27th December

Merry Christmas from all at LYB!
Once again Christmas was very successful for the organisation, all three bands joined together several times for busking and bag packing in local super markets, together hundreds of pounds have been raised to help us in the year ahead. Congratulations to all involved.

Ian Raisbeck

11th December

Our review of 2005 courtesy of the Musical Directors is now available by clicking here

Ian Raisbeck

7th November

The youth band have had yet another successful weekend away in Torquay. They travelled down on Friday evening where they were once again accommodated by the very welcoming Lions Club of Torquay. Saturday saw the band compete in the Torquay annual brass band contest where they won their section!

On Saturday evening the band then played a concert especially for the local Lions club who were once again excellent hosts for the band.

Pictures are now online, you can see them by clicking here.

Ian Raisbeck

17th October

Yesterday saw the youth band compete at Huddersfield contest, an event we won this time last year. This year the band performed very well again and claimed the runners up spot, a superb achievement based on the rebuilding that had to be done following the summer.

As defending champions we gladly accepted an invitation to perform a short concert for spectators and other bands, this was a real honour for the band.

Ian Raisbeck

17th October

Sunday the 2nd of October saw the Lions Beginner Band take part in a workshop and then play in a concert for family and friends. The band spent a short time in the morning running through the concert programme before being split into groups and taught in sectionals by five tutors. Lions Beginner Band MD's Hayley, Andrew and
Chris were supplemented by Lions Junior Brass' MD Katie Smallwood and the principal cornet of the Youth Band, Sarah Raisbeck, spending a good hour working with their respective sections before going back into a full band rehearsal.

The committee organised a splendid lunch for the band and they even had time for a game of musical
chairs (with Musical Directors joining in the fun and taking part) before the concert! The concert was superbly attended, with extra chairs having to be put out for the audience. For some members of the band this was their first concert, (some having played for as little as 4 weeks!) and they all did extremely well. Highlights of the concert included the bands entrance to the stage, where they walked on to the fanfare Trumpet Voluntary, whilst the duet Suo Gan, featuring principal cornet Harry Mace and Flugel Horn Cerys Finch was well received. The tutors job wasn't over for the day though, as they formed a quintet to provide a further demonstration to the band, performing two numbers in the concert. The concert ended in fine style with a powerful rendition of Mini March (a piece they have only been playing for two weeks) and the whole event was wonderfully compered by Nigel Birch. Hayley, Andrew and Chris would like to thank the committee, Sarah, Katie and Nigel for all their help throughout the day, as well as the band for performing so well.

Role on the next Lions Beginner Band workshop!

Chris Thompson
 

14th September

With the new academic year underway all three Lions band are now back in rehearsals. Once again there is an exciting year ahead for all three bands:

Firstly the beginner band, they are now in their second year under the team of Chris Thompson, Andrew Felton and Hayley Scott. This year they are aiming for more performance opportunities, this will begin on October 2nd when they will take part in a morning workshop helped by senior players from the youth band. This will culminate in a lunch time performance to all of the parents.

The Junior band now have a new conductor in Katie Smallwood, they will be exploring lots of new music as well as preparing for two concerts this term and the Newcastle Music Festival next term.

The Youth Band have already performed once this year, last Saturday (10th) they were called in with under a weeks notice to perform at the famous Crewe Railway Show. There were thousands of people here to see the show and Lions saved the day by appearing in place of another band who had to pull out.

Coming up for the Youth Band are contests in Huddersfield (which we won last year) and another weekend trip to perform in Torquay contest. To help prepare for this Russell Gray (formerly conductor of Fodens Band) will be conducting the band on Friday 7th October. Further good news is that Telford Lions club have announced that the band are their 'Charity of the year'. This means they will be raising money that the band can spend on instruments and uniform, a great honour for us.

Ian Raisbeck

2nd September

Lions Youth Brass are pleased to announce that Katie Smallwood has been appointed Musical Director of The Junior Band.

