We’re missing an intro on this page, but here’s where you’ll find youth band news.
The youth band has been working hard on its programme for the upcoming European Youth Brass Bands Championship, which is now only 77 days away!
As well as our regular rehearsals, most weekends have included additional practise time, ensuring we bring “Sanctuary” up to contest standard at the same time as our Nationals programme and concert repertoire.
Foden’s Band
In January, members of Foden’s Band led sectional workshops. It’s great to have such a high profile band as neighbours and we’re grateful to the players for their time.
The Band of the King’s Division
Today we welcomed Major Stuart Halliday and players from The Band of the King’s Division to Sandbach. Another fantastic opportunity to work with professional musicians.
Annual Slow Melody
Charlotte Birch : 18 November 2018 4:23 pm : Beginners Band, Contest, Home, Junior Band, News, Youth Band
On Sunday 2nd December, Lions Youth Brass will be hosting its 13th annual Slow Melody Competition.
This is a great chance for all members of Lions Youth Brass to showcase their skills. This year we welcome back Elizabeth Lawrence and Mareika Grey as our adjudicators with Fenella Haworth-Head as our piano accompanist. The last 12 years have been very successful with high participation from members and we’re hoping for the same again. Please see attached entry form with all details on.
Section times will be announced shortly after the closing date but will between 9.30am and 2pm.
This year we will be featuring a family section which will allow brothers and sisters to play together
Please print off and return the entry form and money to any of the committee on a Tuesday night with the closing date being the 20th November.
If you have any questions about the event please email Charlotte, our contest organiser, directly at charlottebirch1996@gmail.com
Rules
Section 1: 8 years and under (Beginner Band)
Section 2: 9 years and over (Beginner Band)
Section 3: 11 years and under (Junior Band)
Section 4: 12 years over (Junior Band)
Section 5: 13 years and under (Youth Band)
Section 6: 14 and 15 years of age (Youth Band)
Section 7: 16 years and over (Youth Band)
Section 8: Group; 2 or more players (all bands)
Section 9: Family section; A chance for family members to play together (all bands)
Section 10: Open Section – Non-Brass instrument
Section 11: The Challenge (Youth Band – Any age)
Prizes
Sections 1-9 & 11 – 1st Place Trophy and Certificate, 2nd Place Certificate, 3rd Place Certificate
and a Merit Certificate.
Section 10 – Best Beginner Band player, Best Junior Band player, Best Youth Band player
Rules
The contest is open to all members of Lions Youth Brass. The draw will be made in advance and all
players must report to Charlotte who will be sat in the foyer of the Maxwell Davies Centre on the
day. Please arrive no later than 10 minutes before the start of your section, even if you’re drawn
last. The first section is to start at 9.30 am and all competitors will be informed of their section
start time before the event (to be announced no later than 29th November). Results will be
announced and awarded at the end of each section.
Maximum performance time for all sections is approximately five minutes (not including warm-up
or tuning). Players will be allowed to warm up in the Rigby Block where the Junior Band rehearse.
Piano accompaniment or backing disc may be used which must be stated on the entry form. Fenella
Haworth-Head can accompany performances on piano for £5. Please hand in your entry form well
in advance to make sure Charlotte can arrange a rehearsal time on Sunday 18th November for
you. The player must leave their accompaniment with Fenella on the day of the rehearsal.
An unmarked copy of the chosen piece must be provided for the adjudicator on the day (A
photocopy is acceptable and copying facilities will be available on the day). Please do not hand
this in before the day. Each player will receive an adjudicators report.
No entry will be accepted without an entry fee. If paying by cheque, please make this payable to
Lions Youth Brass. You may hand your entry in on a Tuesday night no later than the 20th
November. If there are any problems or questions, please contact Charlotte, the contest
organiser, directly at charlottebirch1996@gmail.com
The most important rule is to have fun! We all come to Lions because we love playing music,
this contest is about showing our friends, family and tutors what we can do whilst supporting our fellow players at the same time.
Biking to Switzerland
Charlotte Birch : 16 September 2018 4:09 pm : Concert, Home, News, Switzerland, Youth Band
From Sandbach to Switzerland
Charlotte Birch : 12 September 2018 9:33 pm : Beginners Band, Concert, Contest, Home, Junior Band, News, Switzerland, Youth Band
Sit back, relax, and enjoy the movies as some of the county’s top musicians take you on a tour of the silver screen.
From John Williams to Hans Zimmer, Fodens Band, the Roberts Bakery Band, and Lions Youth Brass will be performing together for one night only for their From Sandbach to Switzerland concert.
More than 100 of Cheshire’s top players will be helping to raise money for the Lions Youth Brass band as they prepared to head to Montreux, Switzerland for next year’s European Youth Brass Band Championships.
