Alan Coe has retired from playing. A small token of appreciation was presented to
Alan on 3rd March during the bands celebration curry night. Thankfully Alan's
close association with the band continues as he has taken on the role of conductor
with the "Nippers Band".
The band would publicly like to thank Alan for his committed service.
were awarded the Yorkshire First Section Champions title on 2nd March.
proved that they are the band to beat at the moment and having won
Butlins in January they maintained their fine form here.
Drawn 11 they had the confidence of Ellen MacArthur on one of her
nautical challenges and as a result it was a performance that
displayed good ensemble and excellent soloists – especially the
principal cornet, euphonium and soprano. The tempi’s were sensible
logged, so detail was heard, and conductor John Roberts pulled every
ounce of emotion out of his band. The heroic march had a majestic
swagger about it, but it was the very persuasive overall musical
picture that left little doubt that they were worthy winners."
Garlick and the B Band who also qualified to appear at the
National Finals in September.
adjudicators remarks
1st Section Title in January together with a cheque for £1500 in a field of 24 Bands.
John Roberts ...... Being nominated for 4BR Lower Section Band of
the Year last year was testament to their efforts. They’ve started
2008 like they finished 2007 and they’ll be a match for anyone on the
contesting stage this year if this performance was anything to go by".
joined the band on Principal Cornet. Jo has recently moved up to the area to
study at Huddersfield University, and is also the principal cornet of the
Huddersfield University Brass Band. Jo has previously played for Sellers and
Point of Ayr, and since 2003 she has played on the top chair at Jackfield Band
followed by a brief spell at Yorkshire Co-op..
John Roberts said "Jo is an excellent addition to the Skelmanthorpe Team, and
she brings experience, ability and enthusiasm. We are looking forward to 2008
with Jo leading the cornet section, starting with our Butlins' title defence in
January".
Skelmanthorpe Band with four other bands for the award of Lower Section
Band of the Year. In chosing the band they wrote "What a fine year for
Skelmanthorpe – especially at the two major contests that bookmarked the year –
Butlins and Pontins. To take one of the major honours by the sea is one thing, but
to take both after a long year on the contesting road showed a great deal of
character and evidence of a real good band in making under the direction John
Roberts. Over £3,500 showed just how successful they were, but there was also
performances at the Senior Cup, Wilkinsons and Silkstone too that enhanced their
growing reputation." Visit www.4barsrest.com to cast your vote!!
During the first movement of performance John Roberts somehow managed to stab himself in the
hand with his conductors baton, almost causing him to pass out! Luckily John kept going (complete
with splattering blood!) and the band achieved a creditable 3rd place.
In their retrospective, 4bars rest placed us as winners, and commented "Paul Oldfield told us at Pontins
that Skelmanthorpe were a band on a mission to retain their 2006 winners trophy and they came so close to
doing just that. Their performance was enhanced with some great trombone playing. This was our winner on the
day and a prize winner in the judge’s estimation as well as 'The Year of the Dragon' gained them the J E Cook
Butchers Ltd Trophy & £100 and so nearly the top spot again". Well done also to Sharon Swales on
stepping up to the principal cornet position for this contest.
Congratulations go to Timperley Band on their victory at Wilkinsons this year.
returned to Pontins in style by winning
the first section in a field of 17 bands.
In his interview with 4bars rest after
the result, adjudicator Stan Lippeat
explained that in the judges opinion
the win was by "a clear points margin".
1 Skelmanthorpe
2 Stocksbridge
3 Northop Silver
4 Hade Edge
5 Jackfield (Elcock Reisen)
6 Chalford
7 Thomas Coaches Mid
Rhondda
8 Jersey Premier Brass
9 Tintwistle
10 Ibstock Brick Brass
11 Haslingden &
Helmshore
12 Longridge -
13 Shirley
14 Grange Moor brass -
15 Bedworth Brass
16 Tyldesley Brian
17 South Yorkshire Police
that required a lot of preparation and hard work to play. From a number
10 draw, the hard work paid off and the reward was £1750 and first
prize. In their remarks the adjudicators wrote "The playing is to a very
high standard...Bravo MD, solosists and band" ..Stan Lippeat. "Colours,
Style, Class - and music" ...Kevin Wadsworth
The victory was a fitting "swansong" for Mel Wood on Principal Cornet
who has chosen to step down from playing. The Band like to thank Mel
for her memorable performances on principal cornet.
and a hymn at two venues with a short road march in between.
