At the Christmas Concert on 23rd December, our long standing President Jackie Ewart retired as
President of the Band. The band gave Jackie a standing ovation and a presentation in honour
of the sterling work which she has carried out since joining in 2000.
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"Jackie was such
a fantastic asset. Every band needs someone with Jackie's
skill
and energy" said Graham Crossland. "She was always the one who thought of
the little things that no one else did, and worked tirelessly behind the scenes
especially with the media and promoting excellent relationships both internally and
externally for the band"
Jackie was a great ambassador for the band, and the driving force behind
many of the success factors that the band has enjoyed.She will be sadly
missed. Thank you Jackie from the band for the countless things that you
have done.
Philip Sparke's excellent "Between the Moon and Mexico" was our own choice at this years
Wilkinsons contest, and the band continued on its return to form with a performance which caught
the ear of adjuidicator David Horsfield. His remarks particularly praised our dynamic contrasts
and soloists' performances. In her first contest with the band on Principal Cornet, Mel Wood was
awarded the "best soloist" award against a field that included 6 other Championship Section
Bands.
John Roberts was awarded the prize for Best Conductor for the second time in 4 contests with the
band.
Results:
1. Innovate Skelmanthorpe (John Roberts)
2. Pemberton Old Wigan JJB (Mark Peacock)
3. Hatfield Brass (Graham O’Connor)
4. Haydock (Edward Kennedy)
5. Mossley (Duncan Byers)
6. Langley (Cliff Parker)
7. Longridge (Peter Lockett)
8. Blackpool Brass (Andrew Warriner)
9. Flixton (Kevin Gibbs)
10. Poulton-le-Fylde (Steve Tarry)
Adjudicator David Horsfield
Best Soloist: Mel Wood, Innovate Skelmanthorpe, Best Conductor John Roberts, Innovate Skelmanthorpe
Thanks to James Chisolm (Grange Moor), Graham Blue & Daniel Taylor for playing with the band,
and thanks to Dan James for being on 'standby'!
Our next contest is the Butlins Mineworkers Open Championships in January, 2007 where the
band will be competing in the First Section.
The band say a fond farewell to Ralph Little and his family who have
emigrated to Canada. Ralph has been with the band for over 10
years, and has occupied the principal cornet chair for the last 6
years, leading the band to considerable success and providing many
memorable solo performances. Everyone associated with the band
wishes them well for their new life in Canada.
stepped into the vacant principal cornet position. Mel's debut was
at the Berkhamsted concert in November. MD John Roberts said
"Ralph Little is one of the most naturally gifted players around, and
whilst he will be missed by the band, we are delighted that Mel Wood
has agreed to move into the Principal Cornet chair. Mel is a talented
musician and is a quality replacement to lead the cornet section".
The charity concert, arranged by the Lions Club of Berkhamsted, included "The Water is Wide" led
by Mel Wood, "Sparkling Diamonds", "By the Time I get to Phoenix" (Soloist Clare Daws), "Blessed
Assurance" (Trombone Solo Chris Mansfield).and Curnow's "Rhapsody for Euphonium" (Euphonium
Soloist Robert Cavender).
The long journey down to Berkhamsted was rewarded with a fine concert performance, well received
by an enthusiastict and appreciate audience.
In a well received concert, the band appeared at Glossop Band Club on 1st October. Soloists were
Ralph Little, Clare Daws, Owen Watson, Chris Mansfield and Robert Cavender.
magnificent All Saints Church in Evesham, the programme contained:
Olympic Fanfare and Theme
Sparkling Diamonds
The Paragon (Soloist: Ralph Little)
Prelude to 49th Parallel
Fugue from Graduation Day
festival website which contains the full results.
The Band welocmes the five new experienced players who have recently signed for the band:
Mel Wood and Steve Morris join the band on front row cornet. Mel's playing career includes periods
at Dobcross Youth, YBS, Carlton Main and Sellers, and Steve also joins on tutti cornet from United
Yorkshire Co-op Band. Liz Oke (1st Horn) and Martin Oke (Eb Bass) complete the new signings
with their return to the band, following a period at Ransomes. Graham Bates also joins the band
on Percussion from Hepworth.
The signings come on the back of a busy summer, including performances at the Skelmanthorpe
Sing, a Picnic in the Park Concert in Silsden and a summer concert ay Whitby Pavillion
her appearance with the band in concert at Huddersfield Town
Hall on Saturday 10th June. With John Roberts unavailable to
conduct due to a prior engagement, Stan Lippeat led the band
on "Fest Muic der Stadt Wien" followed by the Overture
"Tantalusqualen" by Suppe. Hayley Westenra then took to the
stage with raptuous applause from the audience and performed
5 songs from her albums, including Pokarekare Ana and Lascia
Ch'io Pianga with the band. One reviewer described the
combination as "absolutely wonderful". Sparke's "Fugue from
Graduation Day" and Bernstein's "Somewhere" from "West Side
Story" ended the first half.
Musical Director at the beginning of June. John has already led the
band at the Spring Festival, and most recently at the Holmfirth
Contest where he picked up the award for "Best Conductor".
