Culloden Moor Effort Next Time
After rehearsing at 12, there seemed to be a lot of time while waiting around before playing in position 7 where nerves crept in that were to affect the band’s performance.
Gareth Wood’s Culloden Moor, a less commonly heard test piece was played on the day in Ebbw Vale. Nerves were apparent in the performance, and they could only be amplified by the acoustics in Ebbw Vale Leisure Centre. Adjudicator, Ian Porthouse gave a fairly accurate write up of the days events and placed us 7th out of the 8 bands that competed.
Other than the slightly disappointing result, it was also a sad day in that we loose our first trombonist, Jess Pearson. Jess has been playing for the band for some time and as we’re all sorry to see her go, we wish her all the best in her future and musical career.
We must thank the players from other bands that helped us out on the day, without you it would have been a struggle to compete. That is something that we should all look at and be proud of; we did compete. We’re still finding our feet after walking some rocky roads, but we’ll get there!
Change of Formation
With Ebbw Vale contest getting closer and not quite every seat being filled around the stand, we’re hoping to borrow some players. This means that there’s going to be some shuffling in the band to help create a fuller sound.
It was great last night to have four basses, it’s been a while since that last happened and it sounded brilliant. Some absences in yesterdays rehearsal were noticed as gaps appeared in the test piece elsewhere.
We’re still keen on competing and heading in the right direction.
Hollywood you Believe it?
Goff Richards’ Hollywood was an enjoyable piece to play and the performance seemed to impress the the man in the middle, Musical Director, Kerry Bowden. Less pleased with the bands interpretation of the 3rd section test piece was the adjudicator of the day, Kevin Wadsworth. Placing 8th out of nine bands at last month’s Regional Finals in Swansea’s Brangwyn Hall hasn’t put the band off competing at contests though.
It seems a test piece has been chosen, and preparations have begun for Ebbw Vale Contest in May. Although time will no doubt pass by in less than a blink of an eye, it’s still early days on the piece and there’s lots to pick up. Being an own choice contest, our test piece will be kept under wraps until we’re sat on stage.
We will have an opening on First Trombone as we wave good bye to Jess. She has decided to leave the band after the Ebbw Vale contest to play for another band that’s a little closer to home. If you’re interested in playing with the Cross Keys Silver band and are handy with a trombone, or any other instrument, please get in touch.
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