Accompanied by Gillian’s renowned bacon butties and cup cakes, 26 members of the Beginners, Trainers and Youth groups entered the Annual Junior Slow Melody at the Band Club on Sunday 11^th July.

The event was once more sponsored by our very supportive benefactors Bernard and Pamela Preston (formerly Saddleworth Meter Services) who were very appreciative of every entry and supplied the wonderful trophies, including one for each player who took part and silver salvers for the first, second and third prizes in each section.

We were very fortunate in securing the services of Philip Garlick, (dad to our own James) who is head of brass at Kirklees Music Service and is an accomplished musician and conductor. Phil was overwhelmed by the number of entries and the very high standards achieved in each class. He worked very hard providing constructive comments and deserved praise on each performance. He also assured us the future of music and brass in particular was in the safe hands of these talented youngsters.

As usual there was a couple of surprising performances that blew you away with talent but also the obvious practice and preparation these youngsters had put in. Special mention must go to Julian, Connie and Robin.

The results are:

Beginners (5 entries)

• Overall winner:- Isabelle Ward playing Go for Excellence (or Nik Nak Paddy Wack!)

Trainers (12 Entries)

• 1st:- Stephanie Rushton playing The Sunshine of Your Smile
• 2nd:- Julian Bayley playing Bless This House
• 3rd:- Anna Stevenson playing Share My Yoke
• Player with the highest marks NOT in the Youth Band or first three:- Connie Gutteridge playing Kumbaya. 

Youth (9 entries of ages ranging from 11 – 16)

• 1st:- Seth Livingstone playing Sigmund’s Love Song
• 2nd:- Rebecca Maxwell playing The Holy City
• 3rd:- Robin Ballantyne playing I Don’t Know How To Love Him
• Player with the highest marks under 12 NOT in the first three:- Emma Bayley playing Love’s Old Sweet Song 

Trainer making the most significant progress (awarded by Melanie Garlick - Trainers M.D.)

• Shared between:- Connie Gutteridge and Megan Loughlin.

Thank you to all who supported the event, and to Paul and Bev Wooding for supplying the certificates. The Raffle in aid of the Band’s chosen charity ‘CLIC’ raised £33.00! Congratulations to all those who took part, not forgetting Seth, Liam and George who boosted numbers at the very last minute!

What a wonderful day of music making!