Description

Poynton Youth Brass Band is an independent organisation run by volunteers who are all parents of current and past players.

We have 45 talented players in our main youth band.

We meet every Friday evening from 7.00pm to 9.15pm for rehearsals at Poynton Methodist Church, off Park Lane (near to the Civic Hall and Library), Poynton, Cheshire SK12 1RB.

The band celebrated a successful 25 years in 2007 by holding its 25th Anniversary Concert at the Romiley Forum where the Youth Band was joined by over 30 ex members. A celebration of 25 years of musical talent.

The bands first practice was in January 1982, it was founded by Tom Peak and Alan Lawton, a player and conductor of the then Poynton Brass Band. The first rehearsals were held in the Old Methodist Church on Clumber Road in Poynton. The band hasn't gone far in terms of practice rooms since then, just across the road, but we have gone far in musical terms.

The first conductors were Les Hall and Bob Wyatt, the main stay of the band has been Les who for many years shared the musical director role with Louise Renshaw. From 2003 to 2011 the band had many successes in youth band contests while under the directorship of Andrew Hirst. Since 2011 the Youth Band has been under the musical directorship of Michael Eccles. In the early years the band was made up of just a few young players but since then has blossomed to become a large and successful organisation, which now consisting of a learners group, a training band, the Poynton Junior Brass Band with over 30 members and the Poynton Youth Brass Band with over 40 members.

The band is now so successful that for time to time we have had to operate a waiting list. The organisation prides itself in taking young people of any ability. The band is run solely by parents or current and past players. The band has enjoyed various trips abroad and has been heard playing in Valkenburg, Luxembourg, Maastricht and Paris.

Poynton Youth Brass Band has recorded three CDs "The Studio Sessions 2002" "Malaguena" and “Cry of the Celts”.

The Brian Hicks Memorial Trophy For Services to Youth Brass Banding in Great Britain was awarded to Poynton Youth Brass Band in 2005.

Description

Often described as 'the greatest free show on Earth', the Saddleworth & District Whit Friday Brass Band Contests take place every year on the afternoon and evening of Whit Friday.
From the earliest recorded contest in 1884, the event has grown in popularity. Last year well over a hundred brass bands participated in some twenty different contests at venues scattered around the moorland villages and towns on the western edge of the Pennines. All of the contests are open-air, many in delightful surroundings. The area has a very strong tradition of brass band music. In the weeks before Whit Friday, the sounds of rehearsals echo across the hillsides from the various band rooms and village halls. There are thriving bands in some of the tiniest villages. And the best bands are world class.

The contests are open to all-comers. So the local youth bands get to match their skills against the top bands of the country. For bandsmen, the dash from contest to contest makes for an exhilarating (though exhausting) evening. See the comments in the guest book. This is a major event in the brass band calendar and bands travel the length of the country to participate, some even turning up from overseas.
Contests typically start at about 4.30pm. Bands play two pieces (marches), one on the march and then their well-rehearsed show-piece on whatever passes for a rostrum. Each performance is scored 'blind' by an adjudicator, hidden in some adjacent darkened room or caravan.

Each contest offers prizes for the best band, best youth band, best soloists etc. At one of the busier venues, you could expect to hear over 50 bands, before the winners are announced shortly after close (10.30 pm or 11.30pm, though the most popular contests can go on well into the early hours).

It is possible to look in at several contests during the evening. But with over 100 bus-loads of bandsmen about, with many of the roads closed to traffic and the inevitable parking problems, it pays not to be over-ambitious.

Each contest is organised by local volunteers. All the running costs and prize money are raised by local donations and through fund-raising events. Most provide refreshments. Helpers are always needed on the night. If you can spare a couple of hours at any of the contests, please email.

Each contest sets its own rules. Bands are required to play a published march, an unmarked copy of which should be handed to the Contest Steward on arrival at the signing-on point. Normally, no more than 25 players may play the contest piece, plus the conductor.

On the morning of Whit Friday, the traditional Whit Walks take place. Dobcross contest have introduced a Henry Livings memorial prize, open to bands who have played on any of the morning's walks.

Various Locations,

Oldham and Saddleworth,

Oldham,

Greater Manchester,

England,

OL3.