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Radio: Time for Brass

There's plenty of great music to enjoy from Ian Cottier this month.

Pontins
 

The 37th Pontins Championships went off the other weekend with their customary smooth professionalism.

Basic formula

I’ve been attending these events as a guest of the company most years since 1982 and while the basic successful formula has remained unchanged a number of other changes have occurred.

One development which everyone would (and did!) applaud however is the annual engagement of the British Army Brass Band to give a concert on the Saturday evening.

Talent

What a talented and entertaining group of musicians they are- but how disappointing that so many of the people attending for the weekend had so little appreciation of their talents as to make a totally unseemly racket in the adjacent bar, spoiling to a marked degree the enjoyment of the rest.

Next year’s contests are already in the diary for a week later, November 4th 2011.

Pleasure

My particular pleasure was to see and hear our own Isle of Man Onchan Silver Band dipping its toe in the often chilly waters of contesting.

Not only that but going home with a cup and a cheque for £500 for their well-deserved fourth place. Four of our bands now blooded in national contesting, one in each of the First, Second, Third, and Fourth Sections.

Who will be next? Rushen Silver? Crosby Silver? One thing is certain; banding is alive and well and thriving in the Isle of Man.

1st November:

1. Walking with Heroes (Paul Lovatt-Cooper)
Black Dyke

2. Force of Destiny (Verdi arr. Frank Wright)
Black Dyke

3. Brilliante (Peter Graham)
Besses o’ th’ Barn
Euphonium duettists: Robert and Nicholas Childs

4. Les Preludes (Liszt arr. Bram Gay)
Cory

5. Whirlwind (Peter Graham)
Austrian Youth Brass Band
Cornet soloist: Selina Ott

6. To a God Like This
(John Larsson arr. Robinson)
The Household Troops Band

7. Temple 85 (Norman Bearcroft)
The Household Troops Band

8. Just Like John (Norman Bearcroft)
The Household Troops Band

9. Nimrod (Elgar arr. Eric Ball)
Foden O.T.S

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wELSH aREA

Draws & Results: 2025 Welsh Regional Championships

March 15 • Parc & Dare, Deiniolin Silver, City of Wrexham and Holywell claim the first titles of the weekend in Swansea


Stevenage

Draws & Results: 2025 London & Southern Counties Area Championships

March 15 • Betteshanger, Kidlington Concert Brass and Cobham claim titles on the Stevenage weekend.


cIVIC cENTRE

Result: 2025 Midlands Second Section Area Championship

March 15 • Carlton Brass claims the Second Section honours in Bedworth


Derek rENSHAW

Renshaw adds experience to MD role at Hade Edge

March 15 • Three time National winner Derek Renshaw brings his experience to the role of MD at Hade Edge Band.


Contest: London & Southern Counties Regional Championships

Sunday 16 March • Arts & Leisure Centre, Lytton Way, Stevenage SG1 1LZ


Contest: Welsh Regional Championships

Sunday 16 March • Brangwyn Hall, Guildhall Rd S, Swansea SA1 4PE


Regent Hall Concerts - The Regent Hall Band of the Salvation Army

Sunday 16 March • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - The Band of the RAF Regiment

Friday 21 March • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Berkeley Brass

Friday 21 March • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Enderby Band

March 16 • Musical Director required. . Enderby Band are a championship section band based in the village of Enderby in Leicestershire. . . Rehearsals are Tuesday and Friday evenings 8pm until 10pm. . . Resident or professional sought depending on experience.


Enderby Band

March 16 • Bass trombone and Bb Bass required.. . Enderby Band are a championship section band based in the village of Enderby in Leicestershire.. . Rehearsals are Tuesday and Friday evenings 8pm to 10pm at the Enderby Village Institute.


Port Sunlight Lyceum Brass

March 15 • Merseyside/Wirral based. We are a friendly 4th section band with regular jobs and socials throughout the year! Looking for a Principal Cornet, Cornets(position negotiable), Flugal and Trombone. All Players welcome! Instruments available to use!


Alex McGee

MA BMus PGCE
Conductor & Composer


               

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