Ratby Cooperative Band Organisation

Here we go a wassailling….

The twelth night after christmas saw members of the band perform for the Wassail event at the orchard near the band room.

The group met up with members of the Ratby Orchard group in the Railway for a rehearsal of songs and lubrication of the larynx then walk to the orchard during which lots of noise is made to scare away the evil spirits. At the orchard a ring was formed around the chosen tree which was then toasted with hot Cider in turn by the members, 2 songs were sung The Gloucestershire Wassail and for the first time The Ratby Wassail specially composed for this year’s event.

Afterwards there’s a evening of celebration enjoyed by all.

A grand day out!

November 2014 saw our Mid Band crowned 4th Section LBBA champions, with the Senior Band also bringing home the silverware with second place in the Championship Section and a fine turnout in the unregistered section too making it a very proud day for Ratby Band at the 2014 Leicestershire Brass Band Association Open Competition. Adding to the trophy haul was Mid Band Principal Cornet Player Graham Hutchinson, who had a very busy day also playing with the Senior Band! Well done Graham and congratulations to the Mid Band on their win.

Youth Section Solo Contest!

Youth Section Inter Band Solo Contest – 28^th October 2014

With Band numbers swelling and over 50 young people taking part it was necessary to split the players into a number of sections plus creating a new Family Section.

Proud mums and Dads crammed into the bandroom to watch an excellent range of styles, musical selections and abilities through the all the Youth Section.

Beginner Band Players commenced the night with some great displays of courage and skill performing their first ever solo’s in front of an audience.

The Junior Band Players followed with noticeable step in the levels and wide variety of music being performed.

Last to perform was the new Family Section which included Adults players from the Junior Band with respective family members. The winner of this section received the New Eileen Gimson Cup, presented by Pete which was a fitting moment as Pete said “the emphasis has been on Fun, and that is exactly what Eileen would have wanted”

All players received an award from Mike Fowlkes the Musical Director, who adjudicated and commented on “the improvement from last year showing that the good teaching was really working”.

A great evening that was truly enjoyable but also extremely encouraging for the future of the Band – well done all!

Stompers Oompah Again!

The Ratby Stompers were once again out oom-pa-ing their way through the evening at Ratby Sports and Social Club for an Oktoberfest themed evening on Saturday 18th October. Starting off with a respectable set, dressed in all black, the Ratby Stompers (a small group of players from the Senior Band) warmed the audience up with a few well known numbers, whilst the lager began to flow in the club. Later on, the group donned their infamous outfits to compliment the change in musical style as a fine array of oompah music, drinking songs and well other tunes livened up the oktoberfest!

The bratwurst and sauerkraut were soon to follow, before the stompers took once again to the stage. Steve (Stan) Alexander also managed to draw in some volunteers for a few light hearted competitions, all of course with musical accompaniment. A great evening was had by all, and the Sports Club have already said they can’t wait to have the stompers back! Please check out the new ‘Stompers‘ page of our website.

Vacancy – Mid Band

Vacancy: The Ratby Co-operative Mid Band (4th Section) have vacancy for a Principal Cornet, present leader is being promoted to our Senior Band (Championship Section). The Mid Band has a very large membership and are looking for a new leader in time for next year’s Area contest.

Rehearsals are Monday evening and occasional Fridays, anyone interested should contact the conductor Geoff Newman 07815645503 or the secretary Jeff Plant ratbymidbandsec@gmail.com

Prizes from Groby for Ratby

Members from each of the Ratby Bands (Beginner, Junior, Mid and Senior Bands) were representing the organisation at the Leicestershire Brass Band Association’s annual member festival held in Groby.

The competition had Ratby entries in nearly every section, with some prizes coming our way at the end of the day. Becky Moss and Kirk Turner from the Senior Band took first Prize in the Open Duet competition, with Ratby Senior ‘A’quartet walking away with the shield for the best quartet in the Open Quartet section.

A mention must be given to Ratby Senior ‘B’ who came in close second (or the Ratby Misfits as they’re now known to their friends) – some members of the Senior Band played on different instruments to make up the standard Quartet formation to perform ‘The Drunken Sailor’ including Ratby’s principal Tuba player Laura white dusting off a Euphonium for the event. Watch your seat Rob!

