Photo's from Christmas can be seen on the Gallery page - thank you to all who have supported the band this year and we look forward to seeing you again next year!!

Speaking to BBB.com, musical director, James Holt had the following to say;

"I am extremely proud of the band today, not only for the effort put into preparations for this contest but the performance on the day. I thought the band played extremely well today, potentially the best they have performed since I have been here and I was very happy. Unfortunately today we didn't find favour in the box with the adjudicator, but at the end of the day that is contesting, some you win some you don't, I don't think we could of performed better today. I must say a big congratulations to Adie Smith and the Blackley band for their win today.

Boys Band will next be out on the contest stage at the Regional Contest in March, if you can come and support the band please do, for those that can't BBB.com will be there to do a full report of the days events. 

Besses Boys Band this weekend took part in the Pontins contest and gave a solid account of themselves in achieving 7th place in a strong field of 15. Playing Dan Price's Elgar Portrait the band produced a solid account of the deceptively difficult set work of the day. Playing band number two meant that the band had an extremely early start and then the traditional long wait for the results. During the results ceremony the adjudicators talked of the difficulty of the piece, a piece that on first viewing may of appeared easy but due to the clever compositional techniques used was one that few bands felt at ease with on the day. After an solid performance the band gained 7th place which was not a bad return for the day. The band were also awarded the prize for the youngest player of the day in the shape of newly signed George Mitchell, 7, on percussion Pictured below. It was a good day for the North West with the first nine bands of the day being from our region.

Full results for the day can be seen below;

1. Uppermill, A. Widdop, 1
2. Lostock Hall Memorial, J. Wood, 7
3. Hazel Grove, N. Beasley, 10
4. Farnworth & Walkden, P. Ashley, 4
5. Denton Brass, J. P. Davies, 3
6. Greenfield, S. Black, 9
7. Besses Boys, J. Holt, 2
8. Cheshire Constabulary, D. Woollam, 13
9. Eccles Borough, L. Webb, 11
10. Newhall, K. Holdgate, 5
11. Blackley, A. Smith, 14
12. Coppull & Standish, A. Baker, 12
13. Newport Borough Brass, A. Hathaway, 8
14. Ebbw Vale Town, C. Thomas, 15

Spinnaker Brass, D. Jones, 6, w

Youngest player award - George Mitchell Besses Boys (7yrs)

George Mitchell (Besses Boys) - Youngest player 4th Section

After the traditional morning rehearsal the band travelled the hour and a half journey to Fleetwood from their base in Whitefield to perform for the first time at this contest. After the usual registration the band were on stage before they knew it with a performance of real merit ensuring a good result would follow. The band were also awarded the prize for the best percussion section of the day. Speaking to BBB.com after the performance, winning MD James Holt had the following to say:

"The band have been working extremely well and have all been focused with the task at hand. When the performance had finished I was confident that we had done well and given a good account of ourselves. In that situation you try not to get to over confident and hope that the adjudicator feels the same about it as we do! On this day this worked and were able to walk away with the top prize and also a special mention to our percussion section who won their own  award today and some fantastic work, including our 2nd man down Scott Broadhurst! The band deserve this victory and I am extremely happy for them and proud to be their conductor, I would also like to congratulate local rivals Blackley and their conductor Adie for their achievements today."

A full list of the results can be seen below

Fourth Section:
Adjudicator: Chris Wormald
1. Besses Boys (J. Holt) – 175
2. Blackley (A. Smith) – 174
3. Tarelton (G. Bould) – 173
4. Friezeland (T. Haslem) – 172
5. Darwen Brass – 171

