News page
Christchurch, Ilkley
On Friday 24th June the Band played at Christchurch on the Grove in Ilkley. We played a varied programme to a "full house" with pieces ranging from Olympic Fanfare and Theme to I don't Know How to Love Him, a lovely euphonium duet by Adrian and Cath. We opened the second half with three movements from Peter Graham's Windows of the World, complete with rainforest and thunderous sound effects! The highlight of the second half had to be the beautiful rendition by Tim Pool on cornet of John William's Main Titles to JFK. The broad programme that ranged from contest pieces to Dolly Parton's 9 to 5 is testament to the band's ability to play in a wide range of styles and musical genres. The concert closed with Crimond, a wonderful arrangement of the famous hymn tune.
The concert helped raise much needed funds for the Rotary Club of Ilkley Wharfedale's 'End Polio Now' project and we wish them every success with their campaign.
Heather Hutchinson, 2nd Cornet
Morley & Hebden Bridge Hymn and March contests
After a highly enjoyable & successful Whit Friday (spoiled only by the bars closing as we called it a night), the City of Bradford Brass Band rounded off the weekend by competing in another two march contests on Sunday in Hebden Bridge and then Morley.
The band finished 2nd overall at Hebden Bridge, and won the prize for the best street march, not something we expected. At Morley the band came 4th overall beating some higher sections bands. And we also won the prize for best 3rd section band. Sunday, then, was another good day for City of Bradford Brass Band, and our principal cornet even got the honour of presenting one of the prizes at Morley (not intentionally I have to add)!
Written by Frank Stokes (2nd Tenor Horn)
Whit Friday Contest 2011 - a perspective from 'an observer on the band coach'
The instructions were clear. 2.30pm outside Boots in Bingley and don't be late. I 'your observer on the band coach' complied with the instructions, the bus arrived 5 minutes early and suitably 'booted and suited' and some with provisions to last through the hours ahead, band members clambered on board, instruments in hand.
Precisely at 2.30 - well almost, we travelled to the Tram Shed to pick up Helen and then rolled our way through Bradford to the Band Room at Low Moor to pick up the rest of the Band. By various manoeuvres we went to the M62 and then on the top of the Pennines and turned off for Denshaw. We picked up Tim at a moorland roadside pub along with a guest euphonium player. We were complete - we had a full band. Cases were packed into the luggage hold. Instruments brought into the bus and the basses arranged at the front and the cornets in the back and everything else in between. Lee's first encouragement of the night - there were to be a few more after every successful stop - was to suggest a little warm up as 'we could be playing very soon'.
Down the hill to Denshaw Bridge as this had been selected as the first venue at which to play. It was 4.00 and already there were seven coaches waiting to play. Quick decision by Lee, just ask the driver to reverse the bus - it was a 45 seater - but no sooner said than done, in a lane just wide enough for two cars to pass - by a truly outstanding bus driver and then onto Delph and try there. The only trouble was that to get to the entrance road to Delph which uses a one way system, it was necessary to get to the other side of Delph. This needed a sharp left turn at the top of the high street and then twists and turns through roads a private car would think twice about !! We arrived at Delph at 4.12. The runners were out and we managed to park behind 5 other coaches. They returned - the runners that is and said we were band number 7 - interestingly the number on the board which went in front of the band was 3!!!
So the band assembled at the top of the high street and when the time came assembled in marching order - played the march and turned into the area outside the judges rooms and played Simoraine. Great sound and a very good start.
Back onto the waiting bus. It was 4.55 and off to Diggle. More twisty roads but Diggle involves a strange turning circle, well after the concert venue and another bus sailed past in front of us. However, the road to Dobcross was on our left and we asked the steward how many we waiting - the answer was none - so it became Dobcross not Diggle which was venue number 2. The band formed up, marched down the street and assembled under the tree in the village green. Even better sound and performance of Simoraine. Back to the bus which was just down the street and it was off to Diggle. It was 5.30.
