The Shepherd Group Brass Band recently opened their virtual door to the local banding community. Having returned to rehearsals in the new year three evenings per week via Zoom, the organisation have now invited local bands and friends to join their online rehearsals. MD Richard Wilton said, “Having started Zoom rehearsals for four of our bands, I had the idea to invite our friends from local bands in and around our community. Now more than ever, our local band families must pull together; our survival is counting on it. Over 50 musicians have taken the opportunity to join us on a Wednesday evening during our Concert band rehearsal, where we have been enjoying working on Christopher Bond’s ‘Neverland’. We look forward to many more local brass players joining us in the near future, keeping North Yorkshire’s thriving banding scene motivated”. Anyone wishing to join our virtual rehearsals should get in touch with the band as soon as possible.
Two talented youngsters from the Shepherd Group Youth Band recently topped up their skills when they attended a virtual brass day run by the Cory Band from South Wales, the world’s best brass band. The expert coaching was delivered by the principal players from Cory and the day was delivered by Maestro Philip Harper, Cory band’s enigmatic musical director. Here’s what our young stars thought of the experience.
Adam Peters (Eb bass)
‘It was a really long day on Zoom with some interesting backgrounds on display. Philip Harper recognised that mine was of Birmingham Symphony Hall from when the Youth Band played there a couple of years ago. This was a great chance to see and hear how some of the best band in the world get to that level. They were all very friendly and helpful, sharing their experience with anyone who wanted to know. The only downside was that we couldn’t be in the same place and play all together. Maybe next time.’
Imogen Fewster (Solo Baritone)
On Saturday 16th January, I attended the Cory Band Virtual Brass & Percussion Day. The day began with a warmup led by principal cornetist Tom Hutchinson, who took us through the exercises he uses to start his practices – an essential part of any brass player’s life. Philip Harper then took the first of three full band rehearsals, which were focused on the two pieces of the course: Sousa’s march Washington Post and Philip Sparke’s A Malvern Suite. In these sessions, he guided us not only through the physical techniques of the pieces, but also how to play them in a way which would set you apart from any other band. The interpretation skills we learnt will be invaluable when we all return to band in person.
As well as the full band rehearsals, there also two virtual sectionals, led by principal players from Cory. In mine, led by 1st Baritone Steve Kane, we went through the details of the baritone and euphonium parts, with a focus on how our individual parts fitted into the rest of the band. We also learnt the best way to play a march. For all participants, it was an inspiration to be tutored by some of the best players in the world, and we learnt so much to then apply to the full band rehearsals. Throughout the day, several Cory principals also gave us mini concerts, with beautiful and breath-taking solos they’d recorded beforehand. Simply listening to these world-class players was a once in a lifetime opportunity which I am so glad to have been offered.
Overall, this was a truly incredible day. We were given tips from the best band in the world, learned skills which will be invaluable for the future, and played some beautiful music. It was an extremely welcome reminder in our strange new normal of what banding is about, and how much the Cory Band does for the banding world. In the breaks, we had the chance to meet players from all over the world, and who could forget the fantastic finishing quiz (in which, unfortunately, the bari/euph team came an ignominious last)? This day was a fantastic opportunity, and one I’m very glad to have taken. Would I go again? Absolutely.
On Sunday 26th January 2020 the Shepherd Group opened the bandroom doors to budding brass players, supporters, friends and family in a day full of musical activity. Members of the Shepherd Group Senior band were on hand throughout the morning offering drop-in come and try sessions. There were over thirty families who attended this session, giving everyone the opportunity to try a brass instrument for the first time.
The sessions which followed were focused on ensemble playing, starting out with a group of younger players who had potentially never played as a group before. Players worked on listening skills, as well as several pieces before presenting results to an audience of family members. Within later sessions players worked on larger scale pieces include Max Stannard’s ‘Into the Future’, National Youth Brass Band Championship set work ‘Saint-Saens Variations’ by Philip Sparke, as well as Christopher Bond’s ‘Neverland’.
The Shepherd Group organisation, which now boast six separate ensembles, was awarded Brass Band England’s ‘Social Impact Award’, and last week’s series of workshops demonstrated the community following that the band has nurtured.
We have already had loads of new recruits to our Monday night Brass Academy and are looking forward to more inclusion events in the future.
