So Normid 2000 was formed from all the older members of the youth band, and to be honest we had big expectations, how wrong we were. We got new members and got the band up to strength and went to Blackpool in the 4th section. We were drawn first, played then found a pub and got wrecked, this was to become a common activity. Out of 22 bands we come 19th ! what a shock and a hard kick in the balls that was, the journey home was a very quiet one.
We did concerts and carried on contesting but we never really won anything, which was very disapointing, and most contests were just a turn up and play, then go find a pub to get pissed in, this carried on for 3 years until a local 2nd section band came knocking.
They were the United Co-op band, and were a big deal in crewe. I went along to my first practice, sat and played my first piece and it was like WFT ! Everything was different, they sounded awesome and were very professional. I was offered a place so i took it.
We did a lot of high profile concerts and a lot contests (test piece and entertainment). The band was loved doing entertainment contests cos it wasnt so serious and we could show off. A lot of these style contests were held around the evesham, pershore and cheltnaham area, due to the fact that the conductor was from down there.
We went to Blackpool to complete in the 2nd section, the first year i went with them we came 4th, but the 2nd year we came 2nd and qualifed for London again but this year it was being held at the Wembley confrence centre. We went down again for a long weekend with the test piece called 'Firestorm' which was wrote about the gulf war, we came 6th and had a really good weekend. I even managed to get tickets to go see the Championship section at the Allbert hall. These were the best bands in the country, Black Dyke, Fodens,Cory and the Grimethorpe colliery band.
The film Brassed off was based on Grimethorpe (or Grimley) has they were in the film. If you have watched the film and you remember the bit at the end where Danny stands up and gives the big speach ? I was there, and it was a man called Major Peter Parkes, there conductor at the the time and very well to do. Every word that Danny said came from Major Parkes mouth, it put everyone in a state of shock, inculding the Queen. But he was right in what he said, and they deserved to win.
We got asked to go to Holland to do an entertainment contest over there, we jumped at the chance, it was for a week. I dont remember much about it apart from, staying awake on the coach all the way there, having a day out in Amsterdam, pissing about around the red light district, and winning. The reason i dont remember much is because of the large amount of Oranjeboom i drunk on the trip.
I got to 25 and started to lose interest, so i left and got on with my life. I still listen to Brass band music and keep an eye on results, and to be honest i would love to go back to it.... lets just wait and see.
Thanks for reading
Offski
We did concerts and carried on contesting but we never really won anything, which was very disapointing, and most contests were just a turn up and play, then go find a pub to get pissed in, this carried on for 3 years until a local 2nd section band came knocking.
They were the United Co-op band, and were a big deal in crewe. I went along to my first practice, sat and played my first piece and it was like WFT ! Everything was different, they sounded awesome and were very professional. I was offered a place so i took it.
We did a lot of high profile concerts and a lot contests (test piece and entertainment). The band was loved doing entertainment contests cos it wasnt so serious and we could show off. A lot of these style contests were held around the evesham, pershore and cheltnaham area, due to the fact that the conductor was from down there.
We went to Blackpool to complete in the 2nd section, the first year i went with them we came 4th, but the 2nd year we came 2nd and qualifed for London again but this year it was being held at the Wembley confrence centre. We went down again for a long weekend with the test piece called 'Firestorm' which was wrote about the gulf war, we came 6th and had a really good weekend. I even managed to get tickets to go see the Championship section at the Allbert hall. These were the best bands in the country, Black Dyke, Fodens,Cory and the Grimethorpe colliery band.
The film Brassed off was based on Grimethorpe (or Grimley) has they were in the film. If you have watched the film and you remember the bit at the end where Danny stands up and gives the big speach ? I was there, and it was a man called Major Peter Parkes, there conductor at the the time and very well to do. Every word that Danny said came from Major Parkes mouth, it put everyone in a state of shock, inculding the Queen. But he was right in what he said, and they deserved to win.
We got asked to go to Holland to do an entertainment contest over there, we jumped at the chance, it was for a week. I dont remember much about it apart from, staying awake on the coach all the way there, having a day out in Amsterdam, pissing about around the red light district, and winning. The reason i dont remember much is because of the large amount of Oranjeboom i drunk on the trip.
I got to 25 and started to lose interest, so i left and got on with my life. I still listen to Brass band music and keep an eye on results, and to be honest i would love to go back to it.... lets just wait and see.
Thanks for reading
Offski
I do love a bit of brass, I have a little blogpost somewhere about my daughter bringing her trumpet home... I was not loving it quiet as much then lol x
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