Delivering on Dynasty
Fourteen debutantes take to the stage with Flowers Band for this year’s British Open on Peter Graham’s Dynasty…
The British Open is arguably one of the most competitive competitions in the banding calendar. What in particular makes this event so fierce is the qualification process. Bands have to compete in a qualifying event to gain an invite to the Senior Trophy. This then leads to promotion to the Senior Cup, then onto the Grand Shield. This whole process can take years of contest performances.
The prize at the end of all of this?
The British Open.
Ever since 1853, this has been the Holy Grail to the vast majority of Brass Bands.
This years marks the 167th anniversary of this prestigious contest. The organisers, Martin & Karyn Mortimer, commissioned composer Peter Graham to envisage and create a brand new piece based on the life of legendary Cornet player, Harry Mortimer. The new test piece was named Dynasty to represent the status that Mortimer held within the banding community. As a cornet player, Mortimer was considered to be the best in the World for the vast majority of his life.
Here in 2019, Flowers have become a regular name at the British Open and with MD Paul Holland (who was adjudicating last years’ contest) back at the helm, we are taking significant steps to push for the very highest accolades in banding. Competing this year was going to have it’s own challenges. No less than fourteen British Open debutantes would take to the stage with Flowers Band.
This would mirror nicely with the day’s events. An uncharacteristically late draw (for Flowers, at least) of exactly that number, fourteen, meant that we could throw off the stigma that an early draw can provide. With the main event beginning at 10:30am, we held a rehearsal at 1pm and made our way over to Symphony Hall from our hotel.
We took to the stage at around 4pm with the added pressure that this year’s British Open was being live-streamed around the World. The soloists within the band performed fantastically, from Jamie Smith on Principal Cornet delivering one of the cleanest openings of the day to Matt Rowe on Solo Euphonium showing class and ability far beyond his years. Every player in the band gave a fantastic rendition.
Afterwards, Flowers Band made the obligatory journey to the local bars and awaited the trickle of news from Social Media and from bands-folk in Symphony Hall watching the results.
FIFTH PLACE! A cheer at the bar and a cheer inside the hall demonstrated the relief at a great result! Flowers Band had beaten some of the biggest names in banding!
1. Cory (Philip Harper)
2. Black Dyke (Prof Nicholas J. Childs)
3. Foden's (Russell Gray)
4. Desford Colliery (LMTF) (Michael Fowles)
5. Flowers (Paul Holland)
6. Brighouse & Rastrick (Prof David King)
7. Grimethorpe Colliery (Dr David Thornton)
8. Fairey (Garry Cutt)
9. Aldbourne (Ivan Meylemans)
10. the cooperation band (Phillip McCann)
11. Tredegar (Ian Porthouse)
12. Valaisia Brass Band (Arsene Duc)
13. Hammonds (Morgan Griffiths)
14. Carlton Main Frickley Colliery (Luc Vertommen)
15. Leyland (Thomas Wyss)
16. Wingates (Paul Andrews)*
17. NASUWT Riverside (David Roberts)
18. Whitburn (Florent Didier) *
This puts the band at ease going into next year’s British Open, as our result last year had put us in danger of relegation to the Grand Shield.
Up next is the Nation Finals, held at the Royal Albert Hall in London!
Sheila's Baritone Bail-out
Banding is an expensive business. The list of outgoings can scare even the most famous names in banding. From new music, music stands, banners, uniforms, the list gathers pace at an alarming rate. This pressure can be so immense that, sadly, some bands simply cannot overcome it.
The biggest expense of them all, I hear you ask?
Instruments.
These fantastically complex tubes of copper, zinc, silver and brass don’t come cheap. We learned that recently when we discovered one of our Baritones has received a nasty bump during transit. Although insured, this still created an adverse effect on the band’s finances. Fortunately, this is where the supporters of Flowers Band came to help.
Sheila Parry is a Flowers favourite. She travels home and away with the band and is a regular at rehearsals alongside Dorothy Howland. The girls are of such an importance to the band, helping out with CD sales, tickets sales and even running the raffles at our concerts. The proceeds from the raffles have enabled us to refresh our Concert jackets to clothe the new members.
