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...
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THE BRASS BAND
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- 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...
- Oct 14, 2018
- 4 min
Contest Day- A Parody
Exaggerated or accurate? You decide. Enjoy! Contest Morning ‘This is too early for a Saturday/Sunday’ Searching for matching black socks,...
- Jul 2, 2018
- 1 min
We’re On Youtube!
Check out It’s Not a Trumpet’s first ever Youtube video! Follow me as I prepare to play Principal Cornet with the wonderful Golborne band...
- Jun 7, 2018
- 4 min
5 Tips For Solo Contests
Whilst playing in brass bands does provide a player with loads of skills, solo competitions allow players to solely focus on their...
- May 11, 2018
- 4 min
Spring Festival Preview- The Triumph of Time
So, here we are, the last piece to be featured at this year’s Spring Festival, ‘The Triumph of Time’ by Peter Graham which will be...
- May 9, 2018
- 4 min
Spring Festival Preview- A Kensington Concerto
here I will admit, I may be slightly bias with this piece because I am OBSESSED with Eric Ball’s writing. He’s one of the few composers...
- May 18, 2016
- 6 min
Contest Stage|Spring Festival 2016
So, I spent this Saturday being a band geek watching some high class bands from all over the country compete in the 96th Spring Festival...
- Sep 29, 2015
- 5 min
Sunny Second Place
Performance to be proud of. Photo from 4barsrest The plan was to write and post the retrospective of the Second Section National Finals...
- Aug 5, 2015
- 11 min
Contest Stage- The basics
Eccles Borough Band (led by Mareika Gray) playing at the North West Regionals Championships 2015, in the Winter Gardens, Blackpool. Photo...
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