N.B. Beginner Band Review only available for 2007, sorry!

Beginner Band Review

I don’t think it would be exaggerating at all to say that the past 12 months have been one of the best years the Lions Beginner Band has ever had. In January of 2007 the transfer window opened and we lost a host of players on free transfers to Katie Smallwood and the Junior Band. This gives the younger people in the ‘Beginners’ a chance to shine, and shine they have.

Since January we have been lucky to have a settled band, with the line up only changing to accommodate the new faces we have seen join our ranks during the year. This settled environment has seen all the players in the band flourish and it has been a delight for Andrew, Hayley and myself to oversee. Highlights throughout the year were plentiful, including the world premiere of ‘Day of the Dinosaurs,’ the concert at Goostry which saw Andrew left all on his own, and the high amount of entrants from the band in the Slow Melody Competition – a particular well done to Isabel for taking part despite having only been playing for two months before hand!

One of the hardest parts of the job is to pick out several members of the band to be presented with our annual awards. It is always hard looking for deserving recipients, and this year was a particular challenge due to just how well the band has done. There was a case for every single member of the band, but after a week deliberating, Hayley, Andrew and myself all came up with the same three names

All three were more than deserving of the awards. Alice and Gavin are lovely children to have around the band room, (despite Gavin’s love of Nantwich Town FC!) they are polite and helpful and both are armed with a ready smile. Catherine is a ‘new signing’ for the band, and has made such a difference to our front row cornets that she could well be a future Alexandra Kerwin – certainly one to look out for!

In closing, 2007 has really been a year of progress for the Beginner Band and there are many people we need to thank for playing a part in that. Firstly, to everyone in the band for their fine effort this year, and also to Sarah Raisbeck (the new M.D of the Junior Band – we wish her well) and Tom Hancock for their help at our workshop. Big thanks go to the committee for their support throughout 2007 and finally, thank you to all the parents for ferrying your children around on behalf of the band. I hope I haven’t missed anyone out, and if so please accept my sincerest apologies.

Chris Thompson
Musical Director
Lions Beginner Brass

Beginner Band Awards

Bands people of the Year: Alice Murphy, Gavin Finch

Most Promising Player: Catherine Flanders

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