Yorkshire & Humberside Area Contest Sunday 7th March saw the band into "contest mode" once again! Rehearsals have gone very well and the grit and determination of the band shone through. Playing Saint Saens Variations by Philip Sparke, one of the most exciting and melodious 'Test Pieces' for a very long time and with promotion to the Third Section at stake, the stage was set for a very interesting weekend. Not helped by drawing No. 1 (yet again!) we could not make the impression for which we had high hopes; only coming in a creditable sixth place. This position can only have been enhanced by the efforts ( and heaps of talent ) of our own Andrew Stevenson who claimed the Best Soloist prize for himself. Massive well done to you!!!!! Results in, calculations done and behold, despite all the difficulties we have faced, we are still top of the 4th Section with promotion ours next January. Well done to all - a very sucessful campaign!!!!!
Welcome to John Smith who has taken his place on the Cornet front row and so enhancing an already highly talented (and successful) team. Faces come and go in most bands for a plethora of reasons, and we are no exception. So with the Area Contest less than a month away we are really pleased to welcome John who can be sure of exciting times to come!!
P.S. We can always find room somewhere for more talented players or beginners - see Vacancies page
Success at Butlins Mineworkers Open Music Festival Saturday the 23rd January 2010 After a well fought battle between 13 of the top 4th Section bands, playing Leigh Bakers gladitorial testpice Roman Tryptch, Thurcroft WelfareBand secured 3rd. Prize at the Skegness resort; to date the best placed finish for the band at this contest. Really pleasing result and a great platform from which to launch our bid for The Areas in March!!!
And Following On!!!!! They say that success follows success, and in our case it certainly does! Following on from our successful grant application to the Arts Council in September, which enabled us to commission the two new Marches from Darrol Barry, we have now been awarded a sizeable five figure sum by Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council to provide 10 new 'lower end' instruments for our training band. This means from January 2010 we are able to offer training and development - on any instrument - to any young person who wishes to learn to play. This is a fantastic leap forward for our training band who have already made great progress in 2009. If you live in or around the Rotherham area and wish to be part of our training band in 2010 please make initial contact through 01709 544588 or simply come along to the band room, at the top of West Street, Thurcroft Saturday mornings 9.30 - 10.30 am.
It goes without saying that we are very grateful to Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council for the grant and to Lucy Vernon who completed all the paperwork.
The Training Band have Hit the right note again!! After many previous promises the training band have finally performed at Larwood Community Centre. As usual their dedication and professional approach wowed the very discerning crowd. The new march "100 Not Out!" had its first outing and was very well received. Well done to all!!!
HERE IT IS THEN!
Thurcroft Centenary March has finally had its first outing, to rapturous applause from the Beighton audience. This new composition by Mr Darrol Barry is "Dedicated to the memory of Thurcroft Colliery and all who worked there"
When we saw the score it looked really exciting and we worked hard to make it "our own piece". What a fantastic opening to a truly momentous concert!
Sincere thanks to the Arts Council England: Grants for the Arts.The grant which funded this commision will also fund the new CD, due to be recorded in March 2010, and of course Thurcroft Centenary March will be featured.
Mr Barry has also composed a March for the Training Band (We could not leave them out could we?) Called 100 Not Out! it is a 'foot tapper' with a really 'catchy melody'. The training band are already well on with preparing this brand new March for next Season. Sincere thanks to all concerned; especially to Graham Boag for the intro; Arts Council England and of course Nigel.
