Brass band champions after 31-year wait
A POYNTON-BASED brass band has been named regional champions for the first time in more than 30 years.
The Vernon Building Society Brass Band stormed to success in the North West Area 1st Section competition to qualify for the national finals.
It means the band will attend the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain for the first time in 12 years.
The event takes place at Cheltenham Racecourse this autumn and the group are busy fundraising for the trip.
Dave Johnson, the band’s percussionist, said: “We last qualified for the finals in 2004 and in terms of being regional champions, it’s the first time since 1975 we’ve had that honour.
“Getting towards a couple of weeks before the contest we were rehearsing every night more or less.
“It’s something we’ve been striving for. It’s taken a lot of commitment, but the results have been worth it.”
Neil Samuel, musical director, who joined the band three years ago, said: “We’re thrilled to have won such a hard fought contest.
“We put the hard work in to master the difficult basics – especially note lengths and tempos, and we were lucky to have such gifted players to pull off the difficult solos with ease.”
“The piece appears easy, but it isn’t. The tempos dictate the need for accuracy and clear, non-aggressive articulation. That’s what we aimed to achieve.
“I’m a very proud conductor, as we have continued to move in the right direction and are making massive steps forward with every contest.”
The achievement was celebrated by its long term sponsors Vernon Building Society.
Mike Hanson, chief executive, said: “Our association with the band has stood the test of time – we are all extremely proud of the band’s achievements, which have culminated from many years of hard work and dedication.”
The band are planning to raise enough money to pay for the trip to Cheltenham by holding quizzes, concerts and even a sponsored barge pull.
The band perform for free at Poynton Methodist Church on April 17, at 7pm.