Best Basses - Blackley, Best Euphonium - Blackley, Best Percussion - Besses Boys

Callum Baxter completes our Baritone and Euphonium line, joining on Solo Baritone. Callum was introduced to the band by 2nd Trombone, Christian Sharples, who plays with Callum at Bury Music Service. For the first time in several years the band can also boast a full horn section after signing Kirsty Mason and Alana Evans on 1st and 2nd horn respectively. Kirsty, a former member of Bolton Youth, came to help the band out on the recommendation of friend Scott Broadhurst (Tutti Cornet) and decided to stay, whilst Alana, a student at Chethams School of Music joins along with sister Fern Evans to has added to our already solid Trombone Section. The cornet Section has also been strengthened with the addition of Catherine Fox to our Third Cornet Section, Catherine saw the band perform at a recruitment drive at a local school and joined to band as a result.
Finally Eb Bassist Hannah Whitfield joins the ranks of our bass section. Hannah, sister of former percussionist and lifelong friend Matt Whitfield, now with Frekleton Band, Joins the band after completing her studies whilst playing with the Trentham Band. Hannah is about to start her NQT year after qualifying to be a teacher.

Following on from the departure of Jenny Abbot, "bumper up" Eleanor Parkes has moved onto the Flugel Chair for the band, speaking to BBB.com Eleanor stated that the chance to play in a solo seat was just to good to turn down. This now means we have a brother/sister "top two" with Scott Broadhurst moving onto bumper up and Bradley Hirst moving onto 3rd Man, leaving the band with a vacancy of 4th Man. 2nd cornet Adam Galloway has been promoted to Repiano, Whilst Grace Kinsler and Emma Kilpatrick form the new look 2nd Cornet Team. With the addition of Catherine to third cornet Paul Mitchell has also been promoted to top 3rd Cornet.
BBB.com caught up with MD James Holt who had the following to say:

It's a fantastic thing for the band to be able to sign so many quality players to the ranks of the band and it also shows the strength we already had with us being able to promote within. The band is now the closest to full compliment it has been for quite some time and this can only help our preparations for the upcoming concerts and contest we have"

Jenny has been a fantastic player for the band and a wonderful friend to everyone associated with Boys band. She has been a truly professional member of the band and always performed to a very high standard, a cracking player, she will be sorely missed by everyone at the band.

The Boys Band summer concert had a slightly delayed start this year, the start time billed as half past two was put back by twenty minutes in order for the bar to open. As everybody knows a good brass band concert has to have an open bar!!! At 2:50 though, the band walked on stage and burst into a rousing rendition of the famous Rimmer march Ravenswood, good practise for Whit Friday next year. Following on from the traditional march opening was Homage to Pharoah, this very challenging piece of music was successfully negotiated and the audience were visibly impressed with how the band has improved and progressed over the last year. Next came time to feature the first soloist of the afternoon, Jason Abbott has been with the band for around 9 months now, and he certainly has his chosen solo mastered. Taken from Philip Sparke's Hymn of the Highlands, the Soprano cornet solo Flowerdale is a very taxing and challenging solo to undertake. Considering Jay has been home in Nottingham for the past few months and not had any rehearsal time with the band, it was an excellent performance indeed. Although not strictly a feature the next piece was time for band stalwart and bass trombone player Neil Matthews to shine as the band played through the theme music to the Mission Impossible trilogy. It was time to calm the mood again with the next two pieces, the first one being a recent regular showing off the fine Euphonium duo of James Harris and Sean Hayes. Deep Inside the Sacred Temple was played magnificently, and was one of the highlights of the first half. The Lost Chord arranged by Gordon Langford was the penultimate piece of the first half and featured assistant principal cornet for the day Lizi Sawyer. Bringing proceedings to a close for the first half was some more theme music. This time however it was from James' favourite TV programme as a child "Stingray". Quite apt as today was actually his birthday!!!During the interval there was lots of drinking done and one of the best parts of the day, lots of cake to be eaten!!!  As with all good brass band concerts raffle tickets were sold by the book load and prizes were on display for all to see.