Katie, who has been a member of the Youth band for last five years, began by playing the cornet but three years ago turned to the baritone. Since then she has never looked back. She now studies her music at The Royal Northern College Of Music, where she is tutored by David Thornton from The Black Dyke Band. Speaking on behalf of the Lions Youth Brass organisation, Nigel Birch says; Over the past couple of years the Junior Band have had mixed fortunes and we are looking to Katie to bring much needed stability to this part of our organisation. We are confident that her enthusiasm and dedication, along with her vast musical knowledge will lead the Junior Band on to a higher level. With the support of myself and everyone else at Lions I am sure Katie can achieve this aim.

To mark this change in direction the Lions organisation have commissioned Ian Raisbeck, the bands composer in residence to write a new work for the Junior band.

We would like to thank Vicky Gardener the previous conductor for all her hard work and dedication.

Nigel Birch

August 12th

The Youth Band have just returned from their annual tour. This year we travelled to Eastbourne and played in a variety of locations around Sussex. A full report is already available on the Tours page and more will follow.

Ian Raisbeck

31st July

The annual Lions Youth Brass Tour is nearly upon us. This Friday the youth band will travel to Eastbourne for their annual summer tour. traditionally the band travel to the south coast and perform in a wide variety of events supported by local Lions clubs. Last year the band broke from tradition in order to perform in the world youth festival in Czech Republic.

The band are looking forward to the trip, as usual it will the very first tour experience for many young members and the last tour for more experienced older members.

Full reports and pictures will be available after we return.

Ian Raisbeck

31st July

Lions Horn player Neil Raisbeck is once again playing with the National Children's Brass Band of Great Britain. Neil was fortunate enough to be selected for NCBBGB in their very first band last year. This year he has not only retained his place in the band but has been promoted to Principal Horn, a great honour for him.

All at lions are very proud and wish him the best of luck in the NCBBGB concert this afternoon.

Ian Raisbeck

24th May

Well done to everyone who was able to bag pack at Morrison's on Sunday, you raised £430 towards band funds.

We can now eat when we go on tour!!!

Nigel Birch

11th May

The band has worked tirelessly over the last three and a half years to develop in to a band capable of producing a recording of real merit, and although players have come and gone in that period, I would like to thank everyone associated with the band in that time for their commitment to Lions Youth Brass. In particular the members of the committee who have dedicated their time to run the band so efficiently and helped raise the vast amounts of money needed to finance such projects as these. Also to all parents who have continued to support their own children and the organisation as a whole. Finally, a big thank you to our supporting Lions clubs and to all other organisations who have donated money to the organisation.
So on to the recording. Friday night the band assembled at 6.30p.m.and met up with Keith Farrington and Richard Scott from Doyen, and after some sound checks and a few adjustments here and there, the band began recording at around 6.45p.m.with Home Again. I had chosen a number of pieces for this session that the band were really happy and comfortable with and it proved to be a good strategy as the band made very few errors in the seven pieces we recorded that night, and very few edits and retakes were required on these items. In particular Sarah Raisbeck, and Greg Holsgrove proved what high quality and consistent performers they have been for the band and I was really pleased for both of them that they performed to such a high level. Following the recording of The Golden Lady at about 9.40p.m.we all went home for a well-earned rest.

On Saturday morning we started at 9.00a.m. With the quartet and this was not easy to record as we had four of the bands younger players recording this quartet for the first time. However, after a few moments of uncertainty they completed their piece and should really pleased with their performance. Next it was the turn of the Junior Brass and what an occasion this was for them, some as young as 6 or 7 and now making a recording. The first movement went well, but we had a few problems with the slow section, which is only to be expected at this level, but we got there in the end and then they finished off really well with the final section. So well done to The Junior Brass, you did yourself and the organisation proud.
It was now the turn of the Youth Band to record and they started off really well in Pie Jesu with Sarah Raisbeck taking up the flugel to be partnered by her brother Ian on soprano. After we recorded Glasnost we came to The Flower Song which I thought would give us some real problems. However, with some really fine solo playing by Katie Smallwood and a great team effort by the band we got there in the end. In this piece there were notable performances by Neil Raisbeck on Tenor Horn and Alex Holsgrove on Euphonium. After this we broke for lunch and a well-earned rest before the final session.

We began the final session with Phillip Sparkes A Tameside Overture and you could tell this had been well prepared particularly in the vast time changes. The last solo was Ben Croombs on the Marimba playing Czards and this again needed high concentration, but both Ben and the band came out with flying colours. Time for last piece and A Hymn For Betty by Ian Raisbeck. Ian also wrote the suite for the Junior Band and I am pleased we could include one of his other works in the programme.

