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Raise money for LYB with your Waitrose shopping
For the next four weeks starting 11th August Waitrose at Sandbach has a fundraising scheme which will assist Lions Youth Brass.
Whenever you shop at Waitrose you will be give a token and asked to choose one of three local organisations, Lions Youth Brass being one of them. All you have to do is put the token in the right container, and Waitrose will donate a sum of money based on the total tokens collected to Lions Youth Brass.
Please try and support this scheme and the band.
Paul Darlington (Committee member, Lions Youth Brass)
7th August
LYB players in National Youth Band
This weekend will see Lions Youth Brass players Neil Raisbeck, Tony Boardman and Tim Bartley perform with the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain. All three players have been on a residential course at Bromsgrove School all week playing alongside the most talented young brass players in the country. It is an honour for Lions Youth Brass to have players in the band and we hope that even more LYB players will pass auditions in the future
Ian Raisbeck (Webmaster, Lions Youth Brass)
7th August
Nigel's Summer Letter
By now you will all be enjoying your summer break from the band, but for me its assessments of the Youth and Junior Band every Tuesday.
2007/2008 was once again a very enjoyable and busy year for us all, with numerous competitions, concerts, workshops and of course our trip to Spain. We performed very well at all three competitions, maintained our position around 5/6 in our category with 5th place at Tameside and a Silver award at the Nationals. At Gwent in January we were clear winners and I hope we shall return next January to defend our title. The concerts, as usual were very well received and our trip to Spain was a great success. We continued to be associated with the very best musicians within our movement and hope to build on those partnerships with The Foden’s Richardson Band, Richard Evans, and our musical associate David Thornton.
As we are usually a busy band I thought it might be useful if I gave you dates for extra rehearsals, etc. now, so it gives you a chance to plan. You can access all the engagements on our website, but this will help us be a little more organized.
Sunday 31st August 10am until 3pm workshop at the boy’s school. By the time we have this workshop I will have appointed a new principal cornet and reorganized the cornet section. I know a couple of people are still away, but can anyone who is not available for the workshop; please contact me, even if you have already told Jane.
Tuesday 2nd September - 7pm until 9pm, First rehearsal for all bands
Tuesday 23rd September - There will be no Youth Band rehearsal on this night. This is because the Roberts Bakery players are rehearsing for their National Championship Final in Harrogate, and we want to give them our full co-operation in trying to win this major event. If anyone wants to practice their solo, duet or quartet for the slow melody competition then the practice rooms will be available on that night.
Saturday 4th October all day - Slow Melody competition and evening concert
This is our third annual competition and this year I hope to see more entries in the lower age groups. As usual you will be entered into the relevant age group, but if you have a problem, which may prevent you from taking part, then please come to see me and talk about it.This year players will only be able to enter their own age section and the open section. This is to give more players the opportunity of gaining a prize. You may also enter the ensemble section, which is for two instruments or more.
If you require any assistance with your preparations for this event please come to see me, as there are always people willing to help. If you require piano accompaniment, Kevin Birch will be available again at a cost of £5 per piece and he will be available to rehearse with you on Monday 29th September. Anyone who requires any extra tuition on their solo can a have a session with Mark Wilkinson and other members of The Foden’s Richardson Band, on Wednesday 1st October. Please see me for details.
Friday 31st October 6pm until 10pm & Saturday 1st November 9.30pm until 4pm - Recording with Doyen Recordings. This will takes place in the drama studio at The Boys School.
Extra rehearsal Friday 24th October 7pm to 9pm - I intend to use a lot of the pieces we played on tour for this recording, but if anyone has any suggestions then please forward them to me. David Thornton will also be performing on the recording with us.
Sunday 23rd November - Tameside Contest all day
Extra rehearsals
Friday 14th November 7pm until 9.15pm at school
Sunday 16th November 6pm to 8.30pm at Church Hall Sandbach
Friday 21st November 7pm until 9.15pm at school
Saturday 22nd November 6pm until 8.30pmSaturday 6th December 10am to 2pm - Percussion workshop with Simone Ribello
This is for all percussionists from all bands, but any brass players who wish to take part can.As usual please let me know if you are unavailable for any of the above events, as soon as possible.
