Milnrow Band ‘in touching distance of the very top’

Milnrow Brass Band The Royal Albert Hall last year

Milnrow Band was successful in maintaining its premiership status amongst the elite of UK brass banding by competing in the Championship Section against nine other top bands from the North West and being awarded fourth place.

After weeks of preparation and long hours of rehearsals under Kevin Gibb (Associate Conductor), and Mareika Gray (Professional Musical Director), Milnrow Band was ready for the first competition of 2014.

The test piece 'St Magnus', by Kenneth Downie, was deemed by those in the know to be very difficult to master.

As portrayed in the first few lyrical bars it was evident that the piece was based on a well known hymn tune, although the many variations which followed in the remaining 10 minutes were sometimes of a breathtaking nature culminating in a mind blowing crescendo of lovely sound and a fine artistic visual impression created by the extended arm tiring drum roll the tympany player was forced to endure until the final note.

The magic of MD Mareika Gray was evident with her usual attention to fine detail
regarding tempo, texture and dynamics with her perfect control and guidance providing musicality and eliciting excellent performances from the bands' soloists, and every single member of the ensemble, each giving their all.

A spokesman for the band said: "After some 153 years the band is actually in touching distance of the very top, proof that hard work and dedication can get you almost anywhere."