So that was it, conductor and band absolutely exhausted, but I am sure it will all be well worthwhile.

We are expecting the disc to released in about six weeks times, but if you want to pre-order your copy at £10 a disc then pleased don't hesitate to contact me or any of the committee.

The Full Programme is;

01 Home Again
02 Intermezza - Cornet Solo by Sarah Raisbeck
03 Patterns
04 Going Home
05 Killing Me Softly - Trombone Solo by Greg Holsgrove
06 Clouds And Sunshine
Quartet by Charlotte Wilson, Alice Liptrot, Neil Raisbeck and Alex Holsgrove
07 The Golden Lady
08 A Suite For Junior Band - Played by Lions Junior Brass
09 True And Trusty
10 Pie Jesu - Duet by Ian and Sarah Raisbeck
11 Glasnost
12 The Flower Song - Baritone solo by Katie Smallwood
13 A Hymn For Betty
14 Czardas - Marimba solo by Benjamen Croombs
15 A Tameside Overture

Many thanks for your continued support of Lions Youth Brass

Nigel Birch

19th April

Last Tuesday the Youth Band performed in a special concert for the players as it was to raise money to send one of our players to Tanzania. Steph Hughes was raising money to fund a school trip to Tanzania, when she approached the band for this fundraiser we quickly decided to help them out. The Concert in Audlem, South Cheshire was to a capacity audience and raised much needed funds for the trip. We wish Steph the best of luck in her travels.

Since then the band have already performed again; last Saturday the youth band made a long trip to Bridgenorth, Shropshire to perform for the Bridgenorth Lions Club in another charity fundraiser. The Bridgenorth Lions sent a considerable donation towards our trip to Czech Republic so the band are always delighted to be able to play for them. The concert was a big success, although very long, and we hope to stay connected with the people of Bridgenorth and thank them for their continued support.

Ian Raisbeck

14th April

NATIONAL YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIPS

Sunday 10th April saw the Youth Band head off to The Royal Northern College Of Music in Manchester for the biggest prize in youth banding. The band and myself had worked tirelessly over the last few weeks to achieve a standard, which could challenge the movement’s top youth bands. Following a short rehearsal at 8.30a.m.the band travelled to Manchester to play 3rd out of the thirteen bands, and took the stage at around 12.30p.m. As I entered the auditorium and viewed the band, I have never seen them so focused and determined to not let their weeks of hard work go to waste.

We began our programme with Home Again and this really convinced me that the band were really at the top of their form, sounding so solid and secure. Next was Patterns by Edward Gregson, which all the bands had to play. Once again the band through our trombone section started very confidently and everything ticked along nicely. In the slow movement all the soloists played with great authority and never gave me any cause for concern. In the final section once again the tempo ticked along and all went well with a really convincing finish. When I was putting together the programme it was the next piece that gave me the most problem. Usually I would have gone for a slow movement of another major work but this year I decided to use one of the band front line soloists. The problem was who to choose; Greg Holsgrove played at last years Nationals so I knew he could stand up to the pressure of the event and Katie Smallwood has been developing into such a fine baritone soloists that she was right up there in my thoughts, but in the end I opted for the bands Principal solo cornet Sarah Raisbeck to play Intermezza and she didn't disappoint with a really musically well shaped performance showing off her great sound and musicality. We finished our programme with A Tameside Overture, by Phillip Sparke and this was performance was played with great energy and commitment. This ended a great performance and I really could not have asked anymore from the band.

However, playing at number 12 were the pre-contest favourites, Mount Charles and they were tremendous, although I did not think that their performance of Patterns was as good as ours.

Come results time there were about five or six bands vying for the top three places and we were one of those.

The final results were:
1. Mount Charles
2. Lions Youth
3.Poynton Youth

A great result for the band and one for all the organization to be very proud and also beaten by great band in Mount Charles.

Well done to everyone involved, I am very proud of everyone connected with the band, and look forward now to making a great recording.

