Menbers of the Leyland Band were taking more than a passing interest in the results from this weekend's North American National Contest, following an exchange of e-mails between the band and one of the lower section ensembles from the USA.

Danceries

Several months ago Sam Ferrara, euphonium player with Chesapeake Bay Silver Cornet Band, from Delaware, contacted Leyland's Patron's Club in an attempt to find a recording of Kenneth Hesketh's 'Danceries' which was one of the two test pieces for the Second Section at the contest.

Commitment like this and international co-operation in music can only auger well for the future of bandingGary Westwood

Tracked down

Long time Leyland player and arranger, Gary Westwood, managed to track down a back number of the band's CD 'East Coast Pictures', which included the piece, which was duely mailed off to Sam, and the US outfit were able to use it as a template for their own rehearsals.

The two bands have exchanged a number of e-mails throughout the past few months with Chesapeake following Leyland's progress in the North West areas.

Pleased

Leyland were particularly pleased to help out when they discovered that some of the players from the Delaware band travel over 200 miles to rehearsals, and at least 400 miles to attend the competition.

Gary Westwood told 4BR: "Commitment like this and international co-operation in music can only auger well for the future of banding."