Bandroom News

The Latest Goings On

April 2010
The latest update (3-Apr-2010) of the World of Brass – 4barsrest World Rankings.

As ever, the Regional Championships in the UK have played a major part in the movements throughout the table and Rainford Band have retained their position in the Top 200 bands listing.

March 2010
Just two weeks after the successful Area contest the band played in the top section of the Tameside Open Brass Band Championship that took place at Dukinfield Town Hall. There was keen competitive atmosphere with the band reprising the Regional Test Piece and returning a very creditable place behind three very well respected Championshi p Section bands.

Results:
Championship Section:
Adjudicator: Derek Broadbent

1. Hammonds Saltaire (Morgan Griffiths) – 192
2. Stannington Brass (Derek Renshaw) - 189
3. Ashton under Lyne (Martyn Evans) – 187
4. Rainford (Neil Samuel) - 186
5. Mossley (Duncan Byers) - 184

Following the contest the band received some nice comments on themouthpiece.com forum
"I listened to the last two bands and was really impressed by Rainford. I'm sure they will do really well next year in the 1st section as their sound, tuning and general musicality were the best I can remember hearing from a 2nd section band."
"I've been watching Rainford's progress for the last five years or so, and with the present line-up that came 2nd at NW Areas and the brilliant musical interpretation of their young MD (Neil Samuel), they should do well at the Nationals in September. Well done Rainford and I wish you well at Harrogate"
"I thought Rainford were ace  very impressed".

Sunday 14th March

Concentrated rehearsal leading up to the Regional Championships was rewarded with the Runners-Up place and an invitatio to compete in the National Finals of Great Britain in September. Further to this the band gained promotion to the 1st section form January 2011.

Playing the test piece 'Kingdom of Dragons' (Philip Harper) the band received this glowing report from 4barsrest.com

"A gem from Neil
Neil Samuel's and Rainford took to the stage just before Diggle and they were the first band of the contest to really provide a convincing interpretation of the piece.
As with the winner, this was a well thought out performance with nothing out of place. The control in the quieter sections was excellent, whilst the contribution from the percussion team brought colour and texture throughout without ever swamping the quality of the brass music making".

Opera House
Draw: 9.30am
Commence: 10.30am
Adjudicator: Roy Roe

Result:
1. Diggle (James Shepherd), 7*
2. Rainford (Neil Samuel), 6*
3. Haydock (Mark Quinn), 5
4. Morecambe (Andrew Warriner), 10
5. Haslingden & Helmshore (David Holland), 11
6. Dobcross Silver (Grenville Moore), 4
7. Eccleston Brass (Ian Bateson), 8
8. Middleton (Matt Stringer), 9
9. Flixton (Stephen Curtis), 12
10. Co-opertaive 2000 Brass (Jamie Meredith), 13
11. Besses o' th' Barn (Jonathan Lo), 1
12. Blackpool Brass (Chris Larder), 2

Not Placed: Old Hall Brass (John North), 3

*Top 2 bands quallify for Harrogate

January 2010
The band lost the services of Alan Pye and Bev Atkinson on leaving the band. The band are keen to offer thanks for years of commitment from both players..

December 2009
The band completed two key concert performances over the Christmas period. Both the Moss Bank Concert and Rainford Band Christmas Concert in our local church were both well attended concerts with strong musical content.

November 2009
Sunday 15th November 2009

The band organised the 29th Northern Open Brass Band Championships again held in the Theatre Royal St. Helens.
The rather dry acoustic of the theatre again provided a defined listening arena and the adjudicators David Horsfield and Paul Andrews  in reaching their judgement were both considered and clear in their explaination.

These were the last championships to be held under the Wilkinson banner and the organising committee, who all deliver an exemplary contest platform, now search for the necessary sponsorship to reach the landmark 30th Anniversary.

Rewarding performances were in the main the hallmark of this contest with Prize awards of £400, £200 and £100 reflected across all the sections.

The overall champions for 2009 were Hammonds Saltaire (Morgan Griffith) playing ‘Music of the Spheres’ (Peter Graham) .