If you would like to review a Lions Youth Brass Concert please feel free to email us at lionsyouthbrass@yahoo.co.uk.

Sunday 20th June, Congleton Park

18th April 2010, Lions Junior and Beginner Bands join forces to compete at the National Youth Brass Band Championships for the first time

A Diary of a Lion at the Nationals

9.00am
An early start greeted all the youngsters of the Lions Training Band. With our coaches to Manchester leaving at 9.30am players started to arrive at Sandbach Boys School from 9 in the morning. Big smiles were plastered across the faces of band members all proudly sporting their brand new Lions waistcoats as they milled around expectedly.

As departure time approached Hayley ticked all children and supporters on the bus in a flurry of highlighter pen action (proving you can take the teacher out of the school but can’t take the school out of the teacher) and before we knew it, it was time to go. A throng of parents waved off the band as the Jose pointed the first coach in the direction of Manchester and we were off!

10.45am
The journey to Manchester was over before we knew it. The bus was full of excited chat about the day as well as a few songs, featuring such classics as ‘I found a little baby bumble bee’ (thanks to Emily and Annabel!), whilst Caitlin prepared for her quartet feature in ‘Eventide’ by subjecting this reporter to a barrage of jokes!

As the RNCM loomed into view we were delighted to see our colleagues from the Youth Band outside waiting for us. They had just finished their own performance in their section (which resulted in a fantastic gold award) and were all very quick to offer support to the young Lions in front of them.

11.15am
Having said a quick hello and goodbye to the Youth band and supporters we were quickly getting ready, sorting instruments, music, uniforms and filling into the practice room. After a little buzzing on mouthpieces and a few scales to warm the instruments it was time for a pre-contest pep talk. Ian said a huge well done to everyone on how well they had done in rehearsals and just to enjoy the experience before leading us backstage.

11.55am
Sat backstage you could sense the nerves and excitement building. After the applause for the last band died down it was our turn. Walking into the marvellous hall all you could see was a sea of purple as the Youth Band has turned out to cheer on their younger colleagues. The cheering and the noise they made as the Training Band made their way on to the stage was quite something – even making this reporter feel ten feet tall – and must have made the children feel really special. Finally the cheering stopped and we were off. Ian looked over to Tom, gave him the beat and ‘bang!’ – we were into ‘Rock.’ The four featured players, Catherine, William, Richard and Lizzie flew through their parts and before you know it, it was the turn of the trombones on ‘When the Saints Go Swinging Low.’ Another excellent performance and then a mood change for ‘Eventide.’ After the first verse, another quartet feature with Catherine, Caitlin, Oliver and Edwin was excellently played and then almost before you know it we were playing our last few notes of our finale, ‘Amarillo.’

The noise at the end was again quite something; the cheers of the Youth Band and the training band supporters were quite possible one of the best double fortes heard all day! Ian took a bow and then we left the stage to race off to get our photos taken. A quick smile for the camera’s that were being pointed our way and then back to the results.

1.00pm
The result didn’t go our way on the day sadly, but you could only sense slight disappointment amongst the youngsters. The pride in their achievements were evident and the bus journey home was every bit as happy as the journey there, this time containing an epic Top Trumps game between Emma, Monica and Isobel. The adjudicator’s comments – which were excellent and full of praise – were passed around for people to read and then we were back in Sandbach by 2pm. After the band had been picked up and dispersed it was off home to reflect on a fantastic day for the Lions organisation. Well done to everyone involved and here’s looking forward to next year!

Chris Thompson
Musical Director Lions Beginner Brass

6th November 2009, Concert by Lions Youth Brass with the famous Fodens Band at Congleton Town Hall.

If it was fireworks you wanted over the bonfire weekend, then you couldn’t have done any better than heading to Congleton Town Hall for an evening of entertainment that saw the Youth Band team up with their illustrious neighbours, the world famous Fodens Band.

The Youth Band took to the stage first and gave the capacity audience a real rousing start with a romp through the march Blaze Away that drew hearty cheers after the last notes, before a complete change of style in African Funk gave the percussion section ample chance to showcase their talents. The mood was slowed over the next two items, Colours of the Wind and Make You Feel My Love, in an arrangement that saw the Lions and Fodens back rows join together to give a once in a lifetime experience for the young Lions players. Lions then swung through All That Jazz, showed off their warm full sound in Make Me A Channel of Your Peace, and then powered through What A Feeling. Alex Holsgrove, the bands very talented solo euphonium player, then gave a truly magical performance of La Belle Americaine which had the watching members of Fodens giving him a great reception. Then both bands joined together for a blast through music from the motion picture Gladiator.

