Breathless Can-Can!
Saturday 1st Oct 2005, early evening
The senior members of the City of Chester Band stepped aside on Sunday 18 September to allow the members of the Training Band to show off their musical talents at the annual solo competition, held at Mickle Trafford Scout Hut. The adjudicators for the day were local music teacher Peter Dalton, and cornet player John Hallas. Commenting on the day Peter said how impressed he was by the standards of the performances and, in particular, the competitors having the ‘bottle’ to get up there on their own and play a solo in front of a live audience! With over 20 competition performances the adjudicators were kept really busy, and on completion of the contest section everyone’s relief manifested itself in a massed performance of ‘Is This The Way To Amarillo’! Everyone who participated was presented with a medal and a certificate; however, the overall winner of the Margaret Blythin Award, for the second year running, was Kirsty Blain on Tenor Horn. Kirsty is the daughter of Tony and Paula Blain who do a tremendous job as Training Band Coordinators. Other prize winners included Aine Jackson (Baritone), awarded the trophy for the highest placed Training Band only player and James Tidman, presented with the Vice-President’s Award by David Else for the most improved new player in the band. In addition, a new trophy was presented to the Bands Person of the Year (as voted for by Band members), and this award went to cornet player Jessica Blain. Commenting during the prize giving, Musical Director Phil Mottershead said that the Training Band was a key element in the life of the City of Chester Band and the source of future players. A number of players have already graduated from the Training Band into the Main Band, but the Training Band also performs around Chester in its own right and has been seen at several summer fetes and concerts this year. The competition was rounded off by a short concert by the Training Band under the baton of conductor Ian Clowes, who also plays Euphonium with the Main Band. The focus then shifted to the mountain of food prepared by Sylvia Macdonald and her army of helpers in the now traditional afternoon BBQ. The Training Band is now back to regular weekly rehearsals at Huntington Church, preparing for a busy concert programme in December. It is always keen to welcome new players - instruments, music and tuition are all provided – so either come along on a Monday evening at 6pm (until 7.30pm), or contact Tony Blain on 01244 398468 for more information. The full list of results from the Solo Competition is as follows: Overall Winner and recipient of the Margaret Blythin Award - Kirsty Blain (Tenor Horn) Winner (Training Band only) - Aine Jackson (Baritone) Overall Runner-Up - Donna Jackson (Trombone) Runner-Up (Training Band only) - Leanne Wiltshire (Cornet) Vice-President’s Award - James Tidman (Tenor Horn) Bands Person of the Year - Jessica Blain (Cornet) The Main Band has also been busy over the last couple of weeks, starting with a short-notice request to provide a small ensemble to play the Can-Can for a pilot show for a new Graham Norton television series. Keep your eyes out for ‘The Band in Blue’ if the programme ever makes it onto the small screen! On a more serious note, the Band were delighted to play in support of the British Lung Foundation's 'Get Breathless' 50th anniversary appeal on Friday September 23rd at The Helsby Ex-Servicemen's Club. The concert programme went down very well with the audience and they particularly appreciated the piece 'Hymn To The Fallen' from the film 'Saving Private Ryan' which the Band played in commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II. In the second half the audience enjoyed a good singalong with the Band, culminating with 'Land of Hope of Glory' and 'Jerusalem'. Over £300 was raised on the night and with the generous donation from Barclays Bank this will take it to well over £400. Jane Mottershead, the MD's wife whose mum Jenny died very suddenly of pulmonary fibrosis last year, would like to thank the Band, the Club for providing the venue free of charge and all those who helped to make it such a successful evening.