Following an 'open rehearsal' on Thursday evening, the Band and coach arrived at the Town Hall, Hessle at 4pm on Friday 8th May to collect the gear, pack the coach and set off for Askern, where we would be having a rehearsal. Well that was the plan, and unlike the 'A Team' this one didn't quite work. The Town Hall was locked up and everyone had gone home. Eventually, we gained access - legally - and loaded up and set off some three quarters of an hour late. Luckily we'd planned some buffer time into our arrangements so arrived in time for our 6pm rehearsal, hoping that nothing else would go wrong.

Neil played a wrong note, and had to stand in the corner.

 Jonathan and his Groucho Marx impression.

Time to go, but Frans still had work to do on his score.

Arriving at the hotel, it soon became apparent that since its takeover, standards had deteriorated quite dramatically. This would be the first and last time that we would use the Georgian Hollies, which has obviously decided to specialise as a base for hen and stag weekends. 

Saturday saw an early start, so that we could leave the hotel to get up to our rehearsal venue. The coach arrived at the hotel on time, and then wouldn't start. We'd been foiled by an unusual mechanical breakdown, so we had to make alternative arrangements for the rehearsal.

The first alternative arrangement. 

The little yellow bus.

The Coach - a dead coach, this coach has expired, it has ceased to be.

Following our rehearsal, and temporary repairs to the coach we travelled to the Winter Gardens to change and prepare for the competition. Meanwhile the coach went off to Preston to be repaired at the local coach garage.

Percussionists Jonathan, and Lottie, check their music.

You bang, I'll shake.

Men In Black,

Tony moves round to the next picture...

...and carefully chooses the best camera angle for the maximum effect of being dressed in black!

Alison, it is supposed to be a touch of red, not a splash of yellow.

Yes sir!

The Baritones, primed and dangerous.

Where is the shopping bag?

It's not under there!

Just like a swan, back stage before the contest.

That's another fine mess!

Prior to this contest the website 4barsrest wrote the following about the Band in the article about all of the bands appearing in the competition:-

Total joy for EYMS so far this year as they deservedly took the North of England title in March and performed so well at Butlins too.

Frans Violet was the man behind their success in the Senior Cup twelve months ago and it comes as no surprise that he’s been appointed to lead their challenge here on the weekend.  They’ll be confident that’s for sure and if they repeat the form of Darlington then they could well be in the mix once more. 

During the contest they wrote the following about the Band's performance:-

East Yorkshire Motor Services (Frans Violet), 6

Movement 1.

MD looks casual but the opening is anything but! There are however lapses in the ensemble lines that are nasty and the intonation at times also grates. Recovers though and the close is the best of the day so far - really neat and tidy.

Movement 2.

A little heavy handed this to create the real atmosphere needed. The individual lines are so well handled though and there is a sense of style now emerging. Getting there.

Movement 3.

Now comes the quality - and it is good too. There is a confidence about the ensemble balance and style and the rousing ending is something of note.

Overall:
A performance that grew in stature as it went along - just that opening section may well cost on a day when others have already shown more consistency.

The two adjudicators in their official remarks wrote the following.

William Relton

Movement 1.

Opening restrained, D nice neat Basses. E smooth Cornets. F + 8, not neat, nor 4 bars later. Trombone at I a slight mispitch. K nice movement here. L careful of difference between ff and f. You never really achieved a pp which is essential at P.

Movement 2. 

Good start in Trombones, a rather obvious Cornet slip. A sweet Baritones, good entry, sweet Flugel, Solo Horn uneasy. B Well toned EEb Bass and fine Euphoniums. C Good start then some nervy attack. E nice Trombone trio, gentle fading off at the end. 

Movement 3.

Bright start. A Not clean. F more clarity please. H a bit bottom heavy more Cornets required. L a great climax. O Fine build up, Q stylish and a really big ending.

Nigel Boddice

Movement 1.

Taking time to settle, s indicated by the pitch security and odd loose ensemble. Much effective work on show and then spoilt by the renegade pitch security. Tension still sensed in display (through to end) therefore inconsistent moments of doubt shone through, and for example P was such a case in point.

Movement 2.

Effective opening from Trombones & Cornets - but then unsettled effect of mute catches quite a few of the solo lines once again. Solo Cornet bravely tackles the solo, mostly successful. The exposed nature of the writing is pushing everyone's concentration and albeit the effort is appreciated the security is suspect.

Movement 3.

Again the demands for security and rhythmic assurance need (ideally) more precision. A feeling of more positive-ness shining through in third movement from all and in many ways is your best playing to date. Checkout the rhythmic grip at O.

An effective performance without grasping the precise, demanding emotion of the score today.

The final placings saw the Band in 17th position, and relegated back into the Senior Cup competition for 2010.

Back at the hotel - following a glass or two of some consoling liquids - we sampled the local cuisine.

Decisions, decisions.

Tony looks suspiciously at the arrival of Garry's meal.

And when it arrives at the table, he looks even more worried about the contents of the plate.

It's not every night you dine with Julias Cheeser.

L to R, Deputy Dawg, Little Monkey, I Clodius, Garry's Big Brother , Whoops Ironberg, Biggles, Julius Cheeesy, Little Chief Big Bull, Invisible Man, Wilma Flintstone, and Wonder Woman.

aka as, Michael Kennedy, Joshua Fox, Andy Kennedy, John Moderate, Vicki Kennedy, Michael Kennedy, Gareth Hughes, Thomas Kennedy, Neil Johnson, and John Belton.

Ah, the old glass of water ploy.

Superman didn't see that one coming!

Side profile of Superman, bit over the top with the padding I think.

Time for bed said Zebedee.

© 2009 RMU/EYMS Brass Band