News 2007

The end of 2007 has seen several changes of personnel within the Band. Vicki Kennedy decided to leave the Band - where she has been playing 4th man on the front row - and move to the Rothwell Band based in Leeds. The BBb Bass section has been rejoined by Sam Kind. Sam left the Band in 2006 when he was unable to offer the commitment required due to pressures of work, however, now that he has changed jobs and is once again in a position to commit, the Band is delighted to welcome Sam back. Our longstanding Soprano position has been filled by the arrival of Kevin Moxon, and his partner Jayne Wright who plays Cornet is also joining on the front row. Erin McVittie has been offered some regular playing on the French Horn which is her first instrument, and so has decided to vacate the 2nd Baritone position

The departure of Steve and Alice Rudhall has been felt especially hard by the Band. Tony Newiss - instrumental in their arrival at the Band - wrote the following:-

The time has come, unfortunately, to say So long! Farewell! Auf weidersehn! Goodbye! to Steve and Alice Rudhall, who have been with the Band now for two years. In the nicest possible way, I have to say it seems longer!

Picture the scene…., sitting at my computer screen in the early hours of the morning, scouring brass band online information sites wondering where we are going to find a new Principal Cornet, when winging its way into my in-tray, comes an e-mail from the Brass Band Web-ring with a question. “Does any one know of a Championship Section band within 1 hours drive of Grimsby? Steve Rudhall will be working in Grimsby for about 18 Months from Sept/ Oct 2005. Steve is the current National Cornet Champion of New Zealand.” Needless to say it took me all of 20 seconds to answer with the details of our Band website, the fact that we were a lot less than an hour away, and that we were looking for a Principal Cornet. I have to say when I looked at the website of the band he was currently playing for in Nelson, New Zealand, it appeared Steve was our kind of guy! He was pictured sitting behind a table, which was full of empty beer glasses and he looked happy.

The rest – as they say – is history! Steve duly arrived, and came to a rehearsal, and in the meantime we had learned that Alice – his wife – was a tenor horn player and we also had a gap for a horn player. In one fell swoop, we had potentially filled two vacancies. At that stage, we didn’t know how or whether things would work out. How little we knew.

It would be fair to say that in their time with us Steve and Alice have become very much part of Band life, and not just from a playing perspective. They have both contributed to the Band’s administration, as well as the (extensive) social arena. Steve’s propensity for a good curry at the drop of a hat fitted in perfectly with the Band ethos! Since their arrival, they have quite simply been brilliant. They are talented, committed bands people and it has been a pleasure to have them aboard for two years. They are now firmly part of the EYMS Band “family”.

We wish them all the best in everything they do when they eventually get back to New Zealand, and an enjoyable month travelling and holidaying whilst on route.Our attempts to get their passports cancelled having failed we have to say “Au revoir” to Alice and Steve with thanks to them, both for their contribution to the Band and commitment to the cause. I am reliably informed that an accurate translation of Au revoir is “until the seeing again”.

The Band would like to welcome Sam, Kevin, and Jayne, and thank Vicki, Erin, Steve, and Alice for their contributions to the Band, and wish them all every success in the future.

Band Secretary Maurice Metcalfe took his first steps today following an operation yesterday. Maurice (on a planned hospital visit) is recovering well, but as expected is quite tired. The Band wish Maurice well, and hope that his recovery continues, and that we see him back at rehearsal soon.

Following in the footsteps of Iain McKnight, Sophie Rees, and Steve Rudhall, 2nd Euphonium player Andy Kennedy became the latest member of the Band to appear on the stage on crutches. Apparently, whilst on a weekend break (no pun intended) to Dublin, Andy's foot was hit by a plastic table blown over by the wind, resulting in a broken 5th metatarsal. As ever, fashion guru Andy put his appearance first, by having a hot pink coloured cast.

On Tuesday 30^th October the East Yorkshire Motor Services Brass Band played in a combined Concert & Lecture at the City Hall, Hull.

