National Finals 2008          

Following the Band's success in the 2008 Senior Cup, they once again engaged the services of Frans Violet to conduct the Band in the 2008 National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain. This contest was held on the 11th October, at the Royal Albert Hall, London, and the chosen test-piece 'Concertino for Brass Band' composed by Kenneth Downie, was specially adapted for the occasion from his four movement work Concerto for Brass Band. Once again Frans was assisted by Norman Law in the preparation of the performance.

Frans visited the Band for a weekend in September, and returned to Hull on Sunday 5th October for an intense week of sectional, and full band rehearsals, in a variety of locations. The Band would like to thank Barton Town Band for the loan of their bandroom on the Tuesday evening.

We travelled to London on Friday 10th October, and had a little free time to sort out, relax, and eat, before rehearsal started at 7.30pm in St Augustine's Church.

Driver Nick with matching cup and tie, and Mark with matching shirt and M & S bag.

I think you need a bit more sleep Alison.

Even with the colour turned down, that's still a loud shirt.

Don't eat the flower John, we'll get some food shortly.

Mister & Master Hughes.

Blimey, if you can reach around Tony - then that must be the long arm of the law!

Youth and experience, with Alison somewhere in the middle.

A bit of bonding in the horn section.

It's nothing to do with the soap powder, one is yellow, the other hi-vis yellow.

Just about ready to start.

The Pink Ladies.

In the background is Julian Lloyd-Webber, though why a cellist should choose to drink in a bar filled by three brass bands was beyond us. In the foreground is Andrea Grace, though why a cornettist should chose to drink in a bar occupied by a real musician is beyond us!!

After an early night, and an earlier morning, rehearsal for the Band started at 8:00am, once again in St Augustine's Church.

St Augustine's is a magnificent building, and ideally situated - only a two minute walk from the hotel.

A quick breather during the rehearsal, as we wait to find out the contest playing order.

L to R - Neil, Tim, Sam, Kevin, Gareth, James, Alison, Shaun, John, Andrea, Dean, David, Julia, Kirsty, John, Thomas, and behind the camera, Kathy.

Barry returns after drawing number 9 out of the bag.

Our front door....

.... and with a little more of the building. The beauty of using a digital camera is the ability to review later, the pictures taken earlier. In this case, Kathy took this picture as an aid to returning to the correct hotel later in the day, just in case she had come over all tired and emotional. 

  Once the draw was known, Frans rehearsed the Band until 1030, when it was time for a leisurely coffee.

And of course a look at the betting pages. Going in to today's contest, the EYMS Band were the second lowest ranked band competing, so on paper we should have been looking at a 19th position result.

 Arriving at the Royal Albert Hall, ready to perform as the Band drawn to play ninth. Great draw Barry, well done.

And still arriving.

What do you mean 'It's upstairs'?

Eyes down, Frans ready to begin the performance.

And off we go.

On the stage at the Royal Albert Hall.

The 'bass end'. 

Sheds 'r' us.

Has James moved since the last picture?

Jonathan with his friends.

Cornets taking it easy, or synchronised page turning.

Slides in motion.

There doesn't seem to be many playing here.

John, Neil, Kirsty, Tony, and Julia.

Blow, not suck!

A rare action of Kevin.

The very 'distinguished' horn section.

That doesn't look too bad considering he'd left his hairbrush in Hull!

In full flow (or blow).

Look at the speed of those sticks, and ....

....slightly slower, and ....

.... stop!

Looks like the end.

And after the performance, Band President Peter Shipp - complete with daughter, and grand daughter - came to congratulate the Band on their performance.

The discussions on the performance started straight away, whilst all of the Band knew that the Band could have played better, some players were quite despondent, whilst others thought that it was still a good performance despite the slips.

 Between loading the coach, and going for some light refreshments, the Band found time to pose on the steps at the rear of the Hall.

From left to right:- Mark Unsworth, Alistair Shipman, Neil Day, Tim Atkinson, Jez Kearney, Shaun Davey, Sam Kind, Sarah Evans, Thomas Kennedy, Andrew Kennedy, James Hendry, Karl Kirk, Gareth Hughes, Frans Violet, Neil Johnson, Andrea Grace, Dean Addinell, Garry Oglesby, Tony Newiss, John Mathews, Kirsty Fox, Jonathan Chapman, John Belton, Stewart Kennedy, Alison Grantham, David Fox, Kathy Newiss, Simon Blow, Julia Mathews, and Kevin Marshall.

