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 Site © 1999-2008 Rothwell Temperance Band and All Rights Reserved. |
28th October 2006 - National Finals (Championship)The test piece for the national finals this year was Les Francs Judges, a Berlioz overture that had been scored for brass band by Frank Wright. It was last used for the finals in 1961, which were won by Black Dyke. The piece seemed at first glance to be easier than we were used to, but on closer inspection turned out to be very difficult, requiring the tuning of the band to be very accurate. It was all too easy to lapse into a six-eight feel that was not written. The percussion part was one of the easiest we had seen for a while, but still required four players. We decided to make a point and play five players, as we had used five to qualify through to the finals. This meant Mr Kenny Argyle being on stage for a three bar cymbal roll, and five bars of timp roll. We travelled down to London on the Friday, leaving at 11am. We took over 50 supporters with us, and so needed to take two coaches. We travelled down the A1, to avoid roadworks on the M1, and made it down to London by 4.30pm. After checking in and having some food, the band assembled in the hotel at 7.30pm for a rehearsal. After half an hour or so, some strangers walked into the room to listen. Conductor David Roberts inquired as to who they were, thinking they were followers of some of the other bands staying in the same hotel. They looked at him blankly, one of them finally admitting “I am from the Netherlands”, at which point they were informed they were very welcome to stay and listen. After carrying on with the rehearsal, things were again stopped by the sound of the hotel fire alarm going off. We could hardly hear it over the loud playing from the band, but eventually noticed and dutifully trooped out into the street outside. The fire brigade turned up in short order, and went inside to see what was happening. All the people from the hotel were by this point stood on the opposite side of the street, and many of the band had their instruments with them. The fire brigade found themselves serenaded with the “Fireman Sam” theme by Dai Hale. After being given the all-clear by the firemen, we returned to the hotel, only for the alarm to go off once more. The firemen dealt with it, resetting the alarm and the rehearsal continued. Contest day was an early start, with a rehearsal at 8.30am. Three bands were trying to get through breakfast at once, in a room that was not big enough to hold them. Problems ensued, with there being not enough places to sit and sometimes not enough food. The band managed to get in the rehearsal room ready to start on time, some of them still eating their breakfast. The draw came through and we had been drawn 11th. This was quite good, with the other top bands being spread around in the draw. We were also just after a half hour comfort break for the adjudicators, and so would not be rushed setting the stage up. The band went over to the hall to watch the first few bands play, and get a feel for the acoustic. The Albert Hall has a lot of reverb, and the sound made on the stage bounces off the back wall of the hall. We then had a final rehearsal back at the hotel and set off for the hall in the coach. The backstage area has been revamped since the last time we were here and we didn’t have to walk as far to get on stage as we had last time we were here. At registration, Andy Marsh couldn’t find his registration card. Various people searched high and low with Mike Shenton the band’s contest secretary even being dispatched back to the dressing room to check his walking out uniform pockets and instrument case. The contest controller agreed to let him play without his card provided that we gave adequate proof of his registration at a later date. The percussionists were asked to queue jump and after registering we moved to set up the stage. There was no pressure at all, as the adjudicators were on their comfort break. We then kicked our heels contemplating the button marked “Take Control” on the console backstage before the rest of the band arrived and we went on stage. We heard from supporters later that some of them only just made it back in time for our performance. We had been informed the break was for half an hour, when it actually turned out to be only half that. We were very happy with our performance, and thought that we’d played the piece as we intended. It was a much better performance than the one at the British Open, where nervousness crept in to a few parts. After leaving the stage, Andy’s registration card turned up – in his pocket! The band then went off their own separate ways to find some entertainment for the afternoon. Before the results were announced there were short concerts given by IP Brass and last year’s champions Leyland. These were a little long, and it may have perhaps been better to just have one of them, rather than both. They were both very good, but perhaps a little similar in style. The band were not featured in the top six as the results were read out from stage, which was disappointing, but we thought that we were in with a chance of being placed just a little further down the list. However, when the full results were revealed outside we were stunned to hear that we had been placed fourteenth. The full results were: 1. Grimethorpe Colliery UK Coal (Allan Withington) 16, 196 points 7. Fairey Band (Simon Stonehouse), 6, 189 points We were not quite sure what to make of this result, and neither were the banding press. After hearing all the bands play, 4barsrest had us in sixth place. Hearing this, we became more mystified about our low position. That’s contesting! The band took the long trip back up the A1 to Yorkshire on Sunday afternoon, arriving home early evening. The band enjoyed the weekend, but were disappointed with the result. The band would like to thank the following players for their help at the Finals: We also said goodbye to two players after this concert. Amy Smith leaves us for the Pemberton Old band, which is closer to home. Rebecca Marshall is leaving to join her husband at Black Dyke. We wish them both the very best for the future. Tim Sawyer |