New Musical Director for Lions Academy Band

Charlotte BirchNo Comments

We are very pleased to announce that we have appointed Peter McDonough as Musical Director of our Academy Band. Peter graduated from the Royal Northern College of Music with Distinction in Euphonium Performance in 2019. Since then he has taught at many schools and ensembles including Weaverham High School, Chetham’s School of Music and St Helen’s Youth Brass Band. Peter is currently Principal Euphonium with WFEL Fairey Band and was recently awarded the prize for Best Euphonium at The British Open Brass Band Championships earlier this month. We are very excited to see what’s in store for our Academy Band!

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We Stand with Ukraine

Charlotte BirchNo Comments

Today, Youth band parent, Rob is travelling to Poland to drop off donations to refugees who have had to flee from Ukraine. Thank you to all our players, parents, committee members and supporters who donated towards this very worthy cause. Here is a video of all three of our bands performing the Ukraine National Anthem

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National Youth Championships 2022!

Charlotte BirchNo Comments

What a weekend…! Lions Academy Band First to play was our Academy Band in the Elementary section on Saturday morning.Programme:1. The Muppet Show 2. Londonderry Air – Soloist, Charlie Kearon 3. The Saddleworth Suite – Pots ‘n’ Pans, Grasscroft Ghoul & Friezland Fiesta 4. Abide With Me 4 Bars Rest said “Lions certainly had a gold hallmark about their set under conductor Tom Hancock, as they opened in a long line with the ‘Muppets Theme’ (with brilliant car horn soloist), before segueing skilfully into the euphonium solo ‘Londonderry Air’ played wonderful by ‘Best Soloist’ winner Charlie Kearon. Their original brass band work, Dave Chapman’s ‘A Saddleworth Suite’, featured great percussion… Read More

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Beginners and Juniors Join Forces

Charlotte BirchNo Comments

Our Beginner and Junior band joined together on Tuesday night and enjoyed a fantastic hour of music making! The evening started with some singing and rhythm games led by Beginner band Musical Director, Jamie Sharp and then moved to the rehearsal of several pieces from a booklet called ‘Playing in the Band’. Junior band Musical Director, Tom Hancock, gave some brilliant tips to our young musicians including how to stop and start together and how to stagger breathing between you and the players sat around you. The evening went so well that both Jamie and Tom decided that this wouldn’t be the last time you see these two bands collaborate…watch… Read More

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Photos for sale

Graham ShawNo Comments

As part of the band’s fundraising efforts for Switzerland, a large number of photos from recent concerts are available for sale. Photos are priced at £1 for a high resolution digital download and the band will get 66p from each photo purchased. 3 July 2018 All 3 bands Remembering Nell / Awards Concert – https://goo.gl/amc6BA 7 July 2018 Junior Band Whiston Contest – https://goo.gl/9xyu9n 8 July 2018 All 3 bands Congleton Park – https://goo.gl/1qsYKc 8 July 2018 All 3 bands Macclesfield Lions – https://goo.gl/2Hww9e

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National Youth Brass Band Championships of Great Britain

Charlotte BirchNo Comments

  The annual National Youth Brass Band Championships of Great Britain was a roaring success for the young Lions as the Youth Band secured second place. The success didn’t stop there as the Beginner Band were awarded a certificate of merit and the Junior Band a silver award – a top result in a category containing 12 bands! It was all change for the competition this year as the venue moved to Warwick Arts Centre in order to avoid a clash with the East holidays. Brass Bands England chairman Mike Kilroy told audiences the competition could well stay put next year as well. Junior Section A section containing 12 bands… Read More

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Macclesfield & Chester Lions

Charlotte BirchNo Comments

  The audience was blown away on Saturday (15th July) as all three bands played at the 27th annual Macclesfield and District Lions Club musical concert. As well as some fine performances for the bands a number of the young players picked up awards, including an eight-year award for a 13-year-old! The evening started with a dance as Chris and the Beginner Band started with the toe-tapping Tango Time before featuring the young trombone section in Slippin’ ‘N’ Slidin’. The next to feature was the horn section in Country Rock before the Beginners completed their set with Highland Cathedral. The audience wanted more and were duly rewarded with The Mickey Mouse Club March, which was… Read More

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