Senior Cup, Blackpool

The Spring Festival is held in Blackpool, and comprises three separate competitions, of which the Senior Cup is the middle section. Promotion and relegation is dependant on the contest result on the day - the top and bottom four bands from each section of twenty are promoted and relegated. The only exception to this is the Grand Shield, where the top two bands only are promoted up to the British Open, held in September. Last year, in their quest to be promoted back into the Grand Shield, the Band gained 5th place. This year the Band was hoping, to improve on this result. The test piece - by Martin Ellerby - was 'Elgar Variations', a piece that was both enjoyable, but not easy, to play, as well as being a piece that was a pleasure to listen to. The Band had engaged the Belgian Conductor Frans Violet to conduct them in this competition, and rehearsals had started back in February in preparation for Frans' visit in early March. Frans spent two days with the Band before returning to Belgium to concentrate in rehearsing his own band - Brass Band Willebroek - for the 2008 European Brass Band Championships. The EYMS Band also turned its attentions to another contest, the North of England Brass Band Championships where they finished 2nd, and so qualified for the National Finals in October. 

The EYMS Brass Band then turned its attentions back to the Senior Cup, being led by conductor Norman law in preparation for the return of Frans on May 5th. Arriving in East Yorkshire in the early morning, Frans wasted little time in getting to grips with the Band taking several sectional rehearsals (Front Row Cornets, Back Row Cornets, Horns, and Trombones), before having an extended rehearsal with the full Band. 

Tuesday 6th, saw the Percussion section put under the cosh, before Frans - aided once again by Norman Law - took another extended rehearsal.

 James Dean, and Jonathan.

(Of course that should be James, Dean, and Jonathan)!

And off they go.

 Not like that, like this!

Two sides of Frans, conducting the sectional, and trying to solve a problem in the glockenspiel part.

Hard at work.

Frans Violet.

Frans, James, Dean, and Jonathan, towards the end of the sectional. Note the borrowed school glockenspiel pressed into service.

On Wednesday 7th returning from Maybury Primary School to the bandroom, it was the Baritone and Euphonium section that met early to come under the closest of scrutiny, before the full band arrived to continue the build up to the contest. Shaun (The Shed) Davey, our regular drummer arrived to have a listen to the rehearsal - he is not playing this weekend due to work committments. The ideal opportunity to have someone not directly involved in the rehearsal, take some pictures. (Or so we thought!!!!).

 First we started with some pictures of the Percussion section, just in case the ones above were not sufficient. Jonathan and Dean.

Alistair and Mark, the two thirds of the trombone section at rehearsal - Jez was on flying duties.

The Band in full flow.

Frans, and Principal Cornet for the weekend Jef Vermeiren.

Andy Till from the Carlton Main Frickley Colliery Band (in the quiet shirt), and Norman Law aiding Frans with his notes, helpful remarks, and occasionally a little bit of translation.

And then the camera man got all arty!

 And trying to 'balance the cymbal' on David Fox's head.

First the talk, and then putting the information into practice.

For the first time in many years, the Bass section use instruments that are actually younger than the players.

From the sublime .... to the ridiculous!

The moment Dean turns from a drummer in to a Percussionist.

St. John watches over the Cornet section - they'll take help from any direction.

And once the rehearsal was over the Band retired to their local hostelry for a little light refreshment. Well, when I say the Band, I mean everyone but the Cornet section - they had detention!

The curse of the Spring Festival continues to plague the Band in their build up to the contest weekend. In previous years we have suffered with a conductor letting us down, players being ill, power cuts, players being involved in accidents, having no access to the bandroom, and one of the Percussionists mislaying their styling mousse. However, this year the Band received the terrible news that their local pub 'The Minerva' is to close on May 25th. It appears that the decision has already been made and rubberstamped by the owners, though any change of mind would be readily welcomed by the Band, who have frequented this establishment for several years on Band nights (and any other nights that have a 'y' in the day), and to have their annual awards nights celebrated there. The Band would like to thank the staff, both past and present for the excellent service, and hospitality, that the we have always enjoyed.  

Thursday 8th May, saw another change of venue for the Band, partly for another set of acoustics and partly to aid with the logistics for the journey to Blackpool on Friday. The Cornets, and Bass section were the groups to have sectionals before the main rehearsal at St. Mary's Church Hall, Elloughton. 

Whilst the Bass section finished off, the rest of the Band waited outside - any similarity to a doctor's waiting room is purely intentional.

If you think this shirt is loud, wait until Saturday night!

Neil makes sure that he isn't going to get caught out when the latest joke arrives. Note for all bands people, Baton Down - Phone Off!