Arrived at 5.35 - you can see how near the venues are and then we were met by the site of traffic control near the hanging gate pub -runners out - and we were obviously in for a wait. The bus was slowly allowed to move towards the venue. It was 5.45 but at last we were allowed to move forward to the actual venue and we met by a long procession of buses all waiting to play. We had been given the playing number 22 but the band marching off was only band number 17.The bus driver did another feat of magic and put a bus in a spot no bus would be thought to fit! We waited.
We followed the Royal Northern College of Music band which decided that cartoon characters we suitable for a brass band contest and their marching performance, assessed by a judge in RAF uniform no less, is probably not useful to dwell on! Elephants, tigers, and the like cannot march. Eventually the band marched up the slight hill to the playing area and waited for the cartoon characters to finish and as they waited the clouds were opening a little and rain could be felt. Was this a sign for the rest of the evening? Anyway the band played even better and it was an outstanding performance and then returned to the bus. It was 6.55pm. Playing at this one venue had needed over 1 hour 20 minutes but that is what Whit Friday is like. The choice had been made to go to Greenfield.
The journey from Diggle to Uppermill en route to Greenfield was speedy but the 'dreaded sat-nav' directed the bus up a lane out of Uppermill which progressively became a 'road' which cyclists would think twice about using. Reversing was again required this time in almost impossibly tight conditions. The driver managed it using mirrors only and the band on Lee's suggestion gave the driver a round of applause. He was brilliant and had never done Whit Friday before - he might be somebody to cultivate for future years. We returned to Uppermill, (7.15pm) went through roadblocks the wrong way - as we were allowed to do - and onto Greenfield. Here there were a string of coaches waiting - decision to reverse - again - this time into small private roads and then onto Friezeland (7.25pm).
Arrived at Friezeland at 7.30pm as it is just up the road. The runners were out and we became band 26. Here, at for the only time in the entire evening Lee gave a pre-playing strategy pep talk saying "We can win this outright as it is only for bands in the 3rd and 4th sections - so let's go for it" and go for it they did. The band had to wait for three other bands to play but then it was their turn to march and play and SUPER playing it turned out to be and well received by the audience. The band left at 8.22 pm to the go the first of the Thameside venues. The first place was Heyrod and we arrived at 8.35pm.
The bus 'park' was on the main road and only three bands were waiting. The march was only about 75 yards. As the band played and marched it was preceded by the children of the area marching in time to the band! The playing area was outside a club and the band played outstanding well, so crisp and sharp. Absolutely beautiful is the best to describe it. What a shame the band members never hear their overall performance, because if they had, they would have been mightily impressed. Very good reception by the audience. Back to the bus - it was 9.12pm - and time to go to Stalybridge Celtic Football Ground.
We became band 36 at the football ground and had to wait behind a string of four coaches. We waited, marched and actually played in the entrance to the stands. The performance was as good as Heyrod if not better, and the crowd were most appreciative and gave a really good reception to the piece. Then it was back to the bus for the next Stalybridge venue - The Labour Club. It was 9.55 and the light was going fast.
The bus parking area for the Labour Club turned out to be the yard of a haulage firm and we were sent round a route of towers of pallets which looked somewhat strange in the twilight. We waited for the bands turn - which was to be the last band to play at this venue that evening and it was dark. Music for the march must have seemed invisible and around the stand was a little better, but not much. The band played well and returned to the bus. It was after 10.30pm.
The night was almost over. Venues were closing and so the bus was driven to Delph to see and hear the last bands of the night. We drove through Delph, past 12 coaches which were still waiting to play! We parked the coach and went into Delph. Many band members experienced the pubs being closed around them before they could get a drink and the only available source of food and drink was the chip shop on the main street. The crowds were very thin - which contrasts with the waste bins which were full to overflowing. It must have been a busy night.
Hammonds Saltaire band came through, played well, as did Leyland and two others. The night was over and the weather had not let us down.
The bus returned. Band members were cheered to hear that someone with a phone had got the information from Heyrod that the band had come first in their section and that the band had also come first at Diggle. The band then had to consider the day after next they would play against the competition at Hebden Bridge and Morley Hymn and March contests.