As far as the Band was concerned, the major item on the evenings programme was the World Premiere of Philip Wilby’s ‘Reformers’. The Band, commissioned this work in 2007 with financial assistance from Kingston Upon Hull City Council, to commemorate the 200^th Anniversary of the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act, and the leadership of the reforming William Wilberforce.

Before the lecture, the Band conducted by Jim Davies played a short programme of music introduced by the Bishop of Hull, Richard Frith. Starting with the March Death or Glory by R. B. Hall, the Band immediately showed its softer side by performing Howard Snell's arrangement of Winter from Vivaldi's Four Seasons. The first soloist for the evening was the Band's Principal Cornettist Steve Rudhall, who performed Mark Freeh's arrangement of the Harry James Carnival of Venice. This will be Steve’s – and his wife Alice’s – last public performance with the Band, before sadly, they return to New Zealand. Following this the Band played a selection from the Mask Of Zorro, before it was time to introduce the second of the evenings soloists, Principal Trombonist Mark Unsworth, who performed Darrol Barry's ever popular arrangement of the Wind Beneath My Wings. The last piece before the lecture was Mark Freeh's sparkling arrangement of Ol' Man River, which gave Percussionist Jonathan Chapman the opportunity to display his talents.

The lecture presented by Dr John Sentamu the Archbishop of York, was a typically inspiring and topical event, covering such topics as education, politics, William Wilberforce, and the current regime in Uganda.

Following the lecture, the Archbishop took some questions from the floor, before it was the Band’s turn again, this time to perform Reformers. The performance was made even more special as Philip Wilby was given the opportunity to address the audience before the piece started. During this address, Philip was able to give the audience an insight into the piece, and his thoughts about the composition. After this, Philip joined the Band for the performance by playing the magnificent City Hall organ during the premiere. At the conclusion of the performance, the audience gave a very positive reaction by giving the Band and Composer a standing ovation. A delighted Philip Wilby told the Band, "What a success! Definitely the band at the centre of the community! I couldn't have been more pleased! A standing ovation! Thanks for all the hard work and preparation!"

The Band drew the evening’s event to a close, by performing the Finale from the William Tell Overture, which again drew appreciative applause from the large audience. Amongst the audience was the Band President and Sponsor Peter Shipp, who was delighted with the evening, “Not only was the Band playing to a large audience, but to a largely new audience, as the majority of people had come primarily to listen to the Wilberforce Lecture”.

The Band have recently had to say a temporary farewell to 2nd Trombonist Jez Kearney, who has decided to further his musical career with the Bands of The Royal Air Force. If the plan works Jez - once his training is complete - will return on posting to Lincolnshire, and once again play with the Band. This will be Jez's second period of military service, as prior to joining the EYMS Band, he played with the Band of Her Majesties Irish Guards. We wish him well during his time away.

In the meantime, whilst he gets measured for his flying jacket, and grows a handlebar moustache, his Band committments will be taken over by Dave Howarth, with some assistance from Steve Armitage and Simon Percy.

On Friday the 26th October, the BBC Radio 2 programme 'Listen To The Band', featured an interview with the Band's Principal Cornettist Steve Rudhall, as well as broadcasting the Band's performance of the middle movement from 'Music For Battle Creek', the test piece at this years National Brass Band Championships held at the Royal Albert Hall on Saturday 20th October. This broadcast is a rare privilege for the Band, as this programme generally broadcasts the winning performance only. If you missed this programme, it is available on the listen again feature on the BBC website. Go to www.bbc.co.uk/radio2 select the listen again feature, and click on the link to 'Listen To The Band', this feature is only available until Friday 2nd November when it will be replaced by the latest programme.

'Reformers' commissioned by the Band will receive its World Premiere performance at Hull City Hall, on Tuesday 30th October. The Band will be presenting a short concert - starting at 7pm - prior to the 2007 Wilberforce Lecture, this year to be presented by the Archbishop of York Dr John Sentamu. Following the lecture, the Band will perform 'Reformers', a three movement work composed by Professor Philip Wilby, who will be taking part in this performance playing the City Hall Organ. This commission was made possible with financial assistance from Kingston Upon Hull City Council, and commemorates the 200th Anniversary of the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act, and the leadership of the Reforming William Wilberforce. The composer was given the challenge that the music should reflect the four themes of the City Council's Wilberforce Festival - Pride, Freedom, Belief and Change.