Nigel Birch (Musical Director, Lions Youth Brass)
28th July
Friends of Lions to feature in recital
This Thursday (31st) will see Ian Raisbeck (current composer in residence and webmaster and a former principal cornet player with the band) and Katie Smallwood (former musical director of the Junior band and former solo Baritone player in the youth band) perform at St. Mary's Church in Nantwich in a lunchtime recital starting at 12:30.
Entry is free and it would be great to see as many people as possible supporting this event as it was a resounding success last year. Ian and Katie will be accompanied by the pianist James Batty who will also perform a solo during the recital.
Ian Raisbeck (Webmaster, Lions Youth Brass)
27th July
Youth Band return from Tour!
The Lions Youth Brass have just returned from a historic tour of the Costa Blanca in Spain. The week was a massive success and plans are already in motion for a return journey. Full Tour diary, pictures and much more will appear on the Tour pages of this website over the coming days. Some photo's of the tour can already be viewed by clicking here: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=140130&l=62a6a&id=795360152
Ian Raisbeck (Webmaster, Lions Youth Brass)
3rd July
Beginner Band Update
The Lions Beginner Band are pleased to announce the appointment of Olivia as their new Principal Cornet. Olivia has been a part of the organisation for around 18 months and in that time has become a fine young player with a lovely tone. Olivia has now had a couple of rehearsals on the chair and is already doing well!
Also we need to congratulate William and Henry for moving up to the Junior Band and then we were sad to lose Sam and Jack off the front row due to a clash with their football practices. The loss of four strong players such as these has led to a massive revamp of the front row cornets. Our new look row now consists of Richard, Tim (both boys have only been with the band a matter of months!), William, Lauren and Joe. We are sure that they will be up to the task and help progress the band even further.
Further exciting news for the band comes in the form of a new piece of music written for the band by the organisations composer in residence, Ian Raisbeck. 'The Rise of the Weaver' is an excellent composition in three movements that describes the river that flows through the town of nearby Nantwich. The band are already hard at work on Ian's work and look forward to performing the world premiere soon!
Chris Thompson (Musical Director, Lions Beginner Brass)
13th June
Details announced for Lions 2008 tour.
Saturday 19th July Lions Youth Brass will fly from Manchester to Alicante in Spain. The band will then travel to Torrevieja where they will stop for two nights. Throughout Sunday and into the evening they will be giving a number of concerts for the local Torrevieja Lions Club to support their chosen charities.
On Monday the band will move approximately 50 miles south to where they will be stopping for two nights in Mazarron, where the band will give concerts throughout Tuesday and the evening.
On Wednesday the band will be on the move again, this time moving approximately 120 miles to just north of Benidorm. where they will be stopping for the final three nights of the tour in Teatro Muniaipal. The final concerts will take place on Thursday, as Friday is a free day with an opportunity for the band to relax and take in the sites! Throughout the tour the band will be looked after by local Lions Clubs.
Finally on Saturday 26th July the band will fly back from Alicante to Manchester. The playing is not quite over as they will give their traditional end of tour concert, which will take place at Sandbach High School Middlewich Road and which will be hosted by Sandbach Rotary Club.
So if you in Spain near any of these locations keep an eye out for the band, and if not keep watching this site for all of the news, stories and pictures of the tour.
Paul Darlington (Committee member, Lions Youth Brass)
12th June
Summer Programme
There are some excellent opportunities for hear the band play over the summer.
On the weekend of the 14th and 15th June the band will be playing on both afternoons between 2pm and 4pm at The Hollies Plant Centre on the A49 North of Tarporley. This event is supporting the Vale Royal Lions who are hosting the event.
On Saturday 21st June the Lions Youth Band is leading the Carnival procession at Alsager, which will take place around mid day. The Band has led the procession a number of times over the last few years and they have always been very well received.
On Saturday 28th June the Band is playing at the traditional Macclesfield Lions Concert at the Kings School Macclesfield. This is an evening concert which is always very well attended, and which commences at 7.30pm. The event is organised by Macclesfield Lions.
