Well it’s certainly been a year or two! With restrictions now fully lifted, we were finally able to leave the days of Zoom behind us and begin rehearsing together as a band in preparation for this year’s regional contest at Stevenage. After being promoted to the championship section in 2019, we finally had the chance to compete at this level on Sunday 20th March.
Contest Music by Wilfred Heaton was the chosen piece for the bands to play. It wasn’t without its challenges but we enjoyed the piece very much! After a draw of number 6, we had the afternoon to relax until results.
We came a respectable 7th – this was, after all, our first time competing at this level so the band was very happy with this result.
Here’s Dolma, Matt and Jess, our newest recruits and first time contesters, with their take on the day, and a little information about them each!
Dolma Chiodak
Having never participated in a brass band contest, I had absolutely no idea of how the day would unfold. Seeing the different bands of our section come together in an arts and leisure centre (not the location I had in mind!) was pretty surreal. I was anticipating having to wait around and trying not to get nervous, but the time passed fairly quickly. The worst part was waiting to find out our draw. The best part of the day was when we got to play and showcase what we had been working on for the last few months, especially the feeling after we’d finished. I’d summarise brass band contests as: Unusual, Different, yet Fascinating.
Jess Thomas
After a break from contesting, the area contest was a great opportunity to meet again with friends, bond the and together musically and as a group! I was expecting to feel nervous excitement when our wait was finally over to take to the stage and there was definitely some relief and satisfaction after we had performed. I think the worst part of the day is always the anxious waiting beforehand but my highlight of the day was seeing everyone being proud of their performance and celebrating our result together. If I could summarise band contests in three words, they would be… surreal, social and competitive.
Matt Mitchell
What did you expect for a brass band contest?
I expected lots of waiting around with lots of nervous players.
What were your best bits from the day?
Performing Contest Music itself. After spending so much time rehearsing it over the last couple of months, it was great to get onto the stage and give it our all. Also getting to spend a day with my fellow banders.
What were your worst bits?
Definitely waiting around before it was our turn to play. It’s so tempting to keep warming up and playing, but you know that it won’t do your lip any good after a while.
If you could summarise band contests in three words, what would they be?
Exhilarating, exhausting… brassy!