Mind your fingers Sam!

 Obviously Kirsty was very thirsty.

But she doesn't seem to be drinking much.

No Alison, you can only use one hand. 

Obviously the post mortem had finished by this stage, and the girls (ladies) were more interested in something coming up the street.

No, you're joking.

Carling, Darling?

Is that the glaziers?

Just waiting to see what 4barsrest thought of our performance.

Then he went that way.

I'm not sure what Tim was in hysterics over, or indeed what was so interesting in the huddle.

Don't get in the way of this lot, they've just eaten and now need something to wash the food down with.

 Kirsty practices her teachers 'l don't believe you look' on Sam, ....

.... before smiling at class swot Tony.

Has Alison been caught in the act of blinking, or is the pace of drinking with the boys catching up. She should have followed John's example, and come out in her pyjamas!

I don't think Margo realised that Pete was practising his 'Gottle of Geer' routine.

Is Karl carrying Jez and Simon, or is it the other way round?

Mark and Alison are obviously more steady on their feet than the old man! 

The transformation is almost complete from Euphonium player into beer monster.

Following the close of the contest, there was a short concert before the announcement of the results. 

Sheila Tracey, the BBC presenter and compere for the results ceremony.

Sheila & Barry.

He's behind you.

The Band representatives at the results ceremony.

The Band were delighted with this result, (especially as it was a below par performance) and it represented the Band's best result at the National Finals since its debut performance in 1996 when they came 8th. A top ten result is something that the Band is justifiably proud of, especially looking at the big name, and long established bands that came above them. 

The comments from the three adjudicators for the day read as follows:-

David King -

Movement 1. Very good opening bars and well chosen tempo. Solo cornet continues to lead stylishly and the bands sound quality has depth and character. Basses provide a stable foundation for the ensemble. Not everything is transparent, however this is a very musical approach in search of the space between the notes. Thank you.

Movement 2. Lovely opening that explores the textural gems of the score. M is particularly well conceived and the dynamics are utilised to maximum the atmosphere. While the tempo(s) are slow, the conductor is maintaining a sense of pulse and horizontal line to the overall canvas - this has been a musical approach throughout, and the intention of the 'inner life' of the movement was well captured.

Movement 3. Transparent throughout. Percussion excellent and well integrated. Primary and secondary lines are well separated and given relative balance.

A well prepared band that has been enticed to play to its maximum. Thank you.

David Read - 

Movement 1. Impressive start, sounds just a little hurried for the ideas/motifs to be heard clearly, however some fine sounds & good contrasts too. A competent band & the playing improved after a rather frantic start.

Movement 2. Pleasing start & all individuals play a good part (I could take a little more BBb Bass in bar 14). However the music is sensitively shaped, particularly by Cornets & Euphonium at O. P Well done Solo Cornet. Cornet/Trombone play a good part (71/72). All well shaped by conductor.

Movement 3. Playing improves after an unsettled start, but as in the first movement I feel some of the detail is hurried. Good pitched percussion. I don't hear the theme at all in bar 119 (balance!). We become tired in final bar.

I feel the two outer movements did not live up to your second movement. 

James Gourlay - 

Movement 1. This opened well, the cornets producing a golden sound. Clarity was a problem at times, but the movement was approached musically and not merely as a technical challenge. This was refreshing.

Movement 2. This was very musically conducted and performed. Risking the quiet dynamics is always worth it. O was lovely. Basically you take a slow tempo, but then, because you phrase so well, you keep the flow. (I learned from this, so thank you).

Movement 3. Very transparent until 33, where the ensemble was not good. There is a sense of enjoyment, which is compelling. I like how you bring out the main motifs suppressing less important material. Finishes well.

This was perhaps not the most technically perfect performance, but it was very enjoyable. Bravo to all.   

Meanwhile back at the Queen's Mews.

Jez, get the lady a drink, can't you see she's thirsty?

After a few glasses of liquid refreshment, it was a good job that we had a camera to record the car covered by grass, otherwise we would have been accused of being drunk!

Pictures by Barry Mathews, Kathy Newsis, and Mark Unsworth.

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© 2008 RMU/EYMS Brass Band