28th December

Christmas Fundraising Results

In the lead up to Christmas the Youth Band were busy performing carols in order to raise money towards running costs of the organisation

Christmas time is the most important time of the year for our fundraising and as ever, it proved very fruitful thanks to the efforts of all the players, committee members and parents involved.

The funds raised were as follows:

22nd December - Trafford Centre = £279.85
23rd December - Waitrose, Sandbach = £1277.97
24th December - Waitrose, Sandbach = £1537.06
Total = £3094.88

Webmaster

18th December

End of Year Reviews

As we near the end of 2011, our annual Review of the year has now been made available by clicking the link below. The Review includes reflections and previews from all three Musical Directors, as well as a summary of the year in pictures

The Youth and Junior's have been working hard recently providing Christmas music for a variety of concerts, carol services and outdoor events as well as raising vital funds which will fund our bands in 2012.

To view the 2011 Reviews click here: Review 2011

Webmaster

28th November

Annual Awards

Last night's concert following the Slow Melody Competition we took the opportunity to present annual awards for contributions and achievements made by players in all three bands. The awards were as follows:

Youth Band
Most Improved Players: Christopher Parker, Michael Parker, Rebecca Preston
Showing Promise: William Dakin, Elizabeth Williams

Junior Band
Bandsman of the Year: Lucas Boylan
Most Improved Player: Cameron Brooks
Showing Promise: Alex Williams, Melissa Goodchild, Oliver John

Beginner Band
Bandsman of the Year: Niamh Ronald
Player of the Year: Abigail Webb
Most Improved Player: George Benning
Player Voted Bandsman of the Year: Oliver Webb

Webmaster

28th November

Easy fundraising pays first cheque

In September Lions signed up to a scheme called easyfundraising. It allows online shops to contribute to causes such as ourselves by donating a percentage of anything bought after clicking on a link in the easyfundraising site.

We are pleased to announce that after just 2 1/2 months we have already received a cheque for £84.79.

With Christmas approaching; next time you shop online through anyone of the thousands who support the scheme (such as Amazon, Ebay, M&S, ITunes, Supermarkets) or next time you renew your car/home insurance check to see if you could have the company donate to Lions without any extra cost to yourself.

Fundraising such as this is vital in securing the money to buy/ repair instruments, buy music, buy uniforms and pay for trips etc.

Webmaster

28th November

Slow Melody Results

Yesterday (27th) the 6th Annual Lions Youth Brass Slow Melody Competition took place at Sandbach School. The event encourages the members of all three bands to perform a 'slow melody' in front of a guest adjudicator to compete for prizes within each age range. More importantly, it is an opportunity for all of the players to gain confidence and improve their playing. This years adjudicators were Mark Wilkinson (Principal Cornet, Fodens Band) and Mark Bousie (Euphonium, Fodens Band and an experienced Youth Band conductor).

The competition saw over 70 entries across the full age range of the organisation which was a fantastic return from our membership of just over 100. The competition was followed by a 5pm concert featuring all three bands as well as the presentation of trophies and awards; the concert raised a fantastic £796.70 which paid for the competition and contributes towards the ongoing upkeep of all three bands. The results were as follows:

Class 1: 8 Years and under
1. Arthur Young
2. Cerys Smedley
3. Leon Gill & Oliver Webb

Class 2: 9-10 Years (Beginners)
1. Harris Briggs
2. Abigail Webb
3. Callum Seddon

Class 3: 11 Years (Beginners)
1. Franczeska Birch
2. Amy Davies
3. Rebecca Price-Jones & William Newton

Class 4: 9-10 Years (Juniors)
1. Rosie Daracott-Gray
2. Lucas Boylan
3. Ella Ronald
Merit: Andrew Beattie

Class 5: 11 Years (Juniors)
1. Jake Fletcher
2. Melissa Goodchild
3. Annabel Goring
Merit: Rhys Woollam & Tarun Pass

Class 6: 12 Years+ (Juniors)
1. Caitlin Ottley
2. Edward Shirvington
3. Isabel Capewell
Merit: Shelly Holt

