Mid Table Finish at Torquay
After months of hard work and preparations, Phoenix took to the stage on Sunday morning to take part in the Annual South West Brass Band Championships at the Riviera Centre in Torquay. We knew we were up against some good bands in the 2nd Section, but we were in with a shout if we could perform Eric Ball's "Resurgam" as well as we had been in recent rehearsals. Our MD, Dave Hatton, has been working the band hard since Christmas to try and improve our dynamic range and intonation in preparation for the piece, which had lots of exposed and quiet passages for many players in the band.
Getting Started
But we had a few issues before we even took to the Contest. Our Band Chairman and Euphonium player had some ear problems two weeks before the Contest, which caused him, hearing loss and problems with balance. We have thought for some time now that he was un-balanced and now the Doctors have confirmed it. He even had a brain scan, but they didn’t find anything there either!.
Chris left it to the day before the Contest to see if the problem would get better but it didn’t, so we had to play with a Euphonium short. At least Chris could do the Draw for us and a good draw he gave us, playing 7th out of 14. Better than playing the dreaded Number 1.
The other situation we had on the Saturday was when our Bb Bass player text me asking for Dave Hatton’s mobile number. When I asked if everything was ok, which is a question I didn’t really want to ask at this late stage. The reply was that Ivor’s Herdsman had gone sick and Ivor would have to do the Milking on Sunday morning, before our practice which was planned for 8.30 am in Torquay. He was hoping to make Torquay by 9.30 and as the Contest started at 10.00, and we could have been playing at 10.00, meant that we could be another player short. Well, as it turned out, the Cow’s forced out the Milk in double or should I say Single quick time (no pun intended) with the help of Ivor’s wife Roz, who had to have a quick course on finding which end to milk the Cow from, as it was dark and Roz started to milk the. Well we won’t go there….. and Ivor along with Roz arrived just in time for the 8.30 practice. Many thanks to the both of you for your efforts as I know Ivor didn’t get to bed until midnight and was back at work again at 4, yes 4am, to make sure that he didn’t let anybody down.
New Players
We had some players contesting with us for the first time which were, Emma on front row Cornet and Ash on Percussion. We also had Myra playing Timps, who is a Horn Player & Pianist, but said that she would help us out, but I think it was an excuse to keep her eye on her Husband Colin on Bass!. We also welcomed back Gordon on Horn, who had taken a break for a year, and we even got the brilliant Steve on Baritone back from a very short retirement (as I kept on to him so much until he finally buckled). Steve even got a mention on the remarks, so he made his presence felt with the Adjudicators!
Our Performance
The performance was a good one, which could have been a little better but overall the Band was pleased to play this great piece as such an important event. Our two main Soloists in Resurgam played fantastic again. Matt Read our Principal Cornet and John Woods our Solo (and 2nd Euphonium as he was the only one on Sunday) played brilliantly, so thanks guys.
A big congratulations must go to the winners, Brunel Brass from Swindon and their Conductor John Winterflood, who played fantastic along with Pendennis Brass Falmouth, who will now represent the West of England at the National Finals in September. It was also nice to see Bodmin back playing at the Contest, who only a few years ago were the best band in the West.
Our congratulations must go to Weston Brass who are Conducted by our founder member and ex Principal Cornet Tony Osborne. Tony and the Band have now gained promotion to the 2nd Section. So next year will be playing against us which could be interesting.
And finally, as they say, our Conductor Dave Hatton has also qualified for the National Finals as a player with Bournemouth Concert Brass who came 2nd in the 1st Section. Just a pity we couldn’t have done the same but I expect his wife is pleased as she might see more of him, just maybe?
Adjudicators Comments
Read the adjudicators remarks of our performance
Released On 14th Mar 2011
