The Band took part in the 2024 North East Midlands Brass Band Association annual contest on Saturday 17th February held at the Post Mill Center in South Normanton.
The Band were previously winners of the First Section in 2019 under the baton of Stan Lippeatt playing A Symphony of Marches by Gilbert Vinter. This year conducted by the bands new Musical Director Richard Marshall the band played the selected work for the Second Section Area contests, Philip Sparke’s Triptych.
After last years victory in the Leicester Brass Band Association contest the Band were very keen to build on that success and settled down for several weeks of rigourous rehearsals. After looking forward to competing at the NEMBBA contest the Band were extemely pleased with the performance and the end result.
Commenting on the contest result MD Richard Mashall said,
“The NEMBBA contest was the first time I conducted the band on the competition stage. And what a day it was…. We won????
Since the first rehearsal back after the Christmas break the band have worked very hard and I knew that this outing was to be a good test with the upcoming Area contest looming.
The band didn’t disappoint as they took to the stage and delivered just as they have during every rehearsal. Still, there is time to brush up on a few pointers but I’m very much looking forward to this journey… See you in Huddersfield”
Eagerly watching on from the wings was the bands former long term MD Stan Lippeatt.
Posing proudly for a picture after the results with Richard and long serving Secretary Margaret Curran, he described the performance as “Outstanding”. The band were thrilled that he was in attendance to see our new MD getting off to a brilliant start.
The adjudicator for the contest, John Roberts, remarked “It was a great performance with fine Soloists and well directed by the MD”
Along with being the overall winners of the section, our super Sop Mike Killmartin was selected as the best Soprano cornet for the second time. Well done Mike!