This contest was the first ever contest for Ratby Beginner Ellie Moss – who received a medal from Adjudicator Brian Clarke for her performance of Aura Lee. Well done Ellie.

A great day was had by all. Congratulations to all the prize winners.

Celebrate… its Trophy Time!

Friday 26th September saw the Senior Band perform their annual Celebration Concert, this year undertaking an East meets West Programme, carefully constructed by MD Michael Fowles. Our Celebration Concert is also the time of year that we present our band awards, both to Players Player of the year (through secret ballot!) and the Musical Directors award for player of the year. After giving a special mention to Rob Hunt for his fine Euphonium contributions and consistency throughout the year, Mike announced that he was presenting his award this year to two players who ‘add so much’ to every performance. This was none other than our percussion team of Martin Benson and Ellie Wingett – they even came out from the shadows at the back to collect their award.

Picking up players player this year was Principal Horn Matt “He’s on Fire” Taylor, following receipt of the most votes from his peers in the band. Well done to all the winners!

Mid Band at Hardraw Scar

The Mid Band had a great weekend at the Hardraw Scar Brass Band Contest in Wensleydale, North Yorkshire. We left the bandroom on Saturday morning and despite a delay on the M1, arrived on time in Masham. We went straight to the Black Sheep Brewery for an afternoon of beer tasting and a brewery tour. When we were all refreshed we drove to Fearby, just outside Masham to The Black Swan where we spent the night. Sunday was contest day. After a rehearsal at our hotel we headed to the contest at Hardraw Scar, a waterfall just outside the village of Hawes. The band were drawn to play last in the contest so had a couple of hours spare to sit and listen to the other bands competing. Our programme, Castell Coch, Be Thou My Vision, Baggy Trousers, Introduction and Allegro Spiritoso (Eb Bass solo by Mary Sibson) and Game of Thrones was well received by a very large audience who were seated in and around the valley. As we were the last band of the day we led the massed bands in a short concert whilst the results were being finalised. The band were awarded 5th prize in the contest which was a little disappointing but never the less a very enjoyable weekend was had by all!

The only way is Wessex!

Ratby Band members from each of our bands took part in this year’s Wessex Summer School, held in ye olde county of Wessex, more specifically Sturminster Newton High School in the beautiful North Dorset. Wessex Band Summer School is a summer course for brass, wind and percussion players of all levels and abilities. Under the expert direction of Ratby’s very own Musical Director Michael Fowles and his team of internationally renowned tutors and conductors, students play and rehearse a wide and exciting range of music. Ratby are proud to have such a strong association with WBBSS.

Summer Spectacular

Players from across the Ratby Co-operative Brass Band Organisation enthralled the audience at the Beaumont Leys School on Sunday 8^th June during their annual Summer Concert.

Featuring programmes from the Beginner, Junior, Mid and Senior Bands, the concert culminated in all bands performing a massed bands set. With a cultured blend of classics and modern arrangements, the crowded theatre in Beaumont Leys were treated to music for all ages.

Becky Moss, Ratby Junior Band Musical Director, said: “The night was a great outing from the Junior Band who really enjoyed playing in front of a terrific audience. It’s fantastic to see the improvements we continue to make as a group and I’m looking forward to the rest of our summer performances.”

Geoff Newman, Ratby Mid Band Musical Director, said: “I think the best thing about the evening is that everybody sees all the groups within the organisation. One of my favourite things about this concert is that we all get to hear each other play, which we don’t always get the chance to do.”

Michael Fowles, Ratby Co-operative Brass Band Musical Director, said: “Each of the bands brought something slightly different and, in particular, it was a great outing by the Beginner Band. If they keep on developing the way they clearly are, then the future’s very bright for the organisation.

Through every level tonight, I thought each band really set the stall out and played very, very well. The massed finale, as ever, was great fun with a very good standard of playing and a highly appreciative audience.”

Interested in taking up an instrument? The Ratby Co-operative Brass Band Organisation have bands to suit all ages and abilities. Whether you are a seasoned veteran or just want to come and give it a blow, Ratby offer a warm, friendly welcome to all. For more information and for a list of upcoming events, visit the band’s website at www.ratbyband.com or call 0116 2870423.