The Second half started with an excellent performance of John Williams Olympic Fanfare and Theme, not an easy piece at all, but yet more evidence of the great steps taken forward by the band over the last 12-18 months. Then a selection of German tunes called Heykens Serenade, a simple yet highly effective piece split into 4 movements depicting a journey through Germany encountering a German Village band, a Boys Bugle Brigade and a Gramophone all playing variations on the same original theme. The next piece on the programme took the form of a double trio for Flugel and Trombones, Featuring Jenny Abbott, Claire Mumford, and Lizi Sawyer on Flugel and our extended trombone section Adam Hirst, Christian Sharples, Fern Evans and Neil Matthews in Goff Richards fine arrangement of Your are the Sunshine of My Life, a piece that was played superbly, defiantly a highlight of the days performance. Back to some more film music and again featuring assistant principal cornet Lizi sawyer in fine form was taken from The Deer Hunter. After a quick consultation with the front row it was decided that the draw for the raffle would be made after the next piece rather than at this time as was originally scheduled. So another piece that has been a regular at recent concerts was played. This being An American Trilogy, a selection of Elvis songs arranged by Goff Richards into a fantastic band piece that always has the audience sitting up and taking notice after slow quiet playing. The draw for the raffle then took place giving the band chance to have a short rest before the last few items. Next on the list being a wonderful arrangement of a French traditional called The Shepherd's song. The last piece of the afternoon was a superb rendition of Oregon, a piece of music written by a Dutchman, about an American state to be played by an English band. What a fantastic performance, again underlining the progress of the band recently. Of course there was an encore, band and audience favourite and title for the next Boys Band CD being of course Aces High.

All in all a thoroughly enjoyable concert and one with which the band can look back on and say a great way to finish the year knowing there is plenty more yet to come from them.  

The day got under way with the Training band section, a section that allows the future stars of the boys band to showcase their talent. The training band have recently appointed a new MD, the Boys Bands Principal Percussionist, Jon Taylor who has been aided by "bumper up" Eleanor Parkes, their efforts were clear for all to see with an extremely high standard on show, with three cornet players, a tenor horn player and even a marimba soloist playing pieces ranging from "Old MacDonald" to "Hot Cross Buns" each performer showed great potential on the day, with the Winner chosen by Carl chosen to be Maddie Smith with a fine performance of "Old MacDonald".

Following a short comfort break, it was then the turn of those competing within the Intermediate section. This section is designed for players within the band who do not sit on solo seats within the band. A great variety of music was on show ranging from music from the movies in the form of Paul Mitchell (3rd Cornet) performing the theme from James Bond, "From Russia with Love", to a Barbara Streisand Classic, "The Way We Were" performed by Sean Hayes (Euphonium). It was another cornet player destined to win the section on this occasion with 2nd cornet player Adam Galloway showing maturity beyond his years to perform the well known "Concerto De Aranjuez" by Rodrigo, Adam's passion filled performance was enough to take the title for the second year running for this young man, with Sean Hayes coming in 2nd and 3rd place going to 2nd trombone player Christian Sharples who gave a fine performance of that old trombone favourite "The Acrobat".

Then came the Advanced section, containing the top rank performers from the band and what a closely fought contest this turned out to be, with first place going to Percussionist, and training band MD, Jon Taylor. Jon gave a master class in solo performing with a simply stunning performance of "Yellow after the Rain" on Marimba. Jon's grasp of the subtleties of the instrument shone through and was a clear winner on the day. 2nd place was awarded to the bands principal cornet, Kirsten Broadhurst, who today picked up her Flugel to give a fine performance of Alan Morrison's arrangement of Georgia on My Mind, with a sound oozing quality Kirsten deservedly picked up the 2nd place prize. Third place went to Tutti Cornet player Bradley Hirst, who gave a well prepared performance of an Arban Study with great technical clarity on display.

The final section of the day was the ensemble section, an open section, where any group of two or more can enter the section and perform a group piece. This section was won by Xylophone duettists Jon Taylor and Elise Ince who gave a fantastic performance of "The Two Imps" which included singing and lots of running around as their shared two facing xylophones. 2nd Place was award to a very classy performance of the well known Pie Jesu, performed on Flugel and Soprano, by Kirsten Broadhurst and Eleanor Parkes, both performers demonstrated excellent control and sound quality in their performance and deservedly took the second place award.