Class 7: 13 Years and under (Youth)
1. Ruth Rhodes
2. Catherine Flanders
3. Natasha Brett
Merit: William Dakin

Class 8: 14-15 Years (Youth)
1. Alex Flanders
2. Harry Mace
3. Jordan Edge
Merit: Oliver Smedley, Emma Ashcroft & Elizabeth Williams

Class 9: 16 Years+ (Youth)
1. Morgan Smedley
2. Wilson Taylor
3. Ellie Baker

Class 10: Open Section
1. Alex Flanders
2. Catherine Flanders
3. Lucas Boylan

Class 11: Duets (Beginners & Juniors)
1. Caitlin Ottley & Melissa Goodchild

Class 12: Duets (Open)
1. Alex Flanders & Catherine Flanders
2. Sophie Barwick & Catherine Flanders
3. Natasha Brett & Ruth Rhodes

James Gorse Award for Most Promising Player
Beginner - Eloise Davies
Junior - Lucas Boylan
Youth - Ellie Baker

Webmaster

20th October

Beginners Quiz Night

The beginners held their 'Are you more musical than a ten year old' quiz night last Tuesday. With ten teams (5 full of band members and five adult teams - including one team full of committee members) in the bandroom testing their musical knowledge to their limits a great evening was had by all. There were five rounds of musical based questions designed to test if people were 'Beethoven or Beetroot' before the speical bonus round to finish proceedings. Five brave volunteers from the adults team bravely took part in the sixth round, against five children in a challenge to see who could put up a musical stand the fastest. At the end of the proceedings, 'the Clangers' came out on top in the adult category, with the 'Mad Minims' winning the childrens category.

Plans are already in place for another special event in February, but don't panic grown ups - this time you will only need to come and watch. Maybe...

Chris Thompson (Musical Director, Lions Beginner Brass)

10th October

AGM Minutes and Reports now available

Last Tuesday (4th) the Annual General Meeting took place. The Meeting has now moved to the Autumn in order to line up with school terms.

To view the minutes and reports; click on the links below...

Minutes of October 2011 AGM
Chairman Report
Musical Directors Report (Youth Band)
Musical Directors Report (Junior Band)
Musical Directors Report (Beginners Band)
Treasurers Report

Webmaster

10th October

Slow Melody Contest details announced

The 6th Annual Lions Youth Brass Slow Melody Competition will take place on Sunday 27th November at Sandbach Boys School.

The Slow Melody Contest is a brass banding tradition that encourages brass players to refine the art of playing slow melodies. The event has proved very successful over the past few years and all members of our bands are encouraged to have a go and enter.

This years classes will be:

Section 1: 8 years & under
Section 2: 9 & 10 years (Beginner Band)
Section 3: 11 years and over (Beginner Band)
Section 4: 9 and 10 years (Junior Band)
Section 5: 11 years (Junior Band)
Section 6: 12 years and over (Junior Band)
Section 7: 13 years and under (Youth Band)
Section 8: 14 & 15 years (Youth Band)
Section 9: 16 years and over (Youth Band)
Section 10: Open section
Section 11: Duet section (Juniors and Beginners only)
Section 12: Open Duet section

There will be a pianist available for those who would like an accompanist. The cost will be £5 for a rehearsal and the performance, a copy of music required no later than two weeks before the event.

The entry form is available by clicking here

The closing date for entries is November 15th

Webmaster

26th September

LYB hit the big screen

Today sees the second day of filming for selected members of our Youth Band on the set of the new film 'Theatre of Dreams'.

A few weeks ago we were contacted asking if we could assemble a group of teenage boys to form a school brass group for a scene in an upcoming film set around the Manchester area. The film charts the story of Sir Matt Busby helping a young boy to fulfil his dream of playing professional football.

The band are to be featured in a couple of scenes performing 'When the Saints Go Marching In'. One of our Junior Band members (William Murphy) will even appear playing football in the film after hearing that his older brother had been selected to play with the youth band group he applied to be an extra in the film and was successful!

Watch this space for more details when it is released, you can read more about the film at http://todmovie.com

Webmaster

15th September

Youth Band continue collaboration with Fodens

Lions Youth Brass recently enjoyed a very successful and productive workshop with members of The Fodens Band, with a little help from their friends from The Fairey Band.

