News
23/04/2024 - Musical Director Announcement
Chris' musical journey began when, as a seven year old, he was taken to the local brass band in Preston, by his grandfather, and started to play the cornet. Since then his music has become almost his life with wide experience in brass bands, orchesteras, big bands and musical theatre. Not only is he still playing his trumpet but he is also a Musical Director for several organisations in and around the North West of England. He was proud to be the Musical Director with Blackpool Operatic Players for their recent outstanding production of "Singin' in the Rain" at The Grand Theatre, Blackpool. Chris is now at Blackpool Brass for a second stint, as Musical Director, and is hoping to help build the band with the aim of re-establishing itself as a force to be reckoned with.
04/12/2022 - Musical Director Departure
Unfortunately Blackpool Brass and Alan Seymour have amicably decided to part ways and end Alan's spell as MD of the band after recent discussions regarding the bands future. We would like to thank Alan for all his hard work especially at the NWBBA Areas and our busy summer schedule and wish him all the best in the future.
24/2/19 - North West Area
Another productive day at the Opera House in Blackpool at the North West Area Regional Championships saw the band come away with a very creditable 5th place.
1. Bollington Brass
2. Besses Boys
3. Farnworth & Walkden
4. Eagley
5. Blackpool Brass
6. Pemberton Old
Obviously our secretary wasn't impressed with our performance!
27/1/19 - Brass at the Guild
A successful day at the office! We came 3rd out of 7 bands and won the Best Basses prize (despite our Bb Bass player skipping a line really obviously ?). Onward and upwards to the areas!
20/10/18 - Blackpool Brass has announced the appointment of the experienced Len Charnock as their new Musical Director.
Having played at the very highest level with the likes of Fairey, Wingates, Yorkshire Imps and Swinton Concert enjoying numerous successes, he also took to the baton to lead Eccles Borough and Pilling Jubilee Silver — taking the latter to contest victories at Rochdale and Kirkby Lonsdale, as well as qualifying for the National Finals.
12/10/18 - Blackpool Brass has announced the departure of Musical Director John Pearson.
John has been with the band for four happy and productive years. We have been promoted to the Second Section, and we are now committed to consolidating and progressing upwards along with fulfilling a busy annual concert programme and developing our busy training band.
During his tenure, Blackpool Brass won the Third Section Brass at the Guild Hall contest in 2015 and qualified for the National Final in 2016 where they claimed a fine sixth place. They went on to consolidate their position in the Second Section, coming fourth at the Brass at the Guild Hall contest earlier this year and 10th at the Regional Championship.
5/11/17 - Contest Success
Over the past few weeks the band have been preparing Gareth Wood's "Five Blooms in a Welsh Garden" for the Yorkshire and Humberside Brass Band Association's Annual Open Contest held in Dewsbury. The test piece was fiendishly difficult but because of the commitment of our MD and members alike, we were awarded best 2nd Section Band and 2nd place overall beating numerous Championship and 1st Section bands.
29/1/17 - Brass at the Guild
Blackpool's first contest since promotion to the 2nd section saw the band come away with a fantastic second place. A well received trophy following the band's performance of Dean Goofins "Rhapsody in Brass" at Prestons Guild Hall
16/1/17 - Grade 1 Success for Training Band
Congratulations to James from our training band who recently passed his Grade 1 on cornet with distinction. Well done to him.....the practice was worth it!!
18/9/16 - Blackpool Brass 6th Place at National Finals
Back in from an amazing 2 days away at the National Finals with the mighty Blackpool Brass! We were placed 6th off of an early number two draw.
A massive congrats to our friendly rivals up the M6 to Jct36 band on their 2nd place and to Stevie Craig on his best soloist, not to mention his great work with Thornton-Cleveleys and achieving a 4th place with them.
Thanks to everyone involved including all the people who supported our fundraising events and made the weekend possible.
16/9/16 - Success for Bandling!
Cogratulations to Hope, one of our bandlings from our training band who passed her Grade 2 on Cornet!
31/8/16 - Last Concert
Our final concert at the Bispham Con Club this summer was also the last concert for 2 of our players who are on their way to University this September. Danny Jones (euph) is starting at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Tom Christie (trom) who will be studying at the Royal Northern College of Music. We wish them all the best for the next few years and thanks for their playing!
It was also a welcome return to the band for Anthony Cockbain on BBb Bass following a 2 year holiday! Great to have him back.
Danny Jones
Tom Christie
Anthony Cockbain
21/8/16 - Happy Mount Park
We were blessed with a nice warm afternoon for our concert at Happy Mount Park in Morecambe today - and a sizeable audience too.
20/7/16 - Training Band Awards
The Blackpool Brass "bandlings" gave their latest fantastic performance at a concert at Bispham Con Club. As well as playing an amazing set of music, including Uptown Funk, Can Can & All About the Tuba, we also had our first annual awards. Winner of the Player of the Year was Sky who received a £20 voucher for The Music Cellar.
Player of the Year
Sky
Players' Player of the Year
Jasmine
Most Improved Player
Kasey
Most Improved Player
Daisy
Most Improved Player
Jude
16/7/16 - Gloria Gets Married!
Congratulations to Ruth and Graham who became Mr & Mrs Samways on Saturday!
The band were very pleased to be asked to play some music as the guests arrived for their meal for a long time friend of the band. Ruth was the original "Gloria Mullins" in a production of Brassed Off by The Anonymous Players at Lowther Pavilion around 9 years ago and the band were more than happy to kake a guest appearance in her latest production!
We wish them both every happiness!
28/6/16 - Newest member makes debut!