On Saturday 12th July the Band is playing on the square at Nantwich from 11am to 2pm. Last year the band played between showers, let’s hope this year it’s hot and sunny. The setting on the square is ideal to sit in the summer shade and listen to the band in the open, with the historic town of Nantwich as the backdrop.
From Saturday 19th July to Saturday 26th July the Band is undertaking their annual tour, and this year they are to visit Spain. Watch out for separate article which will detail where and when the band will be playing, so you can watch out for them when you are on holiday.
When the band returns from Spain they will be giving their traditional end of tour concert at the Sandbach High School on Saturday 26th July commencing at 7.30pm. This event is organised by Sandbach Rotary Club, and is always very well attended, and also features the bands annual awards. It will also be the last opportunity to see some of the members play with the band before they move on to University in September.
Paul Darlington (Committee member, Lions Youth Brass)
14th April
Silver for Youth Band
Yesterday saw the youth band compete at the National Youth Brass Band Championships of Great Britain, the most prestigeous competition for Youth Brass Bands which has seen Lions crowned twice and place several times in the past.
The Band performed their programme brilliantly but were pipped to the prizes this year recieving a silver certificate for their efforts.
This competition continues to go from strength to strength this year attracting the cream of the UK's youth brass players from Scotland to Cornwall.
Results were as follows: (courtesy of 4barsrest.com)
Community Championship
Adjudicators: James Scott and Simone Rebello
1. Camborne Youth, Alan Pope, Gold Certificate
2. Youth Brass 2000, Chris Jeans, Gold Certificate
3. Sellers International Youth, Mark Bousie, Gold Certificate
Carnoustie & District Youth, Richard Evans, Gold Certificate
Mount Charles Youth, Simon Dobson, Gold Certificate
Lions Youth, Nigel Birch, Silver Certificate
Dalmellington Junior Band, Ian Taylor, Silver Certificate
Elland Silver Youth, Samantha Harrison, Silver Certificate
Horbury Victoria Youth, Tom Greatorex, Silver Certificate
Poynton Youth, Andy Hirst, Silver Certificate
Tewitt Youth, Craig Ratcliffe, Silver Certificate
Astley Youth, Toby Hobson, Bronze Certificate
Chalford Youth, Steve Tubb, Bronze Certificate
Enderby Youth, Trevor Hounsome, Bronze Certificate
Macclesfield Youth, Bronze Certificate
w, Aberystwyth Youth, Alan Phillips
w, Dobcross Youth, Brian Lamb
Best Instrumentalist: Yasmin Stevens, Flugel, Mount Charles
The Co-operative Community Service Award: Macclesfield Youth
The Brian Hicks Memorial Shield: Kathleen Harrison, Elland Silver
Ian Raisbeck (Webmaster, Lions Youth Brass)
7th April
Easter Update
apologies for the delay in updating the site, after the easter break there is a lot to tell so here goes:
Congratulations to: Alex Holsgrove, Neil Raisbeck, Alex Flanders, Rory Rolphe, Tim Bartley, Matthew Darlington and Tom Hancock who all won trophies at the recent Newcatle-under-Lyne Music Festival. Also Congratulations to the Junior band and their conductor Sarah Raisbeck who won the under 19 ensemble class, their first win under Sarah's direction. And finally well done to The Quartet of Susannah Ball, Amy Ball, Abbie Edwards and Zach Rogerson who won their quartet class.
Pictures of all of the winners are now on the Photo page
Our thoughts are with Bass player Alistair Miles who is recovering from an appendix operation, he is now facing a race to be fit and well in time for this sundays National Youth Brass Band championships in Manchester.
And finally, congratulations to Neil Raisbeck, Tim Bartley and Tony Boardman who were all selected for the recent National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain course in Taunton.
Ian Raisbeck (Webmaster, Lions Youth Brass)
19th March
Congratualtions to Roberts Bakery!
Congratulations must go to the Roberts Bakery Band who were crowned North West Regional 1st section champions 2008 at the recent 'area contest' in Blackpool. Roberts' fielded a band featuring many current and past Lions Youth Brass players and will continue its many links with our Lions bands.
