2011 News

24th December 2011 - Dave Looking For A Leader

Our musical director Dave Roberts is very excited about the opportunity of appointing a new principal cornet as the band start a new year. "I am looking for a communicator, a leader for the cornets and it’s a great seat for the right person," he said. "James McCabe has held the seat for over 6 years and has opted for a change and a new challenge."

Dave is delighted to have covered the position for the Yorkshire Area contest with Jef Vermieren (the 2010 British Open Solo Champion). Jef jumped at the chance having played with us in 2010. Dave is also delighted at the the return of Andy Padgett, saying "He is a great player and a friend that I have missed." Dave met with Padge just before Christmas and said "He is practising hard and is keen to get going."

22nd December 2011 - Merry Christmas And A Happy New Year

The band would like to wish all our supporters a very merry Christmas and a happy new year. We've had a great time over Christmas, playing in various well attended and high-profile concerts. The audience reaction has been great everywhere we've played. We look forward to the challenges that 2012 will bring.

20th December 2011 - Return Of Andy Padgett

The band are delighted to welcome back Andy Padgett on solo baritone. Andy did a great job for five years on the seat and returns after taking a break from banding. Jack Telfer has done a fantastic job on baritone and is now moving to take up the vacant second euphonium chair, further strengthening the section.

24th November 2011 - Come See Us At Christmas!

The band are looking forward to performing at the various Christmas events we have lined up. First up is our two concerts in Rothwell at the Blackburn Hall on 9th and 10th December. Tickets are selling fast for this event, and it's sure to sell out - if you want to attend, please get your tickets soon!

On Wednesday 14th December we'll be in the Parish Church in Leeds playing for Carols for a Choral Future. The following night we'll be playing to over 3000 people in Leeds Town Hall for the annual Lord Mayor's Carol Concert. On the afternoon of Saturday 17th March we'll be in Bradford St. George's Hall playing with Bradford Festival Choral Society for their annual Christmas Concert. Finally, we'll be playing in Rothwell Church for the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols on 18th December.

The band will, as ever, be playing Carols around the tree at Rothwell Council Offices on Christmas Eve and will be out and about around the area on Christmas Morning.

23rd November 2011 - Band Last At Brass In Concert

Our performance at Brass in Concert this year didn't find favour with any of the judges and we were unfortunately placed last out of eleven bands. Our programme was based on Dances Around The World and featured Mambo Caliente, Le Ameja Pequena, Tango Appasionade, Cha-Cha from West Side Story, Ceilidh, Tritsch Tratsch Polka, Trepak, Greek Dance and Danza Orgiastica.

16th October 2011 - Disappointment At National Finals

The band were placed 15th at this year's National Finals at the Royal Albert Hall. Despite the disappointment of the result we had a great weekend and are looking forward to getting stuck into our preparations for Brass In Concert. We have had many messages of support from friends both in the UK and Europe, to say that our performance merited a higher placing.

29th September 2011 - Congratulations To Ben Ridgeon

The band would like to send their congratulations to Ben and Sarah Ridgeon on the birth of their first child. Sebastian John Ridgeon was born at 14:03 on 28th September and weighed 7lb. Mother and baby are doing well.

22nd September 2011 - Get Well Soon

The band would like to wish a speedy recovery to two of their players who have been in hospital recently. Both Glyn Kearsley and Joe Loukes have been ill but should be back with us in time for the Nationals.

8th September 2011 - Band Withdraws From Doctor Martin Contest

It is with deep regret that Rothwell Temperance Band has withdrawn from this weekend's Doctor Martin contest. The decision has been made following the disclosure that an individual connected with the band had contacted the adjudicator directly via text.

The following statement has been released:

"The reckless action of an individual within the band has compromised the contest, adjudicator and the integrity of the band. This has left the band with no option but to withdraw from the contest.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank the contest organisers, the Adjudicators Association and Kevin Wadsworth for their professionalism and co-operation in the matter.

The band deeply regrets this decision and would like to apologise to everyone concerned."

3rd September 2011 - Band Placed Twelfth At British Open

The band today took part in the British Open contest at Symphony Hall, Birmingham. After what we thought was an excellent performance, worthy of a place in the top half of the results, the band were unfortunately placed twelfth overall. We did have an excellent weekend, and were very happy with how we put across our music from the stage.

22nd July 2011 - Football Results

The band had a great time at their final rehearsal of the year, with their football match finishing an even 4-4. We now have a deserved month off and will be returning to rehearse for the British Open on 14th August.

15th July 2011 - Soccer Sunday

Sunday is the band's annual football match after rehearsal, prior to taking a well earned month off. Family and friends are welcome to come along and join us - we hope to get a nice sunny day. This year the football will have to take place without Dave Roberts, our conductor, who is currently recovering from a slipped disc in his back. We hope to see him back to his old self soon.

26th June 2011 - Band Seventh At English Nationals

Yesterday, the band were placed seventh at the English Nationals, coming sixth on the set test and eighth on the own choice. Although we didn't play our best during the slow movement of our own choice, we were extremely pleased with the set test performance and are a little perplexed at the sixth place. However, the band enjoyed the challenge of preparing two pieces at once and had a good time performing on the day.