The band were delighted to receive a new visitor at the bandroom before Tuesday's rehearsal. Colin and Hayley Tarry brought along George for a meet and greet - lovely to see them all and looking fantastic!
"Colin and I are proud to introduce George Henry Paul Tarry born 24th June weighing 7 lb. After a very long week, we can't stop looking at him - I can't quite believe we made him just perfect!!"
No doubt Hayley will be back at rehearsal next week!
26/6/16 - Armed Forces Weekend, Ashton Gardens
The band took part in The Armed Forces celebrations in Ashton Gardens, St Annes on Sunday. As seems to be usual when the band is out marching, the weather once again let us down and the gathered crowds got wet!
Still, a great event to take part in and a gallery of the afternoon can be found here. All pictures courtesy of Frank McQuade.
11 & 12 June - A Weekend of All Weather!
Blackpool Brass had a busy weekend of marching leading Blackpool Pride March on Saturday and taking part in the Thornton Gala Parade on Sunday.
Unfortunately the weather did let us down on Saturday as the band lead a 1500 strong parade along Blackpool Promenade in the pouring rain! As you can see in the gallery, the band had to play in our alternative uniform on Sunday and thankfully we avoided the rain that started 20 minutes after finishing!
Blackpool Pride March
Thornton Gala
8/6/16 - New Player Welcomed to Blackpool's Lineup
Blackpool Brass would like to welcome Martin Hunt to the band. He has recently moved back North following retirement and has joined the band on EEb Bass.
He began playing Eb bass age 11 with Banks Brass Band but moved onto Euphonium at age 15. Following a "short" break from playing from 1983 to 2008 he joined The Melton band on Euphonium in 2009 and subsequently Stamford Brass in 2013 on EEb bass. Having retired in 2015 he joined Burneside Brass and is now with Blackpool.
7/6/16 - Blackpool Brass MD in 2016 NABB Conductors Award Final.
The National Association of Brass Band Conductors has announced the names of the 12 finalists who will take part in their Conducting Competition to be held on Sunday 19th June in Elland in West Yorkshire.
Brendan Breslin, Mark Edwards, Aiden Hodgson, James Kierle, Andrew Mallon, Craig Mann, John Pearson, Garry Perrin, Rob Richardson, Tom Ridgley, Matt Shaw and Christopher Small will each direct a short rehearsal on either 'Essay' (Gregson), 'Tallis Variations' (Sparke) or 'Traversada' (Waespi).
Adjudicators Russell Gray (NABBC President) and Paul Hoskins (Musical Director of Rambert Ballet Company) will then select six conductors to go through to the final round. This will see each finalist conduct and compere one of six items in an evening concert setting directing the Eccles Band.
The free concert will start at 7.30pm at Bertie's Bistro, Brook Street, Elland (HX5 9AW).
1/4/16 - Fundraising Underway
Following the band's success at the regional qualifiers, fundraising for the trip to the finals in Cheltenham is under way! Concerts and events are being organised all over the place to try and raise the £5000 needed to get the band onto the stage at the Centaur. You can keep up to date with all the events here..........
28/2/16 - 2nd Place at National Qualifiers!
The band returned to the contest stage at Blackpool's Winter Gardens for the National Qualifying Championships coming away with a magnificent 2nd place. As well as a these great trophies, this also means the band will gain promotion to the 2nd Section as well as getting an invitation to represent the North West at the Finals in Cheltenham in September.
Congratulations to everyone at Thornton Cleveleys Silver Band who will also be at the Finals after their win in the 4th section
Third Section:
Test Piece: A Cambrian Suite (Michael Ball)
Adjudicators: Michael Fowles & David Roberts
1. Valley Brass (Haydock) (David Chadwick)*
2. Blackpool Brass (John Pearson)*
3. Farnworth & Walkden (Matt Shaw)*
4. Eagley (Matthew Ryan)
5. Besses o'th' Barn (Phil Shaw)
6. Greenalls (Phil Boardman)
*Top three bands qualify for the National Final
24/1/16 - 2nd Place at Brass at the Guild
The bands first outing of the year saw a fine performance of Michael Ball's "A Cambrian Suite" given 2nd place at Preston's Guild Hall.
Next up it's the turn of our amazing training band who will be taking part in the Youth Brass Band Entertainment Championships of Great Britain at the Winter Gardens, Blackpool on the 14th February.
After that, it's back to the seniors at the National Qualifying Contest again at the Winter Gardens on 28th February.
12/12/15 - Broughton & District Club
Our annual concert at Broughton & District Club was a huge success as usual. The usual festive fun, helped along by mince pies and wine, was made even more special by the appearance of our training band for their first formal concert. The bandlings played fantastically and the whole of Blackpool Brass was very proud of their performance under the baton of Wayne Filer. more pictures
We also made our usual awards to players and look forward to next years concert.
Most Improved Player
Decided by our MD, this is given to the player who's standard has improved the most over the last 12 months. This years recipient was our 1st Baritone Player, Carol Dial.
Players' Player of the Year
Voted for by the players, this is a new award given to the bandsperson who has contributed above and beyond to the organisation. Our first winner is Sarah Sanderson.
8/11/15 - Remembrance Service, Lytham
The weather just about held out for the parade and service to commemorate Remembrance Sunday in Lytham.
25/10/15 - Rochdale Contest
The band played 7th in a field of 11 and came away with a fantastic 3rd place after playing Peter Graham's "Dimensions"
A gallery from the day can be found here.
16/8/15 - Happy Mount Park, Morecambe
A lovely summer day for a concert in the park!! The crowds turned out in numbers at Morecambe's Happy Mount Park to watch a fantastic performance form the band. Thanks as ever to the ladies & gentleman who helped us out this week!
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