After a fantastic days performance, the opportunity to talk to the audience was handed to adjudicator for the day Carl Whiteoak. Carl spoke of his enjoyment of the days proceedings and the high standard on show from every player in every section, giving him some serious difficulties in placing the performers. He paid tribute to the band organizers for running such a fantastic event annually as it enables every single member of the band opportunity to perform a solo work.

The boys band were pleased to be able to introduce two new trophies to the solo contest.

The first of these was a silver cup donated by the family of Derek Hilton - The Derek Hilton Memorial Trophy. This was awarded for the Bands’ Band Member of the Year. Mr Hilton was a founder member of Besses Boys Band back in 1940’s and the Band would like to thank his family for the donation and support of this award.

The second is a Shield – The Thomas Carlyle Trophy, which was awarded to the winner of the Training Band section. This trophy is to commemorate a gentleman who passed on last year but remembered the Band in his will, enabling Besses to purchase new stage jackets, walking outs and banners. The award is a fitting way to remember him  

Full Results:

 

Special Awards

As well as the days competition there was also a presentation of Special Awards presented by the band each year:

Training Band Most Improved Player: George Mitchell (Percussion)
Best Attendance: Eleanor Parkers (Cornet)
Most Promising New Recruit: Emma Kilpatrick (Cornet)
Most Improved Player: Adam Galloway (Cornet)
Services to the Band: Jon Taylor (Percussion)
Bands Bandsperson of the Year: Sean Hayes (Euphonium)
Bands Band member of the Year: Scott Broadhurst (Cornet)
 

On the days events Musical Director, James Holt, told 4BR: "The solo contest is always a great event for the band it gives every single member the chance to perform a solo to the audience, which is fantastic experience. I certainly don't envy Carl's (Whiteoak) Job, I thought each performer today gave a cracking performance and each could of been in the prizes. The day also enables me to recognise the efforts of particular band members with the special awards. Afterwards the Band, family and friends then get together for the post contest party which gives the band a chance to relax and socialise."

The nights performance started off in traditional fashion with a contest march, the band performed their Whit Friday entry "|Balmashana" by Owen Thomas which featured some fine bass end playing. Following on from this the band chose to play the classic "Homage to Pharaoh" by the famous Drake Rimmer, the band superbly captured the Egyptician feel to this well received piece. The band then chose to feature the first of many solo performers of the evening, Soprano Player, Jason Abbott. Jason chosen piece for the day was Sparke's "Flowerdale" from his suite "Hymn of the Highland". Jason gave a superbly classy performance and graciously accept the rousing applause. The band then performed the first of several Movie scores for the evening with Alan Fernie's arrangements of "Mission Impossible" featuring Band chairman and Veteran Neil Matthews. The next soloist for the evening was "bumper up" Eleanor Parkes, who was able to play a solo due to family travelling long distances to see her perform. On this Day Eleanor played Jennifer Rush's "The Power of Love" with great style. The band then showed their control with a simply stunning performance of S.S.Wesley's Aurelia, which featured some fantastic solo work from principal cornet Kirsten Broadhurst. The first half was brought to a close with a rousing performance of Goff Richards Elvis Tribute "An American Trilogy" featuring some fantastic solo work from Solo Euphonium, James Harris.

