Milnrow Band in 163rd Annual British Open Brass Band Championship

Milnrow Band

Milnrow Band acquitted itself well against top bands from around the UK by being placed 13 out of 18 competitors in the British Open Brass Band Championships of 2015 last Saturday.

After weeks of arduous rehearsals under Musical Director Mark Bentham, band members were convinced they could put on a good performance of the difficult test piece ‘Reflections on Swan Lake’ by Stephen Roberts, of some 20 minutes duration, the music had been specially commissioned by the organisers for the contest.

Taking advantage of being drawn to play at number 14 (eventually arriving on stage at about 5pm), Milnrow had time for a final rehearsal and a period of relaxation and reflection before performing.

The test piece musically ‘loosely’ follows the story of the ballet ‘Swan Lake’ and throughout, well known original Tchaikovsky themes and melodies occur linked and complemented by original pieces scored by the present day composer Stephen Roberts with surprising changes in tempo, style, attack and with difficult solo passages for individual band soloists.

Controlled and thoughtful playing throughout by the ensemble enhanced and helped the various soloists perform their difficult tasks.

After the performance Hayley Moore (solo cornet), Kenny Pain (soprano cornet),
Joanne Ashley Johnson (repriano cornet), John Lees (flugel horn), Michael Thewlis (solo baritone), Mick Morris (solo euphonium), Ellena Newton (solo trombone), Gordon Clark (Ebb bass), Tristram Cox (after rendering a one bar solo on bass trombone) and the entire horn section of Helen Clark, Helen Clegg and Lauren Armitage were all invited by the MD to take a bow to receive audience appreciation for their individual efforts.

Milnrow Band (ranked fourth in the North West) has proved worthy of its place within the Championship Section of British Brass Banding capable of competing and maintaining its position within such illustrious company as Grimethorpe, Brighouse, Cory, Leyland, Fodens, Black Dyke, Fairey and many others.