The Blackley Band recently took the stage at the NWCBBA Cotest on the weekend with a full, settled band having to borrow only one player!

Celebration

This was a real cause for celebration as just under four years ago the band was down to just 8 players and on the verge of folding.

Steady progress

Since then MD Adie Smith has built the band up and while there has been some ups and downs, the arrival of a number of players over the last 6 months has seen the band progress steadily.

With so many changes again in the last six months I am really proud of the band on what they have achieved. We all know that there are areas to work on but together we are focused to change this and bring success to Blackley in the futureMD, Aidie Smith

Debuts

It was the contest debut for their horn section, husband and wife duo Richard and Kara Sutcliffe and Nicola Stewardson, as well as Tom Fowler on solo trombone who joins the band from Warwick University Band where he played solo euphonium.

It was also the first time contesting for Keelan, who is 11 and Richard and Kara’s son, who performed superbly on percussion.

Runner up

Performing Philip Sparke’s Four Noble Truths the band finished runner-up, narrowly behind local rivals Besses Boys, and won individual awards for 'Best Basses' and 'Best Euphonium'.

It is hoped that this result can be the start of a revival in the band’s fortunes and lead towards capturing the levels of performance which saw the band perform at the Albert Hall in 2000.

Really proud

MD Adie Smith told 4BR: "With so many changes again in the last six months I am really proud of the band on what they have achieved. We all know that there are areas to work on but together we are focused to change this and bring success to Blackley in the future."

The band is now busy preparing for the upcoming Pontins contest, where they will perform 'An Elgar Portrait', written by former band member, Dan Price.