20th June 2011 - Out And About On Whit Friday

The band took to the Lancashire streets last Friday for the annual Whit Friday contests, and managed to fit in ten contests. After a slow start the band began playing better and better as the evening went on, being placed in the top five at eight of the contests. Overall, the band had two wins, a second, three fourths and two fifths. They were somewhat puzzled not to feature at Delph following many great comments from listeners.

23rd May 2011 - Band Open Hepworth Gallery

Yesterday, the band played at the opening of the Hepworth Gallery. Sunday was a family fun day, and was well attended, with around 4000 people taking the opportunity to experience the new gallery. The band were very well received with many people taking the time to listen.

21st May 2011 - Congratulations To Tim Whaley

The band send their congratulations to their percussionist Tim Whaley on the birth of his second child. Joseph Samuel was born five weeks early at 11.10pm on 20th May, weighing 6lb 1oz. Mother and baby are both fine.

10th May 2011 - Great Feedback From Bridgewater Hall Concert

On Sunday, the band performed in the Great Northern Spring Arts Festival at the Bridgewater Hall. The band played a fine, varied mix of music with solos from James McCabe and Andy Marsh. The organisers thought our set was "terrific," and compere John Maines was also full of praise, saying Cockaigne Overture was excellent. Three of the same section (horns) were ill, but still took to the stage (well done!) and the success was confirmed when the band were immediately invited back.

14th April 2011 - Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Star To Guest At Bridgewater

Simon Cowan, principal trombone at the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic and a good friend of Dave Roberts, will be guesting with the band at the Bridgewater Hall concert in May. We need four trombones for a couple of the pieces and Simon had been asking if he could play with us again. It will be good to see him once more.

10th April 2011 - Rothwell Announce Bridgewater Hall Programme

Rothwell Temperance Band will be opening the Great Northern Spring Arts Festival at the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester on Sunday 8th May 2011 at 12.00 noon.

The programme will be:

* Tour de Band - Orf/Igsek/Ellington/Camilo
* Cockaigne Overture (In London Town) - Elgar arr. Roberts
* Concerto in F Minor for Trumpet and Brass Band: Soloist James McCabe - Oskar Böhme
* The Death of Don Quixote - Martin Ellerby
* Le Almeja Pequena - Goodwin arr McGuffie
* Napoli: Solist Andy Marsh - Belstedt
* The Land of the Long White Cloud - Phillip Sparke
* Tom Hark - Traditional arr Steel

24th March 2011 - New Baby For Ed Hodkin

The band send their congratulations to Ed Hodkin on the birth of his new daughter, born in the early hours of 23rd March weighing 7lb 3oz. Ed delivered the baby himself, ten minutes before the ambulance arrived. Mother Kath and baby are doing well.

23rd March 2011 - Band Benefits From YEP Community Cash Giveaway

Rothwell Temperance Band were delighted to be successful in our application for funding from the YEP cash giveaway and the Grassroots Grants Programme. This programme makes financial grants available to local organisations and charitable groups, of which there are over 3,000 in Leeds. The grants can vary from a few hundred pounds, to several thousand pounds and offer much needed financial support.

Back in October, the band applied for a grant of £600 to buy stands and repair a broken bass drum. The bid was successful and the band was able to buy 30 new stands and repair the bass drum.

Pictures available here show the band using the stands and bass drum for the first time at a concert held Kirkby Overblow Church in February.

The band is very grateful for the much needed funding. Thanks also to Sheila Eddison for spotting the article in the Yorkshire Evening Post promoting the availability of funding.

7th March 2011 - Band Sixth At Yorkshire Area

The band were placed a disappointing sixth playing Paganini Variations at the Yorkshire Area yesterday. Contest Report.

23rd February 2011 - Congratulations To Lewis Musson

The band send their congratulations to Lewis Musson, Principal Euphonium of Wingates Band, who became the 2011 Radio 2 Young Brass Soloist of the Year at the weekend. The four finalists all played with Black Dyke at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester.

23rd February 2011 - Vote For Us!

Yorkshire Life are running a poll on their website to find people's favourite Yorkshire Brass Band. The named bands are running away with it at the moment, feel free to vote for us if you can! http://yorkshire.greatbritishlife.co.uk/

23rd January 2011 - BBC Young Brass Musician

The band spent yesterday afternoon in Studio 7 at BBC Manchester recording the semi-final of the BBC Young Brass Musician 2011. The six semi-finalists each spent 20 minutes rehearsing with the band and then recorded their 10 minute performance. This will now be sent off to the judges who will select four soloists to go forward to the grand final on 19th February where they will be accompanied by Black Dyke. BBC Radio 2's Listen To The Band programme will feature highlights of the semi-finals in the weeks leading up the final. We had a fun, if somewhat intense, afternoon and hope they competitors enjoyed themselves too.

20th January 2011 - Congratulations

The band send their congratulations to our percussionist Kenny Argyle on the birth of his new baby boy. The as yet unamed future band member was born at 1.19am today, weighing 6lb 13oz.

7th January 2011 - Stage And Screen Review

4barsrest have reviewed our latest CD, Stage and Screen. Have a read here:
http://www.4barsrest.com/reviews/cds/cd469.asp