Marsden Silver Prize Band has enjoyed a few days of undiluted celebration after winning the Senior Cup at the Spring Festival at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool for the second time in three years.

Clear winner

With MD Glyn Williams shaping a performance which adjudicators, Derek Broadbent and David Roberts felt was a clear winner on the day, the players and their MD enjoyed an evening of celebration before heading home with the Trophy and promotion back to the Grand Shield once more in their grasp.

Nothing to chance

4BR understands that preparations for the contest included a self-promotional concert in a local Marsden church as the band left nothing to chance as they looked to make an immediate to the Grand Shield – a contest that they felt they were unlucky to be relegated from in 2010.

Intense rehearsals

The intense rehearsals were also interspersed with an afternoon workshop in the local Marsden Musical Institute, organised lead by soloists from Foden’s Band with whom Marsden have strong links.

With the North West Area champions led by Howard Snell it gave Marsden the opportunity to showcase their skills too – in a concert enjoyed by a packed audience.

Stunning

MD, Glyn Williams told 4BR: "The event ending with a stunning performance of Howard’s arrangement of ‘Procession to the Minster’ which will stay in the memories of those lucky enough to be in the audience for years to come.

It gave us a huge boost of confidence ahead of Blackpool. We left that night knowing we were in just the right contest shape to win the Senior Trophy once more."

It gave us a huge boost of confidence ahead of Blackpool. We left that night knowing we were in just the right contest shape to win the Senior Cup once moreMD, Glyn Williams

Repeat

Not surprisingly given the success of both the event and Marsden’s subsequent Blackpool appearance, there are plans to repeat the workshop and concert in the future.

And although the band have planned a celebratory social evening, there will be no let up in the rehearsal schedule as they prepare to compete in the All England International Masters Brass Band Championships at the end of the month.