The band, who had just returned from their summer break wanted to get things moving for the new term and what better way than under the direction of Fodens players Nick Jackson, Andy Rolfe, Shaun Farrington and Matt Hindle, and Fairey’s duo, Matthew White and Julie Meechan.

The day started at 10am with Shaun Farrington taking the band through some warm up exercises before then breaking into their sections to work on a range of concert pieces.

After a much needed break for a buffet lunch, the bands Musical Director, Nigel Birch then took the band through the pieces which had been worked on earlier in the day.

During a break in the rehearsal players were given the opportunity to ask their tutors questions ranging from practice and performance, and Andy Rolfe spoke to the band about the highly successful Fodens Youth Patrons group and also the forthcoming Fodens Solo Competition.

At the end of the day (around 3pm) I thanked everyone involved, and in particular the tutors who less than 24 hours previous were playing at The British Open.

The band is looking forward to busy few months, where they will be performing in the new film, 'Theatre Of Dreams'; there usual contest outgoings, a busy concert schedule (including their third joint concert with Fodens) and our regular tour.

Nigel Birch (Musical Director, Lions Youth Brass)

13th September

Beginners kick start to new term

The Lions Beginner Band are back into the swing of rehearsals after their summer break. Preparations for their next concert were kick started with a workshop where they band worked under tutors Tom Hancock, Amy Ball, Ashley Taylor, Hayley Scott, Matthew Darlington and MD Chris Thompson, blowing away any summer cobwebs as they worked through their new pieces. A big thanks must go to all the tutors who gave up a Sunday morning lie in to pass on their knowledge to the band. The performance of Mystery Mansion to the parents at the end of the morning was testament to how hard the tutors worked.

The band are also delighted to welcome Ashley Taylor as a tutor, where he work alongside Hayley and Derek in providing small group tuition to the band on a weekly basis. Ashley has been a fine servant to the organisation, holding the solo trombone position for many years, where he turned into a quite outstanding trombonist. The Beginners will now look forward to learning from Ashleys experience and guidance.

Further good news came in the form of six new starters to the band. We have Eliza who has joined us on horn, as well as Oliver, Amy D, Amy H, Suzanna and Michael who are all playing cornet. We are very pleased they have joined us and they have all settled in well... Eliza and Amy D have already won 'cool crotchet' awards!!!

Chris Thompson (Musical Director, Lions Beginner Brass)

12th September

A new way to raise funds

We have found a new way of raising funds for the organisation which will only take a moment of your time to set up and then use every time you shop online.

It is called Easyfundraising, it works by logging into their site each time you shop online, so that after you have registered an automatic donation from the retailer will be sent to us on a quarterly basis at no cost to you. We have checked the system and obtained references from other organisation who use the system to great benefit.

It is really easy to use and once you register you can keep it as a favourite or put it on your toolbar so it only takes a moment and then you shop as usual via their site.

If you use this link http://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/lionsyouthbrass it will take you to the right page, then log in.

All the most popular retailers are there; Amazon, Ebay, Itunes, all the supermarkets, insurance and energy companies and many more just use the scroll bar and look

So please tell family and friends and help us raise as much as possible for the band. If you have contacts with other organisations you think may benefit from this idea, please you ask them to use our referral link when they first register as we will receive further funds at no cost to them: http://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/referral/41068

I will keep everyone up to date with monies raised every quarter so please remember to log on each time you shop.

Ruth Jenkins (Treasurer, Lions Youth Brass)

12th September

New date for AGM

In a change to the normal calender LYB have announced that their AGM will take place on October 4th 2011; this replaces the February meeting. The change has made it easier to manage the organisation which primary follows the school year (September - July).

All parents are invited to the meeting which begins at 7pm at Sandbach School

Webmaster

9th August

Reunion hits national press

The recent 21st Anniversary Concert has been featured by the countries leading Brass Band Newspaper - The British Bandsman.

The weekly paper chose to dedicate a double page centre spread to our celebration with a lengthly article by our MD Nigel Birch and several pictures.

