Review 2011

Review 2011

Youth Band -Junior Band -Beginner Band -The Year in Pictures

Youth Band Review

As we come to the end of 2011 I would like to thank everyone for their contribution to Lions Youth Brass this year. Whether you are a player, Musical Director, Tutor, Committee member, family member or just a general supporter of the organisation, your support has been invaluable and it has helped us all to continue the development of Lions Youth Brass.

As we look forward to 2012 with great optimism I’m sure Ian, Chris and all the other tutors are once again looking forward to the challenge of the National Contest and the Beginners and Junior Bands will be having workshops with members of the Youth Band and Fodens Band. I’m sure you will join me in wishing them the best of luck in these events.

The Youth Band will once again be travelling to Skegness for the Butlins Youth Competition, where they have been runners-up for last two years to the excellent Youth Brass 2000, and will once again be looking for a strong performance in this event.

The Nationals in April will see the Youth Band competing in the Premier Section for The First time and this will be a major challenge, with another demanding, but also musically rewarding test-piece, Oceans by Goff Richards to perform.

We will continue to enhance our partnerships with The Fodens Band, and once again Mike Fowles and Mark Bousie will be visiting the band, along with undertaking a workshop in March by players from Fodens. The band are also working closely with a trio of composers from Fodens, Andy Scott, Peter Meechan and Ian Raisbeck to provide new music for the band.

The band is also pleased to announce that David Thornton, Principal Euphonium of the current National Champions, Brighouse and Rastrick, who has been a Musical Associate of the band over the last five years, will also be visiting the band in the New Year.

Along with the usual selection of concerts and tour, there is plenty for all of us to look forward to.

Finally, I would like to wish everyone a very happy Christmas and hope to see everyone in the new year, when once again we can make it a very memorable 2012 for all those associated with Lions Youth Brass.

Nigel Birch
Musical Director
Lions Beginner Brass

Youth Band Band Awards

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

Youth Band Stats

24 Concerts/Public Performances
2 Competitions
1 Concert Tour of Portsmouth & Weymouth
Various workshops and countless rehearsals

Junior Band Review

2011 Has been another year of big success for Lions Junior Brass; as with the previous couple of years the band has continued to move forward in developing players abilities faster so that we are able to reap the rewards in performances throughout the year.

At the National Championships in April the Junior Band entered the Junior Band Section for the very first time; this was not only a big step forwards but also the culmination of an ambition I had for the Band when I first took the reigns in 2009. Although competing against bands with a much older average age, we performed in a very mature manner to the best of our abilities, which is all I could have wished for. We were awarded a Bronze Certificate, of which I was immensely proud. We will return to the Junior Band section in 2012 with the minimum target of retaining our Bronze certificate.

Our performance at the 21st Anniversary Concert in July was regarded by many as the best given by the Junior Band in our history; this accolade was a reflection of the hard work that has gone in, not just over the past twelve months, but over the past couple of years by the dedicated team of conductors and tutors we have assembled in the Beginners and Juniors. The key to improvement has been a drive to move forward in all areas; we are now able to support our players from the very first day they join Lions in ensuring they are equipped with the skills, knowledge and enjoyment in Music.

Perhaps the best indication of the Junior Band's year has been the numbers of players graduating to the Youth Band; following the Reunion Concert no fewer than 7 players made the step up to Youth Band level, since then a further 5 have began the transition to Youth Band. This is not easy to recover from quickly but we are fortunate that for every player we send upwards there are many more eager to come up from the beginners. It makes me very proud on the occasions that I deputise for Nigel as conductor of the Youth Band to see how many Youth Band players have made the step up over the past couple of years.

Once again, it has been a pleasure to perform alongside the other bands, and in our own right. Particularly at Christmas time I have enjoyed the opportunities the Junior Band have had to show our ability in the community.

In 2012 we will continue to attempt challenging repertoire in concerts and at the National Championships; in order to help us achieve this we will be receiving a workshop from my friends at Fodens Band, this is something the Junior players will benefit a lot from.

All that is left is to thank every tutor, committee member, teacher, parent and player who have contributed to the Junior Band in 2011, and to wish everybody a Happy Christmas and prosperous New Year!

Ian Raisbeck
Musical Director
Lions Junior Brass

Junior Band Awards

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

Junior Band Stats

7 Concerts/Public Performances
1 Competition
Countless Rehearsals and Workshops

Beginner Band Review

I think it is a fair assessment of 2011 to say that – however sensationalist it may sound - the past twelve months have been the most successful in the history of the Beginner Band. During the past year we have broken new ground, achieved notable landmarks and progressed to a level unimaginable when I first came to work with the band in 2005.

I feel like all I have done all year long is talk about the Nationals Final performance in April. If you had said to me two years ago that we would have taken part in that event – never mind perform like the band did – I would have never have believed you. The band deserve so much credit for the way they performed, and to be told afterwards that it was very close between them and the eventual ‘band of the day’ made it a very special day. I wish to thank both Katie Raisbeck and Huw Williams for all their hard work with the ban both in the run up, and on the day itself. I am already looking forward to leading the band at the competition again in 2012, in a section that has seen the age limit regulations altered.

As well as the Nationals, concert performances have also been good all year long. The 21st anniversary concert was particularly pleasing, as was the performance at the recent slow melody concert. This was particularly noteworthy due to the fact that the band had learnt an entirely new programme in just a few short weeks. As well as concerts the band has a busy schedule of workshops and I would like to thank everyone who helped with those. Workshops are a key part of my vision for how to make the band progress further, and they only happen with the hard work of the teams of players who come along to lead sectionals. Thank you to you all.

This year has seen a bit of a transitional period in terms of staff working with the band. It has been very sad to see both Andrew and Matthew leave the band during the past twelve months. Both are sorely missed and I would like to thank them both for their dedication to the Lions cause and wish them both every success in the future. We have welcomed Ashley and Derek to the band during the past twelve months though. Both have slotted in to the band seamlessly, and along with Hayley I believe that the team we have in place to push the band on to even further heights over the coming twelve months.

I would like to thank all other musical connected with the band. Ian, Tom and Katie take on our players when they move up and look after them so well they soon forget all about us! I’d also like to thank Ian for the excellent music he continues to write for us when asked. Ian is excellent at writing challenging, yet enjoyable, music and I am very excited about the band performing ‘Heroic March throughout 2012. I’d also like to thank Nigel. It is always good to be able to bounce ideas off someone with someone who has achieved so much, and Nigel gives his time selflessly. Being awarded the prestigious Brian Hicks Memorial Trophy in April is a just reward for everything he has done for the organisation – congratulations to you Nigel, from everyone in the Beginners. Finally, thank you to Jane and her hardworking committee. Without them we would not be able to function properly, and I just hope that the performances and successes of all three bands are a suitable way to thank them all for their hard work. Finally, I’d also like to thank all of you for your continuing support of the band. Without you there would be no band for me to conduct. I know we ask a big commitment from both players and parents, and I really appreciated everything you all do to help make our band a success.

In closing, I would like to stress that, as successful as 2011 has been, it is my belief that 2012 could yet surpass it! I am extremely proud to be the conductor of such an exceptional group of people and believe that our organisation has a lot to look forward to. To misquote a well-known advert… ‘the future is bright, the future is purple!’

Have a lovely Christmas

Chris Thompson
Musical Director
Lions Beginner Brass

Beginner Band Awards

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