Youth Band
REHEARSALS SATURDAY MORNINGS 10.30 TO 12 NOON
NEW MEMBERS ALWAYS WELCOME
CONDUCTOR
John Don-Duncan
John is a School Teacher
He has had a varied musical background which includes :
Chorister from the age of 7
Piano from the age of 8
Guitar from the age of 14
Brass from 1965
Started playing with Pemberton Old and moved to Wigan Brass, Trinity Girl's
Band, Wingates, Warburtons and then returned after a long break to Pemberton
(to begin my second cycle).
Best banding moments include playing my first British Open Contest at Belle
Vue with Wingates playing Carnival Romain; playing Volcano at the Albert
Hall National finals; taking part in a concert for a mafia boss in America
(to whom I was introduced) and being on stage when Steve Breen fell off
whilst saving his trombone from damage by holding it aloft like King
Arthur's Excalibar.
I also fondly remember accompanying Trevor Halliwell, on the piano, when he
became the National solo champion in 1980.
Favourite test pieces are many - including: any Berlioz, James Cook, English
Heritage and any others I can manage to play.
Favourite conductors include: Denis Carr and Richard Evans
Favourite Players: Ian Bousfield, Alain Trudel and Christian Lindberg
Favourite Singers: Derek Green and Dean Martin (in that order)
During his playing career he has been registered with and played for : Pemberton Old, Wigan Brass, Trinity Girls !!!(Hmmm, what's that all about???), Wingates,Warburtons,Standish and Pemberton Old Wigan.
In 1978 he founded the Trinity Girls Junior Band with just 4 pupils from his Primary school. They performed successfully at local concert venues and at the Fleetwood Youth band contest for many years up to 1996. John has very fond memories and a few photographs of the various members -some of which still play with the Trinity Girls Band. Others have moved on to bands such as Longridge, Haydock, Golborne, and Old Hall Brass. 1996 he was invited by his old friends from Pemberton to start a Youth Band. A return to the Band he first played for was an interesting prospect and a new challenge. The band grew very quickly and a select group supplemented by several of the parents of children in the band, along with a few players who thought they had retired from the Senior Band formed the B Band. In Johns words, "I am very proud of the achievements of all three Pemberton bands and the family atmosphere that exists in our organisation. There is free interchange of players. Members from each band play for the others when the opportunity, or need, arises. Younger players, in this case, have the chance to gain knowledge and encouragement from the more experienced players." The Pemberton Youth Band has developed a strong following in the community and has several concert venues to which they are invited to return. We are fortunate enough to have players in each section of the band, which John believes will be stars of the future.
The Original Junior Band
Players from left to right middle and back row
Martin and Jennifer Halliwell, Helen, Robert and John Don-Duncan, Lyndsay Young, Louise Thompson, Katie Young,Rhiannon Grant.
Front Row
Carina Halliwell, Ben Young, Michael Dickinson, Roslyn Topping.
Youth Band Includes:
Joshua Hales Soprano
Daniel Lowe Principal Cornet
Shona Brown Solo Cornet
Danielle Marsh Solo Cornet
Simon Bajkowski Solo Cornet
Rachael Szalosky Solo Cornet
Amelia Kehoe Solo Cornet
Daniel French Repiano Cornet
Rachael Foster 2nd Cornet
Jenna Matthews 2nd Cornet
Chloe Newbury 3rd Cornet
George Kay 3rd Cornet
Peter Newbury 3th Cornet
Alex Nesmejanow Solo Horn
Katie Littler Solo Horn
Hannah Alexander 1st Horn
Alice Ball 2nd Horn
Adam Pennington 2nd Horn
Gemma Riley 2nd Horn
David Moore Solo Euphonium
Ashley Jeffers Solo Baritone
Barbara Grant 2nd Baritone
Laura Grant Solo Trombone
Dominic Hales Solo Trombone
Alex Melling 2nd Trombone
Ewen Pennington 2nd Trombone
James Maund Bass Trombone
Samantha Main Bass
Leon Nesmejanow Eb Bass
Michael Ward Eb Bass
Alex Gregory Bb Bass
Jennifer Moore Percussion
Nicola Marsh Percussion
INCLUDED HERE ARE SOME USEFUL TIPS AND TRIVIA FROM JOHN DON DUNCAN
A good link for those wanting to know what is needed for the Associated Board graded exams:www.abrsm.org
For Blank manuscript paper:www.blanksheetmusic.net
Free theory lessons:www.musicarrangers.com
Tips
1. Instrumental Care
It's very important to take care of your instrument.
Clean your mouthpiece every time after you have played it. It is the most crucial item which can become “bunged.” It can badly affect intonation and your tone. You also do not want slimy green growths being sucked back when you breath! Once a week, trombone players should clean their slide so that it will work perfectevery time they move it. A badly working slide will make your legato playing less smooth. Valve players should wash and oil their vales frequently to avoid build up of “muck.” Clean the inside of your instrument with warm soapy water on a regular basis. Use furniture polish so it doesn't look dirty. Listeners appreciate shiny performances!
Some good books to buy:
Ten Supplementary Studies Colin Moore (Pub. www.Mostynmusic.com)
Hering 28 Melodious and Technical Studies (Pub. Fischer)
Arban's Complete Method for Cornet
Cds we recommend
“Legend” featuring Peter Roberts (Soprano Cornet) & the Yorkshire Building Society Band
“Prodigy” featuring David Childs (Euphonium & Trombone) & Brighouse & Rastrick Band
“Courtois Showcase” featuring various soloists and the Fodens Courtois Band
And (of course) Pemberton's New Horizons, Under The White Ensign and Pemberton Green.
SO ! AS A PLAYER YOU THINK YOU ARE UNDER PRESSURE?
WHAT ABOUT THIS YOUNGSTER THEN?
WAS THIS WHERE THEY GOT THE IDEA OF HOW TO DRESS PHIL COLLINS IN THE FILM BUSTER. GUESS WHO IT IS!!!!
