Friends Newsletter

In an ongoing quest to improve the Band's income, we run a 100 club draw. This scheme has been operating for several years, and for an outlay of Ł2 per calendar month you have the opportunity to win Ł50 each month, and Ł500 in December (a nice Christmas present!). As well as the opportunity to win each month, as a valued supporter of the Band you would also receive a twice annual Newsletter. The draw is made at the Band rehearsal on the third Wednesday of each month (or as soon as possible after that if the Band is not rehearsing). Winners will be notified immediately.

If you would like to join please contact the webmaster eymsbbfriends@yahoo.co.uk. Membership is by standing order for ease of collection, and each member may purchase as many numbers as they wish, subject to availability. At the present time there are 20 numbers available.

Welcome to the November edition of the Band Newsletter. As well as the usual items, this issue features a question and answer interview with Band Sergeant Karl Kirk, and the latest comings and goings within the Band. Since the last Newsletter in August, the Band has taken part in two contests, gaining the widest spectrum of results possible. At the National Brass Band Championships conducted by Jason Katsikaris, the Band finished twentieth out of twenty. This was despite a solid performance, and one on which the brass band website 4barsrest.com placed the Band in the top six. Straight after this disappointment, the Band began rehearsals with Alan Morrison in preparation for the final of the Kippax Band Knockout Entertainment Contest. The Band were the defending champions, and at a packed Kippax Band Club, the Band successfully retained their title.

I was born in Grimsby in 1962. Yes that makes me 47years young, I know it’s hard for those people who know me to believe, but it is true. I moved from Grimsby about 10 years ago, to Lincoln, then to Scunthorpe, and I now live in Gainsborough. Before you ask, I haven’t got any gypsy in my blood or at least I don’t think so. I have been married to Heather for 8 years; have a son Matthew 15, stepson Ben 17, and stepdaughter Natalie 20.

I work as a branch manager for a finance company, based in Barton, but more often than not I find myself travelling all over Lincolnshire and Yorkshire. Apart from playing for EYMS, my other passion is fishing. However, I had to retire from this for a while to concentrate on my banding.

Well I started playing the cornet at the age of 14. I had always fancied playing a brass instrument after watching my brothers play for their school band. They are somewhat older than I, so it was some time after listening to them that I started playing. However, the sound of a brass band always stayed with me. When I started at my secondary school (Havelock Comprehensive), I was told that if anybody was interested in playing an instrument, then half an hour lessons given by peripatetic teacher Brian Brown, were available. Needless to say, I put my name down, and started lessons with Brian not long after. Brian started the Havelock Concert Brass Band with his local pupils, and it went from strength to strength very quickly. We competed in youth competitions, gave concerts all over Lincolnshire, and even made a record – in the days of vinyl! So, you could say that this was the start of my banding career.

Well as you now know, my first band was Havelock Concert Brass. I then started playing for my town band, named simply the Grimsby Band – later to be known as the Primo Windows Band. We had some great contest results under the guidance of conductors such as Tony Whittaker (who at that time was principal cornet at Brighouse & Rastrick), Ian Cradock the euphonium virtuoso, I think though some of our best results came under the baton of Jon Hall – a local conductor who was there when the band started. After a very successful time in the 1^st section – qualifying for the National Finals on several occasions, the band was then promoted to the championship section. I then transferred to the Air Quick Ransome Band. This gave me my first taste of contests such as the Grand Shield. From Ransomes I moved to another Midland’s band, based in Chesterfield, Rhodian Brass. With Rhodian, I played in my first National Brass Band Championship finals held at the Royal Albert Hall, London, under the direction of Alan Lawton. The test piece was the New Jerusalem. In the following May we competed in the Grand Shield. The test piece that year was The Year of the Dragon, and we qualified for the British Open - what a party we had!

After leaving the Rhodian Band, I moved back for my second spell with the then named NSK Ransome Band. I would say that the following 3 years with that band gave my most successful time in banding (though who knows what the future holds?). Apart from a tour of America, the band won the areas in the championship section on several occasions, came runners up in the National Brass Band Championships Finals in London (the test piece that year was Harrison’s Dream), and took the second spot in the Grand Shield – once again qualifying for the British Open. The band also competed in the BBC ‘Best Of Brass’ televised contest, recorded for the BBC Radio 2 ‘Listen to the Band’ programme.

After a year out from banding, I fulfilled one of my ambitions and joined a Yorkshire Colliery band the Carlton Main Colliery Frickley Band. I was fortunate enough once again, to be a runner up in the Grand Shield (always the bridesmaid never the bride), and with this band, I achieved my best result in the British Open by coming 6^th. From Carlton Main, I moved to the East Yorkshire Motor Services Band. This year we have won the North of England Area Contest, the French Open March Championship, and the Kippax Band Entertainment Knockout Contest, with many more victories to come, I’m sure.