The Shepherd Group Brass Bands have been presented with Brass Bands England’s inaugural ‘Social Impact Award’. The award, which recognised the national contributions brass bands make to communities, was presented at the Brass Bands England annual conference on Saturday 28th September.
Richard Wilton, Musical Director says “We have built such a rich and well established banding community at Shepherds, platforming 6 bands and providing opportunities for all brass players”.
“A major part of our contribution is via our Brass Academy – where we educate and facilitate brass playing from scratch. Our award-winning Youth Band provide a top flight outlet for young members of society to fulfil their musical potential, with many players aspiring to join our senior, flagship ensemble”
The past few months have seen the bands doing very well in the contesting world. While we pride ourselves in putting on exiting and entertaining concert programmes, contesting is the sporting side of our music making and it is great to get a good result in any contest. This year has been particularly satisfying.
The successes started off with a trip over to Blackpool in May when the Senior Band took part in the 99th Spring Festival. This was the third appearance of the band in this contest but with a draw in the morning half of the contest and the winners traditionally coming from the second half there was a hill to climb. The test piece was Triumphant Rhapsody by Gilbert Vinter and this is a piece that rewards control and delicate approaches from bands rather than an all out attack.
The overall result saw the band take 4th place behind VBS Poynton, City of Bradford and Verwood Concert Brass. The band had been leading the contest right up until the 2/3 mark in the contest and 4barsrest described the performance as a “quality marker” in their write up. The adjudicators said “the best bands brought out the colour, detail flow and wit of the music, making it flow.” This result sees the band promoted from the Senior Trophy to the Senior Cup for the centenary contest in 2020.
We must congratulate VBS Poynton on their win and especially congratulate their MD, Ryan Watkins the principal trombone player at Brighouse and Rastrick Band who began his playing career with Shepherd Group Band.
The Easingwold march contest in 2018 went down as one of the wettest on record and saw the senior band just miss out on the overall prize to Fishburn Band from the North East. 2019 was a drier day and all the Shepherd Group Bands turned out to take part in the contest and to offer support to each other on the stage.
The format of the contest is that each competing band plays a road march as they head for the contest square and are marked on their deportment as the go. On the stand they then play a march and a hymn tune. The contest is growing in popularity and 2019 saw 14 bands competing including some strong competition from Marsden Band, a regular prize winning band in the Saddleworth Whit Friday competitions.
The day was going to be a busy one for the Youth Band as they had played earlier in the day at the Ripon Entertainments contest. What nobody knew at the time was that they had come third at Ripon and had beaten the current Yorkshire Third Section champion band and National Finalists into fourth place.
The Concert Band and Youth Bands both produced very creditable performance and the very last band to play on the night was the senior band. It was quite blustery as the band took to the stage and played their hymn and march. The hymn tune was the lovely Prelude on Lavenham, a piece that has been played out by many bands this year and a very popular if challenging choice. The march was the classic contest march Knight Templar. As the players came off the general feeling was we had played as well as we could have on the night, and the results were in the hands of the adjudicator.
After their earlier successes in Ripon (and the unexpected cheers from them as their Ripon results came through), the Youth Band took the unregistered prize and a very creditable 8th overall, just beating the Concert Band into 9th and beating a few of our local 3rd section friends as well. The senior band had a great night winning the Best Basses prize, Best Championship Section Band and Best band overall on the night. The adjudicator, Martin Heartfield commented as the Basses prize was being collected that he had really enjoyed the performance from the band.
We are looking forward to 2020 and to see which other bands come along to this contest. It is very well run and is a great evening out. Congratulations to the organisers and thanks to all the players in the Shepherd Group family for making this a great day for all our players.
The Shepherd Group Youth Band have completed their second successive tour, this time to world famous Disneyland, Paris. Throughout 2018 and in to 2019 the band worked exceptionally hard organising fundraising events, sponsorship, and concerts to help get them to their destination.
The band embarked on the 12 hour journey early on 23rd February, taking coach then ferry to their accommodation just outside the Disneyland park, they were even greeted by a sneak peek of the firework show as they checked in to the hotel.