Philip Wilby wrote about this commission. “Although he was involved in many charitable projects, not least establishing the RSPCA, and London’s National Gallery, it was Wilberforce’s successful campaign to abolish the slave trade, which has secured his reputation. This new composition is inspired by his work, and his belief in the saving power of evangelism to change prevailing attitudes and establish freedom for all. John Newton, sometime slave captain, was one of Wilberforce’s mentors in early life, and composed many well-known hymns. ‘Amazing Grace’ has become the text most associated with black musicians, and forms the centrepiece of my score. Wilberforce was based in Clapham, and his rallies and marches were a regular feature of the ‘Clapham Saints’ in the early years of the 19^th Century. Accordingly the outer movements contain echoes of these marches, as well as some African ‘call and response’ drumming. Originally conceived as a work to play its part in a major civic occasion, Reformers contains some features which may be thought to be unusual additions to the standard brass band formation. The melody of ‘Amazing Grace’ is here played off stage, whilst the climax of the work is marked by the dramatic entry of the famous City Hall Organ. The emphasis of my music has been on the positive aspects of Abolition rather than the negative issues surrounding slavery. Although it contains some reflective aspects, the defining message of Reformers is triumphant.”

Coinciding with this concert will be the release of the Band's latest CD 'Reformers'. As well as featuring the title piece, this CD features a selection of light concert music, many of which have featured in recent concerts. This CD will be on sale in the foyer of the City Hall, both before and after the performance.

Tickets for this event are available from the City Hall Box Office, Carr Lane, and are free of charge.

As part of their build up to the National Brass Band Championships, the Band will be holding an 'open' rehearsal on Sunday, 14th October, in the Town Hall Hessle. This rehearsal will give any interested parties the opportunity to hear the test piece selected for this contest, Music For Battle Creek, by Philip Sparke, whilst it is rehearsed by the Band's Musical Director Jim Davies. The rehearsal starts at 8pm, and goes through until 10pm, and entry is free.

On Saturday the 4th August, the Band met at its usual hostelry - The Minerva Hotel - on the sunlit banks of the River Humber. Apart from several awards of the more jocular variety, two main awards were presented by Band Secretary Maurice Metcalfe. The Most Improved Musician Award (judged by the Band's Musical Director - Jim Davies) was presented to BBb Bass player Stephen Gibson. The Award for the Person Contributing Most To The Band (voted for by members of the Band) was presented to Melanie Kennedy.

Following one of the busiest summer periods in the Band's history, the hard work continues with intense preparations for the 2007 National Brass Band Championships, to be held at the Royal Albert Hall on Saturday 20th October. Immediately after the Band's return from the Netherlands, it was straight to work on a new CD. This CD was recorded at Ackworth School over the weekend of 16th & 17th June. Entitled 'Reformers', this CD has been recorded to be released as part of the Wilberforce 2007 celebrations in Hull. Reformers is the name not just of the CD, but also the title work, which was commissioned in 2007 by the Band, with financial assistance from Kingston Upon Hull City Council, to commemorate the 200^th Anniversary of the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act, and the leadership of the reforming William Wilberforce. The composer Philip Wilby, was given the challenge that the music should reflect the four themes of the City Council’s Wilberforce Festival – Pride, Freedom, Belief, and Change. Reformers will receive its World Premiere performance at the Wilberforce Lecture presented by the Archbishop of York, John Sentamu, on the 30^th October 2007, in the Hull City Hall. The CD will also be released that day. Tickets for this event can be obtained free of charge from the City Box Office, Carr lane, Hull.