Sheila first met Flowers Band in the 1990’s after attending a concert at the Bacon Theatre along with her partner, Don Browning. Don was a jeweller and watchmaker in nearby Cheltenham and took an interest in the trophies that Flowers Band were displaying at the front of the stage. As it happens, Don was more than happy to engrave every single subsequent trophy that the Flowers Band could supply to him!
Sheila blew us away this week. Due to our Baritone being out of service, Flowers Band began to hire one. Sheila got wind of this and immediately contacted band Librarian and close friend Karin Lythell with an offer to purchase the Baritone for the band. This incredible gesture helped to relieve a significant financial stress off the band. We’d like to offer our heartfelt thanks to Sheila for her continued support and for this act of generosity that means so much to us at Flowers Band.
The new Baritone has already been put into service, with one of our latest members, Jasper Dommett, taking full advantage of the quality of the instrument. It will receive its debut at this weekends British Open Championships at Symphony Hall in Birmingham.
“The instrument is wonderful. It’s such a quality horn to play and I’m so grateful Sheila has entrusted me with it. It’ll be fitting to debut it at the Open, too!” - Jasper Dommett, 2nd Baritone.
Thank you, Sheila!
Growing Flowers
New faces at Flowers
One of the best parts of banding can also be one of the toughest.
Each rehearsal, we meet up with nearly 30 friends to make music, work hard and have fun. The level of commitment required at the top level of banding is extremely demanding, especially when you take into account this is an amateur pursuit and members have to manage their full-time jobs, family life and other hobbies.
Like any band we occasionally have to say a sad goodbye to players for a variety of reasons; as always they leave us with heartfelt thanks for their personal contribution to the Flowers story to date. After extensive searching and enquiries with players from all over the UK, we are pleased to announce a flurry of new signing into the Flowers family:
Kayleigh Mitchell (Solo Cornet)
Luke Barker (Solo Cornet)
Jessica Scott (Back Row Cornet)
Jasper Dommett (2nd Baritone)
Bethany Peck (2nd Trombone)
Jamie Nuss (Percussion)
Coco Chan (Percussion)
Craig Sanders (Percussion)
Nabil El Bark (Percussion)
“Flowers are going through a period of rapid change at the moment in the pursuit and desire to produce high class musical performances on the concert and contest platform. Naturally this brings the inevitable movement of players to and from the organisation, and some within the organisation. I am personally thankful to all those who have recently moved on but equally thankful to have secured many talented and ambitious new players into the Flowers family. After a short summer break we will look forward to working hard and giving our new players their first taste of the British Open.” - MD Paul Holland.
Flat out at Flowers!
All hands on deck as Flowers continue a busy June…
A very busy weekend for Flowers Band sees four rehearsals and two performances in 24 hours.
We were involved with the inaugural Brasspass.tv Band of the Year Contest, which features the top nine bands in the UK performing a 30-minute set involving a major work for Brass Band, and a soloist. The event took place at Stoller Hall, Manchester.
As we were setting up for our Thursday rehearsal to finalise our set, MD Paul Holland slipped a disc in his back, leaving him in excruciating pain and unable to move. Solo Euphonium Matt Rowe took the rehearsal to allow Paul to head home and rest before the weekend.
The injury, unfortunately, proved more serious than originally thought. This meant Paul was unable to take Flowers Band to the Contest, nor the annual Chipping Sodbury Festival.
After some delving into his phone book, Paul secured the services of Mareika Gray, conductor of Eccles Borough Band in Manchester and a very well respected Conductor and Adjudicator. Mareika is also the Chairperson of the National Association of Brass Band Conductors, so we were delighted to have her agree to take up the baton.
We first met Mareika at Eccles Town Hall at 11pm on Friday night after a three hour coach ride. This gave us an hour to to introduce Mareika to the programme, which featured a seventeen minute test piece. We ran the programme, and managed to get everyone back to the hotel, coach unloaded and all checked in by 1am.
With an early start the next day, the band was back in the rehearsal room and playing, this time Eccles Borough Band’s Bandroom, by 7am the following morning. The fabulous Val, of Eccles Band, was already there, providing hot drinks, some fabulous cakes and incredible support. Val - we salute you!