We returned from where we started - Bingley town centre a little after 1.15 am. It had been a very busy 11 hours!
This Whit Friday proved to be outstanding for many reasons - the first time the City of Bradford Brass Band had taken part and the final results were brilliant -
They were:
- Diggle - First in the Third Section
- Friezeland - First
- Heyrod - First in the Third Section
- Stalybridge Celtic Football ground - First in the Third Section
If any of the Friends of the Band want an outstanding night out I am sure there will in the future be a few spare seats on the coach and then you will not need to read an account like this from 'an observer on the coach' - you will be there. I know you would really enjoy yourself.
November 2010 - Menston Townswomen's Giuld, Kirklands Hall, Menston
A packed hall welcomed the City of Bradford Brass Band on a cold winter's evening in Menston Village. The concert had proven very popular with the tickets selling out many weeks before the event, and the band were delighted to be supporting such a worthy cause as the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.
After their hard-earned success at the Northern Open, the band were pleased to take a break from their contest rehearsing and return to their lively concert repertoire. The audience were treated to a varied programme (with even the odd Christmas tune added for good measure) including solos from Tim Pool on Principal Cornet, Chris Barnes on Flugel and Cath Tobitt and Adrian Harrison on Euphonium. After a few festive melodies, the Christmas period officially began for many of the band with a welcome mince pie at half time to really get everyone into the spirit.
The band would like to thank all those audience members who took time to speak to our players and associates after the concert about the high standards of music and choice of programme. We hope to continue this partnership long into the future.
November 2010 - Northern Open, St. Helens
The band had a fantastic day in St Helens. Not only did they win the open, but also picked up prizes for best cornet player (Tim Pool) and best bass section. A full review will follow shortly.
September 2010 - St Peter's Church, Saltaire
We were pleased to be invited to perform at St Peter's Church, Saltaire on Saturday 25th September in aid of Manorlands of Sue Ryder Care. A varied programme was presented that featured marches, airs, concert works, as well as an arrangement of film music. We opened the first half with the march 'Simmoraine', a lively minor-key march that featured all sections of the band and the march with which we won second prize at the March and Hymn contest in July. The first half continued with Dudley Bright's Excelsior and a brass band arrangement of David of the White Rock which featured our principal cornet Tim Pool. Peter Graham's Windows of the World that followed was a particular favourite. The first movement, Rainforest, consists of a soft and lyrical melody and was led by Nicola Story on Horn. The second movement, Drums of Thunder, provided a stark contrast, it being a loud and rhythmic movement that featured all members of our percussion section. The first half concluded with the soprano cornet solo 'La Califa', beautifully played by Jason Varley and the brass band concert work 'Blazon', our first public performance of this tricky piece that explores a range of different styles.
The second half presented an equally varied programme. We opened with a Robert Redhead Fanfare which was then contrasted with an arrangement of I Know Him So Well (Chess) that feature our two Euphonium players, Cath Tobbit and Adrian Harrison. A version of 'Hello Dolly' got the audience's feet tapping (and smiling when the band got up and began to sing). A brilliantly executed version of John William's theme tune to J.F.K followed allowing Claire Allen to shine on trumpet. Following an almost meditative performance of Amazing Grace, the fun and lively Swingtime Religion, and a beautiful arrangement of Rutter's Gaelic Blessing, the programme closed with an exuberant performance of Bill Whelan's Riverdance, a number that featured some interesting (and unexpected) "moves" from our conductor, Lee.
The band would like to thank Manorlands for giving us this opportunity as it was a concert we very much enjoyed and one that we hoped the audience did too!
July 2010 - Foster Park, Denholme
City of Bradford Brass brightened up a blustery Sunday in Denholme in July with our annual appearance in Foster Park. An audience of around fifty spectators (later swelling to an impressive eighty or more) turned out to see the performance by the band who, less than twenty-four hours before had beaten Championship-section opposition to take two second-place prizes at the Silkstone Hymn and March contest. The afternoon got off to a rousing start with the Festival March Britannia by Kenneth Smith and Dudley Bright's Overture Excelsior, and over the couple of hours that followed, listeners were treated to a lively programme of brass band classics and modern works, as well as music from stage and screen. The fierce percussion and cries from the band during Drums of Thunder (from Peter Graham's Windows of the World) was enough to not only please the youngsters in the audience but also attract the attention of those on the skate park and football field.