Although I have not received any awards personally, I do feel privileged to have had some great experiences.

My family is quite small really. My mum lives in Grimsby along with my eldest brother Paul. My middle brother Mark emigrated to Australia twenty years ago - I reckon he’s a convict but my mum wont’ admit it! None of my immediate family (Heather, Matthew, Ben or Natalie) are musical at all. Matt’s always on his play station, Bens into Football, he supports Manchester United, but every family has its problems! Natalie is studying at university - taking a degree in clubbing I think! My eldest brother Paul is the only one musical; he has played for some of the local brass Bands.

Many people have influenced me, though I think more than that, I have been influenced by the brass band movement as a whole. I don’t think for an amateur hobby, you will find more dedication anywhere .I have had some fantastic times, and made some great friends and long may it continue.

That is quite a difficult question. Sometimes an outstanding performance can be the way your own individual performance went, or the band’s performance. But if I think of a performance that gave me the most enjoyment, it has to be the National Brass band Championship Finals with the Ransome Band on the piece Harrison’s Dream – the band were runners up and qualified for the Europeans Championships.

As one of the newest members of the EYMS Band, what are your particular high spots, and what enticed you to join the Band?

I would have to say that one high spot has to be the Gala Concert in France this year at the French Open Championships. Although this was a long concert, the atmosphere was fantastic, and of course, winning the areas this year will always be special. I think knowing some of the players before I joined, helped entice me to the Band, and I quickly saw what a hard working, friendly and supportive band it is.

I will not dwell on this but definitely being relegated out of the Grand Shield in May this year. However, the band has got great ambition and character, so I’m sure we’ll bounce back.

Well the first bit of advice came from a chap called Russ Haywood. He said never admit to anything – in fact if it is going wrong, look towards the player next to you. I think he was joking but I was never quite sure. On a more serious note, I think the best advice I’ve received is to never come off the stage with any regrets, and always enjoy the playing.

Playing in a band is a team effort, and everybody is conscious of not letting your team-mates down. So I wouldn’t say I worry about them, but I play a secondary part; it’s a different ball game for the soloists - I always feel for them especially on contests.

I like to relax with a drink, and watch a film. I prefer factual films, and of course, I enjoy socialising in my local drinking establishment.

It all depends on my mood really, though I can honestly say that I can listen to any type of music, I’m not so keen on heavy rock or traditional jazz. If I had to pick a couple of styles of music, I would say big band and motown.

I’m not really sure what people know about me. I really enjoy fresh water match fishing, though I’ve had to give it up for the moment, I can’t really fit it in now as it often clashes with band. I’ve also been the backend of a pantomime cow on more than one occasion. In other bands, we used to get dressed up for promenade concerts. You have to be careful whom you chose to go at the front end of the cow though, for instance I wouldn’t go behind John on Soprano Cornet!

I’m not a big lover of stand-up comedians; instead, I prefer programmes like Phoenix Nights. Something that I would class as easy comedy I can laugh at all day.

Finally, what do you think the future holds for the Band in its twenty-first anniversary?

Well the Band has had a great year, and I can’t see any reason why we cannot progress still further. We have some very talented players and the band works very hard. We have a very busy year ahead of us, but that gives us a chance to put points on the board and move up the ranking.

Kippax Success

On Sunday 6th November, the Band took part in the final of the Kippax Entertainment Contest, and successfully defended the trophy that they had won a year earlier. Conducted by Alan Morrison, the Band faced stiff opposition on the evening from the Drighlington Band, and the Thoresby Colliery Band. The Kippax Band Club was full to the rafters at 7pm, a full hour before the contest started. Drawn to play last the Band had the opportunity to listen to the opposition before taking to the stage around 10pm. The programme featured four original works for Brass Band, and included a variety of styles, moods, and humour. The Adjudicator - Mr Dave Roberts - had the following to say about the Band's performance.

Nice controlled start from percussion and then band. Good front row at E. Well done kit and soprano at end.

Carrickfergus - Cornet Soloist Neil Day Nice start. Good sound from soloist. Accompaniments just slightly up for me. Good contrasts throughout from the soloist. A very tasteful ending.

A few miss-pitches but the tempo is spot on. Lovely clear cornet playing from then on. Thank you for the best p of the night. Lots of quality coming through with controlled percussion adding to it. Good stuff.

Confident and super start from flugel. B good balance. Percussion effective. Back row good to F. This piece came off very well. A good choice.

Good start and it's good to see the players smiling and enjoying it. Entertaining stuff. Well done.

