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...
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THE BRASS BAND
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- 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...
- Jan 12, 2020
- 5 min
Stage Thoughts
Two hours is a long time. Many, many thoughts can pass through your head in two hours. There have been times when I’ve been sat on stage...
- Jan 5, 2020
- 8 min
10 Banding Highlights from 2019
Silly season is finally over. The halls have been decked, the bells have been jingled and we can put Santaclaustrophobia away for another...
- Nov 29, 2019
- 5 min
The Twelve Days of Banding Christmas
It’s the most wonderful (and busy) time of the year! Hands up, who’s sick of Christmas Festival already? Yes, it’s that time of year...
- Nov 22, 2019
- 5 min
Lest We Forget- Remembrance Sunday 2019
As banders, we’re used to our calendars being filled with band jobs. Contests, carolling, concerts, marches, etc- we get a lot done in a...
- Oct 25, 2019
- 5 min
A Bucket List, a Breakdown and a Bet- Rochdale Contest 2019
So, I’m the numpty, who’s spent the last few weeks playing for two bands. As well, as going to my rehearsals with Eccles. once again...
- Oct 18, 2019
- 8 min
Twenty-Three Things I’ve Learned At Twenty-Three- Brass Band Edition
So I’ve recently celebrated my twenty-third birthday (one step closer to a zimmer frame and a free bus pass- wahoo!) and during my...
- Oct 11, 2019
- 5 min
Pomp and (an unfortunate Circumstance)
Uneventful? With me? Never. So, I wasn’t planning on writing about last weekend’s concerts as I thought it was going to be a...
- Oct 4, 2019
- 5 min
Rituals and Superstitions
Very superstitious, writing’s on the wall…. Fight or Flight (of Stairs) As I’m sure many of you are, I’m currently watching Sky Arts’...
- 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...
- Sep 6, 2019
- 7 min
Banding Bucket List- 5 Test Pieces
I had to think a little bit harder about this list as there is a wealth of test pieces that I would love to play and there are so many...
- Aug 30, 2019
- 5 min
Banding Bucket List- 5 Concert Pieces
I do often find myself making a mental list of pieces I want to play. Whether I’m sat in the audience at a concert or falling down the...
- Aug 23, 2019
- 5 min
Banding Bucket List- 5 Solos
When I was in my teens and I really caught the banding bug, there were quite a few aspirations I had for my future in banding. From...
- Aug 16, 2019
- 7 min
Chav or Trad.- Where Does Whit Friday Go From Here?
One conversation that I have seen cropping up in the banding circle time and again is how our movement should adapt to modern times....
- Aug 2, 2019
- 5 min
More Embarrassing Banding Moments
Also known as ‘Reason’s Why Liv Shouldn’t Be Allowed Out Without Supervision.’ I told you in my last ‘Embarrassing Banding Moments’...
- Jul 26, 2019
- 4 min
10 Things We Wish We Could Tell Composers
I would just like to start off by saying I admire composers. Sitting for hours, figuring how to get the ideas out of your head onto...
- Jul 19, 2019
- 5 min
Performance Anxiety: Is it a Bad Thing?
Short answer: No. That’s all folks, thanks for reading! It can be unpleasant and extreme cases can be debilitating, but like most things...
- Jul 15, 2019
- 7 min
Febreeze Won’t Kill a Moth, The Three Musketeers go Marching and Seagulls Don’t Like Bra
Durham Miners Gala There are some days where I wake up and think ‘Why do I do this to myself?’ This was my first thought at 2:30 am on...
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