June also saw the Band make its annual trip to Cockermouth to perform in its Annual Arts Festival. Once again the Band performed to a full house, and has already been engaged to return again in 2008. Like many bands, our summer programme was affected by the inclement weather. The first of three 'wet' concerts was the Picnic in the Park, to be held at Ackworth School. Fortunately, there was a dry alternative, so the Band's performance - complete with sandwiches and pork pies - was held in the school's music centre. Two other engagements were not so lucky, at Elloughton the garden party had to be postponed, not because of falling rain, but because the ground was so wet, chairs holding sylph-like bandsmen would have sunk straight down. And the Howden show performance had to be cancelled by the organisers because of the lack of a covered venue.

The Band also made several trips to the seaside, firstly to Bridlington to take part in the Old Town Festival. This was the first time the Band had played in this resort, and the magnificent Priory Church proved to be an ideal venue. The Band also performed twice in Withernsea, both performances on the same day. During the afternoon the Band performed a traditional concert, and in the evening played several sets in a 'Last Night On The Prom' concert that also featured local vocalists.

The Band's next performance is on Saturday 8th September at the Streetlife Museum, High Street, Hull. The East Yorkshire Motor Services Group, together with the Museum are holding a 'Big Bus Day'. In the morning a quintet from within the Band (Cornets - Tony Newiss & Kirsty Fox, Horn - Erin McVittie, Trombone - Mark Unsworth, Tuba - Gareth Hughes) will be playing, and then during the afternoon the full band will perform.

It is with regret that the Band has accepted the resignation of Peter Wilson, the Band's 2nd Horn player. Peter has spent several years with the Band in two periods, mostly as a very successful Soprano player. Peter moved on to the Horn earlier this year, but has found recently that the commitment required by his new job as a coach driver for East Yorkshire Motor Services, has clashed with his commitment to the Band.

The Band would like to thank Peter for his time with the Band, and wish him success in the future.

The Band today returned from a very successful ten day tour of The Netherlands. Crossing by overnight ferry from Hull to Rotterdam by P & O Ferry on Thursday 24th May, and returning by DFDS Ferry from Ijmuiden to Newcastle on Saturday the 2nd June. The Band were initially based in Haren in the North of the country, playing joint concerts with Brassband Immanuël Eemsmond, De Lofklank Ureterp, and Brass Band de wâldsang, as well as an outdoor concert at Delfzijl on the north coast. Moving down to the Amsterdam area on Wednesday 30th May, the Band played an outdoor concert at Zaanse Schans, as well as a further joint concert with Amsterdam Brass. The Band travelled around the Netherlands in a coach provided by our sponsors, The East Yorkshire Motor Service Group, and would like to thank them for their support in this venture, and also to thank our two drivers, Peter and Paul. Whilst in the Vollendam area, the Band took the opportunity to pose for a photograph in traditional Dutch costume, (look carefully - some of the men got a little confused when Dutch dress was mentioned!).

Middle Row - Kathy, Shaun, Alice, Gareth, Alison, John, Erin, James, Simon, Tim.

As well as the concerts, the Band took the opportunity to visit several cultural areas (Camp Westerbok - a World War II concentration camp, the Seal Sanctuary at Pieterburen, windmills at Zaanse Schans), as well as a canal trip, and some window shopping in Amsterdam. The Band, directed by Jim Davies also completed several rehearsals for their forthcoming CD recording.

Congratulations go to Stephen (BBb Bass) and Emma Gibson, on the birth of their new daughter - Penelope Alice - who arrived safely on Friday 4th May. Their neighbours will now have the difficult task of deciding who makes the most noise, Stephen whilst practising, or Penelope Alice whilst screaming.

Stephen has taken a short spot of 'paternity leave' from the Band to help out at home, and so misses the Senior Cup Competition, and the Tour. His place for these has been filled by Tim Atkinson.

Concerts at three venues have recently been added to the Band's Engagement list, one each for the years 2007, 2008, and 2009. The 2009 concert will be held at The Middleton Hall, Hull, to celebrate the Band's 20 year anniversary. It is expected that several former members will be invited to join the current Band on the stage.

