Milnrow Band twelfth in the country

Milnrow Brass Band The Royal Albert Hall

Milnrow Brass Band were amongst twenty of the best brass bands in the country to compete in the National Championship Finals at The Royal Albert Hall on Saturday 12 October.

The band was placed twelfth out of twenty bands. Ken Watts, Milnrow Band President said: “Twelfth place was a very acceptable position which the band and supporters were happy to accept as a platform for future improvement.”

This was the bands first appearance at the National Finals and their first ever performance at the Royal Albert Hall.

The competition included experienced and illustrious championship bands from all around the UK and included the bands north west rivals Fodens (last years winners) and Leyland.

The test piece for the day was entitled “Of Distant Memories” (Tone Poem for Brass Band) composed by Professor Edward Gregson in an “Olden Style”

Led by Joanne Johnson (Principal Cornet), Milnrow caressed the opening slow melody (the main theme) built around descending thirds and got to grips with the
“quick-fire scherzo,” finger gymnastics for all sections, with a brief bar or two for the trombone section to shine and a “heroic” march.

The band excelled in the extended slow section of highly lyrical music which included challenging solos for the “end chair” players.

The band answered to excellent coaching and preparation by MD Mareika with a fast and furious finale warranted by a combination of team work and concentration.

Ken added: “President, Chairman, Officials, and Committee would like to record how proud we are of Milnrow our Champion Section Band and its recent achievements and in particular would like to especially thank Musical Director Mareika Gray and band members for all of their hard work and perseverance in making 2013 such a successful year.

"Thanks must also be accorded to everyone for the massive support given to the band during this most successful year of its 144 years existence.

"The band is proud to be the musical ambassadors for the Village of Milnrow and the Rochdale area and looks forward to continuing its new found contest successes throughout the 2014 contesting year.”