February 2012.
After many weeks, including ten rehearsals in 14 days, the band finally put some demons to rest as we performed at the North West Regional Championships at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool on Sunday. Having registered 15 new players in 6 months and with poor results at Bolsover and St Helens the band felt we had something to prove this week, and prove it we did!
It has been well documented how challenging the test piece Cross Patonce is for 2nd section bands but the band worked extremely hard to achieve a credible result at Blackpool. But more about that later.
On Sunday 19th February the band first performed the test piece in public at Boarshurt Band Club’s Area preview evening. We were then on our own turf at Dobcross Band Club for a similar style event on the Thursday evening, also featuring Dobcross Youth Band, Eccles Borough Band and Milnrow Band. Many thanks to the two adjudicators Russell Gray and Colin Hardy, who gave valuable constructive feedback to the bands on their performance. Both events proved worthwhile in putting us under pressure and getting rid of some nerves.
After a lunchtime rehearsal on Saturday many of the band made their way to Blackpool to set up camp for the weekend at The Albany guest house. And so arrived the Big Day. We had an early morning warm-up as we waited for the draw at 9am but ended up with a long wait on our hands as we drew last out of 14 bands. At around 2.30pm we were finally sat on the huge stage of the Winter Gardens Opera House ready for the one performance that counts. Well done to MD Kenny, the band and all the soloists on a fine performance which brought together weeks of hard work. In a strong, competitive section the band is proud to have been placed 8th overall, also securing their place in this division again next year.
The band is now looking to build on this performance with a variety of concerts and contests throughout 2012. Watch this space for information on where you can next see Dobcross Silver Band performing.