All at LYB are thrilled with the national coverage which can be viewed in the following pdf file - Lions Bandsman Article

Webmaster

6th August

Beginner Band End Year With Party

The Lions Beginner Band completed what has been a truly wonderful academic year on Tuesday 19th July with a well deserved party! Starting off with a quick rehearsal (where each section got to pick their favourite piece to play) the band then had crisps, cakes, (thanks to one of our second cornet players Niamh - they were absolutely lovely too!) drinks and a few party games as well.

There was a sad part to the evening though when we had to say goodbye to Matthew, the band's excellent tutor. Matthew has been an integral part of the beginner band team since joining in September 2009, with a willingness to do any task asked of him with a smile on his face. His attitude, commitment and enthusiam to help the children in the band improve has been wonderful and he leaves a large hole to fill as we move forwards into the new academic year. We wish Matthew every success as he moves 'up north' to Newcastle to study for a post graduate qualification and hope he comes back to us as soon as he's done!

Equally as sad was having to say goodbye to Andrew Felton recently too. Andrew has been part of the Lions organisation for twenty years, first as a player and then as a musical director of the beginner band since 2005. Andrew felt that it was time to move on to pastures new and again, his loss has been keenly felt by the band. Again, we wish Andrew every success in the future.

We would like to express our thanks to both Matthew and Andrew for everything they have done for the band.

Chris Thompson (Musical Director, Lions Beginner Brass)

30th July

LYB return from Tour

Lions Youth Brass have just returned from a successful concert tour of Portsmouth, Weymouth and Telford.

With an impressive 14 performances in 7 days completed the band embarked upon a non-stop marathon that was full of enjoyment, excellent performances and lots of fun.

The Tours section of this site will soon be packed with stories and pictures from the week. But in the meantime there are over 200 photos already available to view at http://www.photobucket.com/lionsyouthbrass. And don't forget to 'like' our Facebook page so that you can see more pictures and videos from the week.

Webmaster

13th July

Fowles joins creative team

Lions Youth Brass are proud to announce Michael Fowles as their latest 'Musical Associate'.

Mike is currently the Musical Director of the Fodens Band and in this capacity has been visiting Lions for some three years now to assist with workshops in preparation for competitions. Mike's enthusiasm and instant rapport was evident from the first of these visits and members of the Youth Band have gained many benefits from his visits over the past three years. This formal title will ensure that the good work will continue and increases Lions' already stong partnership with Fodens Band.

Mike joins our other Musical Associate, David Thornton, in ensuring that the youngsters of Lions Youth Brass gain the best possible opportunities during their time with the band.

A full biography for Mike is now available on our Musical Directors page.

Webmaster

11th July

Reunion Concert Success

Last Saturday (9th) all at Lions Youth Brass came together for a very special concert marking 21 years of Lions Youth Brass.

The event was held at the Oakley Centre in Crewe and featured all three of the current bands (Beginner, Junior and Youth) as well as a special Reunion Band made up of 43 past members of the organisation.

The night also featured guest appearances from Mark Wilkinson (Principal cornet, Fodens Band), Mike Fowles (Musical Director, Fodens Band) and Paul Andrews (a past Conductor of LYB)

A special reception was held during the afternoon for members past and present as well as local dignitaries and the key people involved in forming Lions Youth Brass

A spectacular concert followed, enjoyed by the large audience. For a full report and pictures of the event; please see the 21st Anniversary page.

Webmaster

28th June

Well done Katie.

All at Lions Youth Brass would like to send massive congratulations to one of our former players Katie Raisbeck who has won The English Nationals on Saturday with The Black Dyke Band and will be competing in The European Championships next year.

Nigel Birch (Musical Director, Lions Youth Brass)

13th June

LYB on the Radio

Last Saturday (11th June) Ian Raisbeck (Junior Band Musical Director) and Paul Darlington (Committee member) went live on BBC Radio Stoke to promote the forthcoming reunion concert on 9th July.

At 7:30am Ian and Paul were interviewed live on air and were able to have a clip played from our recent 'Celebration' CD. Several more mentions were given throughout the morning and it is hoped that the appeal for past players will result in even more uptake for the reunion band on 9th July.

