On Sunday 25th February, the band travelled to Blackpool to play in the North West Regional Championships held at the Winter Gardens. On the day there were 77 bands there, and we were playing in the Championship section against some of the finest brass bands in our region.
We were proud of our performance, but unfortunately it didn’t find favour with the adjudicators and we placed 10th out of 12 bands.
A big thank you must go to the BBb bass player of Manx Concert Brass who stayed on after their performance to play for Dodge. Unfortunately Dodge broke his ankle on the Monday before the competition, and was unable to play with us on the day. We wish him a speedy recovery.
Congratulations to all the bands, but especially Fodens, Faireys and Pemberton who have all qualified for the National Finals held at the Royal Albert Hall in London later in the year. Full results below.
Championship Section:
Opera House
Test piece: Variations on an Enigma (Philip Sparke)
Adjudicators: Anne Crookston and Alan Morrison
1. Foden’s (Russell Gray)**
2. KNDS Fairey (Phil Chalk)*
3. Pemberton Old Wigan DW (Ryan Watkins)*
4. Leyland (Daniel Brooks)
5. Oldham (Lees) (John Collins)
6. Wingates (Andrea Price)
7. Milnrow (Lee Skipsey)
8. Acceler8 (Jef Sparkes)
9. Rainford (Sarah Groarke-Booth)
10. Longridge (Mark Peacock)
11. Manx Concert Brass (Ian Clague MBE)
12. Ashton under Lyne (Martyn Evans)
** Pre-qualified for invitation to National Final
* Qualified for invitation to National Final
Best Principal Cornet: Mark Wilkinson (Foden’s)
Best Soprano: Chris Musgrave (Pemberton Old Wigan DW)
Youngest Player: Marvin Wong (Wingates) — aged 14