The band chose to play William Rimmer's "The President" and
the hymn tune "St Francis". Despite some strong competition
from the likes of Stocksbridge Band and United Co-op
Yorkshire, adjudicators Alan Exley and Geoff Whitham awarded
the band with first prize for the march at both venues, best
hymn tune at Silkstone Lodge, best bases at both venues and
a euphonium prize. A total of seven trophies gave the band
oveall victory on what proved to be a very enjoyable day's
contesting.
enviable reputation for appearing in concert with the very best
young classical vocal performers. This year's summer concert at
the Huddersfield Town Hall enhanced its reputation further. After
Aled Jones, Katherine Jenkins and Hayley Westernra, it was difficult
to see who could match that profile. But, as the Huddersfield
Examiner reporter put it, "boy do they have a habit of getting it
right." Tenor, Alfie Boe and soprano Becky Jane Taylor proved to
be yet another inspired choice of guests.
its toes. Despite the jokes about tough rehearsals from Les, this was a band in considerable form.
They were tight, responsive and clearly enjoying themselves. He, and the band, turned this concert
into a relaxed evening of sheer entertainment with skilled music making along the way".
Special thanks to Les Beevers and also to Robert Jaggar and to Jens Hislop of Howarth Band for their
arranging skills.
playing Philip Sparke's "Dances and Alleluihias". All of the soloists performed well, with special
mention to Owen Watson for nailing the notorious Baritone Cadenza in style!
Results
.1 Stocksbridge (Qualified)
2 Pennine Brass (Qualified)
3 Innovate Skelmanthorpe
4 Lindley
5 United Co-op Yorkshire
6 Hade Edge (J&E Dickinson)
7 Stannington
8 Hebden Bridge
9 Knottingley Silver
10 Barnsley Building Society
11 South Yorkshire Police
12 YBS Concert Brass
Congratulations to Innovate
Skelmanthorpe B Band and their Musical
Director Phil Garlick for their qualification in
the 4th Section Contest
Elmton and Cresswell Village Company Forum welcomed the band to a special fundraising event fo rthe
community, held in Cresswell Social Centre on 24th February. The band were delighted to "travel south",
and MD John Roberts recalled the famous Creswell Colliery Band in his introduction.
Watson and Rob Cavender were all on fine form in a
diverse programme that included Eric Balls "Sinfonietta:
The Wayfarer", "Somewhere" (from West Side Story)
and Philip Harper's "Salza par Gozer"
The Band was crowned ‘The 2007 Butlins First Section Champions’ last weekend
(20th January). Competing for the first time at the contest held in Skegness,
Innovate Skelmanthorpe defeated 19 other bands to take the title.
The performance of the set test piece, Kenneth Downie’s “Music for the Common
Man” was described by one adjudicator as “magical”, and 4bars rest later added
that it was "in a different league". The delighted Musical Director, John Roberts,
said, “All the hard work paid off. The band performed brilliantly and I couldn’t have
asked for any more than the superb performance they gave, especially the soloists who
were magnificent.”.
The win sparked a memorable evening of celebrations at Butlins.
Full Results
1 Innovate Skelmanthorpe
2 Sandhurst Silver
3 United Yorkshire Co-op
4 Jackfield Elcock Reisen
5 Bedford Town
6 Markham and District Colliery
7 GT Group Peterlee
8 Haslingden & Helmshore
9 Bedworth Brass
10 Gresley Colliery
11 Enderby Band
12 City of Cambridge
13 Pontardulais
14 The Riddings
15 Shirland Welfare Training
16 Ipswich & Norwich Co-op Band
17 Foresters Brass 2000
18 Hopkins Blidworth Colliery
19 NW Ellington Colliery
20 Becontree
the baton last year and this win builds on the success at the Wilkinson’s Contest. “We have built in
confidence since that time and we are progressing well. I was confident before we took to the stage and was
confident after, and this has given us a massive boost ahead of what should be a very hard fought Yorkshire
Regional Championship against the likes of Pennine Brass and United Yorkshire Co-op.” This next contest is
on Staurday 3rd March in Bradford St Georges Hall.
