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Christmas comes to Pemberton Band .......
A big thank you to all those who managed to make it to Aspull Civic Hall on Sunday 7th December for our Christmas Concert. The concert started in fine style with the youth band who had promised to dazzle and amaze us and didn't disappoint, they played some wonderful music and showed off the talents of our youngsters – no doubt there are some star musicians for the future. Mr Don-Duncan showed our audience the 'youth' in our band with a lovely rendition of everyone's favorite carol Away in a Manger played by the youngest members of our band. The B band continued to display young talent with their festive program featuring the Flugel solo Share my Yolke beautifully played by Shona Brown, which received high praise from our audience.

The afternoon was topped of with a first class performance from our A band, who's program included Santaclaustrophobia, Candle Light Carol, Jingle Bells and the second Flugel Solo of Away in a Manger a beautiful piece played by Carina Halliwell. A little bit of festive frolics was had with a Mexican wave during Schneewalzer leading us to a wonderful end to the afternoon with A Christmas Festival . A good time was had by all and a few lucky people managed to escape with some goodies from our raffle. We hope to see you all again next year. Once again we hope you have a Merry Christmas and A Very Happy New Year!

Latest News
Joanne Johnson wins the Championship Soloist Prize and the Senior Band finish Second at Wychavon ....

The senior band attended at Wychavon festival of brass on Sunday 21st September 2008 in an attempt to retain the first place they had secured at the same contest twelve months ago. It was felt that the bands who had entered the contest this year posed a stronger threat than those last year.

The contest is entertainment and the bands are required to play a programme of not more than twenty-five minutes in duration. One of the pieces has to be a solo.

Pemberton were drawn towards the end of the contest and commenced with a strong first performance of Valero. This was followed by a cornet solo, ‘I’d Rather Have Jesus’, played by the bands principal cornet Joanne Johnson.

The next piece, Bombasto, which was arranged by Dave Timmins is what is described as a Circus march, it was played in fine style by the band, and at a jolly good pace.

A novelty item was the next piece, 'Bare Necessities', taken from the Jungle Book was supposedly to be played by the bands principal Eb bass Steven Parfitt, all the other players in the band however had different ideas, and this resulted in Steve leaving the stage only to return and conclude the piece on Sousaphone.

The final piece of the programme was Paul Lovett-Coopers composition of 'Vitae Aeternum'. This is a fantastic piece of music and was received well by the full house.

The band played extreemly well but didn't pursusade adjudicator to give them the top slot and were only awarded 2nd place but that isn't bad considering that the winning band was the current champion band of Wales, and Welsh Eisteddfod champions Tradeagar. Joanne Johnson's playing, however did impress the adjudicator as he awarded her the Soloist prize in the championship section.

B Band finish Eighth at the National Finals ....

The B band qualified for the finals of the National Brass band Championships of Great Britain earlier this year, and over the weekend of the 27th and 28th September the players attended the international conference centre Harrogate, Yorkshire, where the finals were to be held.

On Saturday morning the fourth section bands were the first to play and so the B band had ample time to relax and rehearse their test piece while they waited for the draw to take place for the third section.

Peter Ashley the B band conductor took the band through a short rehearsal and said that he did not need to rehearse any longer as the band were ready.

Drawn to play number four out of nineteen bands the players made their way to registration. On reaching the sign in desk panic set in when the registration team announced that they had a list of players which did not match in any way the names of the players that were waiting to sign in. it was quickly realised that the registry had obtained a copy of the senior bands players. The problem was quickly resolved and the band made their way onto the stage. The band commenced to play the first movement and it was full of life and bouncing along, there were the odd clips and split notes which were evident and it was felt that this may have been due to nerves. The stage in the International centre is one that gives the feeling that one is playing alone.

The players seemed to grow in confidence as the piece progressed and the third and fourth movement were played without any problems.

The remaining bands left to play, meant that the B band players were now free to relax and wait for the results. Several players and supporters remained in the hall to listen to the contest, the majority making their way to a nearby hostelry to quench their dry throats.