Nigel Birch

27th March

Lions Youth Brass has for many years been very grateful for the use of the facilities at Ruskin Road Sports College for both our tuesday practice sessions and Christmas concerts.

However, the committee feel that Lions Youth Brass have outgrown the space available, and as the majority of our players no longer come from the immediate Crewe area, we have decided to relocate to Sandbach Boys School, from Easter.

Our last practice at Ruskin was on the 22nd March and we begin in Sandbach on 5th April.

Jane Stubbs (Chairperson)

23rd March

Tuesday 22nd March saw Dr. Nicholas Childs, Principal Conductor of the Black Dyke Band, visit the Lions Youth Brass to assist them with their preparation for the forthcoming Besson National Youth Championships, and also a recording with Doyen in May of this year.

The main focus of the evening was to work on Patterns by Edward Gregson, which is the test-piece for the championships, and A Tameside Overture by Phillip Sparke, which will close the bands programme. Nicholas worked steadily through both pieces giving both players and conductor many words of advice in terms of ensemble togetherness and points of musicality. He also had many words of encouragement for the band, and in particular the bands principal cornet Sarah Raisbeck who will be featured in the bands programme. The bands musical director Nigel Birch commented; it is my role as musical director to give my players the best possible tuition I can, and by bringing Nicholas Childs to the band I believe I have achieved that aim. His mere presence in front of the band gave them a big lift, but what impressed me most was his ability to work at their level and still find time to make the experience enjoyable and at times light hearted.

This is the second time Nicholas has visited Lions Youth Brass, and I hope it will not be the last. The band is now looking forward to the competition, a recording in May, and then a tour in August, so plenty to look forward to.

Nigel Birch

18 March

While many members of the Lions youth band were preparing to play in the weekends National qualifiers with their various senior bands, those not on duty plus the Lions Junior Brass were off to The Newcastle Music Festival. It proved to be a very successful day for all concerned.

In the morning sessions Neil Raisbeck, tenor horn, won the under 15's class, playing Demelza, with Alex Holsgrove, Euphonium, Second, and then in the under 18's the tables were reversed with Alex taking first prize with a performance of For All My Eternity and Neil Coming in second.

In the afternoon classes it was the turn of the Junior Brass to perform and in the band class for 14 years and under they came away with first prize, playing Prelude from a suite for brass band by former youth band cornet player and the bands composer in residence Ian Raisbeck. This result gave them qualification to the grand final. However, it was in the under 19 band section that the big surprise came. Lions decided to enter the older section; playing against much older and mature musicians, but with a really great performance of the Finale from the same suite by Ian Raisbeck they pulled off first prize again with an amazing four-point margin. This gave them another entry into the grand final. The final qualification class for the grand final was for groups up to 19 years with no more than 10 instruments. In this class Lions entered a quartet of Charlotte Wilson and Alice Liptrot on cornets, Neil Raisbeck on tenor horn and Alex Holsgrove on Euphonium. Once again it was to be more success as these young players pulled first prize and qualifying for the grand final. So to the grand final with two entries from Lions Junior Brass and one Quartet from Lions, and it was the quartet who took top honours.

What a successful day, Six First places, Three Second places and one third place. Every section entered, every section won, and to round it all off Neil Raisbeck won the prize for the most promising player in the festival for the third year running. Speaking on behalf of Lions Nigel Birch Says; With the conductor of the Junior Brass on holiday I was asked to conduct them for the competition and never expected today’s set of results, but the youngsters, some who are as young as six years old worked extremely hard and fully deserved there success. Now they must continue to develop to continue the growth of the organisation. As for the quartet they were absolutely marvellous. They played with great maturity and musicianship on very limited rehearsal time and having to play without a conductor, which is in the rules.

So this was another great day for the Lions organisation and shows the future is in safe hands.

Nigel Birch

7th March

On the weekend of 26th and 27th of February members of The Black Dyke Band treated The Lions Youth Brass to a two-day workshop. The players involved were Morvern Gilcrist and Keith Britcliffe (cornets), Arfon Owen (Horn), David Thornton (Euphonium), Bret Baker (Trombone) and Joe Cooke (Tuba).