Of the many thanks we have given over the weekend, 1010 Taxis of Manchester ensured a smooth and comfortable journey for the band during the Saturday morning, also checking in with the band afterwards to see how we’d done at the Contest! Thank you 1010 Taxis!
Onto the Brasspass.tv Band of the Year Contest. Flowers were drawn second to allow us to travel to our commitment later in the day - more on that later. We began with Jonathon Bates’ Jacob’s Ladder, before featuring Cornet soloist Thomas Fountain with Ben Hollings’ Threnody. Our chosen major work for the Contest was Ascension by Philip Wilby, the piece we performed at the French Open just a few weeks ago.
Mareika was masterful in her handling of the Band and provided a much needed calm during our performance.
Following our 30 minute slot, the Band quickly loaded up the coach and settled in for our 4 hour journey south to Chipping Sodbury.
Mareika once again topped and tailed the programme, and introduced the Band to our new vocal soloist - Phillipa Lay.
The Concert was a resounding success! Phillipa sang a beautiful rendition of Summertime, and led the audience through the Prom’s half of the Concert.
We featured many soloist from within our own ranks, including Kayleigh Mitchell (Cornet), Matt Rowe (Euphonium) and Carlton Sykes (Eb Tuba).
Mareika was masterful in her compering, involving the audience in all aspects of the performance (Princesses and Princes even featuring as guest conductors!) and led us to such comments as “The Best Concert we’ve ever had on here”. Following a quick load up, the Band was saddened to hear that we were having to say goodbye to two of our players. Zoe Brittlebank is taking a step away from playing whilst she gives birth in a few months time. Everyone at Flowers Band wishes you the very best Zoe and we can’t wait to meet our latest member! Also departing for pastures new was percussionist Emily Quick, who has provided the band with some great individual performances during her time with us. Good luck Emily!
There have been many thanks over this post, however I will mention a few names yet again, such was their involvement over the weekend;
1010 Taxi’s
Valerie of Eccles Borough Band
Eccles Town Hall
Barry, our driver from Barnes Coaches of Swindon
Brasspass.tv Band of the Year and Stoller Hall
Phillipa Lay - Vocal Soloist
and last, but certainly not least…
Mareika Gray - The Band were thrilled to have such a masterful deputy at such short notice. Thank You!!
Paul Holland - Thank you for your tireless efforts, preparation and your following of the band. We hope to see you back just as soon as you’re ready!
Flowers French Exchange
A clean sweep for Flowers Band!
On the 6th June, Flowers Band held their regular rehearsal from 8pm until 10pm in Gloucester. After a quick load up onto the coach, we began the long journey down to Amboise, France, to compete in the 25th French Brass Band Open.
Some 15 hours and a ferry trip later, we arrived at our hotel for the weekend! The players were let loose in Amboise to relax before a busy day beckoned on Saturday.
By 10am on Saturday, Flowers Band were rehearsing and brushing up on all aspects of marching. A quick drive later, we were at our first performance of the day. We marched up through central Amboise with Army of the Nile and took our place to perform our contest march, The Cossack.
Both performances were incredibly well received. We had a huge audience gather to hear us play and hearing the whole centre fall completely silent before we started was something truly special. We later discovered we had one of the highest ever results from the French Open, with 118 points out of a possible 120.
A quick reprise of Army of the Nile brought us back to our starting point and to the awaiting coach to head off for some food. Bellies full, Flowers Band were taken to our rehearsal venue at a local music school. The room showed huge posters from previous years at the French Open featuring Flowers Band as the Gala Band, providing great nostalgia for the players! Here, we topped and tailed pieces ready for our French Open Contest performance.
A few hours later Flowers Band performed at Le Théâtre Beaumarchais with a programme of Jacob’s Ladder (Jonathan Bates), followed by some exceptional playing by Guest Principal Cornet Thomas Fountain. His delivery of Ben Hollings Threnody had the adjudicators openly in tears, and secured the prestigious French Open Soloist Prize. The set test piece was Philip Wilby’s Ascension and depicts the ascent up to heaven. A stern test, made all the more difficult as the composer himself was sat adjudicating the overall performance!
