Thurlstone Brass Band - © 2006-2008
There was almost the usual turnout at the Band’s AGM this year and the election of officials was almost the same as those for 2006 except for the addition of Eleanor
Jeffcock, who we welcome to the Executive Committee and hope she will give us valued input for the younger viewpoint.
Click on the link to view the full list of Officials for 2007
It is with great pleasure that we announce Eleanor as the most improved player for 2006. Graham Bates, conductor for the past four years,
declared the winner at the Band’s annual dinner held at the White Heart in Penistone.
Click on the link to view the Annual Dinner
Click on the link to view the Annual Dinner
Jonathan Bates has just become one of the youngest members of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain in its 55-year history.
Jonathan (aged 11) will take his place in the Tenor Horn section of the famous Band for the first time at the 2007 Easter Course in Harrogate. The week-long course will feature a CD Recording and concert at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester.
The Band’s members (who usually range in age from 12 to 18 years old) are drawn from all over the United Kingdom, and they regularly perform in venues such as
Jonathan (aged 11) will take his place in the Tenor Horn section of the famous Band for the first time at the 2007 Easter Course in Harrogate. The week-
The Band’s members (who usually range in age from 12 to 18 years old) are drawn from all over the United Kingdom, and they regularly perform in venues such as
the Royal Albert Hall and the Symphony Hall in Birmingham, as well as recording for BBC Radio. The list of the Band’s former members reads like a “who’s who” of the Brass Band world, with all of the country’s top Bands having a good number of ex-NYBBGB players in their ranks.
Players audition for the NYBBGB and, providing they meet the required standard, usually end up on a waiting list until a vacancy arises, however Jonathan was successful in getting straight into the Band following his audition at the RNCM last month.
Players audition for the NYBBGB and, providing they meet the required standard, usually end up on a waiting list until a vacancy arises, however Jonathan was successful in getting straight into the Band following his audition at the RNCM last month.
Jonathan decided to audition for the Band following his appointment as Principal Tenor Horn at the Yorkshire Youth Brass Band in January. All this on the back of his success at the British Open Soloist Championship last November and playing Solo Horn for the Elland Band at the recent Yorkshire Regional Championships, has meant quite a hectic few months for the talented youngster. He celebrated in style at the weekend by winning the Huddersfield Slow Melody Open Section, and coming first at the Sellers International Youth Band Solo Competition, where he also picked up the prize for “Most Promising Player”.
It was very much a case of “Age Concern” as the Band performed its first concert of the year at The Niagara Club in Sheffield as part of the Stocksbridge Band Club’s Concert Season.
The Band played a completely new programme – all 14 pieces having their first ‘airing’, and for the first time we featured no less than five soloists, all of whom performed very well.
Eleanor Jeffcock (Flugel Horn) produced a lovely musical reading of “Autumn Leaves”; Jonathan Bates (Tenor Horn) showed off his technique in “Rondo from Mozart’s Horn Concerto”; Lewis Bettles (Trombone) brought the house down with the stylish “Blue John” – played without music as well!, before his brother, Kyle
The Band played a completely new programme – all 14 pieces having their first ‘airing’, and for the first time we featured no less than five soloists, all of whom performed very well.
Eleanor Jeffcock (Flugel Horn) produced a lovely musical reading of “Autumn Leaves”; Jonathan Bates (Tenor Horn) showed off his technique in “Rondo from Mozart’s Horn Concerto”; Lewis Bettles (Trombone) brought the house down with the stylish “Blue John” – played without music as well!, before his brother, Kyle
(Eb Bass) gave a commanding performance of “The Bombastic Bombardon”.
This was when the “Age Concern” bit came in. At this stage of the concert the average age of the soloists was around 13, and Band M.D. Graham Bates was able to make the point that we are very lucky to have such talented young musicians in the Band, however our final soloist was nearly as old as the first four put together! Peter Crossley then stepped up to give a splendid rendition of the difficult “Rhapsody for Euphonium and Brass Band”.
The programme was very well received by the audience, and contained many challenging pieces which would not have
This was when the “Age Concern” bit came in. At this stage of the concert the average age of the soloists was around 13, and Band M.D. Graham Bates was able to make the point that we are very lucky to have such talented young musicians in the Band, however our final soloist was nearly as old as the first four put together! Peter Crossley then stepped up to give a splendid rendition of the difficult “Rhapsody for Euphonium and Brass Band”.
The programme was very well received by the audience, and contained many challenging pieces which would not have
been out of place in a top Band’s concert programme, such as “I’ll Walk with God” and the “Elephant Love Medley from “Moulin Rouge””, as well as ‘dusting off’ some old(ish) classics such as “Adventures in Brass” and “Choral and Rock Out”.