Late evening and the results were finally announced. The top six places in reverse order. Many people fancied Oldham Lees band to have taken the honours on the day, and when they were awarded fourth place it was believed that Pemberton may have done enough to secure a top three place. It was not to be and eighth place was the bands final placing.

All in all the band did not disgrace themselves and can now look forward to life in the second section nationally as they had already been promoted.

Mark Bentham Appointed as New Musical Director

The Pemberton Old Wigan JJB Senior band, are pleased to announce the appointment of Mark Bentham, as their new musical director.

Mark was contacted and asked if he would be available to take two or three rehearsals, and a concert, due to the fact that our conductor Mark Peacock was unable to attend.

During the time that Mark was assisting the band, we received the news that Mark Peacock would be unable to continue conducting the band. (see below)

Mark Bentham was asked if he would consider taking up the position as resident conductor to the Senior band on a permanent basis.

Mark was given time to consider the request and we are pleased to announce that he has accepted the position.

Quote from Mark Bentham.

"I have long been an admirer of the Pemberton Old JJB band and the organisation as a whole. I am very proud to be given the opportunity to continue the good work of my predecessor Mark Peacock."

Mark Peacock Resigns as Senior Band Conductor

It is with much regret that we have to report the resignation of the Senior bands conductor Mark Peacock.

Mark has not been feeling to well over the last couple on months and has been unable to attend rehearsals. He has therefore tendered his letter of resignation to the band. Due to the fact that rumours abound as to the reason a conductor and band part company, it was felt that it was only right that Marks letter should be posted on the bands web site.

11 Bank House Close
Mosley Park
Tyldesley
Manchester
M29 8RB

Tuesday 22nd July 2008

To the Committee and Bandspersons of Pemberton Old Wigan JJB Band,

It is with much regret that I wish to inform you of my intention to resign from the position of Musical Director with immediate effect. This has been a very difficult decision to make but I feel that it is in the best interests of my health, family and the band itself.

I have had many happy times with the band during my four and a half years as Musical Director - the many contest successes; the promotion to the Championship Section; the CDs we have recorded; the many concert performances, and becoming part of the special ‘Pemberton family’. It is truly a unique organisation and I have been tremendously proud to have had the opportunity to lead the band.

I would like to pay tribute to the back room personnel who have helped in the day to day running of the band, and of course to all the players in the band who I have had the pleasure of conducting.

I hope that the band continues to flourish and progress and that in the future we may have the opportunity to work together again.

I sincerely hope that we are able to keep in touch and hope to see you all in the near future.

With all my best wishes and thanks,

Mark Peacock

Mark came to Pemberton Band just over four and a half years ago in order to ‘HELP US OUT’ at a couple of concerts and a contest at the Preston Guild Hall. He must have enjoyed the association with the band because he stayed with us until this time. The band had many successes under Marks direction on the contest stage, in his first year the band were crowned 1st section National Champion Band of Great Britain. Other successes, being promotion from the Senior Cup and Senior Trophy to the Grand Shield.

The work that Mark has put in to his Concert programmes, in order that the audience were fully aware of the background to the music the band were playing, was exceptional.

Over the years Mark has become a friend to all of the playing members of the band and we are all sorry to see him leave, he will however always remain a good friend of Pemberton Old Wigan JJB Band and the organisation.

We all wish Mark, his wife Alison and the boys well for the future and it is hoped that Mark does not stay away from brass bands for too long as his talent would be a great loss to our movement.

New Sponsorship Deal

We are pleased to announce that JJB Sports have been good enough to see fit to sponsor the Pemberton Old Wigan JJB Bands for a further 3 years.

We would publicly like to thank Mr. Chris Ronnie the owner of JJB Sports and the Directors for their continued support.

Mission Accomplished!

At the beginning of the year Mark Peacock the Senior Band's conductor said that the main mission for 2008 was for the band to be promoted from the Senior Cup, in the British Open Contest at Blackpool, to the Grand Shield.
.......... read the full story (click here).

Senior Band Success at Buxton Contest!

