2006 : Masters Champions

The band's first engagement of 2006 was a concert for local charities at the Blackburn Hall in Rothwell. This was a resounding success, with many people saying that it was the best concert they had ever attended. This seemed to be a good omen for the year ahead.

The set test piece for this year's area contest was Journey To The Centre Of The Earth by Peter Graham. The piece is based around the Jules Verne book of the same name, which chronicles a young adventurer's descent into a volcano and the caves deep beneath it. It is an excellent, descriptive piece of music, and when played well conjures up images from the book.

In the middle section of the piece, the band members were instructed to whisper "De profundis clamavi ad te, Domine" (Out of the depths I have cried unto thee) over the top of some atmospheric horns and vibraphone. The band were provided with a CD with whispering recorded on it for use in this section and the instructions from the contest organisers were that it could be played if the band wanted to use it, but the CD player would have to be provided by the band and it would have to be battery operated. After experimenting it was decided that the most atmospheric sound was made with the band members whispering, so the decision was made not to use the CD.

On the day of the contest, the band performed very well on stage, being placed fourth overall. (Contest Report) When the adjudicators came to give their remarks to the audience, just before the results, they said that they were looking for bands who painted a picture and that the top four placed bands had done that.

A fourth place on its own is an excellent result at the Yorkshire Area, but the band realised that with Brighouse in fifth place, they were in with a chance of qualification for the finals in London. Black Dyke and Grimethorpe had already prequalified for the finals, due to their top four finish in London last year. The band held their breath, whilst YBS were announced in third and then gave a bigger cheer than Grimethorpe when they were announced the winners.

The adjudicator's remarks were very positive:
David Read said: Good start - well balanced - fine perc colour. B. Drama unfolds as it should - well done. Excellent tuned percussion - fine close. M. Fine bass duo in the depths. Well shaped and played Sop. Dynamics excellent. P. Just the right amount of rubato. Trom excellent portrayal. Solo Cornet not blemish free but good shape. Sop - congratulations. All very tasteful and the word despair comes to mind. However the slightest slips do spoil the atmosphere you create which is otherwise excellent. X. Fine. Reprise from Y fine. Bass Trombone - first class. F1 battle - I can imagine the animals fighting to the death! Majestic Homecoming. A fine performance and told the story. One or two minor hiccups on the way. Percussion added great colour throughout - in its proper place.

James Scott added: An atmosphere is created in the opening. The vivace has dynamic control and is committed playing with rhythmic sense. Bass duo phrased very well (though a little 'edge' in the odd bar!) All solo lines are delivered so well here. P. Good balance in chording. Trom line was excellent in its musicality. Cornet also (apart from the blip!). Sop has flair. 282 is very musical. Beautiful chording from V. Time taken into W and well phrased to follow. Z begins with accuracy from Bass Trombone and the vivace is again committed and controlled. J1 Tonal control here - with of course a very strong close. A fine performance - with much musical detail.

Following the Area, the band began the slow build up to the Masters contest in Cambridge in late May. Following on from the success of last year's International Masters contest, more foreign bands were attracted, including one from as far away as Australia : Brisbane Excelsior. The current European champions Willebroek (Belgium) were also in attendance, along with Brass Band Treize Etoiles (Switzerland) and Brass Band Rijnmond (Holland).

The set test this year was Paganini Variations by Philip Wilby. The band had played this piece twice before, winning the contest with it both times. The first of these was at Pontins in 2000 whilst the second was at the Senior Cup in 2003.

On the morning of the contest the band received news that Paul Argyle's partner Lucy had gone into labour. This was a little unexpected, as the baby was not due for another fortnight. The band drew number nine for the contest, and so were due on stage at about 1.00pm. Paul elected to stay, and arrangements were made to get him back home as soon as possible after he had played. Paul became a father at 1.27pm, just as the band were leaving the stage after completing an excellent performance that they were more than happy with.

Come results time many members of the band were in the hall to listen to the results. At the Masters there is a soloist's prize, awarded to the best instrumentalist on the day. The band were stunned to hear that this was awarded to their euphonium player, Andy Marsh. This is usually a good indicator of a band that has done well in the contest, so the band listened to the results with renewed confidence, eventually being placed first. (Contest Report)
This was a stunning result for the band, which was a just reward for an excellent performance on stage. It was the band's first win at a 'major' contest, and it completed a hat trick of wins on Paganini Variations. Following the contest, the band and David Roberts received many messages of congratulation from friends throughout the brass band world.

Each year a CD is produced of the gala concert which takes place in Cambridge Corn Exchange the evening after the contest has finished. The winning performance from the contest is also included on this CD, and so the band's performance of Paganini Variations was released as part of this CD, entitled "Master Brass - Volume 17" later in the year.

After the success of the Masters, the band took part in the Whit Friday Marches once again, competing in nine contests. They were rewarded with five second places and an excellent first at Delph, where they also collected the best euphonium and best cornet prizes. Conductor David Roberts said, "to get five seconds and a first is awesome, but to win Delph is special." The band were also awarded fourth place overall for their performances at the Tameside contests.

Next up was a concert at Queen Elizabeth Grammar School in Wakefield, where the band showed off their Master's trophy. The band then played at the wedding of Ed Hodkin, our solo Eb bass, and Kath, performing the wedding classic "Pinball Wizard" whilst they were signing the register. The band were forced to hold their big band night later than in previous years, due to the availability of the Blackburn Hall. This meant that it took place on the first of July. An excellent night was had by all, though it was a bit warm in the hall!

The band's trip to the British Open wasn't as successful as we expected, with a fourteenth place. (Contest Report) We hope to do better next year.
The band's trip to the Royal Albert Hall for the National Finals similarly wasn't as successful as we expected. (Contest Report) The band were placed fourteenth again, although it is interesting to note that some observers around the hall had us in the top six.

The band recorded music for BBC Radio 2's Listen The The Band programme in late November, which should be broadcast in February 2007.The year ended as usual with a string of Christmas concerts. What was unusual was the location of the first of these - Stroud. The band had a three hour journey down to Stroud, before playing an excellent concert to a very appreciative capacity audience. They then had a long slog back up the country, arriving back at the bandroom at half past one in the morning. Christmas concerts also took place at Leeds Grammar School and Middleton Primary School near Rothwell before the final two concerts took place at the Blackburn Hall. These concerts were very well received by the audience and featured The Clock With The Dreseden Figures, a percussion feature and Ed Hodkin (dressed up again) playing Teddy Bear's Picnic.

2006 was an excellent year for the band with notable successes at the Yorkshire Area and a stunning win at the Masters in May. The latter half of the year was not as successful, though the band did play well and will build upon this in 2007.