The Band is now working towards and looking forward to the concert in Penistone Paramount in May.
Posting on The Mouthpiece web site:
"Thoroughly enjoyed the band club this Sunday (11th March). Thurlstone band provided an insight into some of the future talent of banding with some fantastic young soloists. Great to see this talent being encouraged."
The Band is now working towards and looking forward to the concert in Penistone Paramount in May.
Posting on The Mouthpiece web site:
"Thoroughly enjoyed the band club this Sunday (11th March). Thurlstone band provided an insight into some of the future talent of banding with some fantastic young soloists. Great to see this talent being encouraged."
Two of the band’s promising young players have become members of the Yorkshire Youth Brass Band.
Jonathan Bates (Tenor Horn) and Lewis Bettles (Trombone) joined the Band for its course in January.
The Band, whose members are between the ages of 11 and 18, is run in association with the Black Dyke Band and is conducted by Dr Nicholas Childs.
Jonathan Bates (Tenor Horn) and Lewis Bettles (Trombone) joined the Band for its course in January.
The Band, whose members are between the ages of 11 and 18, is run in association with the Black Dyke Band and is conducted by Dr Nicholas Childs.
Based at The University of Leeds, the courses give members the opportunity to receive tuition and guidance from Principal Soloists of the Black Dyke Band, such as Richard Marshall, Brett Baker and David Thornton.
Currently the Band is looking forward to sharing the stage in concert with Black Dyke Band at Huddersfield Town Hall on Saturday 7th July.
Currently the Band is looking forward to sharing the stage in concert with Black Dyke Band at Huddersfield Town Hall on Saturday 7th July.
Both youngsters have become established soloists with Thurlstone Band, and M.D., Graham Bates said “We try to give players opportunities to develop here at Thurlstone and both lads have come on in leaps and bounds in the last few months – the YYBB gives them a great chance to play different music and receive guidance from some of the finest exponents of their instruments in the world, which can only be a good thing – we are very proud of them”.
Thurlstone’s principle trombone Lewis Bettles entered and won his first ever Slow Melody Competition - the 11 & Under Section at Elland Silver Band - with a fantastically smooth rendition of Gershwin's "Summertime" (1st place - 189 points).
Congratulations to Lewis on an excellent achievement at his first attempt.
This was the same trophy our principle tenor horn player Jonathan Bates won last year, so it is great to “keep it in the family”.
Jonathan, who has now reached the ripe old age of 12, had to compete in the “Open age” section where he came 5th. Jonathan did retain the best tenor horn of the day trophy.
Jonathan and Lewis took to the stage at Hade Edge with the following results:
13 and under:
1st Jonathan
2nd Lewis
16 and under:
2nd Jonathan
Open:
4th Jonathan
Under 12:
1st Lewis
Under 14:
1st Jonathan (& best tenor horn)
3rd Lewis
Under 17:
1st Jonathan
Open:
3rd Jonathan
Best Horn of the Day: Jonathan
Best Trombone of the Day: Lewis.
There was some fairly decent competition with around 40 entries across the 4 sections.
Well done to both as they’ve won something like 15 trophies between them in the last two weeks!
Over the past 2 weeks or so you will have noticed there have been a few glitches on the web site. This has been due to some software problems which are being rectified.
However, if you know better and notice anything strange, no matter how small, please let me know so that I can investigate and correct as necessary. Please e-mail me at peter.crossley@thurlstonebrassband.org
Brilliant News! Lewis Bettles has been awarded the Soloist of the Year Award following the Stocksbridge Band series of concerts. Happily, the Bettles family were going to the last concert of the series and were able to surprise Lewis. Below is an extract from an e-mail from Lewis’ mum Debbie:
It was a great night at the Niagara Club on Sunday. Stocksbridge Band put on an amazing concert dedicated to the music of Gordon Langford.
It was a great night at the Niagara Club on Sunday. Stocksbridge Band put on an amazing concert dedicated to the music of Gordon Langford.
After the interval, raffle and open the box, David Nesbitt, MD of the Stocksbridge Band, presented Lewis with the "Soloist of the Year" Trophy, and commented how impressed he and the
committee had been with Lewis's performance of "Blue John" from memory.
Click for a larger photo plus an article from “The Star” newspaper
The Silkstone Band March and Hymn Contest had favourable weather this year and despite not getting in the prizes, Thurlstone Brass Band put on an excellent set of results as a non-contesting band. The Band’s overall position was 11th equal, along with Skelmanthorpe B Band, with whom Joanne Fisher, principal cornet, and Murray Preston also play.
Congratulations to Skelmanthorpe B for obtaining the best 4th Section prize.
