Flat out at Flowers
Flowers was involved with the inaugural Brasspass.tv Band of the Year Contest, performing a 30-minute set involving a major work for Brass Band, and a soloist. The event took place at Stoller Hall, Manchester. Unfortunately last minute preparations were far from ideal for the band as a spokesperson explained, “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 back 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.
Following a late night rehearsal, the band arrived at their hotel by 1am, just in time for a short nap before rehearsals began again at 7am for the number two draw. The band were keen to thank Eccles borough Band for loaning them the bandroom, Val for providing just the right amount of tea and cake to set them up for the day and 1010 Taxis for handling the logistics and getting them to Stoller Hall in time to perform.
Following their performance of Jonathon Bates’ Jacob’s Ladder, Cornet soloist Thomas Fountain with Ben Hollings’ Threnodyand Ascensionby Philip Wilby the Band quickly loaded up the coach and settled in for the four hour journey south to Chipping Sodbury.
Mareika once again topped and tailed the programme, and introduced the Band to new vocal soloist, Phillipa Lay.
Band personnel commented on the event: “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 soloists 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 and led us to such comments as “The Best Concert we’ve ever had on here” We were thrilled to have such a masterful deputy at such short notice. Thank You Mareika!”
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