Golborne Band are National Finalists (again!)
2024 has been off to an exciting start for Golborne Band. Newly promoted to the Third Section, the band took their annual pilgrimage to the Winter Gardens in Blackpool on Sunday, 25 February 2024. Golborne Band competed against fifteen other bands in the North West Regional Brass Band Championships, coming in third place and qualifying for the National Finals for the second year running. This year’s National Finals will take place on Saturday, 15 September where the band will compete against the top placed bands from across the United Kingdom. The stakes couldn’t be higher; if the band won at the National Finals they would secure a second promotion in two years, to the Second Section.
This result builds on the success of the band over the last 12 months under the baton of Les Webb, who has played Principal Trombone for some of the country’s top bands. Under Webb’s leadership, Golborne Band continues to develop playing together as an ensemble and individually as players, to achieve an ever-higher quality of sound and greater technical accuracy.
This year’s 3rd section test piece was Christopher Bond’s 2018 work Corineus, an exciting and dramatic piece of music inspired by the medieval legend of Corineus who was one of the first legendary rulers of Cornwall, and his daughter Gwendolen. This was a challenging piece and the band focused on attention to detail, whilst delivering musicality and drama for the audience and the adjudicators. The adjudicators’ remarks were positive and encouraging, whilst offering some guidance to work on for future performances.
As Golborne Band eagerly await the news of the piece they will prepare for September they will embark on another fundraising journey to support their trip to Cheltenham including a sponsored walk and skydive. If you would like to donate to the band then please visit our Just Giving Page.
Golborne Band take on the National Finals
September marks the end of summer for many, and the start of the new academic year for students and parents alike. You may have been forgiven for thinking that things had calmed down a little bit. Of course, Golborne Band see things differently. September marked the band’s first visit to Cheltenham for the National Finals in over a decade.
After a summer of hard work preparing A Saddleworth Overture, the band took the trip South to perform to the best of their ability. A respectable 7th place left the band celebrating their weekend away and looking forward to competing in the third section from 2024. The band would like to thank their supporters including everyone who donated to help make the trip possible.
Video: Golborne Band Reaches National Final
A few weeks ago, we welcomed Eleanor Fletcher to our bandroom to meet the band and do some filming. Eleanor is studying at Salford University and she made this video as part of her coursework. Thank you Eleanor!
Golborne are 4th Section North West Champions 2023
When you think of Blackpool in February, what comes to mind? Probably freezing cold weather, a bracing wind and everything looking a bit grey and dreary. Ask Golborne Band and you’d probably get a different answer.
On Sunday, 26 February 2023, musicians from Golborne Brass Band took to the stage in Blackpool for the North West Regional Brass Band Championships to compete for the title of 4th Section North West champions. Following a challenging competition against 14 other bands, the band was proud to achieve first prize, and qualify for a place at the National Finals in Cheltenham in September.
Expertly conducted by Les Webb, who has played for many of the top bands in the country, including the Principal Trombone position with Fairey Band and has played for other top bands including Foden’s band and Grimethorpe Band. Webb’s motto “music is fun” transferred from the rehearsal room to the stage as the band showed off their progress over the last twelve months.
Performing Darrol Barry’s work Hungerford Town, a challenging test for the most able of bands, the band focussed on performing musically and colourfully to take the title. It is not just the band who were recognised during the contest, with Soprano Cornet player, Ian Twiss winning the only individual award of the competition for best Soprano Cornet. A special mention was also given to the percussion section who delivered an outstanding performance on a demanding part.
Chairman, Peter Jackson said, “The band’s recent win at the North West Regional Championships brings twelve months of hard work and dedication to fruition. Representing the North West in Cheltenham is a great honour and the band is looking forward to a fabulous and exciting future.”
With an invitation to the National Finals in Cheltenham, the band will now embark on a fundraising journey, hoping to raise the full costs to cover a trip to Cheltenham, and would welcome discussions with local companies and individuals who would like to support the band. Donations are being accepted through our Just Giving page. To discuss other ways to donate please email golbornebrass1847@gmail.com or contact the band on Facebook @GolborneBrassBand.
Golborne Launches New “Side-by-Side Sessions”
Ever wondered what it’s like to play alongside a world class musician?
Well, we can make it happen…!! Spring 2022 sees Golborne Brass Band proudly launch our ‘Side-by-Side Sessions’.
