The East Yorkshire Motor Services Band is looking ahead to its debut appearance at the Brass in Concert Championship at the Sage Gateshead, following victory at the recent Bolsover Festival of Brass Championship.
Win
The win came soon after the band claimed a well-deserved runner-up finish at the Wainstone Cup Contest, and which has seen them bag almost £4,000 in prize money as well as maintain their position in the top 40 bands in the 4BR World Rankings.
The Bolsover success was their third in the last four years and came with a slickly presented 'Americana' themed programme that saw them take the £750 first prize and become the first recipients of the Margaret Allsop Memorial Trophy as the 'Most Entertaining Band'.
Delighted
MD, Alan Morrison, who also received the Major Peter Parkes Trophy as winning conductor, told 4BR: "We were delighted with the way we played as it showed that we are able to produce high quality, inventive entertainment programmes.
With the live coverage of the event reaching 34 different countries, I think we may have picked up a few new fans too."
We were delighted with the way we played as it showed that we are able to produce high quality, inventive entertainment programmesMD. Alan Morrison
Build
Alan added: "We will now build on this as we look forward to our Brass in Concert debuts — but we hope to be back next year to defend our title, especially with this great broadcast idea taking off so well."
The band has now also welcomed the signing of Joe Steede on solo Bb tuba. Joe made his debut with the band at the Wainstone Cup contest before enjoying his first win with the band soon after at Bolsover.