You can listen again for the next few days by going to http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00h3sv6 and fast-forwarding to 1 hour 29 mins

Webmaster

15th May

Reunion plans coming together

Plans for the forthcoming anniversary event are now coming together. On 9th July we will celebrate 21 years of Lions Youth Brass with a reception and concert at Crewe's Oakley Centre.

The day will kick off at 12pm with rehearsal for a special reunion band made up of former players. Anybody who would like to play in the reunion band should contact Nigel Birch at n-birch1@sky.com

There will then be a reception at 3:30pm followed by a concert at 6pm featuring all three of our bands, the reunion band and a guest soloist. It is sure to be a memorable occasion.

Watch this space for further updates

Webmaster

19th April

Adjudicators remarks and audio from Nationals available

You can now listen in to all three bands' performances live from the National Youth Brass Band Championships for free by following this link to http://en.audiofarm.org/pages/7234

In addition to this the adjudicators remarks are also available by clinking on the relevant link below:

Youth Band
Steve Pritchard-Jones Remarks
Richard Marshall Remarks
Junior Band
Steve Pritchard-Jones Remarks
Lynda Nicholson Remarks
Beginner Band
Lucy Pankhurst Remarks
Malcolm Brownbill Remarks

Webmaster

19th April

Beginner Band send out thanks

In the wake of their fantastic debut in the Training Band section of the National Youth Championships last week, the Lions Beginner Band has a few thank you's that they would like to pass on.

Firstly, to Nigel Birch and the Youth Band members who came along to run a workshop with the Beginners in January. Their commitment, passion, drive and enthusiasm (and in the run up to a contest of their own too!) rubbed off on the Beginners and the results at the end of the morning were fantastic. The Youth Band also deserve a big thumbs up for the wonderful support they gave the Beginners on stage during the contest.

Secondly, composer-in-residence, Junior Band MD and all round good egg Ian Raisbeck. Ian's composing hat saw him produce the 'Colours' suite for the band, a wonderful composition that struck the perfect balance of stretching the band, yet still being fun and enjoyable music to perform. Meanwhile Mike Eccles of the Fairey Band came down in February to take the band for a rehearsal. He made a huge impact in the space of just one hour and we are grateful that he came down to help.

Thanks to the committee for their superb organisation on the day. The logistical nightmare of getting three bands to Manchester - on different coaches - was smoothly tackled and the day passed off without a hitch. Thanks also to Huw Williams for coming along to rehearsals to help out on percussion. Huw has played a huge part in Luke's progression and we're very grateful for the time he gave up.

Finally, thanks to Ian's wife Katie, who stepped in to play with about ten days notice. Katie plays Baritone with Black Dyke so you'd think that wouldn't be an issue... but we asked her to play percussion!

So, to every single one of you... THANK YOU VERY MUCH. We really appreciate the help you gave the band and we hope that you all feel a part of what the Beginner Band achieved. We might not have been awarded Band of the Day, but it really was a fantastic day for the band - and there's always next year!

Chris Thompson (Musical Director, Lions Beginner Brass)

11th April

Momentous day for LYB

Yesterday all three bands travelled to Manchester to compete in the National Youth Brass Band Championships at the Royal Northern College of Music (Manchester). The bands had been preparing for weeks and the result was a set of 3 fantastic performances which left all involved immensely proud.

It was the Junior who started the day off leaving Sandbach at 8am; a performance which showed maturity beyond their years was rewarded with an excellent Bronze certificate, they were competing with an average age of around 11 years old in a category which contained bands of up to 16 year olds and yet received a glowing report from the adjudicators

The beginners made their debut in the training section in the afternoon session and produced a fantastic account of themselves which left the adjudicators once again blown away by the efforts of our youngsters. All can be very proud of their efforts.

The Youth Band had to wait until the evening session to perform, but it was certainly worth the wait. Performing for the first time in the advanced section (following last years gold award and promotion) there were few who anticipated a podium finish amongst some of the most established premier youth bands in the country. MD Nigel Birch said later that players had been pushed further than ever before to new levels; and it certainly paid off after their performance was awarded 2nd place!

