NEWS LETTER 2010
January
The new year seems to have started in a similar fashion to how the old year finished. Having lost engagements due to the icy roads in December, rehearsals for the Area contests have been severely affected. Chris Spreadbury has kindly agreed to help get the band in shape for the up and coming contest and has taken on this mammoth task with good humored relish. The Test piece is Kingdom of Dragons, which is a marvelous piece of music, but will tax the band to its limits getting it up to something like contest standard.
February
Serious practice sessions are the order of the month, as the Band puts in some dedicated effort to try and hold their own at the Area Competition in March. The 14th of March is coming close very quickly and the time lost due to bad weather is sorely missed. Our MD is desperately trying to fix a Dragon with a serious limp.
Roll on the end of Dragon graphics in the newsletter!
Blood sweat and tears were not enough to bring podium victory to the Band at the area contest this year. Playing in last place in front of a critical audience was enough to tilt the odds against us and pull St. Pinnock down to the lower middle in the runners. On the positive side, we are not in the relegation box and unless we do something very bad next year are likely to stay in section 2 for a while. Chris Spreadbury has worked wonders with the Band in the run up to the competition and despite only starting rehearsals after the "big Freeze" brought us to the competition with a real chance of doing well. With lots of plans up his sleeve and a new found enthusiasm in the Band, this newsletter promises to be a busy place over the next few months.
March
St. Pinnock Band are pleased to announce that Chris Spreadbury has agreed to take up the position of full time M.D. With the Band.
''I am delighted to be working with such a friendly and forward thinking band. The commitment in preparation to the areas was the best I've ever seen and the direction is definitely up!''
- Chris Spreadbury
This years round of concerts and gigs started with a concert at St. James Church , Torpoint. As always, we received a very warm welcome at this venue, rounded off with an excellent supper. The evening was not without its drama, as the Nuns outfits remained on the washing line instead appearing on the trombones and Emma performed a horn solo with no music, reading off the conductors score. Our former solo Trombone Ann Wills filled the middle section with some excellent singing, showing just what a loss to the Band she was.
The Band had an excellent evening and were thrilled to be awarded a standing ovation. This had the unexpected effect of getting Chris Spreadbury to make the Band play the Flora Dance, despite what he has previously said, but to the obvious enthusiasm of the audience. Hopefully this event may become a regular addition to the Band's programme for the year.
April
Picture copyright Paulsfotos.
May
May Day was marked by a new event in West Looe, a procession and dancing around the May Pole. A change in the times from afternoon to morning and strict instructions to not play the Flora dance lead to some drastic reorganization in the Band ranks and a much reduced turn out. Next year we will be prepared for all eventualities and look forward to what is intended to be an annual event.
The first Flora of the year was favoured with good weather and Lanlivery feast day got off to a flying start with the Flora passing through the Pub in fine tradition.
The Band started a new tradition, with Kathy celebrating her 21st Birthday by providing cake all round in return for not playing "happy birthday" to the massed audience. A big hit in certain sections of the Band.......as the following photographic evidence irrefutably confirms. (the percussion section wish to officially announce that the cake never reached them!)
Ryan, our young new Rep Player performed his first solo "cherry Blossom Pink" to much acclaim. Hopefully this will become a regular item over the summer.
Serious cake scoffing and not much playing!
June
June saw the Band at Dobwalls Flora, now possible due to the Bypass around the village and the Summer season of concerts started at the Ship Inn. These events were sadly eclipsed by the sudden death of one of the stalwarts of the Cornish Banding world, Alan Faraway. A life long Bandsman at the highest level, Alan was one of those players upon which every band depends. He was one of the mainstays of the St. Pinnock Cornet section for several years and did much for the band behind the scenes, quietly and without fuss. A true gentleman and a friend to all, he will be sorely missed.
The Band's youngest Horn player points out some of the tuning errors in the cornet section and gives some useful tips to those players prepared to listen!
July
July found the Band pounding the streets for the annual round of carnivals and Furry Dances.
The Band was thrilled to bits to be able to welcome back three talented former players, namely Liz on Tenor Horn, Jenny to the front row and Dan on Baritone, to the ranks in time to lend a hand with the hectic summer season. While our Musical Director Chris Spreadbury set off to the warmer climes of the southern hemisphere, fortunantly the Band can call on its Post Horn playing solo cornet Maestro Norman to stand in and lead the Band.
Jenny removing cornet cobwebs
Post Horn Gallop courtesy of Norman, while conducting at the same time.
Liz, seasoned Horn Player
A summer evening concert at the Ship Inn, Par.
Dan on Baritone.
Three of our youth players, obviously thrilled to receive commemorative certificates on completion of their first Looe Furry Dance
Looe Furry 2010
August
August as usual, is a seriously busy time for the Band, and 2010 was no exception. This year the coffers were helped by the fact that we did not lose a single gig to the weather, which came as a welcome relief to the treasurer.
Our M.D. Went on a trip to South America for the month, however, looking back the Band should have spotted the warning signs!
Fowey Flora video, click to view
Fowey Flora got off to a hilarious start with the Band chasing the Carnival Queen and the Dancers running after the Band!!!. Click rt
Guest Conductor Brian Minear kindly led the Band for an excellent day at Padstow with a very receptive and generous audience.
August Bank Holiday means the Polruan marathon, with concerts, floras carnivals and general merriment all day. This year the harbour hosted a passenger liner, with 800 passengers who had obviously booked especially to see us. After doing our usual grand old Duke of York routine and marching up and down Polruan hill, most of the Band were reduced to hitching a lift on the instrument truck for the final trip back and an end to the summer season '10.
