Milnrow Band put in exceptional performance at Brass Band Festival

Milnrow Band at Rochdale Brass Band Festival: Championship Section

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Milnrow Band put in an exceptional performance picking up a total of three trophies at the annual Brass Band Festival at Rochdale Town Hall.

The band played 'Triumph of Time' by Peter Graham and won first prize, the Charles Fradley Memorial Cup and £450, and the Len Hinchley Memorial Cup for highest placed North West Area Brass Bands Association (NWABBA) member band.

The test piece must be rated as one of the most difficult, with numerous solo passages to stretch the most competent of players, interspersed with slow melodic sometimes muted sections of an hymnal quality and furious playing from “ppp” up to “fff” by the band in general.

Every section of the band was called on to provide soloist input and each soloist excelled. The overall effect was a mainly well balanced performance of good tonal quality which was enthusiastically received by the audience and resulted in adjudicator Alan Morrison awarding the band first place.

Kathleen Gaspoz (principal cornet) was adjudged best instrumentalist in the section and was awarded the James Cartledge Challenge Cup.

Surprise presentations for service to brass banding were made by NWABBA Secretary Shirley Woodward on behalf of the Association to two popular members of Milnrow Band bass section, both having completed 50 years in brass banding.

Stephen Armitage and John Clough both received a certificated a Diploma of Honour and an inscribed medal.

Ken Watts, Band President said: “Milnrow Band and officials extend congratulations to Stephen and John on being the first playing members of the band to receive such an honour.”