Nigel added 'this contest result ranks above any the the band has achieved in the past, including twice winning the intermediate section'.

There was further delight for Nigel as he was awarded the 'Brian Hicks Memorial Trophy' for outstanding contribution to youth brass banding; this is something we are all very proud of and it is well deserved.

Stay tuned for pictures and videos; full results were as follows:

Advanced
RNCM Concert Hall
Start: 5.10pm

Psalms and Alleluias (Philip Wilby) and Own Choice Programme, 20 minutes playing time
Adjudicators: Richard Marshall & Steve Pritchard-Jones

1. Camborne Youth Band (Alan Pope) - Gold
2. Lions Youth Brass (Nigel Birch) - Silver
3. Gloucestershire Youth Band (Philip Harper) – Silver

St Helens Youth Brass Band (Mark Bousie) - Bronze

Oldham Music Centre Youth (Jonathan Leedale) - Merit
Youth Brass 2000 (Chris Jeans) - Merit

Best Instrumentalist: Charlie Hodge (Xylophonis) - Camborne Youth

Junior Section
RNCM Concert Hall
Start: 9.00am

Own Choice programme that must include one piece of music composed for brass band and two verses of a hymn tune. 15 minutes playing time
Adjudicators: Lynda Nicholson & Steve Pritchard-Jones

1. Bolton Intermediate (Toby Hobson) - Gold
2. Daventry Music Centre Brass (Lynette Wild) - Gold
3. Chalford Youth (Steve Tubb) - Gold

Gwynedd and Mon Brass Band (John Glyn Jones) - Gold

Fred Longworth High School (Helen Robinson) - Silver
Gawthorpe Junior Band (Adam Bell) - Silver

Lions Junior Brass (Ian Raisbeck) - Bronze
Coleshill Youth Brass (Stephen Fagg) - Bronze
Macclesfield Junior Brass Band (Cheryl Slamon) - Bronze

Best Instrumentalist: Adam Marsh (horn) - Fred Longworth High School

Training Section
RNCM Concert Hall
Start: 1.15pm

15 minutes own choice playing time
Adjudicators: Lucy Pankhurst & Malcolm Brownbill

Band of the Day: Astley Youth Training Band (Susan Harrison)

Coleshill Beginner's Brass (Sally Wood)
Bolton Beginnner's Brass Band (Toby Hobson)
Shirland Welfare Training Band (Dave Harvey)
Wardle High 'B' Band (Gwen Smith)
Bolton Junior Brass Band (Anna Hughes-Williams)
Sellers International Little Acorns (Jamie Smith)
Lions Beginners Band (Christopher Thompson)
Warren Wood Primary School Band (Peter Christian)

Webmaster

28th March

Details of National Youth Championships Annouced

The details of the forthcoming National Youth Brass Championships (featuring all three bands) have been announced by the event organisers. The competition will take place on Sunday 10th April at the Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester.

Advanced Section
RNCM Concert Hall
Start: 5.10pm

Psalms and Alleluias (Philip Wilby) and Own Choice Programme, 20 minutes playing time
Adjudicators: Richard Marshall and Steve Pritchard-Jones

Camborne Youth Band, Alan Pope
Gloucestershire Youth Band, Steve Legge
Lions Youth Brass, Nigel Birch - performing c.18:10
Oldham Music Centre Youth, Jonathan Leedale
St Helens Youth Brass Band, Mark Bousie
Youth Brass 2000, Chris Jeans

Results @ 7.50pm

Junior Section
RNCM Concert Hall
Start: 9.00am

Own Choice Programme that must include one piece of music composed for brass band and two verses of a hymn tune. 15 minutes playing time
Adjudicators: Lynda Nicholson and Steve Pritchard Jones

Bolton Intermediate, Toby Hobson
Chalford Youth, Steve Tubb
Coleshill Youth Brass, Stephen Fagg
Daventry Music Centre Brass, Lynette Wild
Fred Longworth High School, Helen Robinson
Gawthorpe Junior Band, Adam Bell
Gwynedd and MOn Brass Band, John Glyn Jones
Lions Junior Brass, Ian Raisbeck - performing c.10:15
Macclesfield Junior Brass Band, Cheryl Slamon