The band qualified to represent England at the prestigious tournament after finishing second in the National Youth Brass Band Championships earlier this year.
Performing alongside players from Fodens and Roberts will give the band – aged between 14 and 18 – a chance to perform with some of the country’s finest players.
Musical director Nigel Birch said “Lions is about giving young people great opportunities and to play with musicians and bands of the quality of Roberts and Fodens will be an amazing experience for them to cherish.”
Players in the Lions organisation range from six to 18 years of age and both the beginner and junior bands will be showcasing their musical prowess before the main event on the night.
In order to enjoy their once in a lifetime trip to Switzerland Lions have to raise around £25,000 and have already held a series of fund-raising events this year.
The ‘From Sandbach to Switzerland’ spectacular takes place on September 23 at Northwich Memorial Court.
Tickets cost £10 with under 16s free of charge. Doors open 5.15pm.
The next fund-raising event will be a race night at the Masonic Hall in Sandbach on September 29.
presentations to Sophie and Rhys as retiring band reps.
Yet again, we were woken by one of the wonderful adult helpers, this time Derek standing in for Brian on the pots and pans.
We then proceeded to play at Burton Agnes Hall and Gardens, which was very nice however, audience numbers were limited.
Our next stop was Filey on the bandstand. We attracted a large audience including a lovely couple with six border collies, which many of the band took a particular liking to.
We were treated to a selection of homemade cupcakes by Sophie’s Nanny and Grandad who had come to Filey for the day.
Then we moved on to Bridlington where we enjoyed a lovely tea from Audrey’s Fish & Chips, the resident seagulls also took a particular interest in our chips.
Rounders was then played on the beach whilst some of us watched the beginners and juniors in their sponsored blow (well done everyone). The game included lots of sibling rivalry with the stand out moment being Elena catching out her brother, Kai.
Batman and Robin aka Steve and Derek, thought it was very funny to add obstacles into the game and at one point removed the bases completely.
All in all, a very successful day!
Kai & Katy
Tour 2018: Day 4
Today we were woken up by Brian in the usual loud fashion, much to Rhys’ disgust as everyone else in the building heard and exclamation of “WHY BRIAN, WHHHYYYYY?!”
We left at around 9:45am for first concert at Sewerby Hall, we then moved on to Beverley city centre where we had an interesting of the Can Can at triple speed!
WE have since returned home to a dinner of Spaghetti Bolognaise followed by a classic game of rounders which resulted in one win for each team.
We are currently enjoying a boys vs girls football match, plus cake and hot chocolate.
Beth, Hannah & Liv
Tour 2018: Day 3
Day 2 started with another early start at 9:30am we headed off to Bridlington Life Boat Station, ready to perform three, hour long sets for a passing audience along the beach.
The sun was shining down and we played in what felt like a heatwave. During our performance, we were also accompanied by tuneful sea shanties performed by pirates (Who also supported the RNLI.
We finished our set with a tour of the newly built Bridlington Life Boat Station and their two brand new boats. We also got to see various operation rooms where Daisy and Ollie were quick to dress up in a life jackets.
When we returned to the scout camp we had the challenge of the Sponsored Blow which was to perform 120 hymns without a break. We managed it in two hours and twenty four minutes. The whole event was live streamed to Facebook for your ‘enjoyment’.
Finally, we ended the day with a Mexican themed night. It was interesting to see the western led perspective of Mexico that was presented on the night through sombreros, moustaches and ponchos. Mr Barwick stole the show by bringing his donkey along for tea. The piñata at the end of the day brought to a close this themed night.
Tom, Anne & Jake
Tour 2018: Day 1
Charlotte Birch : 21 July 2018 9:10 pm : Concert, Gallery, Home, News, Tour, Youth Band
After at 5:30 start this morning, it’s fair to say, we were all extremely tired. Three hours later, we arrived at our accommodation, some with more energy than others. We made our way to Hull Pride, where we were greeted by a vibrant and inclusive atmosphere.
We played for several hours, which was well appreciated by the audience. This included some Tour classics, solos ad the world premier of the piece by Iain McKnight – Which still has no name!
We then watched the parade and waved our Pride flags high! A surprise was in store for Emily, one of the band’s flugel players as it was her 17th birthday – her family, including Grandma, made the trip to Hull to watch the band play.
After this eventful day, we returned to our accommodation where we enjoyed our tea. We then played a few games of bingo which brought out the competitive streak in some. Our winners were; Daya, Katie, George, Eliza and Ryan.
We finished the day with Birthday cake and a final rendition of Happy Birthday for Emily.
Daya, Emily & Abbie
Tour 2018: Day One