Nationals

Writing about web page http://www.4barsrest.com/news/detail.asp?id=8651

After a long week of rehearsals and several curries later. We played at Harrogate.

After being drawn 19th, what we believed to be the worst possible place to be drawn, we played an absolute blinder.

And this got us placed 5th!!!

Yes 5th!!!

Coming 1 point behind a band that had practiced it since the piece was announced and only 5 points the winners. This is a great achievement!!!

Well done and congratulations to all who played and many thanks to who made it possible and came to support us!!!

: 01 Oct 2008 11:54 |  Tags: Contest News |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

National Finals Contest Pieces Announced

Writing about web page http://www.themouthpiece.com/vb/showthread.php?p=605422#post605422

From the tMP forums…

Section 3:
“Suite for Brass”
Composer: John Rutter
Arranger: Sandy Smith
Publisher: Obrasso-Verlag AG

NB: This arrangement is taken from Rutter’s piece, “Suite for Strings”.

: 04 Jun 2008 19:11 |  Tags: Contest News |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Dates Announced for Regional Contest 2009

Writing about web page http://www.mabbc.org/

Hello all,

The Midlands Area Brass Band Championships website has announced the dates for next year’s Areas contest. They will take place in Bedworth on Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th March.

Term 2 ends on Friday 13th March.

This will involve some interesting organisation skills… ;-)

: 04 Jun 2008 19:08 |  Tags: Areas Contest News |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Online Videos and Photos of Us at Whit Friday

Whilst trawling round the internet, I stumbled across some videos and photos of us at Whit Friday. See the links below.

Videos

• Mike’s Dad’s video of us playing “The Cossack” in the contest ring at Lees
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKYXH8Xf_vM

• Mike’s Dad’s video of us at Grotton
  Part marching to “Thriller” and part playing in the contest ring
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gtc-rpstuao

• Kelly’s Video of us marching at Lydgate
  http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=538658507484

• Mike’s Dad’s video of us marching at Lydgate.
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBwrs7FVJN4

• Video Slideshow of Bands playing in the contest ring at Delph
  (Warwick Uni – 5:09 to 5:35)
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiSU2ZCmLbk

Photos

(All from Facebook)

• Ben K’s Photo’s
  http://www.facebook.com/album.php?id=61300105&aid=2154656

• Lucy Y’s Photo’s
  http://www.facebook.com/album.php?id=500547357&aid=26944

• Kelly L’s Photo’s
  http://www.facebook.com/album.php?id=61301970&aid=2154736

• Emma M’s Photo’s
  http://www.facebook.com/album.php?id=61303104&aid=2154888

• Also, Ellie S’s album, with some non-Whit Friday photos too…
  http://www.facebook.com/album.php?id=61300507&aid=2154610

• And Rebecca C’s album, also with some non-WF photos…
  http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2154570&id=61301064

• Finally, the Leeds Uni Conductor’s photo album:
  http://www.facebook.com/album.php?id=197819048&aid=2307663

: 22 May 2008 10:38 |  Tags: 2008 Whit Friday |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Whit Friday Results 2008

Writing about web page http://www.whitfriday.brassbands.saddleworth.org/Ranking_2008.php

So, the full results are in…

Here’s how we did (with comparison to Leeds Uni)

Lees

Warwick: 34 (Look for “Boris Johnson Appreciation Society” (Don’t ask!))
Leeds: Did Not Compete (DNC)
Total Bands: 45

Grotton

Warwick: 36
Leeds: 39
Total Bands: 43

Lydgate

Warwick: 41
Leeds: 29
Total Bands: 53

Dobcross

Warwick: 41
Leeds: DNC
Total Bands: 55

Delph

Warwick: 74
Leeds: 58
Total Bands: 78

Other Villages Leeds Uni Did

Denshaw: 35/52
Friezland: 10/48 (NB: 3rd Section and below only play here)
Greenfield: 44/66
Uppermill: 41/58

Other Prizes Won

None

So basically, they thrashed us this year!

