Middleton Band Second Section North West Area Champions

Middleton Band Crowned 2nd Section North West Area Champions

Middleton Band were crowned Second Section champions at the North West Area Brass Band Championships in Blackpool on Sunday.

Louise Crane, Middleton Band said: “We are delighted to report that the band came first, winning the second section playing the set test piece Ex Terra Lucem by Jonathan Bates.

“The band really enjoyed working on the piece and performing it in the packed Pavilion Theatre inside Blackpool’s Winter Gardens and are absolutely delighted to finally gain a first-place win at the area contest to become the Second Section North West Champions for 2018.

“The band's newest and youngest member Holly, who plays principal cornet in Middleton Youth Band made her contest debut with the senior band at the contest and she could not have picked a better contest for her first and sealed it with a win.”

The first two or three highest placed bands in each section qualify to represent the North West at the National Finals at the Centaur in Cheltenham in September.

Middleton band will be joined at the Second Section finals by fellow Second Section North West bands Bollington and Flixton bands. 

Ms Crane added: "To qualify to compete at the National Finals is an achievement for any band and Middleton Band are delighted to be able to represent the North West and our hometown of Middleton at this national event.

"Middleton Band has previously qualified to attend the National Finals in 1983, 2002, 2007 and 2013 finishing first, third, first and fourth places out of fields of around 20 bands from all over the United Kingdom."

Middleton Band will now begin fundraising to meet the costs of transporting the band personnel and equipment to Cheltenham for the contest in September.

To sponsor the band or make a donation towards the trip, contact the band secretary.

secretary@middletonband.com