The following day started with a trip to Montmarte, taking in stunning views of Paris, a guided tour pointing out local history, a visit to Sacre Coeur, and plenty of Crepes. Then it was on to the first of two concerts. The weather, audience, and atmosphere at the Luxemburg Gardens was top notch and the band entertained a crowd of around 500 people with a set consisting of pieces such as the theme from Game of Thrones, Eye of The Tiger and Alan Fernie’s Prismatic Light. We then headed across the river for an unmissable trip to the Eifel Tower before heading back to the hotel.
Our final day was the one we were most excited about, we had an early breakfast and headed to the Disneyland park. We were shown straight to our dressing rooms, given a backstage tour of the stage area, and then taken front of house in our performance venue – The Videopolis Stage. What a venue! The thousand seater auditorium was such an impressive space and the band’s excitement was building. Our performance coordinator took us to the best spot in the park for photos before getting changed and preparing to perform. We met the technical and stage managers who talked us through our performance, then began our rehearsal and sound check. After a short break it was then time to play, with the band giving a stellar 20 minute performance, representing themselves, the Shepherd Group, and York in immaculate fashion. Still riding high from the performance the members then had the rest of the day to explore the park, visit the attractions, and ride as many rollercoasters as possible!
The trip was a complete success and each member contributed towards an unforgettable experience. The band have moved from strength to strength and continue to build and develop. They are now looking forward to a busy year of concerts and contests, starting with a sold out concert only next week!
Players from all 5 Shepherd Group Bands enjoyed themselves last night at the annual SGBB and friends party to celebrate 2018.
Congratulations go to the SGBB EEb Bass player and Youth Band MD, Craig Brown, Concert Band Flugelhorn Soloist, Louis McLaren, Youth Band Solo Horn, Daniel Wilton and Academy Band Solo Horn player, Toni Powell, who won the “Players’ player of the Year” award from their respective bands. Other award winners on the night were, Flugelhorn soloist Paul Stamp ‘Performance of the year’, Solo Horn, Jenny Mansell ‘Most improved player’, Euphonium & Baritones ‘Section of the year’ and Edward Easthaugh, received a special award from Brass Roots MD, Sally Mansell.
Huge thanks must go to Audrey Brown for organising another hugely successful event. Here’s to a brilliant 2019!
On Friday 21/12 and Saturday 22/12 all the bands in the Shepherd Group Brass Band family came together to round off 2018 in fine style with our Christmas concerts at Joseph Rowntree Theatre.
Both nights were completely sold out and the enthusiastic audiences were treated to some marvellous, festive music and fine playing from all our musicians.Brass Roots, under the expert tutelage of Sally Mansell, entertained the audiences as they took their seats on both evenings and proved just how well they are progressing with some lovely playing that drew loud applause.
The Academy Band then wowed the audiences with great performances and it was so noticeable that, under the baton of Richard Wilton, their band sound and approach to the music is maturing at an impressive rate.
Then it was the turn of the prizewinning Youth Band and they certainly did not disappoint. Craig Brown has guided his band to a very high standard and the playing again showed so much maturity and in the horn soloist, Daniel Wilton, they surely have a star for the future.The first half was then concluded by the Concert Brass Band and they gave the audience their usual highly entertaining programme, full of energy and also featuring a guest appearance on vocals from Eric Daines.
They also featured stunning soloists in Jenny Mansell and Louis McLaren and, on the Saturday night, the band took part in the Jingle Bell challenge for charity, shown live on the band’s Facebook page. The audience absolutely loved that and joined in enthusiastically.
In the second half it was the turn of the Senior Band, under Richard Wilton, and they certainly didn’t disappoint. From the opening Fanfare and Flourishes to the finale of Dies Natalis, this was playing of the highest standard. The possible highlight of the set being the moving Mary, did you know? played with subdued lighting and creating an ethereal atmosphere. But, of course, all SGBB Jo Ro shows are not complete without the massed bands encore and WOW, was this one spectacular!The setting of Christmas Eve, Sarajevo, complete with Cello, Electric guitar, smoke and light show had to be seen and heard to be believed and on both nights rounded off a fantastic evenings entertainment.Huge thanks to everyone who made all this possible.
WOW!! Tonight saw the arrival of the first instalment of brand new instruments for the Shepherd Group Academy. After securing funding through the Patricia and Donald Shepherd charitable trust, Steve Greenfield from Band Supplies (Leeds) hand delivered them personally. Thanks Steve. The future of brass playing in York is looking even stronger today!
New Instruments for the Academy Band
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