Results @ 12.45pm

Training Section
RNCM Concert Hall
Start: 1.15pm

15 minutes own choice playing time
Adjudicators: Lucy Pankhurst and Malcolm Brownbill

Astley Youth Training Band, Susan Harrison
Bolton Junior Brass Band, Anna Hughes-Williams
Bolton Beginnner's Brass Band, Toby Hobson
Coleshill Beginner's Brass, Sally Wood
Lions Beginners Band, Christopher Thompson - performing c.16:10
Sellers International Little Acorns
Shirlan Welfare Training Band, Dave Harvey
Wardle High 'B' Band, Gwen Smith
Warren Wood Primary School Band, Peter Christian

Results @ 4.45pm

Webmaster

28th March

Beginners Band in mock performance

Despite one hour less sleep due to the clocks changing the beginner band had an early start on Sunday as they had a brass morning, in preparation for their performance at the National Finals. The agenda for the day was to work on their chosen programme and also to work on deportment and looking smart on stage.

After a hard mornings work (including plenty of jaffa cakes!) they then had to perform for their parents, in a mock up of what will happen on the day. From the first bars of Gospel Rock to the last beat of Black you could tell the concentration levels were high and the band (with an average age of just nine years old) put in an excellent performance.

With the big day now just two weeks away, all the tutors left feeling very happy and proud – well done to everyone involved!

Chris Thompson (Musical Director, Lions Beginner Brass)

14th March

Citizen of the Year for Jane

Lions Youth Brass are proud to announce that their popular and hard working Chairperson, Jane Stubbs, has been awarded ‘The Citizen of the Year’ Award, from the local Sandbach Rotary Club.

This award goes to someone who has dedicated their time to helping others within the local community over a significant period of time. Jane has been the chairperson of Lions Youth Brass since 1999, although her association with the band began in 1992 when her youngest daughter Amanda joined the beginners section and later became a part of the bands 1995 National Championship winning band.

Since then Jane has dedicated her life to the development of Lions Youth to make it into one of the country’s leading youth organisations, organising concerts, tours abroad, recordings and also fostering the bands work within the local community.

All at Lions Youth Brass have great respect for her and are very proud that she is receiving this award.

Nigel Birch (Musical Director, Lions Youth Brass)

8th March

Youth Band Workshop with Fodens

Last Sunday (6th) Lions Youth Brass began their preparations in earnest for The National Youth Championships with members of The Fodens Band and Mike Fowles.

This year’s test piece is Phillip Wilbys Psalms and Alleluias, which is very demanding, so the band hoped that some of the excellence of the bands win at Blackpool would rub off on the young players.

The day began at 9.30 with Mark Bousie, who ironically will be conducting St. Helens in the same section at Manchester, taking the band through some Hymn Tunes and general warm up exercises.

The band then broke up into sections led by Richard Poole, Nick Jackson, Leslie Howie, Shaun Farrington, Mark Bousie, Stewart Baglin and Anthony Mann.

At 12.15 the band and tutors had earned a buffet lunch provided by parents of the players and there was not much left at the end of it.

The afternoon rehearsal which began at 1pm was taken by Fodens conductor Mike Fowles, who is a regular visitor to Lions. He directed the band on their other national pieces, which included a new work commissioned for the band, especially for the contest by Ian Raisbeck, called Ground Bass. Ian plays front row cornet with Fodens and is also the conductor of The Lions Junior Band. The other pieces were Blessed Assurance and Hymn to Barossa by Fodens Composer in Residence Andy Scott.

Mike then turned his attention to the test-piece and worked the band solidly until around 3pm.

At the end of the workshop Nigel Birch thanked all the players from Fodens and Mike Fowles and also praised his own players for their hard work.

Speaking on behalf of the band Nigel Birch says he sees it as his responsibility to provide his players with the best opportunities possible and by bringing the members of Fodens Band and Mike Fowles to the band feels he is achieving that aim,and it also continues to enhance the strong links that Lions Youth Brass already has with The Fodens Band.

