2008 is proving to be a contesting delight for Desford Colliery Band after their win at the All England Masters gave them a hat trick of major contest wins for the season – with the promise of more to come.

Money spinning

Band Manger Peter Smith told 4BR that the victory at Cambridge came after the band had been forced to miss a potential money spinning trip to the Whit Friday march contest too.

"We had planned to go to the Whit Friday contests and had worked our rehearsal schedule around it. Unfortunately things didn’t quite work out as we hoped and we had to cancel it, leaving us only with a short time to cram in rehearsals for the Masters."

Nigel really does know Arnold’s music from his orchestral experience and it certainly paid off. We did come off stage thinking we had made a few clips and errors, but we also felt we had played it in just the right styleDesford Band Manager, Peter Smith

Intensive preperation

That short and intensive preparation certainly paid off, with the band picking up the £4,000 first prize on Sunday under the direction of MD Nigel Seaman.

"We owe Nigel a great deal after the weekend," Peter continued. "We started work on the piece a week before the contest and he told the band to concentrate on the style and interpretation of the music as he knew we could play the notes.

Nigel really does know Arnold’s music from his orchestral experience and it certainly paid off. We did come off stage thinking we had made a few clips and errors, but we also felt we had played it in just the right style."

Justified

That style certainly caught the ears of the three men in the box and they gave the title to Desford, justifying in some way the bands decision not to compete at the English National Championships later next month.

"It was a difficult decision not to compete there this year, but we felt we had to prioritise our schedule and the Masters fitted in better – just. We would love to play at both contest in the future, but this year it just wasn’t possible."

Busy schedule

The success of the band in 2008 has meant that schedule has taken on a much more busy outlook with a Listen to the Band recording coming up right away, followed by other projects including a trip to Jakarta and Singapore as well as appearances at the British Open, Nationals and Brass in Concert to round off the year.

More silverware

"It is going to be busy, but we are looking forward to it and hope to add more silverware at the remaining contests. First though is the Listen to the Band recording, where we will be saying a big goodbye to Paula Russell who came over from Australia to play for us at Cambridge. She was wonderful and it will be a nice way to say thanks."