The Senior band scored another victory with Elgar Variations in the build up to the Senior Cup at Blackpool.
.......... read the full story (click here).

And so the Flemish Open and the Senior bands trip to Belgium.

It was an early start for all the players on the morning of Friday 11th April, most people having to leave their beds about 5am but a few having to rise even earlier than this in order that they could arrive at the band room on time in order to assist with the loading of the coach.
.......... read the full story (click here).

................ March 2008 ................

Good news and bad news for the Senior Band and the B Band after the North West Regional Championships at the Winter Gardens Blackpool, on Sunday 9th March.

The Good news first, congratulations to the B Band in their success in the third section, where they were awarded 3rd place, and so qualified for the National Championships to be held in Harrogate later this year. The test piece ‘Dark Side of the Moon’ by Paul Lovatt-Cooper however did not sound anything like I remember when Pink Floyd recorded it many years ago. ??????????????????

There were 20 bands in the third section and coming third is a credit to Peter and all the players for the hard work they put in.

Now the bad news, the Senior band did not play to their ability and came 10th out of 11 bands in the Championship section, it still remains to be seen if we are relegated to the 1st section but at this time we are hopeful of remaining in the Championship section nationally. We will know more in respect of this some time in April.

The bands still have a busy twelve months ahead of them and I am sure that the B band will continue to progress with the new gained confidence they have found.

The Senior band have a CD recording later this month and then its off to Belgium to participate in the Flemish Open Brass Band Championships.

One does get disheartened at times though when members ask ‘Exactly where is Flemland in Europe?’ and on that note I will sign off.

George Fairhurst


................ February 2008 ................

The B band didn't do too bad at The Brass at the Guild in the second section coming 5th, Peter did say that he thought that there were too many slips in the performance and that the adjudicator was fair with his remarks regarding the performance.

The senior band had an excellent day being awarded 1st place in the Championship section against quite a strong field. All the soloists on the day have to be congratulated on their performances. The sound of the band is quite something now and although the performance wasn't error free it was exciting Mark was able to get a lot of Music out of the performance. Our thanks go to Brian Taylor from Faireys who helped us out on the day, I spoke to Brian later in the day and he said that he was becoming quite emotional with the performance and congratulating the band on their playing.

The Senior Band are pleased to announce 3 new signings in readiness for the forthcoming contest season.

The first signing is Fiona Staples from Haydock Band, a first year student at Salford University who is tutored by Russel Gray. She is also Principal Cornet of St. Helens Youth Band and has filled the vacancy on the front row. Another cornet player Matt Fern has joined on third cornet and transferred over from Wingates, and made a winning debut at Brass at the Guild last weekend. The third signing is ex Sellers and Grimethorpe Bass Trombonist Stuart McCreedy who has made a playing come back after retiring a few years ago. Stuart heard the band at his local church at Christmas and introduced himself to conductor Mark Peacock.

“Tom Simm our young bass trombonist had informed me that he was hoping to move away to University in September and that if we could find a replacement he would take a back seat to concentrate on his studies before leaving in the Autumn. To say it was fortuitous to meet Stuart at the concert was something of an understatement, and then to discover he had played in Sellers for 10 years alongside my wife Alison was another coincidence.”

Mark paid tribute to cornet player Colin Knowles who after 15 years with the band has stepped down from the Senior band and joined Pemberton “B” to help Peter Ashley with all the youngsters on the cornet rank.

“Colin has been a tremendous servant to the band and decided that now was the time to step down from the demands of Championship playing and put something back into the organisation by lending his experience to the B Band. He is a true bandsman who will be missed from the Senior band, especially for his percussion playing in You Are My Sunshine! I am delighted that he will still be involved in our organisation and wish him well for the future.”


................ January 2008 ................

The Year got off to a reasonable start and members of the B band enjoyed a good weekend at Butlins in Skegness. The result wasn't what they wanted but with a little extra practice and concentration they should fare better at The brass at the guild contest later in the month. Although I wasn't present at the contest I believe that Barry on Soprano cornet played very well throughout the piece.