From the look of Andy, I'd guess that Frans was rehearsing the Trombone section!

(You know the part - it's marked very loud, forced, wild, and getting louder).

Frans puts the Band through their paces.

It was a hot night, and pretty warm outside too!

On Friday, the Band left East Yorkshire heading for Blackpool - via Askern, near Doncaster - the venue for our rehearsal.

Van man and his healthy snack.

Give us a chip.

Jef and Tony have a quick warm up before the rest of the Band arrive. 

A healthy mix of youth and experience!

Unfortunately for Steve, his domestic goddess hadn't quite got his band shirts dry, so for him, it was the old traditional method of hanging them on the van door to dry.

Even without Steve's shirts, there were still enough colours to build a rainbow.

Red and Yellow and, hang on, where are Green and Blue?

And in the quieter shirt department, Dean and Kevin.

Look at the size of that bottle of valve oil!

Blimey, his feet don't touch the floor.

Is the art of conversation dead?

I think you've missed a bit Gareth.

Chairman John in his 'personalised' shirt.

Once the rehearsal was completed, the Band moved from Askern to Blackpool, and the Hollies Hotel. Obviously, as it was quiet late when we arrived, it was straight to bed. (Oh, okay, we had some tea and a night cap[s] and then went to bed).

The following morning, and everybody is up early for breakfast, and then onto the coach to go up to the rehearsal venue. When I say everybody, that was stretching the truth a little. Alison was a little behind as when she left for Blackpool, part of her uniform was still in Beverley - it had just arrived in the nick of time, well done Pete Arden. 

Band shirts come in a range of sizes, starting off in tiny, as modelled by Penny Gibson.

Mr. Violet & Mr. Law

Frans & Norman.

The Dream Team!

Andrea, Charley, and Jayne.

Well Kevin, it's like this ....

The Chairman holds court in his new office.

Does the camera lie - or does Garry look shorter than ever.

Back to the hotel for coffee, meet outside and then a gentle stroll around to the Winter Gardens for the main event of the day. 

Look valves are okay, but you can't beat a slide.

Note the positioning of the all important duster.

Jonathan doubling as a professional warm-up man!

 It's not what it looks like at first glance. This is team work at its best, demonstrated by the Band's Euphonium section. 'You play it, I'll blow it!'

Sorry we thought it said Laddys, not Ladies.

After signing on to play, the last minute preparation included following our parts as the band drawn to play number 11 performed their interpretation of Martin Ellerby's 'Elgar Variations'.

After their performance it was our turn to play, and then wait for the all important results:- 

Now you see me ........................ now you don't.

Frans meets up with another one of his players from Brass Band Willebroek - Raf van Looveren

The latest comedy sensation - The Two Tonys.

Drawn to play number 12, the two adjudicators - Derek Broadbent & Christopher Wormold - wrote the following about the Band's performance of the set test-piece 'Elgar Variations' by Martin Ellerby.

Derek Broadbent

A compact opening. A Stylish - I do hear the general detail - but some looseness creeps in & spoils. B - C effective. C Opens well - Tasteful Solo Cornet, plays with good shape & style - not quite blemish free. Div just works - Close - pleasing. D Drives along in good style 73 gets a bit wild. E Don't hurry please - F Quite neat - but some inner detail gets lost in the excitement. G Has good conviction. H Gains tempo I So much hurrying! Two before J good percussion. J Flugel soloist plays in good style - well supported by all. 165 builds well. Controlled playing in this section to 171. A pleasing ensemble - this is nicely thought out and so musical. A lovely close. Two before K well done. K Has vivacity and good detail is heard. L Is skittish - a good contrast - Close is fine. M Chording fine, Euphonium soloist very tasteful - just the odd blemish - but that was musically done. N Good tempo - good style and detail ensues to ff - then a bold sound - but nothing overdone. Two before P lovely chording. P A spot of tuning spoils the opening chord - so much time & space in the solo lines - yet they all link so well - worth listening too. Div cornets - nicely done - lovely pace accel & dynamics to follow. Two before R beautifully done. R In good style - well balanced quartets. S Well worked - good detail to T. I do hear this - controlled to U Nothing overdone. Crescendo to ff fine. This is bold and stylish - Closing Fanfares - of the highest standard.

A performance of merit. Just a blip or two earlier on, but much music to commend. Thank you very much indeed.