The concert in January 2008, sees the Band return to the Plowright Theatre in Scunthorpe, to take part in fundraising project for the children of Maleala, Lesotho. The money raised from this concert - and one the previous evening featuring the winners from the Scunthorpe Musical Festival - will be used to sponsor the education of those children orphaned as a result of HIV Aids. Attending both concerts will be HRH the Prince of Lesotho.

The third concert will take place on the 3rd November this year, at St Margaret's Church, Ilkley, when the Band will appear as guests of the Steeton Male Voice Choir. The Band will perform during the concert, as well as joining with the Choir to provide a 'Last Night of The Proms' style finale.

It is with much regret that the East Yorkshire Motor Services Brass Band, announce that two of its longest serving members – Danny Hatton (Back-row Cornet) and Liz Grosvenor (Solo Euphonium) – have decided to take a break from playing with the Band.

Liz joined the Band in 2000 when she moved to the area after obtaining a full time teaching post with the Kingston Upon Hull Music Service. Initially playing 2^nd Euphonium, Liz moved onto the Solo seat in 2004. As a regular soloist with the Band, Liz impressed with her musicality and technique, and was one of three soloists to feature on the Band’s last CD ‘The Deep’, performing James Curnow’s Rhapsody for Euphonium.

Danny is the last continuous serving, founding member of the Band. He started at the first rehearsal in 1989 and has featured on the back row ever since. Famed for his almost anorak-like encyclopaedic knowledge of the Band's history, especially in the contest field, and test pieces used by the Band, Danny's other specialist talent lies in doing impressions of some of the conductors and players from the Band's past.

Both Dan and Liz have served as members of the Committee, and will both be greatly missed not only for their playing ability, but for their all round contribution to the Band. We would like to wish them both every success for their future together.

Following last year’s successful collaboration between the East Yorkshire Motor Services Brass Band and the Northern Friends Schools, at Wakefield Cathedral, when the Band joined the choirs in a performance of Vivaldi’s ‘Gloria’, the Band was again invited by the Ackworth School Director of Music, Rhiannon Davies, to take part in this years Choral Festival.

Last year’s concert featured the three Northern Friends Schools of Ackworth, Bootham and The Mount. This year was the National Friends festival, so as well as students from the three Northern Schools, students from Saffron Walden, Sidcot, Sibford, and Leighton Park Schools, all came together at Ackworth to prepare for a performance of Karl Jenkins Mass for Peace, ‘The Armed Man’.

The concert was held in the 250 year-old Meeting House at Ackworth, with the Choir and Band taking up the majority of the ground floor, leaving the upper tier for the audience. Whilst this wasn’t the first performance of this work using a brass band instead of an orchestra, it was one of the first, and Andrew Wainwright’s arrangement showed off the Band to its full effect. Unusually though, the Flugel Horn and Euphonium solos in the Benedictus, returned to the original instrumentation, with the Cello solo played by Beth Walters, and the Violin Solo (Stephen Flatman) sensitively accompanied by the Band. Rhiannon Davies once again took up the baton to direct the performance, whilst husband Jim (EYMS Band Musical Director) again dusted off his cornet, to play the Last Post at the end of The Charge. Completing the Davies family contribution to the performance was young Jack, singing the Boy Soprano part for The Kyrie. The whole performance featured a visual display of scenes to match the mood of the music, from World War 1 battle scenes, to a young ballet dancer, to the funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother.

Soloists featured from the Band, included a duet between Kirsty Fox (Repiano Cornet) and Steve Rudhall (Principal Cornet) in The Angry Flames, whilst guest Soprano player for the day Claire Taylor (YBS) had the unenviable task of starting The Mass off with an unaccompanied solo. The Band’s percussion team of Shaun Davey, James Hendry, and Jonathon Chapman all featured heavily during the performance, with Jonathon also taking the Bass vocal solos throughout The Mass.

