United and Rejoicing Through Music |Spring Festival 2023
With Eurovision and the 101st British Open Spring Festival Brass Band Contest - it was a fine weekend of music!
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THE BRASS BAND
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- Feb 11, 2022
- 5 min
Sparking the Flame
How one John Williams' Olympic anthem helped me to find my spark preparing for one of the biggest brass band contests of the year.
- Jan 19, 2022
- 5 min
What is the WMC Kerkrade?
What is WMC Kerkrade? Let's find out about this incredible music festival together!
- Jan 5, 2022
- 4 min
The Butlin's Experience - As Told in GIFs
Butlin's Brass Band Festival is a contest unlike any other. Here is what a weekend looks like in GIFs!
- Sep 24, 2021
- 4 min
Music Fills the Square Again - Blackburn and Darwen Hymn & MArch Contest
Blackburn and Darwen Hymn and March Contest marked the return to the contest stage for me and what an incredible day it was!
- Mar 17, 2021
- 6 min
Commentary Debut, Crying and cocktails - Cory Online Championships Day 1 & 2
I think that I can safely say I’ve never previously sat and watched a brass competition, sipping a Long Island Iced Tea.
- Feb 5, 2021
- 3 min
Lady Blowhorn's Banding Papers
Move over Lady Whistledown, these are Lady Blowhorn's Banding Papers!
- Jan 23, 2021
- 5 min
What is a battle playlist and why do you need one?
We are at our most powerful when we feel like ourselves, so picking songs that fit our personality and who we are can really ground us.
- May 6, 2020
- 5 min
Always Look on the bright side of band
At the present time it can be easy for us to get stuck in a pessimistic, gloomy rut- cheers Covid-19! We’re not at band. We can’t go to...
- Mar 1, 2020
- 5 min
I Can’t…I Can…I Did- North West Regionals 2020
I genuinely can’t believe that the North West Regional Contest is over for another year. I’m glad to be moving on to ANY piece that isn’t...
- Feb 16, 2020
- 5 min
Band-gor- Unibrass 2020
I’ve never regretted leaving uni. It was jut one of those things that wasn’t for me. However…I so wish I’d had the opportunity to take...
- Feb 2, 2020
- 6 min
Pride, Progress and Postlethwaite- Brass in the Wire 2020
With the announcement of the Guild Hall closing last year, I was worried that Brass at the Guild was going to meet the same fate as the...
- Jan 26, 2020
- 5 min
Rehearsal Diary- Stop Faffing and Just Play!
It only feels like a couple of weeks since I was last gearing myself up for a contest. Oh. That’ll be because it has only been a couple...
- Jan 19, 2020
- 7 min
Success in Skegness- Butlins Contest 2020
So it’s been five years since I’ve been to Butlins and it’s nice to see that, like the other wonders of the world, Butlins hasn’t changed...
- Sep 27, 2019
- 6 min
Cossacks, Wizards and Bridesmaids- Blackburn Darwen Hymn and March Contest 2019
Last weekend I had the pleasure of being asked to dep for two bands at the Blackburn and Darwen Hymn and March contest. Before I get into...
- Sep 13, 2019
- 5 min
Banding Bucket List- Performance Opportunities
I’ve been incredibly lucky to have experienced some brilliant performance opportunities during my time in banding. From performing at the...
- Jun 11, 2019
- 4 min
Whit Friday Survival Guide
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Last year I did a post of things to look out for at Whit Friday (click here to read). This year...
- May 24, 2019
- 5 min
Spectacles, Shakes and a Flying Handbag- Spring Festival 2019
As I said in a previous post, this year was my debut at the Spring Festival in Blackpool and I have to say it was an experience. A hole...
- Feb 12, 2019
- 5 min
Back in the Bandroom
Hello! So, if you’ve been following this blog for a while (you troopers!) and you’ve read the title, I suppose you’ve probably guessed...
- Jan 6, 2019
- 2 min
The Butlin’s Survival Guide
It’s in Skegness…so not the most local gig in the world, but it’s the banding equivalent of going to Disneyland…sort of. Do not let your...
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