
written at the time of the Gulf War and on the day Brian Buckley
conducted them. 2nd Horn Bernard King has played with the band since
its formation and has played at some prestigious events with the
band including appearing in concert with the Bournemouth Symphony
Orchestra.
Our predictions:
1. Langbaurgh Brass
2. Hade Edge
3. Horbury Victoria
4. Lancashire Life Morecambe
5. Penclawdd
6. Kirkintilloch Kelvin Brass
Dark Horse: Shirley
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