In her programme notes Rhiannon wrote “...to present a work that not only had musical merit, but also conveyed values that carried contemporary relevance. Issues surrounding war and peace, though seemingly perpetual in nature, have been prominent in the thoughts and concerns for many of us lately. Rare is the day that our conscience is not tugged by news of turmoil, whether in our cities or elsewhere around the globe…” Certainly at the end of the performance, there was a noticeably emotional atmosphere, created in part by the music, but also by the multimedia display running throughout, and as Rhiannon had mentioned in her notes, by current world events.

Jim Davies – apart from his short playing contribution – had that rare opportunity to sit and listen to his own Band perform, and he was swift to pass on both his congratulations, and those received from members of the audience. From the Band’s point of view, this was an exciting project to be involved in, as it gave the Band chance to perform a different style of music to usual, as well as reaching a different audience.

One member of the audience, David King (A Viola player) contacted the Band to say, “I travelled from Oxfordshire to watch my daughter singing on Sunday and would like to congratulate you for the quality of performance from the Band. Having only heard this work played by an orchestra, I was expecting you to be too powerful for a school choir, but this was not the case. You might have easily drowned the choir, but instead the playing was sympathetic, with a lovely tone and depth. Many thanks.”

Whilst the Band now moves on to its next challenge of a very busy year, it hopes that this won’t be the last link up with the choirs of The Friends School, and Ackworth School in particular.

The Horn Section at the East Yorkshire Motor Services Brass Band has recently seen a change, with one player leaving, and his replacement being found from within the Band. Though this unfortunately creates a vacancy elsewhere.

The player moving on is Garry Oglesby, 2^nd Horn with the Band, and Resident Conductor with the up and coming Barton Town Band, based at opposite ends of the Humber Bridge. Garry, a very experienced and travelled musician (Jones & Crossland, Brodsworth Colliery, Black Dyke, amongst others) has had two spells with EYMS, the latest since the summer of 2005. Ideally, Garry would have continued playing with the Band, but a clash between the rehearsal schedules of both his bands, meant that this option wasn’t possible. Forced to make a decision, Garry decided that his future lie with the baton, and so reluctantly decided to stand down. The Band would like to publicly thank Garry for his contribution over the past years, and to wish him and Barton Town Band every success during their future together.

The player moving around the Band is Peter Wilson. Peter has, in two spells been the Soprano player at EYMS for nearly ten years. Before Christmas, Peter informed the Band that he was intending hanging up his soprano cornet, and should the opportunity arise would like to take on the challenge provided by the tenor horn. This opportunity has come around much quicker than anyone anticipated, and Peter has responded to the challenge, moving from soprano to horn, in the gap between two rehearsals. This has of course created a vacancy for soprano cornet, one that the Band is busy trying to fill at the present time.

The quiz night held at last night at the Ideal Standard Sports & Social Club was a great success, and quite entertaining too. Quizmaster/Band President Peter Shipp, selected the ideal match of general knowledge questions, combined with some brain teasers. The winning team of Tony & Kathy Newiss, and Kathy's Mum and Dad, Derek & Gina Jones, under the team name of 'Codgers in the Corner', blending age and experience, with age and experience, took the plaudits for winning by clear points.

David Fox proved to be the master of the camel race, winning a re-run final after an initial photo finish. Chairman John Mathews, won Kirsty's 'Face of East Yorkshire' photo fit competition, though he did have the advantage of being the same age as some of the subjects. Finally, Stewart Kennedy won the bottle of whisky, after throwing his pound coin closest to the bottle.

Yesterday the Band took part in the 2007 Northern Area Contest, at the Dolphin Centre, Darlington. Drawn to play number 4 out of 8, the Band finished the day in the highly creditable position of 2nd. This position means the Band have an invitation to play at the National Brass Band Championships, to be held at the Royal Albert Hall, in London, on October 20th. Whilst this result was met with great excitement and happiness by all members of the Band, and their Musical Director Jim Davies, the result probably meant just a little more to Steve and Alice Rudhall, who have postponed their return to New Zealand, so that they can take part in this wonderful occasion. As well as receiving a trophy for coming 2nd, the Band were also awarded the prize for the Best Percussion Section. Our section of Jonathon Chapman, Dean Addinell, Shaun Davey, and our debutant James Hendry were delighted to accept this award.

