Backworth Colliery Band News

The band had a very enjoyable afternoon helping to celebrate 30 years of Tyne and Wear’s Metro. The selection of music performed seemed to be much appreciated and the band would like to thank the players who assisted the band on this day.
Short extracts of the band’s performance can be seen at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rNGrw7NHEg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_q_Djfxkqw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIrYstQcm_8

The band had a very enjoyable day marching through Durham with numerous other bands on the 126th miner’s gala through the city. The band began the day marching through Eppleton, which can be seen at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgGj2O2__tY
The band’s performances seemed to be greatly appreciated and, overall, a good day was had by all.

The Annual General Meeting was held on Sunday 9th May 2010 and the new Committee elected as follows.

• Chairman - Aubrey Crowe
• Secretary - Natalie McLean
• Treasurer - Teresa Harris
• Librarian - Catherine McKenzie
• Committee Member - Sam Kirwan
• Committee Member - Julie Anderson

New committee members Sam Kirwan and Julie Anderson are welcomed, replacing Nicola Ternant and Nicole Ponton-Brown who are standing down.

The outgoing Chairman thanks the band and committee members for their support over a very enjoyable two years in the position, and wishes Aubrey the very best for the year ahead.

Band Secretary, Natalie McLean may be contacted by email at backworthcollieryband@hotmail.co.uk.

Please note that the Annual General Meeting will be held on Sunday 9th May 2010, at 10.30am.

The rehearsal will start immediately after the AGM concludes.

Please forward any nominations for Committee positions, or AOB motions, to Natalie.

Happy New Year from all at Backworth Colliery Band.

Thanks to those who braved the winter weather and made it through to Burradon for last night’s rehearsal.

The rehearsal saw the new seating plan unveiled; one that strengthens the sections and will carry us through to the Regionals in March.

Welcome back to Natalie McLean after her successful maternity leave; as well as taking on flugelhorn, Natalie returns to her duties as Band Secretary. Also, we welcome back Chris Travis who will swap his valves for a slide, joining the trombone section.

We’ve pretty much a full line-up to take us forward, although we do have vacancies to fill on BBb bass and Eb bass. Any experienced bass players interested in joining us, please get in touch.

So. Farewell then 2009.

An interesting and very busy year for Backworth Colliery Band, and thanks to all players and friends, our guest conductors, and our travelling support for helping us through 2009 and preparing us for the challenges to come in 2010.

2009 gave us many memories … the Regionals and Easingwold contests, saying a fond farewell to our Musical Director in June, carrying out a very successful summer concert programme, enjoying the experience of our guest conductors, engaging a new Musical Director, congratulating two players who became new mothers in the Autumn, surviving the Secretary’s maternity leave, saying our goodbyes to two senior players transferring to County Durham bands, cataloguing our 1000-piece library, competing at the Borders and Durham League contests, managing a relocation at short notice in November to a new home in Burradon, wishing two younger players well who left to pursue their dreams at Championship level, and – finally – completing a very well-received Christmas programme.

A year that gave us a new home, a sense of community and belonging, improvement in our contesting and deportment, better performances since our earlier disappointments at Darlington and Easingwold. And the prospects for 2010: younger players improving and showing potential and loyalty to serve their band, financial stability in a difficult climate, a pipeline that is already looking strong to secure another year’s banding, and a fantastic test piece to enjoy at the 2010 Regionals.

So. Farewell then 2009. And best wishes to all concerned for the New Year. See you at the next rehearsal, 7.30pm on Tuesday 5th January 2010.

Members please note that there will be no rehearsal on Sunday 20th December.

The first rehearsal after Christmas will be Tuesday 5th January 2010, at Camperdown Social Club, 7.30pm.

Many thanks to all members and guests for their hard work throughout 2009; seasonal greetings to all associated with the Band - have a restful Christmas, and best wishes for the New Year.

Backworth Colliery Band have said their goodbyes to their erstwhile practice venue at Into Change, Backworth, and packed their bags for their new home in Camperdown Social Club, on Front Street, Burradon, NE23 7NL.

The first rehearsal at the Club was held on Tuesday 24th November, and the physical move of equipment and library will be completed on Saturday 28th.

The Band gratefully acknowledges the support received from Into Change over recent years, particularly Maureen and Albert, and wish the organisation well for the building’s future use.

Rehearsals now continue in Burradon, on Tuesdays evenings at 7.30pm and Sunday mornings, with Sundays reverting to the traditional start time of 10.30am.

Any brass players in the Burradon area are welcome to get in touch, as we continue to build for the concert and contest programme in the New Year.

Backworth Colliery Band won acclaim from adjudicator Chris Wormald for its confident interpretation of Philip Sparke’s “Music for a Festival", at the DCBBA League Contest, walking off with the award in Mr Wormald’s words as “best percussion section in Sections C and D". Well done Band, and congratulations to percussionists Andrew and Andy.

Other remarks from the adjudicator included:

• Good dynamics, nice Trombones
• Well played Soprano
• Percussion generally very good
• all detail has been rehearsed well
• This is such beautiful music
• .. at the Appassionato … Well played Euphonium
• Good Bass Trombone
• Overall, many nice moments

Although not amongst the cups this time, the band - with a third of the players under 18 - gave an encouraging performance, having stepped up a grade after winning last year’s Section D. A challenging piece, not easily mastered - confirmed by other bands’ uneasiness at times - provided confirmation of the band’s progress as part of their longer-term plan towards the 2010 Regionals next March.

Backworth Colliery Band would like to thank Scott Meikle and Easington Colliery Band for the use of their bandroom before the contest, and the much appreciated hospitality shown.

Please note the final week of rehearsals for the DCBBA Contest.

• Sunday, 15th, 10.45
• Tuesday, 17th, 19.30
• Friday, 20th 19.30
• Sunday, 22nd, 09.00

The penultimate rehearsal will be held on the Friday, 20th at Into Change.

The final rehearsal – at 9.00am on the morning of the contest – will be in Easington Colliery Brass Band’s bandroom, with our thanks to Easington for the use of their facilities on the Sunday morning.