: 19 May 2008 11:47 |  Tags: Contest News Whit Friday |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

What 4BarsRest thought

Just an extract from www.4barsrest.com who seemed to like us a bit. Special congratulations to Matt on timps, Rachael on Sop, Tom on Euph and the “well balanced” cornet section.

Drive and control

University of Warwick got off to a decent start and demonstrated drive and control in the quicker sections. The slow section seemed a little stilted but all the solo lines were safe and the band returned to top form in the reprise for a romp to the finish with great dynamic contrasts and a relentless pulse to the music.

A major contributor to this was the timpani player who was top class and the last eight bars or so was particularly exciting. The soprano and euphonium players gave excellent accounts and a well balanced cornet section was also a feature. Just the odd lapses in ensemble and lack of flow in the slow movement may have cost them a point or two.

These three bands will represent the Midlands at the finals, and if they perform at this level they must be in with a chance of doing very well.

: 14 Mar 2008 17:28 |  Comments (1) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Brass Band Qualify for National Finals

On Saturday 8th March, the University of Warwick Brass Band competed in the Midland Area Third Section Championships, and achieved a very impressive 3rd place playing Paul Loveatt-Cooper’s “The Dark Side of the Moon”. This means the band will be travelling to Harrogate in September for the National Finals.

This is the first time in 8 years that the band has qualified for the finals, and the band will be proud to represent the University at one of the World’s premier brass band contests.

The University of Warwick band are the highest ranked contesting student band in the country, and regularly perform outstanding concerts under the musical direction of former Fine Arts Brass trombonist Simon Hogg. The band recently performed in the prestigious Butterworth Hall at Warwick Arts Centre with World renowned tuba soloist Steve Sykes.

After a break for Easter, the band will be taking part in the annual Whit Friday march contest, as well as performing a variety of concerts at the University and in the local area.

: 09 Mar 2008 14:22 |  Tags: News |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Brass Band and Big Band Joint Charity Concert – Tomorrow!

Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa
Tuesday 26th February 2008
Starts 7.30pm
Tickets £8 (£5 Concessions)

The University of Warwick Brass Band and Big Band will be coming together for the first time ever this Tuesday to raise money for two very worthy local charities.

All proceeds from the concert will be split between Coventry Mind, who work with people with mental health problems in the region, and the Warwickshire Wildlife Trust, who safeguard the region’s wildlife.

The Big Band is an international award-winning ensemble which regularly tours the UK and the world playing jazz competitions and festivals. The band plays a range of styles including jazz, funk, swing, latin, soul and blues. www.thebigband.co.uk

The University Brass Band has an excellent reputation for top class concerts, and recently performed with world famous tuba soloist Steve Sykes. This year’s concert programme includes great brass band works such as Kenneth Downie’s Purcell Variations, and the virtuosic xylophone solo Taps in Tempo. www.brasssoc.co.uk

Tickets are available on the door or from the Spa Centre box office
01926 334418 / www.royal-spa-centre.co.uk

: 25 Feb 2008 13:00 |  Comments (1) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Whit Friday Results

Writing about web page http://www.whitfriday.brassbands.saddleworth.org/winrs.htm

Well, the full results are in…

Univeristy of Warwick

Lees (50 Total)
48

Grotton (50 Total)
47

Lydgate (66 Total)
66

Dobcross (61 Total)
47

Delph (84 total)
72

And the comparisons with other Uni’s…

Delph (84 total)
Leeds 59
Warwick 72
Durham 77

Dobcross (61 Total)
Warwick 47
Leeds 57
Durham Did not play

Lydgate (66 Total)
Leeds 54
Durham 65
Warwick 66

Other Results:

Leeds Uni
Denshaw 49/57
Friezland 34/50 (Correction, the bands were listed in playing order rather than results order.)

Durham Uni
Greenfield 67/67

: 05 Jun 2007 13:14 |  Tags: Contest News Whit Friday |  Comments (1) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

And I quote "Talented Group!'

Writing about web page http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAcxSH2_hnA

Check out the comments on Ben’s youtube video of us playing at Lydgate at Whit Friday last year – we have at least 3 fans!

: 31 May 2007 22:03 |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem