Last updated 18/05/09
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CONTACT US FOR INFORMATION Chairman: Nick Alderton (01803 874071) Secretary: Pam Cleave(01803 863112) Treasurer: Jenny Hughes(01803 859723) Training Band: Steve Dayment (01803 863988)
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Weston-Super-Mare Own Choice Contest 2009 , Sunday 17th May 2009 Despite a wet and windy day at Weston-super-Mare the 4th section gave the Adjudicator "Chris Wormald" something to smile about. All would agree an exceptionally high calibre of playing was heard and Chris commented that the standard between 4th and 3rd section was indistinguishable. A gem of a piece, we performed Goff Richard's "A Saddleworth Festival Overture", a lively fun piece based around Australian folk tunes inc. "Waltzing Matilda". Despite its musical accessibility, Goff keeps all areas of the band on their toes, ranging from lyrical bass lines to intricate rhythmic tonguing for the back row cornets. Anyway, what about the result. Well 3rd place was achieved. (182points). Having heard the competition we were very pleased so despite the the lack sea-side sun Tones Band came home beaming!
South West Brass Band Assoc.Contest, Torquay, Saturday 15th November 2008 "...a day of quality music making" Steve Pritchard-Jones With a large and enthusiastic audience including the eminent Goff Richards we performed this years 4th section test piece, Alan Fernie's "Anglian Dances". A piece written over five movements and paying homage to early English dance, with a little pageantry thrown in for good measure. Although easy on the ear, this delightful piece requires subtlety in maintaining the "dance" elements whilst still producing a balanced and confident sound. With Steve Prichard-Jones adjudicating and up against eight other bands we entered the foray. A creditable 4th place was earned and whilst a little disappointed it was great to hear the adjudicators comments celebrating "the standard of music ...extremely high from the training section through to the open." National Finals 2008 Harrogate, Saturday 27th October 2008. What a fantastic weekend! After a monster coach ride(7.5 hr) we arrived on Friday night up in Wetherby a few miles from brass band mecca Harrogate.Just in time for dinner then a quick blow to climatise to the Yorkshire air. The BIG DAY! We drew number 16 of 20 bands which was considered a good draw so that was a good start, this gave us a bit of time to have a look around Harrogate International Centre at all the brass band goodies....good job i left the credit card at home. Then it was our turn. Performing Peter Yorke's Shipbuilders Suite we left "dry dock" and put all that practice into action on stage. We did ourselves proud and came 9th out of 20 bands with 175 points just beating another south west band Wincanton Silver with 174 points who hit rough seas on their Maiden Voyage ! The winners were Lostock Hall Memorial Band from the north west with 184 points. Weston Super Mare Own Choice Contest,Sunday 18th May 2008. We're on a roll !! It seems our playing form is gathering momentum and should peak in Harrogate in September! We had a great day out at the contest in Weston. Our choice of piece was Anglian Dances by Alan Fernie and it served us well because we claimed 2nd place out of a total 7 bands. This result will further galvanise the positive spirit of the band. Whilst other local bands are struggling to maintain the status quo Totnes Band is really pushing forward............want to join us?........contact us today. West Of England Regional Championships,Torquay,Saturday 8th March 2008. What a result! At our favourite venue The Riviera Centre we played a blinder. After recently being relegated to the 4th section we showed the adjudicators that we don't plan on staying in there for long. Playing the set piece "Four Cities" by Rodney Newton which was a nice piece to play (for a novice bandsman like me!) with strong melodies giving the packed hall a tour of London, Paris, Rome and Moscow without leaving their seat. We claimed 3rd place with 182 points, 2nd went to Wincanton Silver 183 points and 1st place to Brunel Brass with 185 points. Harrogate here we come!
TRAINING BAND (Double T Brass) The Training Band was started in March 2007 by Ian Wilkinson, the Musical Director of Totnes Band and John Hales, the Band’s flugel horn player, both of whom are experienced musicians and trainers. Starting with just six or seven members, instruments donated by Totnes Band and the regular support of a number of experienced players, the Training Band has rapidly grown in both size and confidence. With 20 members now, ranging in age from 8 to 17, and a musical repertoire that embraces brass rock, songs from the shows, hymns and marches, the Band played for the first time in public for charity at Harberton in April 07. Two of the Band’s young cornet players, Hannah and Heather, also featured in the prizes at the Paignton Musical Festival last year. They were placed first and second in the 12 and under brass section solo competition and won the duet cup for the same age group chosen from all instrumentalists. Also in November they competed in the South West Brass Band Association contest at the Riviera Centre in Torquay and achieved 3rd place in the Training Band section. The Band doesn’t intend to stop there though. They have just been given 4 brand new cornets purchased by Totnes Band and hope to go on to attract more new members and acquire a greater range of instruments. Current members come not just from Totnes but from Brixham and Newton Abbot as well. So if you are a young brass player or want to learn to play a brass instrument then get in touch with band co-ordinator Steve Dayment on 01803 863988 or email from the link above. The Training Band meets on Saturday mornings from 9.30 to 10.30 in the Meeting Room at St John’s Church, Bridgetown Totnes, tuition is free and the Band tries to supply players with an instrument if they don’t already have one. SWBBA ,62nd Annual Championaships Torquay, Saturday 15th November.
Wow! and what a performance taking the "Gold Award" Double T Brass certainly did us proud with a confident and show stopping performance, our training section delighted both the audience and Steve Pritchard-Jones the Adjudicator. A real credit to Totnes Band, our youngsters gave it their all and displayed a musicianship beyond their years. And a special mention to our percussionist Gabby Clarke who was awarded "Best Instrumentalist" training section. Well done Gabby.
John Hales (conductor) with Gold Award winners Double T Brass
"Taking a stroll" members of Double T Brass leading the annual Floral Dance in Totnes These lucky children were given brand new cornets !!
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