Ratby Co-operative Band celebrated a double success at the recent Leicestershire Brass Band Association Contest.

Postive remarks

In the morning, its Junior Band won the unregistered section with positive remarks from the adjudicator on the band's command of the basics, but especially that the players were having fun!

It was the first contest for many youngsters recently promoted from the Training Band in September and represents a re-focusing on Junior Band activities in 2008 which has been ably led and managed by their conductor, Becky Moss.

Senior success

Then later in the afternoon, the Senior Band achieved success by winning the Championship Section contest against tough opposition from across the region and beyond.

Following 2nd place at the Bolsover Entertainment Contest in October, it rounded off a great end of the year for the organisation. In just three weeks, the band and MD, Michael Fowles, worked hard
on crafting a musical performance of Gregson's 'Rococco Variations'.

It continues our drive for player development, investment in our youth activities and building a band at the heart of a vibrant local communityRatby Co-opertaive Band

Boast

The Senior Band includes a number of players who themselves have been through the organisation, currently boasting 140 players across four bands, at all levels. The Mid Band conducted by Geoff Newman, achieved 6th place in the Fourth Section concluding a year of solid results for the Mid Band at the Area and Wychavon.

Workshop

This weekend the band welcome a stunning line-up of artists — Mark Wilkinson, Sandy Smith, Brett Baker, Michael Dodd, Les Niesh, and Gavin Pritchard — to present a day of workshops, masterclasses and clinics to the band.

Free CD

Meanwhiule, in early December every household in the village of Ratby will receive a free Christmas CD featuring recordings by all the bands made last month.

Steven Greehall from the band told 4BR: "It continues our drive for player development, investment in our youth activities and building a band at the heart of a vibrant local community."