The band was full of optimism on the way to the area qualifying contest in Stevenage on 17 March following our good result at the Welsh Open and a series of great rehearsals under the MD Matt Brown before the big day.
The test piece was Eric Ball’s “High Peak”, not an easy choice, and requiring hours of individual and sectional practice but the band brought it all together for an exception performance. Adjudicators Leigh Baker and John Ward opened their remarks commenting on solo euphonium Duncan Bruce’s “classy euph” playing and the compliments continued.
The 3rd placing was enough to secure the band a provisional place in the Championship section for next year and an initiation to the national finals in Cheltenham in September this year. The band celebrated with a traditional curry back in Stony Stratford.