Each month we will be hosting a different brass band legend from across the UK, as they take their place in our band for one night only. Throughout the evening we will be drawing on our guest’s immense experience and expertise, to guide our operation and development as a band from within. Practical and anecdotal insight will be on offer as well as the obvious benefits of playing alongside someone who performs at the very highest level.
Hosted and conducted by Ryan Breen, these rehearsals are an ‘open door’ – we welcome anyone who may want to either play with us in the band, or just grab a drink and listen from the comfort of our seating area. For more information please contact us
March – Alex Thomas
In March we welcomed the amazing Alex Thomas and enjoyed an incredible night of inspirational demonstration, advice and guidance. In 2002, Alex joined to the Yorkshire Building Society Brass Band. The band won many prestigious titles during the years which followed, including the European Championship in 2003 and 2004, The British Open Championship in 2003, and the All England Masters Championship in 2004. During this time they also recorded many award winning CDs, and the band became the number one ranked brass band in the world. Alex has performed as a soloist throughout the UK, in America, Canada, across Europe, in Australia and in Japan, as well as being a soloist on BBC Radio 2’s “Listen to the band” programme. He won the British Open Solo Championships in 2004 as well as the Best Bb Cornet title, which allowed him to travel to Australia, representing Britain in the Ern Keller
April – Les Neish
On the 20th April 2022 we will be joined by the incredible Les Neish
Les NEISH | Besson –www.besson.com/en/artist/les-neish/
Proof that the tuba, the comedian of the orchestra, is a credible solo instrument abounds in the brilliance of Neish” Classical Music MagazineLes Neish has created a career as a soloist, chamber musician and educator with a world-wide reputation. Known for his musicianship, artistry and high level of communication, Les dazzles audiences with fabulous technique and stunning musicianship.
May – Ben Richerton
9th May 2022 sees the Soprano Cornet extraordinaire Ben Richerton ex Black Dyke come to our band room to offer his expertise and sublime musicianship from the very top of the band!
Keep following to find out who will be visiting in June and onwards …!!!!
Farewell Josh
25th March 2022 was our final concert with our conductor Joshua Hughes, who has been with the band for the past 3 years and seen us though Christmas concerts dressed as an elf, summer concerts in the great British weather, and helped the band to develop a reputation for entertainment with his own unique flair. We would like to thank Josh for the work he has put in leading and developing the band. We wish him all the best for the future.
Inaugural Preview Night Success
On Saturday 29th January 2022 Golborne Band was delighted to host its first Area Preview Night, featuring several bands from across the region. Bandsmen and their supporters joined Golborne Band at their new rehearsal venue Golborne Community Club, where each band performed their test piece to gain some valuable feedback from adjudicator Andrew Berryman.
The band are delighted with how the event went and would like to thank the bands who took part, and their supporters for making the night such a success. Special thanks also go to Andrew Berryman for taking the time from his busy schedule to attend the event and provide constructive feedback to help the bands build a strong performance ahead of the Regional Areas contest at the end of February.
Bands featured on the night were:
Blackburn & Darwen Band
Haslingden & Helmshore Band
Skelmersdale Prize Band
Golborne Band
Butlin’s Triumph for Golborne Band
From 7th-9th January, Golborne Band braced the biting east-coast winds and headed to Butlin’s Skegness to take part in the Butlin’s Mineworkers Brass Band Contest 2022. The band played a 20-minute entertainment programme designed to take the audience’s mind off the cold January weather and focus on warmer and happier times. The programme featured:
Salsa Tres Prado
Embers
I wanna be like you – featuring Bass Trombonist and Band Chairman Peter Jackson
Shostakovich’s 2nd Waltz
Seaside Rendezvous
The band were very proud of their achievement, with new favourite word from the weekend being “louche” (defined as disreputable or sordid in a rakish or appealing way) used to describe the Chairman’s solo. After a quick vocabulary lesson, the band were delighted to learn that they had won the 4th Section, taking home the prize money, and trophy for the highest placed mining band. On the victory, MD Joshua Hughes said “I’m extremely proud of the band’s victory. We are determined to do well at the North West Regional Championships”. No rest for the wicked ‘ey!
Golborne Band are now looking forward to attending the North West Regional Areas and preparing our test piece Argos.