This is the first time since 2004 that the Band has qualified for the finals, and the 9th time out of 12 since reaching the Championship Section. The Band playing at the contest yesterday was:-

Soprano Cornet	Peter Wilson
Solo Cornet	Steve Rudhall
Solo Cornet	Tony Newiss
Solo Cornet	Stewart Kennedy
Solo Cornet	Victoria Kennedy
Repiano Cornet	Kirsty Fox
2nd Cornet	Julia Mathews
2nd Cornet	Simon Blow
3rd Cornet	Andrea Grace
3rd Cornet	Danny Hatton
Flugel Horn	Kathy Newiss
Solo Horn	Alison Grantham
1st Horn	Alice Rudhall
2nd Horn	Garry Oglesby
1st Baritone	John Mathews
2nd Baritone	Erin McVittie
Solo Trombone	Mark Unsworth
Sludgepump 2	Jez Kearney
Kid Shifter	Alistair Shipman
Solo Euphonium	Liz Grosvenor
2nd Euphonium	Neil Johnson
Eb Bass	David Fox
Eb Bass	Gareth Hughes
Bb Bass	Steve Gibson
Bb Bass	Peter Arden
Percussion	Jonathan Chapman
Percussion	Shaun Davey
Percussion	Dean Addinell
Percussion	James Hendry

The Band are holding a 'Quiz Night' evening this coming Friday - 23 March 2007 - at The Ideal Standard Sports Club, on County Road South, Hull starting at 7:30pm. Teams can made up of up to 4 members, and entry is £10:00 per team. For directions please click here. The question master for the evening, will be the Band President, Peter Shipp.

For the second time in recent years, during the run up to a major contest, the Band arrived at their Popple Street Headquarters to find the whole area in darkness. A major power cut had occurred earlier in the day, and the Electricity Board were still struggling to fix the fault. Unlike the previous occasion, the band didn't retire to the Minerva Hotel to discuss what might have been, but moved across to the Humberside Police Band rehearsal facilities. So slightly later than intended - unlike the Electricity Board - normal service was resumed.

The Band would like to express their thanks to the Humberside Police Band, for the loan of their rehearsal facilities at such short notice.

The Band was thrilled to discover that Liz Grosvenor (Solo Euphonium), and Danny Hatton (Back Row Cornet), have recently become engaged.

The Band would like to wish them every happiness and success in their future together.

A recent survey listed the top ten worst excuses for being late. How many have you heard?

One of our 'late' (no longer with the Band, but always arriving after the expected time, but not late as in deceased) used at least two of these excuses, or as appropriate for a musician - variations on a theme.

The East Yorkshire Motor Services Brass Band will have a new man wielding the white stick at their next concert. Stand in ‘Stunt’ conductor Mark Unsworth will be deputising for regular Musical Director Jim Davies, who will be away on holiday. Mark, the Band’s Solo Trombonist, has conducted the Band on several occasions, including engagements, but this will be his first at an indoor concert. Band Spokesman Tony Newiss said, “This should be an interesting experience for all concerned. I know that Mark studied conducting whilst a student at Salford, but I’m not too sure where he studied his selection of dodgy jokes.”

Also conducting during the evening will be Liz Grosvenor, Solo Euphonium for the Band. Liz will be conducting the City of Hull Youth Brass Band, who along with a percussion group from the Hull City Music Service, are the Band’s guests at this concert, a fund raising event for St John Ambulance. Tony continues “St John Ambulance have provided the Band with rehearsal facilities for several years, and this concert gives us the chance to say thank you, to raise the profile of both organisations, and raise some much needed funds for this well known charity.”

There are several links between the two bands – several of the current EYMS players started their brass band careers with the youth band. These include Kathy Newiss (Flugel), Kirsty Fox (Rep), Mark Unsworth (Solo Trom), and Danny Hatton (Back Row). Due to the gap created by Mark conducting, regular 2^nd trombonist Jez Kearney will move onto the end chair, with his place being taken by Megan Roberts. Megan is the Solo Trombonist with the Youth Band, and has played with the Band before at the 2006 Wychavon Festival of Brass.

