Wardle High win big at Whit Friday Brass Band contests

Wardle Youth Band participate in the annual Whit Friday Brass Band contests

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Wardle Youth Band participated in the annual Whit Friday Brass Band contests. The Youth Band played at six venues and won ten prizes overall.

The Youth Band played Slaidburn (William Rimmer) on the march and Glemdene (Carr) on the stand. They won first place in Denton, Broadoak, Upper Mossley and Friezland, and achieved second place at Lydgate and Denshaw.

After an impressive performance Laura Conway won the Junior Soloist Prize at Denton, with the Youth Band also winning prizes for deportment at Broadoak and Lydgate as well as winning the entertainment prize at Friezland.

All of the contests are open-air, many in picturesque surroundings.

From the earliest recorded contest in 1884, the event has grown in popularity.

Bands play two pieces, one on the march and then their well-rehearsed show-piece.

Each performance is scored 'blind' by an adjudicator, hidden in an adjacent darkened room or caravan.

Each contest offers a variety prizes such as for the best band, best youth band, and best soloists.

The rules differ between each contest and bands are required to play a published March, an unmarked copy of which should be handed to the Contest Steward on arrival at the signing-on point.

The Junior Band also took part in the Whit Friday band contests and enjoyed the experience having taken part in the traditional Whit Walk procession in Mossley in the morning.

After the procession the Mayor and Mayoress praised the pupils for their contribution to the day’s events.

As well as being a strong performing academic school Wardle High School has a strong tradition in the performing arts, but particularly in brass band music. The school has several groups and bands and they also support local primary schools.