Flowers Band were on great form through the entire delivery, winning the Overall Contest with 119/120. To drop just a single point over three demanding pieces was a fantastic achievement and highlights the resurgence of Flowers Band under MD Paul Holland.
After playing, the band were treated to another meal, ready to perform for the Gala Concert. This is where the awards for the day’s playing were announced.
Carlton Sykes (Carnival for Bass - Eb Bass), Lauren Chinn (Tokyo Sunset - Flugelhorn), Matt Rowe (Lament - Euphonium) and Paul Richards (Let Freedom Ring - Soprano Cornet) all featured as soloists during an evening of outstanding music. The audience were on fine form, every piece being well received and even joining in!
Flowers Band took their place after the awards ceremony back on stage to deliver the final set and final bit of playing for a very busy, albeit very successful weekend.
Palanga Performance
Flowers Band were the headline act for the weekend and played to a full house of Lithuanian banders, all eager to see what the UK could offer.
Flowers Band were invited to perform at the Lithuanian Finals over the weekend of the 30th and 31st of March.
Flying Friday morning from Luton, we landed at 5pm local time at Palanga Airport in time to eat, check in at the hotel and to rehearse with members of the MASSED.
The next morning began with a fascinating walking tour of Palanga, visiting the many sculptures, remnants of the Soviet Era and fables etched in the Lithuanian history.
After lunch, Flowers Band took to the fantastic Palanga Concert Hall for a final rehearsal before our performance.
Flowers Band were the headline act for the weekend and played to a full house of Lithuanian banders, all eager to see what the UK could offer.
With a programme highlighting soloists within our ranks; Andy Smith (Cornet) with Hejre Kati, Rob Wilshaw (Trombone) with Can’t Take My Eye Off You and Carlton Sykes (Eb Bass) with Carnival for Bass, as well as audience favourites; Manhattan Skyline, Night Flight to Madrid and Lightwalk amongst others.
To complete the night, Flowers performed alongside two competing bands during the awards ceremony.
A meal, courtesy of our organisers, was laid on for the band and we feasted on fantastic local delicacies, whilst also sampling our fair share of local beers, wines and spirits!
With an early flight, Flowers Band touched back down in the UK by midday; already missing the views, location, food, drink but most of all the brilliant hospitality awarded to us by our hosts.
What a great place. Thank you Palanga, and thank you Lithuania.
West of England Champions!
.… a clear winner by the adjudicators…
Champions!
Flowers Band secure another victory at the West of England Areas, with a eighth win in the past ten years.
Following our result at Butlins earlier in January, the rebuilding process was well and truly underway. The task had fallen squarely on the shoulders of Paul Holland to bring Flowers back to the heights achieved just a few years ago.
Draw fifth out of a pool of thirteen, Flowers were described as a “clear winner” by the adjudicators. There were excellent performances from Aldbourne and Filton Concert, finishing second and third respectively. Flowers Band will be joined by Aldbourne at the Championship National Finals, held at the Royal Albert Hall in October.
Goodbye Grant, Welcome Matt!
Personnel change at Flowers Band
Our beloved Solo Euphonium Grant Jameson has made the difficult decision to return to the USA and as such leave his seat with the band.
Grant signed for the band in 2015 under his tutor David Childs. When David made the move to Musical Director, Grant stepped up to the Solo seat, delivering outstanding performances for the band, featuring on multiple CD releases by Flowers. Grant was named Player of the Year in 2017 for his contributions to Flowers Band.
Matt Rowe, formerly of Tongwynlais Temperance and Ebbw Valley, has stepped forward to take up the solo seat.
“I’m delighted to be joining such a top quality band as well as working with Paul Holland. It will be great to play in my first British Open in September, and will be great to return to the Royal Albert Hall in October. I have big shoes to fill from the previous occupants of the seat, but I’m very much looking forward to the challenge and drive to push the band further forward. I’m looking forward to stamping my own authority on the seat.”
Matt’s first outing will be at the West of England Area, where Flowers will be looking to defend their title as Champions and book another trip to the Royal Albert Hall in October.