The concert on Sunday the 25^th February will be staged at the Albemarle Music Centre, Anlaby Park Road South, Hull, starting at 7.30pm.

The Band is delighted to announce that Gareth Hughes has signed for the Band on EEb Bass. Gareth, originally from the East Riding of Yorkshire, has recently moved back into this area, after taking up a new position with the East Riding of Yorkshire County Council, as a Senior Research Officer. Gareth moved from the area to attend Newcastle University. Whilst studying there, and later as a post-graduate student at Leeds University, Gareth played with the Northumbria Police Band. Relocating in 2002 to London, Gareth played with several of the capital's bands, including Aveley & Newham, Redbridge Brass, and most recently Thundersley Brass, for whom he competed at the 2006 National Finals.

Gareth's arrival means a shuffle around within the Bass section. Stephen Gibson moves from the EEb Bass onto Principal BBb Bass, and Gareth moves onto this now vacant seat. The other players - section leader David Fox (EEb Bass), and Peter Arden (BBb Bass) stay on their respective seats.

In the busy run up to Christmas four current members of the Band, together with Dixon Laing a former member of the Band, performed at Market Weighton Church, with the singing group 'Weighton Waits'. The Brass players Peter Wilson, Garry Oglesby, Stephen Gibson, and Mark Unsworth, together with Dixon, make up the Brass Quintet 'Kingston Brass'. (Mark was deputising on this occasion for the quintet's regular trombonist Dave Howarth). The quintet played a mixture of traditional brass pieces, as well as a few festive numbers for good measure. During one of the breaks in their playing, the group discovered a very interesting box, called the Magical Monkeys Music Experience. Playtime ensued!

L to R. Charlie the Crocodile, Mark, Magic Monkey, Ossie the Owl, Dixon, Garry the Gopher, Peter, and Harry the Hippo.

Following on from the 2006 travels of the Band polo shirt, the following pictures have recently arrived at the Band website. Possibly the furthest travelled shirts so far, the first picture shows Principal Cornettist Steve Rudhall, with his parents Reg & Lesley at Auckland International Airport, New Zealand.

The second picture shows Alice Rudhall (1st Horn) on the beach, in the background is Mount Maunganui, also New Zealand.

Both Steve and Alice enjoyed their break down under, and have both now returned back to England, ready for the busy Band year ahead.

The Band's Principal Cornettist, Steve Rudhall, and his wife Alice (1st Horn), are currently enjoying a four week break back in Steve's homeland New Zealand. The news from down under, is that they are having a great time with family and friends, and are apparently not missing the British Winter. That's quite correct, they'll be back over here before it starts properly! With this news arrived the following pictures.

The picture on the left is Steve allegedly getting a sun tan - though it looks from here as though his legs have been washed with the same powder as his shirt. The second picture is Steve preparing fresh mussels for tea, under the close supervision of Alice.

Following the Band's appearance on BBC Look North on Wednesday 13th December 2006, which featured the Band playing The Deep in the Deep, they also appeared on the boxing day edition of the same programme. This time playing Philip Sparke's arrangement of The Christmas Song. This was also recorded in Hull's Submarium 'The Deep'. The connection with the BBC will continue on Monday 15th January, when Tony Newiss (Solo Cornet) and Mark Unsworth (Solo Trombone), will feature with the Band's latest CD on the BBC Radio Humberside afternoon show with Lara King. The Band are donating £1:50 proceeds from each CD sold during December and January to the BBC's Making Waves Appeal. This appeal is raising money for the eight lifeboat stations within it's broadcast area, and it is quite appropriate to link our CD with this appeal, as the second movement of the suite The Deep, is entitled Requiem for Lost Mariners. There is another link with the Band and BBC Radio Humberside, as they broadcast live, the first performance of The Deep, when it was played at the official opening of the Deep on the 23rd March 2002.

News - 2007