Fodens took over for the second half of the concert, and their varied programme consisted of their signature march The Cossack, the theme from Indiana Jones and then Frolic for Trombones. This saw the trombone sections of Fodens and Lions play together in yet another great experience for the Lions players. Some fantastic, controlled slow playing was the feature of Hine e Hine, and then Fodens blitzed through Hoe Down from Rodeo. Alex Holsgrove then came back on stage to join with Fodens very own Glyn Williams for what was possibly the highlight of the night; a stunning duet of Deep Inside the Sacred Temple. Eric Ball’s masterful Kingdom Triumphant ended the advertised programme, but the audience wouldn’t let the band go without an encore. They were rewarded in fine style with the brilliant Toccata in D Minor. This was a fitting end to a wonderful nights music that will give all members of Lions Youth Brass the chance to say ‘I played with Fodens;’ a boast that not many people can lay claim to.

Chris Thompson
Musical Director Lions Beginner Brass

30th November 2007, Concert by Lions Youth Brass for Cancer Research.

On Friday 30th November, all bands were performing in a concert to raise money for Cancer Research.

The concert started with the beginners band, with Andrew Felton in total control as Chris and Hayley were not present. It was nice to hear some different pieces and to hear the band in fine form. Well done to Andrew and the band.

Next was the Junior Brass, with Sarah Raisbeck. Here again we had new tunes to enjoy and the band, under Sarah's Guidance get better every time we hear them.

In the second half The Youth Band took centre stage and were in fine form. After a couple concert items, we heard Danielle Unwin, on Flugel Horn, playing the very popular, I Don't Know How To Love Him, and she played very well, and Danielle will play a lot more solos in the months to come.

We had some carols, ( yes in November ) and Jingle Bells. We finished off with The Can Can and Auld Lang Syne.

A full house gave all band's a standing ovation at the end of an enjoyable evening.

The next event is The Christmas Concert at Sandbach High School on Tuesday 18th December.

Nigel Birch
Musical Director Lions Youth Brass

17th November 2007, Concert by Lions Youth Brass for Newcastle Lions Club.

The band began its program with the five pieces which they are playing next week at The Tameside Contest. This proved to be a good run out for the band to play these pieces, and although played very well, it has given me a few things to sort out for the weekend. Both soloists, Neil and Alex performed very well.

Having got these out of the way the band settled down to play some general concert items, which also included the quartet of Abbie Edwards, Amy Ball, Zach Rogerson and Susannah Ball playing Clouds and Sunshine. We finished the first half with the ever-popular Instant Concert.

The second half saw much of the same with popular pieces, such as New York, New York, and also included a quartet by Tom Hancock, Matthew Darlington, Neil Raisbeck and Alex Holsgrove, entitled, Dear Is My Little Native Vale. The concert finished with The Can Can.

The band performed really well, particularly as the band has been concentrating on the competition music.

The full programme was as follows:

March: Star Lake: Eric Ball
Tenor Horn Solo: Rhapsody For Soprano Cornet: Robert Eaves, Soloist: Neil Raisbeck
Hymn Tune: As The Deer: Martyn Nystrom
Euphonium Solo: The Jeanie With The Light Brown Hair: Stephen Foster, Soloist: Alex Holsgrove
Film Music: The Pirates Of The Caribbean: Bruce Fraser
Film Music: The Lion Sleeps Tonight: Stephen Elfman.
Quartet: Clouds And Sunshine, Featuring: Abbie Edwards, Amy Ball. Zach Rogerson and Susannah Ball
Selection: Instant Concert: Harold Walters

Interval

Popular: New York, New York: Frank Sinatra
Film Music: Toy Story: Disney
Quartet: Dear Is My Little Native Vale, Featuring Tom Hancock, Matthew Darlington. Neil Raisbeck and Alex Holsgrove
Composition: Four Meets Seven: Patrick Milestone
Popular: Super Trouper: ABBA
Hymn Tune: To Be Requested
Percussion Feature: Fascinating Drums: Ted Huggens, Soloist: Mark Thomas
Finale: Can Can: Offenbach

The next concert is at Goostrey on Friday 30th November, when all three bands will be performing.

