Contests


ld Hall Brass have had a very successful few years of contesting. Beginning with the 1997 areas at Blackpool where we gained 1st prize. We have also been twice winners of the first prize for entertainment at both the Isle of Man and North Wales Championships. In 1998 the band had a major shake-up of personnel with several rearrangements of players within the band. Adrian Kearsley moved to Solo Trombone from Solo Horn, Paul Cull moved to Bass Trombone from Solo Trombone, Greg Patmore moved from Solo Cornet to Solo Horn, I joined the band on Second Baritone, Sue Sudworth moved from Euphonium to Solo Baritone, Carol Huxley moved from Solo Baritone to Euphonium. In all, 14 players moved places. In 1998, we came 8th in the areas, but didn't give up hope. Another, smaller rearrangement took place, including my move to Eb Bass, (my original instrument), and we went on to win the areas again in 1999. We also won the Tameside contest in '99 giving us enough points to move into the third section. In 2000 we crowned our achievements by winning the areas in the 3rd section at Blackpool. Off to the Royal Albert Hall in London we went in October. Despite our best efforts, we came 7th, but were pleased enough with that result. Another change took place last Christmas when Greg moved to conduct Trinity Girls Band. Good Luck, Greg. We also lost Bridget Patmore and Mark Patmore. Replacing them was hard, but we had Malcolm Robson standing by on Solo Cornet, with Peter Littlehales as 2nd man down. Tuned percussion was taken over by Paul Sudworth and David Neal leapt into the Solo Horn position. Sam Peddle got a new job and moved to Lancaster. Her Soprano was taken over by William Parkinson, who's doing a damned fine job. Our Trombone section is fortified by Beverley Stoll, who gives a stunning impersonation of an inebriated nun, (type casting, I suspect). It has been all change again in 2001. We didn't win the areas this time, but I think the band had decided that we needed a rest from all the hard work and we concentrated on our concert repertoire. The end result was the newly launched CD "Somewhere Out There" and an incidental win at the Fleetwood contest. Sam Peddle is now back with us - on Solo Cornet. Malcolm has left to join another band. Beverley has left to work at her teaching career and we have Dale on 2nd Trombone, ably seconded by the very young John Whittaker. David Neal has moved from Solo Horn to BBb Bass and James Parkinson has moved from Solo Cornet to Solo Horn. I'm staying where I am! Except for concerts, we never use borrowed players - and then only in emergencies.
Albert Hall Pictures

ld Hall Brass have had a very successful few years of contesting. Beginning with the 1997 areas at Blackpool where we gained 1st prize. We have also been twice winners of the first prize for entertainment at both the Isle of Man and North Wales Championships.

In 1998 the band had a major shake-up of personnel with several rearrangements of players within the band. Adrian Kearsley moved to Solo Trombone from Solo Horn, Paul Cull moved to Bass Trombone from Solo Trombone, Greg Patmore moved from Solo Cornet to Solo Horn, I joined the band on Second Baritone, Sue Sudworth moved from Euphonium to Solo Baritone, Carol Huxley moved from Solo Baritone to Euphonium. In all, 14 players moved places.

In 1998, we came 8th in the areas, but didn't give up hope. Another, smaller rearrangement took place, including my move to Eb Bass, (my original instrument), and we went on to win the areas again in 1999. We also won the Tameside contest in '99 giving us enough points to move into the third section.

In 2000 we crowned our achievements by winning the areas in the 3rd section at Blackpool. Off to the Royal Albert Hall in London we went in October. Despite our best efforts, we came 7th, but were pleased enough with that result.

Another change took place last Christmas when Greg moved to conduct Trinity Girls Band. Good Luck, Greg. We also lost Bridget Patmore and Mark Patmore. Replacing them was hard, but we had Malcolm Robson standing by on Solo Cornet, with Peter Littlehales as 2nd man down. Tuned percussion was taken over by Paul Sudworth and David Neal leapt into the Solo Horn position. Sam Peddle got a new job and moved to Lancaster. Her Soprano was taken over by William Parkinson, who's doing a damned fine job. Our Trombone section is fortified by Beverley Stoll, who gives a stunning impersonation of an inebriated nun, (type casting, I suspect).

It has been all change again in 2001. We didn't win the areas this time, but I think the band had decided that we needed a rest from all the hard work and we concentrated on our concert repertoire. The end result was the newly launched CD "Somewhere Out There" and an incidental win at the Fleetwood contest. Sam Peddle is now back with us - on Solo Cornet. Malcolm has left to join another band. Beverley has left to work at her teaching career and we have Dale on 2nd Trombone, ably seconded by the very young John Whittaker. David Neal has moved from Solo Horn to BBb Bass and James Parkinson has moved from Solo Cornet to Solo Horn.

I'm staying where I am!

Except for concerts, we never use borrowed players - and then only in emergencies.

Albert Hall Pictures

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