Latest News

July 2004

Local Banding (North West)
Flixton Band come home with 2 prizes from the Rhyl festival of brass. On the 4th July the band were delighted to gain, not only 1 but 2 prizes at the Welsh entertainments contest. Competing against strong contenders, including the nationals qualifiers Wire Brass and Llanrug band, Flixton took the 3rd prize. The Percussion section were also awarded a prize for 'Best Percussion'. This marks the 3rd trophy in 2 contests for the band since the takeover of Kevin Gibbs as MD.
Controversy as the NW champion band does not recieve an invite to the 2005 Masters. After withdrawing from this years contest due to unfortunate circumstances Leyland band will not recieve an invite the compete in the 2005 Cambridge Masters. The Band has had a very successful period currently holding the title of North West Regional Champions. Messers Biggs and Franklin announced plans early this month to change the 'All English' format to include International bands. Due to these changes, bands holding the top 11 places from the previous year will recieve an invite alongside successful international bands. Leyland Band, unable to defend their '2003 All England Masters Champions' title will now not be competing at all in the 2005 Cambridge Masters.

General Banding
The Salvation army buys the British Bandsman. Salvationist and Publishing Supplies Ltd have announced their takeover of the British Bandsman magazine. The magazine has provided weekly news about the banding world for 117 years. It's future now lies with the SA who have "ambitious plans not just for the development of the magazine".
New rules at the Butlins Mineworkers Contest- open to all! The long standing Mineworkers Contest is to take a different slant this year. The Contest historically has only been open to bands affliliated with mines and was a successful contest held at Blackpool's Winter Gardens. Over the last few years entries have diminished and, last year, the event was recused from extinction when Butlins offered a new sponsorship deal to revive the existing contest. After last years success at the new Venue of Butlin's holiday resort in Skegness, the organisers are hoping to further increase the entries by opening the contest to all bands.

April 2004

Local Banding (North West)
Flixton Band are currently auditioning for a fulltime Musicial Director. The Band has put out a big thank you to Peter Lockett, a former MD and current player who stepped into the chair for the recent regional championships and are looking forward to progressing further under new leadership. Watch this space!
All Salvation Army Test Pieces are to be used in local contest this November. Following the Eric Ball theme to the 2003 contest Rainford Band and the organisers of the Wilkinson Northern Open have announced that Salvation Army Test Pieces are to be used for the 2004 competition. Section A Bands shall perform 'Quintessence' by Robert Redhead. Section B shall face the challenges of 'Renaissance' by Peter Graham, Section C Leslie Condon's 'The Call of the Righteous' whilst Section D can chose any SP&S title. Although Salvation Army music has been chosen as set test pieces for various contest this is the first time where Salvation army music is compulsory for all sections.
Cheethams School of Music announce Trombone Day: the famous School of Music is to host a Trombone Day on Sunday, May 9. From 10am­4pm. In collaboration with the British Trombone Society and Edwards Instruments (UK). The day will feature workshop, recitals and performances exploring the talent of top trombonists including Chris Houlding (Senior Tutor at the RNCM) and Kevin Price (Principal Trombonist of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra).
Cornet Virtuoso re-joins Faireys. The National champions, Fairey FP (Music) Band, have announced the famous Philip McCann rejoins the band in top chair. Philip has taken over from Ian Porthouse after Ian's final performance took Faireys to the runner up spot at the Regionals in Blackpool last month. Ian Porthouse will now be concentrating on conducting with the successful Pennine Brass.

Updates

April 2004