Nigel Birch
Musical Director, Lions Youth Brass

12th October 2007, Holmes Chapel Leisure Centre

Friday 12th October saw the Youth Band in action at Holmes Chapel Leisure Centre with proceeds going to The Comprehensive School. It was particular nice for me to meet up with old friends, Morag Woodward, my former music teacher and Laurel Thomas, former Principal Cornet Player with Lions, who played in both our National Championship winning bands.

The concert and started with the march Star Lake by Eric Ball and was followed by music from the film, Toy Story, You've Got Friend In Me. Following that we had a duet by Tom Hancock and Matthew Darlington, followed by Four Meets Seven from the whole band.

A quartet of Abbie Edwards, Amy Ball, Zach Rogerson and Susannah Ball Played Clouds and Sunshine, which was followed by the ABBA hit Super Trouper.

Alex Holsgrove performed superbly as usual in Softly As I Leave You and the first half finished with the popular Pirates Of The Caribbean.

Following a short interval The Holmes Chapel Comprehensive Brass Group performed and also local cornetist Alex Flanders performed Londonderry Air. The Youth Band began their next slot with the popular Instant Concert and this was followed by a quartet of Tom Hancock, Matthew Darlington, Neil Raisbeck and Alex Holsgrove who performed Dear Is My Little Native Vale.

We then had a few more general concert items before the Youth Band were joined by the school brass group in Rule Britannia and Can Can.

The concert was well attended and a good night was had by all. Thanks go to Laurel Thomas who organised the concert.

Nigel Birch
Musical Director, Lions Youth Brass

Tameside Entertainment Contest November 2006

Lions Youth from Cheshire, ended the contest, with for us, the best performance of the day. Their tight and tuneful playing opened with the march 'Home Again', the horn solo 'Caprice', which must have only just missed the solo prize, and the euphonium solo performance of 'Jeanie with the Light Brown Hair', handed the soloist a much deserved prize. There were a few slips however in this performance which must have cost them, which concluded with a new arrangement of the party favourite, 'The Music Man'.

In the end adjudicator Paul Andrews picked the slightly more demanding programme for the first prize, and while all the competing bands showed their skills, and gave the tiny audience hope for the future, the top three bands were quite a way ahead of the rest of the field. The soloist prizes were all well deserved, although the competition for these was much tighter, and all the soloists delivered excellent performances.

This was a very enjoyable day, that was very well organised by the North West Counties Brass Band Association and Tameside Council. The changeover from one band to another went very smoothly, and the prize giving was a slick affair. If there was a gripe it was the closed adjudication, which really wasn't needed here.

John Stirzaker
4barsrest.com

February 12th 2006, Sandbach

For many years the rotary club of Sandbach have organised concerts featuring the Lions Youth Brass Band which recruits from a wide area of South Cheshire. The latest of these concerts at Sandbach High School on Sunday 12th February had another dimension as it also featured six members of the prestigious Black Dyke Band who play under the name of White River Brass.

Musical Director Nigel Birch conducted the very accomplished Youth Brass Band through a variety of entertaining and challenging items, including a 17 minute test piece used in youth competition. Sarah Raisbeck, talented young cornet player from the Lions Youth Brass, also played a solo, as did the excellent Ben Croombs on the marimba.

White River Brass had their own programme of light and classical music, performed to the very highest standards, including both group and solo items. The two bands combined in a number of pieces, not easy for either band, but to great effect. It is to the credit of White River Brass that members have spent most of the last weekend giving master classes to the Lions Youth Brass, free of charge.

A capacity audience was well rewarded for their attendance and helped raise around £1,400 for the Rotary Club to buy three emergency Shelter Boxes which will be sent to disaster areas when the need arises. These boxes contain a high quality ten person tent, together with sleeping bags and ancillary equipment such as a multi fuel cooker and tools

Rosemary Twidale and Bill Coupe
Rotary Club of Sandbach

March 27th 2004, Holmes Chapel

This concert proved a big winner with the people of Holmes Chapel, so much so that the venue had to be changed due to the large number of advance ticket sales. Even then the leisure centre was packed to the rafters with around 300 people. The band are currently in the middle of preparation for the national finals next Saturday, the hard work certainly paid off as the bands performance was outstanding throughout.

