Michelmersh Training Band

Music Festival Success

Thornden School in Chandlers Ford was the venue for this year's Southampton Music Festival, an event chosen by conductor Jan Boler for the contesting debut of the Michelmersh Training Band at the weekend.

The 22 youngsters aged between eight and sixteen years performed a ten minute programme which started with a rousing performance of the Sousa march 'Liberty Bell' and continued with the melodic piece 'Cool Rock' by Simon Wyld. To round off their performance, the band chose the very entertaining Cameron Mabon arrangement of the 'Theme from the Muppet Show' which was greeted with great enthusiasm by the audience

In his comments after the contest, Adjudicator Nick Grace, himself a former Marine Bandsman and current Musical Director of Southampton-based Ocean Brass Band, praised Michelmersh's excellent ensemble work and quality of playing throughout the programme. He also commended their dynamic control, highlighting the difficulty of playing any brass instrument quietly when the music calls for it, and encouraging the players to continue to build on their hard work to date.

In awarding the band 88 points (a Distinction), Mr Grace placed it first in the Brass Ensemble section, ahead of the rival Chandlers Ford Boys Brigade Brass Band, and also awarded the Band the Trophy for the Best Ensemble Performance of the day. Principal cornet player Connie Boler, aged 14, stepped forward to accept the trophy amidst loud applause and cheering from band members, supporters and audience alike.

Michelmersh Training Band rehearses at the Timsbury W.I. Hall every Monday evening and welcomes new members of all abilities (including novice adults!) - lower-end instruments such as basses (tubas) and trombones are particularly needed.