Laurel & Hardy - Another Fine Mess - Euphonium Soloists Neil Johnson & Andrew Kennedy

Great soloists. Well-done bar before D. Well presented and it was funny. I loved the deadpan faces (especially 2nd Euph). Congratulations. It came off rather well as you saw from audience reaction.

Again, controlled playing isn't too loud for the room and its neat and together. Bass trombone good before G. Slightly out of tune at end but that's nit picking a good show. Overall, a performance that had that bit of quality, and the quiet playing in Hymn For Africa mixed with good solo playing and entertaining pieces, made for a very good show. Well done. I enjoyed it. Thank you.

On Saturday 5^th December, the Band will be performing at All Saints Church, North Ferriby starting at 7.30pm. Tickets and are available from the Post Office in North Ferriby, and from Ferriby News opposite All Saints Church.

The following day Sunday 6^th December, the Band are performing at the Shire Hall in Howden. Tickets cost Ł8, with concessions at Ł6. This concert also starts at 7.30pm, and tickets are available from the Shire Hall, or from Kirsty Fox on 01430 430057.

Saturday 12^th December sees the Band return to Cottingham. The venue for this festive concert will be St. Mary’s Church on Hallgate. Tickets for this concert are Ł8, with concessions at Ł6, and these are available from Tony Newiss on 019642 624877, or from Gilly’s Balloon Company at 173 Hallgate, Cottingham. The proceeds of this concert will be presented to the St John Ambulance, who kindly provide the Band with their rehearsal facilities at their Popple Street Headquarters.

On Wednesday 16^th December at 7.30pm, the Band, present their annual Christmas Concert at St. Mary’s Church, Elloughton. Tickets for this concert can be ordered from Sue on 01482 667202, and then picked up at the door. All tickets cost Ł6 each.

Tickets for the above concerts will also be available at the door, on the evening of the concert.

Our last concert in this region before Christmas is on Thursday 17^th December, at ‘The House’ (formerly the New Life Church), Brumby Wood Lane, Scunthorpe. Tickets for this event can be purchased at the Plowright Theatre, Scunthorpe (01724 277733), and Scunthorpe Library (01724 860161). This is always a sell out concert, so if you intend attending this concert, please ensure you have a ticket first. This concert features the Scunthorpe Choral Society, and the Scunthorpe Cooperative Junior Choir – who were the 2009 BBC Radio 3 Choir of the Year.

The Band‘s first appearance in 2010, will be at the Butlins National Mineworkers’ Open Brass Band Festival on the 23^rd and 24^th January, held at the Butlins resort in Skegness. On Saturday the 23^rd, the Band will compete against 11 other bands in a performance of the set test piece Sleepless Cities. The following day the Band will compete in the second part of the competition – the entertainment contest. With the other bands, the EYMS Band will present twenty-five minute concert programme. The results from both days will be combined to give the overall positions. For this contest Alan Morrison, who directed the Band in their recent win in the Kippax Band Entertainment Contest, will once again conduct the Band.

The following weekend the Band return to the Plowright Theatre in Scunthorpe for our first concert of 2010, on Saturday 30^th January. Starting at 7.30pm this concert is a fundraising concert for the Education of The Orphans of Aids in Malealea, Lesotho. Tickets for this concert are available from the Plowright Theatre (01724 277733). This has been a very popular concert in recent years, so advance purchase of tickets is recommended.

The Band has unfortunately had to accept a number of resignations since the last Newsletter. Kevin Marshall (4^th man down) had to step down after the summer break due to a change in his working routine. The Band has also received notice that following the Butlins Contest in January 2^nd Euphonium Andrew Kennedy and Principal Cornet Neil Day will be leaving the Band. Andrew recently set up his own company and for sometime has been finding it difficult to balance the time required by his company, and the Band – he has decided to dedicate his time to work to ensure the success of his company. Neil has been offered a place on the front row at the Black Dyke Mills Band, which he has accepted. We wish all of them success for their future. Coming into the Band are Phillip Pearson (2^nd Baritone), John Modrate (Percussion), and Christine Gent (1^st Horn). John and Phillip have filled existing vacancies; whilst Christine came into replace Garry Oglesby who could no longer juggle the commitment required by the EYMS Band as a player, and by the Barton Town Band as its Musical Director.

Month	Number	Winner
August 2009	56	Mrs S Fitzgerald
September 2009	81	Mr S Gibson
October 2009	3	Mrs E Storey
November 2009	77	Mr P Arden

The 100 Club continues to provide a welcome income for the Band; at the moment, there are 20 numbers available. Should you or anyone you know of, like to take up one of these numbers, please contact the 100 Club treasurer by email at eymsbbfriends@yahoo.co.uk