Meanwhile, the more mature spectators were delighted with the classic songs I Know Him So Well (arranged for band by Jack Peberdy) and Hello Dolly! (Herman, arr. Howe), the latter of which also demonstrated the band's impressive vocal talents! Not even the half-time teas and coffees in the bowling pavilion could match the quality of the three soloists of the afternoon, Tim Pool (cornet), Clare Allen (cornet) and Nicola Storey (horn), who produced three exceptional performances and demonstrated some superb sounds. The talents of all sections of the band were showcased during Barrie Gott's lively Swingtime Religion, and the concert came to a majestic conclusion with a Fanfare of Praise, written by Robert Redhead. With both band and audience having doubled in size since last year's outing to Denholme, who knows what to expect from the concert next year?!
July 2010 - Old Silkstone March & Hymn Tune Contest
On Saturday 10th July, the newly formed City of Bradford Brass Band took part in the Silkstone March & Hymn Tune competition. This was the first contest that the band has taken part in for over two years and the first ever for this group of players under their new MD Lee Skipsey.
After three weeks of intense rehearsal we were raring to go. We had chosen to play a beautiful hymn 'Sine Nomine' in which the euphoniums soar in the second verse. Followed by Simmoraine, a fantastic march full of dynamic effects and requiring huge concentration in order to keep the ensemble tight and achieve our full potential.
On the day we met at Cawthorpe village hall for a rehearsal before we made our way to the venue. The entire band looked incredibly smart in brand new walking out uniforms and the sun was shining.
Upon arrival band drawn No1 were performing at the Red Lion pub, first their hymn tune then their march. We were drawn No5 so had chance to listen to some of the other bands, whilst a few pre-contest nerves began to form.
When our turn came, we were pumped with adrenalin. Giving a solid performance of both hymn tune and march. There were a few little lapses in concentration. But it was a good marker.
We then marched down the hill to an old classic Salvation Army march 'Wellingtonian' and had to play the same two pieces at venue No 2, The Lodge. This time we played brilliantly. The hymn tune was so intensely beautiful, followed by the march which was pumped full of energy, tightness and fabulous dynamics. We were thrilled!
The band then had to wait for the other competitors to play, some of whom were championship section bands. Many putting down solid performances. We are currently a second section band, about to be relegated to the third section as we have not competed for the last two years.
Listening to the other bands we thought that if we won best second section band it would be a real achievement. At around 10pm the results were announced. First of all venue 1. We didn't feature in the top three. Then venue two. We came second overall!! In both hymn tune and march, beating bands from 2nd, 1st and championship sections, we were delighted. We won £125 prize money and a trophy. The band also won the best euphonium, so well done Kath and Adrian. Brilliant playing.
It was a fantastic day and hopefully the start of many good results to come.
I'd like to say a special congratulations to Lee (the conductor), second place on his first ever competition. Come on City of Bradford Brass Band... Onwards and upwards!
Written by Claire Allen (co-principal cornet)
June 2010 - City of Bradford Brass Band launches 'Friends of the Band'
Following the recent appointment of our new musical director, Mr Lee Skipsey (formerly principal percussionist-Black Dyke), and the bands continued commitment to securing a sustainable future we are pleased to invite people to become 'Friends of the Band.'
This is an exciting time for the band and we have big plans for the future, including many concerts and contests. We want to share these plans with you, our friends.
By becoming a friend of the band you will receive the following:
- Certificate of appreciation and membership.
- Quarterly newsletters, packed with band personal profiles and information about future events.
- Complimentary Gala concert to include a guest.
- Discount on City of Bradford Brass Band concert tickets.
All this for an annual gift of £25.
For more information get in touch via the contact page. Or speak to anyone in the band at one of our concerts.
City of Bradford Brass Band look forward to welcoming you as a 'friend of the band.'
