As the Butlins Mineworkers National Brass Band Festival held at Skeggness quickly approaches, the band has started the count down to contest. They are hard at it working away perfecting they test piece "The Seasons" by Philip Wilby, with only five rehearsals to go, the band are getting excited to return to this fun filled weekend once again.  

The Thoresby Colliery Youth brass band joined The Clipstone/Forest Town Branch Royal British Legion with there first annual Christmas at Clipstone Welfare on the 19th December. The band provided a perfect arranged program of traditional Christmas carols and songs, whilst the audience joined in with song making it a most joyable night. Alan Barksby (Chairman of the Branch) comment the it was a fantastic night and a Huge Success and the members of the British legion can't wait for next concert in the summer. Over all the night managed to raise £500 in total for the two charities and they both say thank you for all the support and hope to see you at our next one in the summer.

The band join the St Johns Ambulance in a Christmas carol service at St Mary's Church in Edwinstowe last Monday night. with an audience of about 50 local people and members of the St Johns Ambulance join in song with band playing a verity of carols.  It has been around nine years since the band has played in the St Mary's Church, so it was a great joy for us to play there again. The night was a great success.

Last Monday’s rehearsal presented some surprises for the youth band members. After practising some slow melodies over the last few weeks it was decided to have a little contest between members. It was the younger aged members to go first and for all of these it was the first time they had played their slow melody in front of an audience. All had a valiant attempt but the winner was the youngest of them all 7year old Joe Heartfield on Trombone. In the older group the Iceberg seemed to be favourite choice of slow melody and the winner in this section was Amy Collier, Tenor Horn.

 

After the presentations of the annual awards the members then took part in a games night. Each member having to attempt 4 tasks in between sampling the buffet! After sharing many amusing moments the points were added up and the winners of these activities were Joe Heartfield and Luke Hallewell.

Each year you have expectations for the band and individuals and there are very often surprises around the corner. Last year was no exception. There have been numerous players from the beginners to the more advanced who have shown progress throughout the year and the 2 players receiving ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS in recognition of their development are AMY COLLIER and CALVIN TAYLOR.

All organisations need good administrators and we are pleased to acknowledge the contribution made over the years to the band by HELEN COTTON to whom we presented the GRAHAM THOMAS TROPHY. Helen has worked on policies and funding and this admin work is much appreciated.

In bands like ours the players continually need tutoring, support and encouragement and it is invaluable when you get this assistance from experienced players like TREVOR SMITH. I appreciate the support Trevor has given over the years and he thoroughly deserves the DEDICATION and CONTRIBUTION AWARD.

Our final congratulations go to EMILY TONGUE who the band voted as their PLAYER’s PLAYER for the last year. It is a great accolade when your fellow bandsmen recognise the contribution made as a performer.

   

The band returned to Tuxford School on 20^th June to perform a varied programme to a very receptive audience. The programme included film music, pop music, brass band compostions, traditional songs and an abundance of soloists. Other than Joanna Wilmot’s rendition of Misty (Flugel) all the other soloists were performing a solo with the band for the first time. Featured at this concert were Matthew Hollingworth (Cornet), Amy Collier (Horn), Kay Fritchley (Euphonium) and Emily Tongue (Trombone) playing The Lazy Trumpeter, Rondo from Horn Concerrto No3, Watching the Wheat and Berceuse De Jocelyn.

 

The 2011 British Open Brass Band World Golf Championship has recently taken place at Bradley Park Golf Course. From the very start of the day the weather was excellent and this seemed to result in a spring in everyone’s step and an eagerness to get out onto to course. This year 44 players had signed up and 11 teams set off in competition. There were players returning who had competed every year since the competition started and a healthy number of new recruits. The course was in very good condition and was enjoyed by all that played.

At the end of the day the scores were discussed over a pint as the players relaxed outside the clubhouse, however nothing was finalised until the last group arrived back, as the winner came from this last 4 ball. The other talking point about this last group was how Colin Hogg had managed to get partnered with 3 ladies, Geanette Baker, Christine Lippeatt and Ann Roberts.

Singles Result

1^st        37 pts Christine Lippeatt (Thoresby Youth Band – on count back on back 9)

Team Results

2^nd    110pts    Thoresby Youth    Stan Lippeatt, Christine Lippeatt, Peter Roberts & Ann Roberts

3^rd     108pts    Leyland                John Doyle, Dave McCloud, Brian Hayes & Derek Leitch  

In May the Thoresby Colliery Youth Band promoted a Brass workshop aimed at learners. Leading the day was Stan Lippeatt who commenced the workshop with a play through the pieces to be studied. Then over the next 3 hours the students received individual tuition from the senior members of the youth band, Christine Lippeatt, Walter Daglish and Bob Woffenden. Such good progress was made in the teaching sessions that at the dress rehearsal all the items went smoothly. At the concert for parents and friends, whom had come to collect their offspring, the group was eager to impress and concluded a fruitful day with a competently performed programme.

The Thoresby Colliery Youth Band would sincerely like to thank Michael, Mark and Stan for helping to make their 10^th Anniversary weekend special. The weekend concluded with a concert, in their home village of Edwinstowe, in which Michael, Mark and Stan all featured as soloists.

 

Stan had known both players from their early Grimethorpe days and was delighted to feature with both in a duet, Ein Schnaps (2 Flugels) and The Prayer (Flugel and Euph). However Michael and Mark both had the audience enthralled with their solo playing in Watching the Wheat, Benedictus, Old Kentucky Home, You Needed Me and Misty. The band’s programme had something from everyone, ranging from brass band music, Horizons by Paul Lovatt-Cooper, a selection from the musical Grease, the main theme tune to the film Robin Hood, pop song Ruby and many more favourites.

 

The concert ended a day in which the band had spent working with Michael in band and master class sessions. There were various techniques demonstrated to the band that can be followed up in the band room, some of which will definitely cause hilarity among the players as they try to achieve the required results.

 

The weekend started Saturday evening with a party for the current band and any past players. For each of the 10 years there was a display board showing pictures and press articles of the band’s achievements during this time. For some members it was quite nostalgic seeing themselves as raw beginners at the ages of 8-11 years. During the evening the band’s annual awards were presented and this year’s recipients were:

Players Player:                        Matthew Hollingworth

Achievement Award:               Kay Fritchley

Achievement Award:               Luke Hallewell

Dedication & Contribution:     Matthew Hollingworth

Graham Thomas Trophy:        Sharon Owen

 

Anne Thomas presented the latter award to the band this year in memory of her late husband Graham who was a committee member for the senior band, but a supporter and helper to the organisation as a whole. In fitting with his work for the organisations the award was presented to Sharon, as she has been all of these to the Youth Band from day one. The party then swung into life with a disco.