Saturday 15th May saw Pemberton Band compete in the Grand Shield contest for the 2nd year. Once again we demonstrated our continuous progress under MD Mark Bentham by taking 3rd place in a strong field of 19 bands.
Although made up with the result, we soon realised just how close we were to achieving our dream of playing at the British Open, when we were told that the adjudicators had said that there were 3 performances of real quality and it was a pity that the rules could only allow the top 2 bands to make an appearance at the Symphony Hall Birmingham later this year.
As the result suggests the band is running into some great form and if we continue to work hard we will be pushing for top honours in one of the big contests soon enough.
We are currently well into our preparation for Whit Firday Marches on 28th May and The All England International Masters in Kettering on 30th May.
"
Technically it was very precise, growing from a flowing opening theme
and a ‘Toccata’ of spirit and drive. It also put Gregson into overdrive;
muscular, meaty and high octane". (4br)