Christopher Wormold

A reasonably tidy opening with detail and balance generally all in place. Good attempt at b43 Cornet soloists, not without blemish as you know. Very bright tempo chosen at D  but on the whole this works! Balance not always secure at b78 but some very good contributions around the sound. All works well to H but here the band starts to really accel and head towards out of control? - There are some very uneasy moments as J approaches. Well played Flugel at J, you are slightly flat and underpitch but generally  very stylish indeed. Tuning is not entirely secure at b171 or in the final few bars leading into this either but into b182 there is some beautiful shape, balance and tuning with very secure intonation too - your best so far. This performance is growing - not without blemish - but it is improving consistently. L was generally well handled and M was a brave attempt in Euphonium. N was outstanding (unfortunate blemish or two in Soprano is unfortunate but not costly) with some great stuff and technique here. The chords into P are excellent and P itself is so good. Well played all of you - Horn, Flugel, Soprano etc. - This is wonderful stuff. What a pity the first third of this piece was not as good as it is now - this is really excellent playing and direction!! One solo cornet at R? (Two?) very loud and safe for 'p' here. The section through to T is not particularly convincing to be honest, T is far better. This is a band with a superb sound and balance but perhaps needs more technical work to compliment its excellent foundations. Fantastic close and wonderful penultimate bar - all the detail is here for sure. This was a cracking performance which started out much less obviously for what was to follow. Well played!

The leading brass band website 4barsrest had a reporter providing 'live' coverage of the competition. His review of our performance said :-

A very impressive opening. Full of detail and the MD allows the musical lines to flow. Great tempo. Effective trombones – the ensemble work is so well delivered and is so tight. The Elgar is vivid. The detail continues. Lots of contrast and the dynamics are so well observed. Euph does well and lovely ensemble to be heard. Closing section maintains the quality.

Overall: A show of real quality by both band and MD. Right up there.

The reporter - Malcolm Wood then predicted the result in his opinion after listening to all 19 performances.

A piece of music that certainly tested the bands. For us though the cream should come to the top in the shape of EYMS coming out as winners with Skelmanthorpe and Pemberton in the mix. Behind them we plumb for Stocksbridge, Ratby and Wire.

1.     EYMS
2.     Skelmanthorpe
3.     Pemberton
4.     Stocksbridge
5.     Ratby
6.     Wire Brass

At the conclusion of the contest, the results were announced as follows.

The soloist prize was awarded to the Euphonium player with the Jaguar (Coventry) Band, and the top six places in the 2008 Senior Cup are :-

The 4barsrest site continued in their retrospective :-

EYMS had laid down their intentions of wanting to win, never mind qualify for the Grand Shield, prior to the contest, by appointing Frans Violet to lead their challenge. 

The Willebroek MD brought all of his experience to bear, and together they conjured up a performance that grew in stature as it went along.  The ensemble was compact and balanced, the soloists secure and musical, well graded dynamics were accurately observed, and although there was slips, it never detracted from the overall musical picture. After they had played it was some margin ahead of other bands, and in truth was some way ahead of any rivals thereafter. They were a deserved winner.

Stephen Gibson moments after collecting the cup.

Senior Cup - Champion Band 2008

The Official Winners Photograph - used with kind permission of The British Bandsman.

Frans with the Winning Conductor Trophy.

Charley, Garry, Alison, & Kathy - The Horn Section.

As with all good teams, we had a star sitting on the bench in BBb player Pete Arden, here with Neil & Andy - The Euphonium Section.

It would be some time before we prised the cup away from Andy.

Back at the hotel and time for the all important remarks.

Smile Sam - we won!

Using a mobile phone whilst drinking isn't really a good idea.

Top man!

Still no sign of the cup.

Only Alison could get in a picture with a well known chocolate maker's logo in the corner.

Heather & Alistair. Great draw Heather.

And then Andy appeared with the cup!

You want me to do what?

That's right - drink from the cup. Barman Barry had come up with a superb cocktail - after washing the cup to remove the taste of silver polish. 

Jonathan tests the 'bouquet' from the cocktail.

This glass seems a little small .................... this one is better!

The remark reading continued - even though some people were ready to go out for the night.

It's either Mark or the speaking clock!

Should I stay or should I go.

Simon was going to return home tonight, but then the results came out!

Before setting out for the meal, Mark presented Norman with a bottle for all of his hard work in the run up to the contest. 

Nice shirt!

Does the camera lie - not on this occasion, that really is Deano washing down his chinese with coke.

Following the meal, a few glasses of celebratory ale, and a surprisingly early night, the Band returned to East Yorkshire on the following morning.

It certainly beats a pair of fluffy dice. 

Tony, Frans and the Senior Cup - not necessarily in that order!

With, and without, the ghostly figure on the coach.

And then it was all over for another year.

Come back Garry, you're on the coach.

Pictures by Kathy Newiss, Peter Arden, Stephen Gibson, and Mark Unsworth.

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