The band performed some old favourites such as: Sure and Steadfast, Flashdance, The Can Can, I Will Follow Him mixed with several newer items. We also performed the program for next weeks national competition which is:

Jubilation
Partita
Killing me Softly - soloist Greg Holsgrove
Cambrian Suite

As well as all of this winning performances from last weeks Newcastle music festival performed, they were: Neil Raisbeck, Sarah Raisbeck, Nicola Hughes (vocal) and the Lions B Quartet.

The concert was enjoyed greatly by all present so much so that the received a standing ovation. Thank you to the people of Holmes Chapel and to the band for their hard work.

Ian Raisbeck 28th March 2004

July 31st 2003 - Last Night of Tour, Sandbach High

Last concert of tour 2003. Well, what can I say? The concert began with LYB playing the march Standard of St George. After this rousing start, the band played various pieces of music and featured 5 of the bands soloists, a duet, and a trombone trio with a twist. The twist being that Katie Smallwood played Baritone alongside our three trombone players. The concert came to a stunning finish with our famous rendition of Offenbach's Can Can. The LYB dancers (The Trombone Section) went all out by wearing skirts. The people on the front row nearly fainted due to the hairy legs being flashed in front of them. The rest of the band did their dance routines as well as wearing their humorous hats, and were also joined by ex-band members who had come to watch.

There was also a serious side to our concert in which we had to say goodbye to one of our Bass players, Andrew Farmer. Andrew had been in the band for a number of years and was a credit to the band. Andrew left due to other commitments and will be missed by all in the band. Also to collect a certificate due to leaving the band was Chris Haighton who played percussion, and Chris Thompson who played Bass Trombone. Chris Haighton left is studying to become a fighter pilot in the RAF. We all hope you pass with flying colours (pardon the pun). Chris Thompson is currently training to become a primary school teacher. Chris Thompson was also band rep for 2 years until Andy Cooper took over the position earlier this year. Both Chris' will be missed by all the band.

The last concert of tour is always the best and this year was no exception. The standard of playing all through the week was very high, and even though we had spent the whole day on the coach, the standard of playing was high, as was the spirit of the band. All in all, a very enjoyable concert, to end a very enjoyable tour.

The program was as follows:
Standard of St George
Post Horn Gallop - Post Horn Soloist - Ian Raisbeck
Daydream Believer
As the Deer
Danny Boy - Tuba Soloist - Andy Cooper
City Cruiser
My Way
Autumn - Baritone Soloist - Katie Smallwood
The Golden Lady

Interval

March LYB
Solitaire - Cornet Soloist - Sarah Raisbeck
Super Trouper
To A Wild Rose - Euphonium Soloist - Nicola Hughes
New York, New York
I Will Follow Him - Trombone Trio + Baritone - Greg Holsgrove, John Saxon, Chris Thompson, Katie Smallwood
Flashdance.......What A Feeling
Amigos Para Siempre - Euphonium and Cornet Duet - Nicola Hughes and Sarah Raisbeck
Can Can

Andrew Cooper August 3rd 2003

June 28th 2003- Audlem Proms

Lions were performing at the Audlem prom for the second consecutive year. This event attracts a couple of thousand people every year which makes it probably the biggest audience the band perform for each year. Due to a school leavers prom Sarah was unable to attend, I (Ian) stepped in to play Principal cornet with the band, a position not unusual as I had previously been principal at lions for two and a half years. The program included:

A Bridge to far
Flashdance
Posthorn Gallop
Daydream Believer
Super Trouper
Friends for Life
New York New York
Can Can

The band played very well and the very large audience thoroughly enjoyed it

Ian Raisbeck 10th July 2003

May 3rd 2003, Winsford

The concert at the Methodist church in Winsford on Saturday was a very good concert; we received a very warm welcome and both the Lions juniors and senior band performed very well. The concert started with the junior band playing ‘Pots and Pans’ which seems to have become a signature tune for them. They then continued with the rest of their program which was enjoyed by the brilliant audience. For one player in the junior band it was his first proper concert since promotion from the beginners just one week ago. Well-done jack!

The senior band took the stage for the second half playing an interesting but different program:

Maryland
Daydream Believer
Solitaire
Super Trouper
Rachie
Ploughboy
Mid all the traffic
New York New York
To a wild Rose
Flashdance
Friends for life
Can Can

It was a very well performed concert and I would like to thank on behalf of the band our four guest players who helped us out for the night.

Sarah Raisbeck 5th May 2003

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