Nigel Birch (Musical Director, Lions Youth Brass)

22nd February

AGM Tonight

The Lions Youth Brass AGM takes place this evening at 6:45pm at Sandbach Boys School. This years reports and figures are now available below:

Chairman Report
Musical Directors Report (Youth Band)
Musical Directors Report (Junior Band)
Musical Directors Report (Beginners Band)
Treasurers Report
Financial Breakdown

Webmaster

13th February

Junior Workshop

Hot on the heels of the Beginner Band, our Junior Band received a visit from Conductor James Cunningham to lead a workshop session this morning. This was James' second year leading our workshop and as with his last visit the improvement that the band achieved was amazing!

At 1pm parents of band members were invited to hear a performance of the three pieces prepared during the morning.

Not to be left out; the Youth Band are now looking forward to their own workshop on 6th March with help from Mike Fowles and Fodens Band

Ian Raisbeck (Musical Director, Lions Junior Brass)

7th February

Beginner Band receive expert tuition

Last Tuesday (1st February) saw the Lions Beginner Band welcome a special visitor. Mike Eccles, flugel horn player with the world famous Fairey Geneva Band, came along to conduct the bands rehearsal to assist the team of MD's and tutors in the run up to the National Finals in April. Mike put the band through their paces on the chosen programme, and it was testament to the bands hard work that he confessed that he was able to be very 'picky' with them, searching for the finer details to bring out the musicality to the pieces. His dynamic approach went down well with the children, and by 8.15 (a slightly longer rehearsal that saw most of the band delighted that they would get to stay up later!) they had more than earnt their refreshments.

A big thank you must go to Mike from everyone at the band, and we look forward to welcoming him back in the future.

Chris Thompson (Musical Director, Lions Beginner Brass)

24th January

Youth Band Runners up at Butlins

The Youth Band travelled to Skegness yesterday (23rd) to compete in the annual Mineworkers Butlins Brass Band festival where they finished as runners up for the second consecutive year. The brass band website 4barsrest.com said of Lions:

The Cheshire-based outfit show straight away that they are in good form with the march, 'Home Again', before trombonist, Ashley Taylor produces a lovely warm sound in 'Killing me Softly'.

Overall: Another band that impresses today and a strong contender

Congratulations to 'Youth Brass 2000' who where winners (also for the second consecutive year!). More Pictures can be seen on the 2011 page in the Gallery

Webmaster

24th January

Beginners Workshop

Lions Beginner Brass kicked off their preparations for their debut performance in the National Training Band Finals last Sunday (16th) when they attended a workshop at Sandbach School. With many talented tutors involved (including one apiece from Black Dyke and Fodens no less!) they were split into sectionals before - after a crisp and drink break - they were put through their pieces on the bands programme by Youth Band conductor Nigel. All the children worked very hard and by lunchtime there were lots of tired, but happy, looking faces.

The Beginners have got further exciting rehearsals to look forward to as Tuesday 1st February sees Michael Eccles, the flugel horn player with the world famous Fairey Band, come to conduct the band for an hour.

More pictures are now on the 2011 section of the Gallery

Chris Thompson (Musical Director, Lions Beginner Brass)

2nd January

2010 Review and Stats

Our 2010 Review can now been seen online. Complete with reports from 3 Musical Directors, award winners, pictures from throughout the year and new this year stats from each of the bands detailing number of performances.

In addition to this we are proud to announce that this very website recieved 7564 hits during 2010, showing the number of followers using this website is a considerable amount.

Rehearsals for all three bands begin this Tuesday (4th January).

Webmaster

1st January

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year from all at LYB.

All three bands are looking forward to another busy year of music making, with rehearsals, workshops, concerts, tours and socials to look forward to it is sure to be another eventful year.

In particular, the organisation will celebrate the past 21 years with a reunion event on 9th July. Past members will be invited to take part in a reunion band, the event will be a big celebration for us all.

Keep an eye on this website for all of the news, results, pictures etc. any suggestions / contributions are welcome by email to lionsyouthbrass@yahoo.co.uk

Webmaster

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