John Roberts said "The Innovate Skelmanthorpe Band have all of the
ingredients for continued success at a high level. Their organisational set up
is first class, and within their ranks they have some very talented players. I
am looking forward to leading the band in a new direction." Contest
Secretary Paul Oldfield added "The impact that John has already had on
the band is very positive, and we are hoping for a long and successful
partnership. John brings all of the right attributes to Skelmanthorpe and we
are extremely pleased to secure his appointment as Musical Director."
The band enjoyed some success at the Holmfirth Contest this year,
winning the prizes for "Best Hymn Tune", "Best Euphonium" (Robert
Cavender) and "Best Conductor" (John Roberts). Special mention
must also go to Will Carter for his performance of the horn cadenza
in Harmony Music. Thanks to Martin Hall (Knottingley), Mel Wood and
Graham Blue for helping out.
Congratulations to Marsden on winning the Testpiece Contest
Philip Sparke's "Harmony Music" at this year's Senior Cup Contest, gaining
8th Place out of 20 bands. Thanks to Mel Wood (Dobcross Youth) and
Graham Blue (Skelmanthorpe B) for helping the band. An enjoyable day's
contesting!
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The band is
delighted to have appointed John Roberts to lead the band at
the forthcoming Senior Cup Contest in Blackpool. John will also conduct the
band at the Holmfirth Contest in May. The Band would like to thank Alan
Exley for his excellent work in recent weeks.
Sarah Musgreave has joined the band on Repiano Cornet from the Hepworth (Persimmon Homes)
Band. Sarah's appointment fills the space left by Peter Teall (thanks to Peter for stepping in at
the last minute!) and completes the back row cornet section ahead of the Senior Cup contest. A
warm welcome to a quality player!
John Roberts conducted the band in concert on Saturday 8th April at the Barnsley Emmanuel
Methodist Chruch for Barnsley Alzheimer's Society.
The first half programme opened with Shostakovich's "Festive Overture", and featured soloists
Clare Daws on Flugel (with a stylish performance of "Children of Sanchez"), Chris Mansfield on
Trombone ("Blessed Assurance") and Ralph Little ("Maid of the Moor"). The first half ended with
"Toccata in D Minor".
Second half highlights included Owen Watson on Baritone (Carrickfergus) and Robert Cavender on
Euphonium ("Blaydon Races"), and a Bass Feature of "The Elephant" from "Carnival of the
Animals".
The band ended the concert with Gregson's "Laudate Dominum" and an encore of Sousa's march
"Stars and Stripes".
From a number 1 draw the band were placed a disappointing 13th at yesterday's Yorkshire
Regional Championships.
Our performance of "Journey to the Centre of the Earth" was not
without its blemishes, however there were some good moments,
and the large audience certainly reacted positively! Fifteen Year old
Chris Mansfield on solo trombone deservedly took the biggest
applause for his performance. A big "thank you" from the band goes
to Alan Exley for conducting the band. Pictured are some of the band
members and friends relaxing in the traditional manner after the
performance!
The result means that (subject to the Regional formalities) we will be competing in the First
Section from 1st January 2007. The band can take great pride in its achievement of staying in
the Yorkshire "top flight" (competing against aruguably the strongest bands in the world) for
7consecutive years.We have enjoyed some memorable moments in the Championship Section
Area contests (not least our 5th place on "Jazz" in 2001). We will now be looking to bounce
back up to the Championship Section as quickly as possible.
The next contest is the Senior Cup at Blackpool on 13th May, where the band will be playing
Philip Sparke's "Harmony Music".
earning them 7th Place under their new MD Phil Garlick.
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Following the
sell out concerts with Aled Jones and Katherine
Jenkins, the Innovate Skelmanthorpe Band are delighted to
announce that Hayley Westenra will be our special guest
alongside us at Huddersfield Town Hall on Saturday 10th June
2006. Click on the image for more details which will take you
to a separate page where you can download a ticket
application form.
The band are pleased to announce that Peter Teal has agreed to play for the band on repiano
cornet at the forthcoming Regional Contest.
Firstly, we apologise for the length of time since the last update to the website, and despite the
silence on the website, we are please to start 2006 in good health!
In 2005 the Katherine Jenkins concert in June was undoubtedly the highlight of the Year. The rest
of the year proved to be difficult due to the illness of some key players and some less than
favourable contest results. The year however did end with some strong concerts, led by Les
Beevers. John Hinckley parted company with the band in the Autumn under amicable
circumstances - the band wishes to publicly thank John for his work - and we are currently
looking at options for appointing a new MD on a full time basis. In the meantime, Alan Exley has
kindly agreed to conduct the band at the forthcoming Yorkshire Regional Championships.
It's certainly been a busy time for the Contest Secretary. We welcome a host of new players which
will give the band a "new look" (and sound!) when we take to the stage on 5th March:
- Robert Cavender
(Principal Euphonium)
- William Carter
(Solo Horn)
- Chris Mansfield
(Solo Trombone)
- Mark Wilkinson
(Bb Bass)
- Michael Smith
(Eb Bass)
- Simon Whittaker
(Percussion)