The Saturday started at 9.00a.m. with a warm up session and introductions before the band broke up for sectionals. Following a short break the band rehearsed solos with David Thornton, Bret Baker and Joe Cooke. This was a very interesting session for the band as they were sight reading Czardas, Carnival Cocktail and Stardust, and also listening to some great solo playing. After a short break for lunch the band returned to sectionals where they were working on A Tameside Overture, which again they had not rehearsed before this weekend. The day finished with a 20 minute rehearsal on A Little Prayer by Evelyn Glennie. Although it was the end of a busy day for the band, it was not all over for the Black Dyke players as they had an evening concert to go to.

The Sunday, which was to be a very long day for everyone, started at 9.00a.m.with more sectionals, before a question and answer session with all the tutors. It was impressive to hear the in-depth knowledge by all the tutors on all the subjects they confronted with.
Before the dinner break there was a short rehearsal on Patterns, which is the test-piece for the forthcoming national contest. Following the break, there were some more sectionals before the band and tutors came together to perform all the items they had worked on over the weekend.

You would have thought that all that was enough for one weekend, but there was still a lot more to get through. Following the conclusion of the workshop The Black Dyke players then rushed of for a rehearsal with Dr. Nicholas Childs in preparation for the Yorkshire Area Contest, and then in conjunction with Lions Youth Brass, assembled at The Nantwich Civic hall to give a concert to a packed hall for the local Rotary Club. Although both band and tutors were extremely tired from all the weekends’ activities there was some outstanding playing from the band and our soloists; Sarah Raisbeck (Principal Cornet) and Gregory Holsgrove (principal trombone). Also the tutors in their group, White River Brass, and Bret Baker, Joe Cooke and David Thornton in solos accompanied by Lions were absolutely outstanding.

During the evening the members of Black Dyke were presented with souvenirs from the band. Speaking on behalf of Lions Youth Brass Nigel Birch says: It is my job as musical director of the band to provide my players with the best opportunities and tuition I can and by bringing these players from Black Dyke to the band I believe I have succeeded in doing that. What really impressed me, apart from their obvious great talent was there total professionalism and dedication, and there pride in playing for the most famous name in brass band history.

Next up for Lions is a rehearsal with Dr. Nicholas Childs, The National Finals, a recording with Doyen in May and a tour in August, so plenty to look forward to.

Nigel Birch

9th February

The band has worked very hard in the first few weeks of the new year and gave an excellent performance at 'The Brass At The Guild Contest' last Sunday. Unfortunately it was not to be our day and we came fourth out of five. However there were a few notable improvements in the band. The emergence of Steven Bebbington on Soprano, The vast improvement of the back row cornets and also the performances of Emma Ingham, Helen Morgan and Susannah Ball are all worthy of a mention, but well done to everyone.

The night before the band performed for the tsunami appeal and once again were in excellent form. Many thanks to Kim-Holly Thorpe who helped out on euphonium for both events.

17th January

The bands went great guns over the Christmas period and in the end raised over £2000 for the band funds. Well done to everyone who was able to take part!

With the forthcoming contest at Preston in mind the youth band will be welcoming Russell Gray to the band. Russell, former principal cornet with Leyland and Fodens, and now in much demand as a conductor, will be down on Friday 28th January.

The night before the Preston contest (5th Jan) The Youth Band will be performing a short twenty-minute programme for the tsunami appeal at Nantwich Civic Hall. This is part of a concert put on by Crewe and Nantwich Rotary Club.

Finally, it has just been decided that Nigel Birch will conduct the Junior Brass at The Newcastle Music Festival. Commenting for the website Nigel said: with Vicky and Derek being unavailable, we would have like to have given an opportunity to either Ian Raisbeck or Andrew Felton, but due to their commitments with Roberts Bakery they are both unavailable. However, this will give me an opportunity to asses the development of the band and the players.
Nigel Birch

9th January

happy new year from all at LYB!

The band are looking forward to an exciting new year. Highlights will include Preston Contest on 6th February, workshops with Black Dyke players, a CD recording in May, Rhyl festival of brass in June, a tour in the summer as well as many concerts. We can also confirm that Russell Gray and Nick Childs will both be visiting to guest conduct rehearsals.
Keep watching this space for updates and hopefully news of more successes for the organisations

Ian Raisbeck (Webmaster)

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