Congratulations to Skelmanthorpe B for obtaining the best 4th Section prize.
Congratulations must go the Skelmanthorpe Band who were overall winners of the contest with a fistful of prizes to take home. Thurlstone’s Graham Bates, MD, and Peter Crossley, euphonium both play with the Skelmanthorpe Band.
Photos
Unfortunately Wetherby was cancelled this year due to torrential rain all day.
Lewis has had further success recently when he passed his
Vice President, Colin Buckley, held his 80th Birthday Party at Millhouse Institute. With a buffet organised and around 80 guests in attendance, a “small” problem had to be overcome. With the tables and guests plus a small group of 15 band
players there was insufficient room for the band to set up. Millhouse Institute is home for the Band and Millhouse Green Male Voice Choir, and each team has their own storage room. Needless to say the Band has quite a bit of equipment, so
all the players squeezed into the Choir’s “cupboard” to perform. An excellent time was had by all even though it did get a bit warm.
It is with sincere regret we have to inform you all of the death of David Flather.
David had not been with Thurlstone very long, but moved into Millhouse Green after having a stroke. David had played with many local bands but had played for some considerable time with Chapeltowm Silver Prize Band.
When David arrived at Thurlstone his ambition was to get back some of his playing capabilities on Euphonium and he
David had not been with Thurlstone very long, but moved into Millhouse Green after having a stroke. David had played with many local bands but had played for some considerable time with Chapeltowm Silver Prize Band.
When David arrived at Thurlstone his ambition was to get back some of his playing capabilities on Euphonium and he
certainly achieved that along with a new sense of independence.
Everyone who has know David will join Thurlstone Brass Band in sending heart felt condolences to David’s wife, Judy, and their family.
The funeral will be held in St Saviour’s Church, Thurlstone on Monday 1st October at 10:15 a.m. Followed by creation at Grenoside Crematorium at 11:45 a.m.
Everyone who has know David will join Thurlstone Brass Band in sending heart felt condolences to David’s wife, Judy, and their family.
The funeral will be held in St Saviour’s Church, Thurlstone on Monday 1st October at 10:15 a.m. Followed by creation at Grenoside Crematorium at 11:45 a.m.
EEb Bass player, Jill Goddard recently passed her Grade 6 examination with a Distinction.
Well done Jill. We look forward to your Grade 7 results.
The recent Skelmanthorpe Band Slow Melody saw our usual suspects on form as Jonathan and Lewis picked up a couple of prizes each.
Playing in the 14 years and under section, and despite being the two youngest players in a field of eight, Jonathan won the section playing “The Star of Bethlehem”, with Lewis coming third playing “Summertime”.
Playing in the 14 years and under section, and despite being the two youngest players in a field of eight, Jonathan won the section playing “The Star of Bethlehem”, with Lewis coming third playing “Summertime”.
Both players ‘double-
Perhaps one of the highlights of the day (and certainly getting the biggest cheer!) was in the “Veterans’ Section” – 40 years
and over, where Band M.D., Graham Bates was persuaded to play the Tenor Horn in ‘anger’ for the first time in over 20 years only days before the competition. After playing “The Holy City” and coming second in what adjudicator Kevin Wadsworth described as a ‘photo-finish’, Graham admitted “I wasn’t nervous until I got out there and started to play – I was hoping Kevin would mistake my shaky sound for vibrato, but not a chance!”.
Just 12 months after being awarded the ‘runners-up’ prize at the Junior British Open Soloist Championship, the band’s solo horn player, Jonathan Bates, was back in Manchester, this time however in the Intermediate Section for players between the ages of 12 and 17.
Despite being the youngest player in the section and being up against another 26 experienced players from all over Europe, representing top Championship Section Bands such as Willebrook (Belgium), Whitburn (Scotland), Virtuosi GUS and
Despite being the youngest player in the section and being up against another 26 experienced players from all over Europe, representing top Championship Section Bands such as Willebrook (Belgium), Whitburn (Scotland), Virtuosi GUS and
Reg Vardy, Jonathan was awarded 5th place with a stunning rendition of “The Star of Bethlehem”.
Proud dad, and band M.D., Graham said “Jonny’s performance was so musical, and almost note-perfect. At this level, separating the competitors often comes down to the adjudicators’ personal preferences, and there were several outstanding performances”.
This year’s adjudicators for the section were Major Peter Parkes, Geoff Whitham, Peter Roberts and Mark Wilkinson.
Proud dad, and band M.D., Graham said “Jonny’s performance was so musical, and almost note-
This year’s adjudicators for the section were Major Peter Parkes, Geoff Whitham, Peter Roberts and Mark Wilkinson.
