The past few months have seen the bands doing very well in the contesting world. While we pride ourselves in putting on exiting and entertaining concert programmes, contesting is the sporting side of our music making and it is great to get a good result in any contest. This year has been particularly satisfying.
The successes started off with a trip over to Blackpool in May when the Senior Band took part in the 99th Spring Festival. This was the third appearance of the band in this contest but with a draw in the morning half of the contest and the winners traditionally coming from the second half there was a hill to climb. The test piece was Triumphant Rhapsody by Gilbert Vinter and this is a piece that rewards control and delicate approaches from bands rather than an all out attack.
The overall result saw the band take 4th place behind VBS Poynton, City of Bradford and Verwood Concert Brass. The band had been leading the contest right up until the 2/3 mark in the contest and 4barsrest described the performance as a “quality marker” in their write up. The adjudicators said “the best bands brought out the colour, detail flow and wit of the music, making it flow.” This result sees the band promoted from the Senior Trophy to the Senior Cup for the centenary contest in 2020.
We must congratulate VBS Poynton on their win and especially congratulate their MD, Ryan Watkins the principal trombone player at Brighouse and Rastrick Band who began his playing career with Shepherd Group Band.