After a short break enabling everyone to stretch their legs and seek some refreshment, the band started the 2nd half showcasing the talents of their entire cornet section with Fernie's Cornet Feature Guadalajara, it is fantastic that the band are able to have their entire section perform in such a way and the audience well appreciated their performance. Another solo feature followed with the subtle beauty of Euphonium Duettists James Harris and Sean Hayes playing the well known duet "Deep Inside the Sacred Temple" from Bizet's "The Pearl Fishers". Next on the programme was MD James's favourite piece, another film score, this time from the pen of Philip Sparke with his arrangement of "The Incredibles", this was a rousing performance featuring excellent work all around the stand especially the work of the percussion section. Following this on a lighter note the band performed Peter Skellern 's "Torrema Wakefield" a wonderfully descriptive piece, performed with great style. Then came a break for the band whilst Percussion soloist Jon Taylor held the audience in the palm of his hands as he wowed with his beautiful performance of Evelyn Glennie's "A Little Prayer". Next on the performance was a new piece for the band in Fernie's Arrangement of Jay Ungar's "The Ashokan Farewell", within the piece, Flugel player, Jenny Abbott, showed great ability in the challenging unaccompanied solo passage. Which just left the band to leave the audience with a real barnstormer of a finisher in Jacob De Haan's "Oregon", a wonderfully descriptive piece, depicting the journey through the American State, after another rousing applause from the audience the band treated them to the traditional encore playing "Aces High" featured in "The Battle of Britain" Band Sgt's, Scott Broadhurst favourite piece.

A fantastic night was had by all with the audience commenting on the wonderfully varied programme and the majority of this young group throughout the nights proceedings. Talking to BBB.com after the performance MD James Holt Commentated:

"The band never fail to impress me, every single player in the band continues to improve and our concerts are just getting better and better"

Besses Boys came together for the second concert of the year on Saturday 19th April at Radcliffe Civic Hall, in a concert in aid of Bury Hospice. The band started in traditional fashion with a march, the chosen march was the Luftwaffe March, featured in the film Battle of Britain, Aces High, a personal favourite of third man Scott Broadhurst. Following this the band debuted a new piece for them in Drake Rimmers, Homage to Pharaoh, which featured some fantastic work from Principal Cornet, Kirsten Broadhurst. The band then moved onto featuring their first soloist of the evening, Soprano Cornetist, Jason Abbott playing Sparke's Flowerdale from Hymn of the Highlands, Jay showed Maturity beyond his years to master this difficult piece with superb control. Then came the chance for veteran bass trombone and Band Chairman, Neil Matthews, featured in Alan Fernie's arrangement of Mission Impossible, before next soloist, Principal Cornet, Kirsten Broadhurst taking the spotlight to play Neil Sedaka's Solitaire. Kirsten's defining characteristics are quality of sound and consistency both of which shone through in this fantastic performance. The mood was changed completely then with a favourite of the band, the hymn tune, Aurelia, it is within this piece the boys band managed to excel and show the quality of sound, in this most delicate of pieces, to great effect. That just left the band to sign off the first half with a real "Corker" in Goff Richards tribute to Elvis, An American Trilogy leaving the audience desperate for more.

The audience were not to be disappointed as the Band started the second half in Spain, with a feature for the entire section entitled Guadalajara by Alan Fernie, which was followed, in complete contrast, by a euphonium feature for James Harris and Sean Hayes, Deep Inside the Sacred Temple, both boys making their solo debut's with the band on their brand new euphoniums, James and Sean compliment each other magnificently and so a duet feature was perfect to showcase their talents. The band then showcased another new piece for them, a real tour de force entitled Oregon, a tricky number that the band manoeuvred well to stun the audience. Following this the band opted something completely different before the traditional last night of the proms finale, an unaccompanied Marimba Solo, A little Prayer, Performed by the bands Principal Percussionist Jon Taylor. This was perhaps the gem of the night as it was the first time the band were able to hear the solo as well as the audience. Jon held every person there in the palm of his hand and he oozed emotion on this most beautiful of pieces. Then came the much anticipated last night of the proms finale featuring Fantasia On British Sea Songs, Jerusalem,  and of course Pomp and Circumstance No.1. With much audience participation and more than one rousing rendition of Land of Hope and glory everyone went home satisfied from a nights quality entertainment

Band Chairman Neil Matthews had this to say after the concert:

"Winners

With Tarelton Brass also withdrawing the contest progressed with a performance of ‘Variations on Laudate Dominum’ by Besses Boys conducted by James Holt.

