When I look back to the summer of 2001, little did I realise that a quiet couple (!!)of drinks with an old friend would be the start of a long journey that would consume all of the next 5 years.
On a wet August evening around 20 players at the invitation of myself and Andy Dale arranged to meet for a rehearsal at a local church hall in the centre of Warrington. None of those present knew the journey we were about to embark upon. Both I and Andy knew that we were tired of travelling up and down motorways to conduct and play in other bands and that we both thought Warrington deserved a top section band to rival the success of the Crosfields Soap Works Band from a century ago.
The first rehearsal still brings me out in a hot sweat as I remember the indifferent sounds, albeit delivered by willing individuals. The mixture of players, some with modest abilities, some not so blessed and a small sprinkling of players that were to become the backbone of Bactiguard Wire Brass. Commitment, drive, enthusiasm and dedication were qualities that I knew I could bring to the table. I would have to hope I could transfer these virtues to the group of players in front of me and that they would quickly ‘latch on’ to these principles.
The band rehearsed for a few more weeks before we finally decided that we would give it a go. It was now time to set ourselves some goals. Christmas was just around the corner and an opportunity to raise some much needed funds. The band had been started with no money, instruments, music etc. and Andy and I had to put our hands in our pockets on many occasions.
We finally got around to asking ‘what are we going to call the band?’ A good point that we hadn’t really given much thought to. Numerous names were thrown around until we settled on ‘Wire Brass’, mainly because Warrington was at one time predominantly a wire manufacturing town and because our Rugby League team were still affectionately nicknamed the ‘Wire’.
From the outset, whilst we weren’t certain the direction that the band would take, our ambitions were crystal clear. Both Andy and I wanted to take the band into the Championship section. Andy (being perhaps over-optimistic) reckoned we could, with endeavour do it in 5 years. I was a little more realistic and said 7 years. (A £5 bet between the two of us was wagered)
We were graded as a 4th section band as most new bands are. We successfully appealed against this and were placed as a 3rd section band nationally. Locally we decided to enter contests in the 2nd section. Our first contest was at Preston Guild Hall in the 2nd section. I decided that we would play a piece of music that the band would enjoy and find demanding at the same time. I chose ‘Spectrum’ (G Vintner), one of my favourite composers. It was a daunting prospect as Spectrum was, and still is, a very challenging composition. Good rehearsals, well attended (as we have always insisted from day one) with the players putting themselves out in both private practice and rehearsals meant that we felt pretty good about our chances of putting on a decent performance. What the adjudicator would make of it remained to be seen. The performance that day was one that every conductor wishes for from his band; committed, brave, and enthusiastic with lots of energy. We won first prize and the best soloist award to put the icing on the cake. After the euphoria had dwindled slightly it dawned on us just what we had achieved. We had won our very first contest barely 4 months after forming the band. The formula was simple in my mind, work hard, play for each other, rehearse thoroughly and remember that you are only as good as your weakest link.
As time went on more contest successes came our way and we were soon enjoying our first world ranking position at 178. I remember standing in front of the band and telling them not to get carried away and asked them if they knew or had heard of who was ranked at 178 in the Tennis world rankings? Of course, no, was the answer. We still had a long way to go.
Competitions are fine for getting yourselves known to others in the banding fraternity. However, whilst we were building our reputation in the banding field we knew we had to bring more attention to ourselves in our home town. Concerts after all would eventually make up the biggest part of our band activities. Churches and small concert venues were our starting point but if we were to become a ‘named’ band we would have to perform at bigger and more prestigious venues. We had a great ally in Goff Richards, a Warrington resident and frequent visitor to the band particularly when he needed a new composition trying out. Goff was soon to invite Wire Brass to perform with Fodens at an open air concert in Arley Hall Gardens, an event he had been involved in running for a number of years and one which would be repeated on several occasions with Wire Brass and Fodens. This was a thoroughly enjoyable experience for our players.
Joint concerts with the Fairey band and Warrington’s own Cheshire Chord have been amongst our biggest events, all held in Warrington’s 1000 seater Parr Hall. We have also managed to rub shoulders with stars from the stage and screen, when invited to perform in the highly acclaimed theatre run of ‘Brassed Off’ at the Liverpool Playhouse. Two live CD’s and a tour to Malta for the Brass festival rounded off the first 5 years of and a world ranking of 60. However we remain true to the ideals of Quality not Quantity.
So, back to ‘contesting’ Well, Andy Dale won his bet, the band did make it to the Championship section inside 5 years and I am extremely proud to say that this was achieved with no sponsorship or ‘ringers’ being brought into the band. The band was, from the start, set up and run with a professional approach, a Championship mentality and untiring commitment by our management team of George Laycock, Gareth Edgell, Andy Dale and myself. No committees, just a democratic dictatorship!!.
So, to the future. In my opinion bands, like businesses, either go forward or backwards, there’s no such thing as standing still. Hence the need to get the band on a more financial footing. We are proud and very fortunate to be able to boast that we have now secured sponsorship. As of October 2006 we are to be known as Bactiguard Wire Brass. Bactiguard is part of the Fenchurch group based in Warrington with a great reputation for service quality and professionalism. We will continue to live up to these same standards whilst carrying their name.
My association with the band has been 100% over the last 5 years as Musical Director and I am sure that the players in the band get a little tired of my continual demands in raising standards. It is necessary at times for me to take a step back occasionally and thanks to my great friend John Hinckley I have been able to do this whilst leaving the band in John’s more than capable hands. Another frequent visitor to the band is the one and only Richard Evans, the greatest motivator in banding in my humble opinion and a continuous confidante to me. He continues to be the biggest inspiration in my conducting. Another great friend from my playing days is Adrian (Benny) Morris. He continues to set the standards of Bass Trombone playing from within the Halle Orchestra. His principles of humility, modesty, work ethic and professionalism are all qualities that my band are aspiring to. It therefore gives me great pleasure to announce that Adrian will be joining Bactiguard Wire Brass in the capacity of Associate Conductor as of January 2006. His experience will be crucial to our continual progress.
It just leaves me to say that whilst the first 5 years have been hard work, exciting, tiring, successful etc the hardest part is yet to come. It is my aim to improve the quality of contest and concert performances, continually raise playing standards and ensure that the name of Bactiguard Wire Brass will be synonymous with quality and professionalism. You can all rest assured, it won’t be through want of trying.