Ian Raisbeck (Webmaster, Lions Youth Brass)
19th February
Junior band in workshop
Last sunday the Junior band had a workshop in preperation for Newcastle festival, this proved to a big success and i was very pleased. We mainly concentrated on the new piece for the band 'The Lion King' but did also work on the '4 dances'. Both these pieces will be part of our performance at newcastle festival in only a couple of weeks. 'The Lion King' is a medley of songs from the film arranged for the band by Ian Raisbeck is a challenge for the band as it doesnt follow the traditional format of the solo cornets having the tune but instead offers solos all around the band. All the players in the junior band are doing really well.
The concert on Saturday saw us play 'The Lion King' out for the very first time and i believe for a first performance went very well.
I would personally like to thank everyone who helped out at the workshop and especially thank all the youth band players who have been helping us out on a weekly basis this has been a big help to all members of the band.
We look forward to the newcastle festival and hope to put on a good show.
So far this year the band have been playing very well and with many changes of instruments within the band players are doing extremely well, well done to everyone for all your hard work.
Sarah Raisbeck (Musical Director, Lions Junior Brass)
5th February
Lions team up for success
Following the success of Lions Youth Brass at the Gwent Youth Festival, last week, the band have had another busy weekend with a workshop with six members of Foden's Richardson Band on the test-piece for the National Youth Championships, Peter Graham's 'Dimensions'.
Richard Poole and Anna Hughes (cornets), Rob Fleming (horns), Natsumi Inaba (Euphoniums & Baritones), Simon Minshull (Trombones), and Toby Hobson (Tubas) were the tutors.
The band were also very grateful to Fiona Rolfe, who is a fine cornet player in her own right for United Co-op Band (Crewe), and who's husband Andy plays cornet for Foden's, for tutoring the percussion section.
The day began at 10.00am with sectionals until the band broke for a well earned lunch break. After lunch the band had a two hour rehearsal with Toby Hobson taking up the baton, and the day finished at around 3.30pm.
With the date of the contest being so close to Easter, and also with a difficult test piece, it was important to get preparations underway very early. Toby and the tutors worked very hard, so we were able to make real progress with the piece. We now have three concerts in February before preparations for the contest start in earnest.
During the the lead up to the contest, David Thornton, the bands musical associate, will be visiting the band, whilst Nicholas Childs will be taking timeout to also assist the band with its preparations.
I have always regarded it as my responsibility to give my players the best tuition and opportunities and by bringing the Foden's players, Nicholas Childs, and continuing our successful partnership with David Thornton I believe I'm achieving this aim.
Nigel Birch (Musical Director, Lions Youth Brass)
31st January
Lions Youth Brass started 2008 with a win at the Gwent Youth Brass Band competition.
The band performed an entertaining programme containing solo's from Mark Thomas (xylophone) and Alex Holsgrove (Euphonium), Alex also collected the trophy for best soloist. Pictures of the final rehearsal can be seen on the Photo page including the dancing skills of Jenny Hindle!A message recieved following that result reads as follows:
Can I congratulate you all on a fine performance at xkeys last week end . You fully deserved your win . It is good to have competition from outside our Area. It was great to meet up with my old friend , Nigel Birch. You are so lucky to have such a good & experienced bloke in front.
I wish you all the luck for the future, and hope to see you back next year.
Jeff Jones (Conductor. Usk Youth Band)
Full results of our section were:
Section 1: (12 bands)
1. Lions Youth (N. Birch)
2. Abergavenny Youth (G. Ritter)
3. Gwaun-Cae-Gurwen Youth (G. Davies)
4. Aberystwyth Youth (A. Phillips)
Ian Raisbeck (Webmaster, Lions Youth Brass)
8th January
Happy New Year from all at LYB!
We are all looking forward to another successful year taking in numerous concerts, competitions and trips. Keep checking this website for updates, news and reviews of Lions Youth Brass activities.
Ian Raisbeck (Composer In Residence, Webmaster, Lions Youth Brass)