They took the Fourth Section prize in 2007 and had their minds set on repeating the win with their strong ensemble sound setting the style for the overall musical picture painted by their MD. Whilst moments of real quality and the odd blemishes it just nudged them into a deserved podium spot taking £300 and the Tameside Services Trophy"

Speaking to BBB.com MD James had the following to say about the contest

The first piece the band played was a traditional march entitled Aces High. Following that the band moved onto to feature their first soloist of the evening, he is called Jason Abbott and only recently joined the band from Blackley Band. He played a piece called Flowerdale which is a fantastic piece, which he made sound great! Our third piece was the Paso Doble, Ampartio Roca, which was played as a dedication to Adam and Bradley Hirst's grandfather who sadly passed away late last year and was organist for the Masonic Lodge. After this we introduced our next soloist, Kirsten Broadhurst, who is the bands principal cornet, she played a very nice piece called Solitaire, which she played extremely well considering the piece was only got out at the rehearsal previous. Next cam a lovely piece called A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square which featured a wide range of solo passages. Then we went onto something completely different entitled Mission Impossible, which the band played very well. After that came a fantastic piece entitled Aurelia (The Churches one Foundation) and we played it really well. Then we played Torrema Wakefield, Which is very descriptive piece depicting a caravan holiday evening managing to feature Neil Matthews (The veteran of the band. To finish the concert we played an Elvis Medley called An American Trilogy which is a fantastic piece to finish a concert. On the whole the band played extremely well considering we had one rehearsal in which to prepare due to the area contest.

Adam Galloway (Repiano Cornet)

After the long wait we were suddenly there in the registration room the band before us was just coming to the end of the performance and soon it would be out turn, there was just time for the customary "pep talk" from MD James Holt before the band were called onto the stage to set up and then perform. After a short wait while Adam sorted a problem with a sticky fourth valve, the band performed to a capacity hall full to bursting in anticipation of the results which would follow the performance. A cracking performance followed, the band were fantastic and as quickly as it had begun it was over and we were in for the results. Unfortunately this time our performance didn't find favour in the box but speaking to BBB.com after the performance, conductor James Holt had the following to say;

" Of course I am a little disappointed with the result and not to of come a little higher up the rankings but looking beyond that I simply could not of asked more of my band today. Everything was superb, I walked out into the auditorium and the first thing that struck me was just how many people were in there, it was fantastic to see a full hall, then I turned to look at my band and my heart skipped a beat. They looked superb, this was the first opportunity I had to see them in all their glory of new uniforms, they looked amazing and I knew something special was going to happen. From the first note to the last note the performance was unbelievable, the band performed better on the day than they ever have before and far beyond any expectations I could of ever of had. Everyone was focused and the atmosphere was electric, the audience erupted on the last note and I was so proud to stand the band up and turn and face the applause, I am still smiling thinking about the performance now, ok so it didn't find favour in the box and we will move on to the next contest in three weeks at Tameside, but we will move on a much better band and we can only keep getting better. Thank you to the many people whom I spoke to after the results some I knew, most I didn't telling me how much they enjoyed our performance and they felt it should of come higher. This weekend has been a good learning curve for the band and can only improve us. Finally I must thank the band just once more, they did all I asked and then some, I am truly proud of your efforts."

"Signings these players is a major boost for the band for the upcoming area contest and beyond, they allow our preparations to improve with the band close to capacity we can form the basis of a very strong team capable of competing at the highest levels possible. I welcome all three players to the band and hope they will have a long, happy and successful time with the band.

On a positive note Besses Boys are very please to welcome two new faces to their ranks. On Soprano Cornet we welcome Jason Abbott and on Solo Euphonium James Harris. Both players join from the Blackley band and are excited as the challenge ahead with boys band. Both are going straight in at the deep end in the busy Christmas schedule.
On the comings and goings MD James Holt said