|
Local records reveal that a brass band was formed in Morecambe around
the turn of the century circa 1904/05 and adopted the name of MORECAMBE
BOROUGH BAND. Records are quite sparse for the long period up to
the 1970's but following the reorganisation of local government in 1974
the band changed its name to MORECAMBE & HEYSHAM SILVER BAND.
Under the baton of John Fleming, the conductor for many years, the band
reached the Section 4 National Band Finals in 1979. The year 1984
signalled the arrival of a new musical director, Stephen R. Tarry,
F.L.C.M., G.L.C.M. and almost immediately the band's contesting
fortunes took a dramatic upward turn. The band rapidly gained
promotion from section 4 to section 1 Nationally and Championship
section in the North West Region. They reached the National
Finals in London in 1986, 1987, and 1991. They again played at
the National Finals and were placed 3rd in section 2 in 1993, a very
creditable achievement.
In 1981 the MORECAMBE YOUTH BAND was formed and under guidance of
Bernard Vause and Joe Kenyon, the band has provided a constant stream
of talented young musicians, many of whom have and still do play with
the senior band. In May 1995 The Youth Band were the very first
brass band in the UK to receive Lottery funding. The successful
bid meant that £47,500 could be spent on new instruments and
equipment. Since 1987 the Morecambe Band has had the benefit of
sponsorship, firstly through the Marsden Building Society then from
1992 Nuclear Electric, now British Energy (Heysham Power Stations), and
from April 2001 to April 2004 Lancashire Life and Lake District Life
Magazine to whom we are very grateful.
In 2000 the Morecambe Brass Ensemble (MBE) was formed. From its
earliest days to the present the MBE has continued to grow in number
and includes some younger players making the transition between Youth
Band and Senior Band. Engagements are undertaken throughout the
area and bring much pleasure to players & public alike.
Valuable publicity has been generated for Morecambe & Lancaster and
the regional brass band movement by the band through several foreign
tours. 1990 saw the band on tour in the Lake Constance and
Kressbronn areas of Germany and in 1992 in the Moselle Valley
region. In 1995 a tour of Holland was undertaken.
Throughout the years the band has had several "homes" ranging from
Euston Road School to the old Telephone Exchange at Heysham and finally
to its new headquarters at Birketts Place. The present band room
was formerly the City Council deck chair store which was purchased in
1993, superbly converted and renovated mainly by the members
themselves, and now recognised as perhaps the finest brass rehearsal
facilities in the North West. In the last year we have added such
luxuries and a Pool Table, Dart Board and Satellite TV.
In September 1998 Steve Tarry married and finally bade farewell to the
band and all his friends after 14 years as Musical Director, taking a
teaching post in Kuwait. His departure meant the appointment of a
new MD, and in September 1998 ANDREW WARRINER was appointed. His
experience as a player with Fodens, Leyland, Grimethorpe and others was
soon put to good effect when in November 1998 the Band was placed third
at the prestigious PILKINGTONS NORTHERN BRASS BAND CHAMPIONSHIPS held
in St. Helens, a sure sign of even better things to come.
In January 2001 the band moved down into section 3 Nationally, however,
at the North West National Area Qualifiers Competition held in March
2001 at Blackpool the Band, drawn 2nd to play, performed magnificently
earning 2nd place and thereby qualifying for the National Finals in
September at the Guildhall Preston.
In September the Band competing in The National Championships of Great
Britain at Preston Guild Hall were declared winners at section 3
level.... the highest accolade in the Bands 100 year history.
By winning the Nationals in Preston we were automatically promoted to
Section 2 and in the North West Area qualifying Competition in March
2002 the Band performed well again and qualified for the Finals in
Torquay. A second National Title however was not to be, the Band
finishing in 6th place in Devon.
In March 2003, the Band said goodbye to Andrew Warriner as he returned
to playing with Fodens. Fortunately a replacement MD was soon to
move into the area as Music Teacher at the local High School.
Chris Larder moved to Morecambe in September to take up his first job
following graduation at Leeds University where he studied music.
Chris has been principal Euphonium player with Rothwell Temperance
Band, a Championship Section Band from Yorkshire. We are looking
forward to 2004 with Chris in keen anticipation, for not only are we
promoted to 1st Section, but 2004 also sees us celebrating 100 years of
brass banding in Morecambe.
In May 2004 the band changed it's name to reflect it's many and various
facets. The organisation was re-branded as The Morecambe Brass Band
Association, to encompass the Morecambe Brass Band, Morecambe Brass
Ensemble, Morecambe Youth Band and Morecambe Brass Academy and allow it
to step into the next 100 years with confidence.
July 2004
marked the 100th Anniversary of the Bands’ formation. To celebrate the event, the Band ran an International Competition
for a new piece of music. The judges
were to be the audience at the Anniversary
Concert in The Dome Morecambe on 10th July. The finalists were selected by an eminent
panel of Brass Musicians. Dr Roy Newsome,
David Horsfield and John Miller. The winner Andrew Baker of
Manchester
received a cheque of £1000 for his music entitled “The Cistercians” . In September 2004 our Anniversary
celebrations continued with a celebrity concert and master class given by Dr
Robert Childs the world famous euphonium virtuoso and conductor.
In the summer of 2005 a group of musicians & friends from the
band spent 5 days on a visit to
Barcelona
Spain. In 2006 the Band returned after a three year
break to contesting again when they
entered the third section at
Blackpool. In September 2007 we lost the services of Chris Larder as MD as
he left to take up new responsibilities in school. Fortunately Andrew Warriner offered to help
& subsequently agreed to return on a permanent basis in January 2008.
|