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27th July - The stars of RBB perform across Europe
The Roberts Bakery Band may not be going abroad this year, but that hasn't stopped a number of players from showcasing their talents across Europe.
Conductor Colin Cranson and Euphonium player Tom Hancock have been representing RBB and Great Britain at the 6th Mürtsub Pill International Wind Music Festival in Tartu, Estonia. Colin once again led masterclasses with the brass players from the Festival, working on the Earl of Oxford's March (Byrd) and Slaidburn (Rimmer), specially arranged by ex-player Ian Raisbeck.
Tom in the meantime was busy performing as a special guest with Pärnu Noorte Puhkpilliorkester and Puhkpilliorkester Tartu, and at the Festival Gala Concert on Sunday 18th July, gave a special performance of The Sunshine of your Smile, his first solo since moving onto Euphonium just three months ago.
Since then the Lions Youth Brass (directed by former Roberts Principal Cornet and Band Manager Nigel Birch) returned from their annual tour of the Costa Blanca in Spain, where several RBB members - Amy Ball, Ellie Baker, Timothy Bartley, Matthew Darlington, Abbie Edwards, Charles Gorse, Alex Holsgrove, Michael Potts, Ashley Taylor and Wilson Taylor - were involved, and many featured as soloists.
Finally, as Roberts rehearsals re-commence after a short summer break, Colin and the band would like to wish Will Blackstone (Soprano Cornet), Tony Boardman (Solo Trombone) and Timothy Bartley (BBb Bass) well on this year's National Youth Brass Band summer course which begins next week.
2nd July - Robbos Boys' Football
Last night saw the lads of Roberts Bakery Band swap their instruments for their football kits as they once again took to the all-weather pitch in Shavington for a kick-about.
An uneventful opening saw the White Team (Andrew Felton, Gareth Broughton, James Darlington, Robert Davis-Hilliard, Tom Hancock, former bass trombonist Jack Robinson and friend of the band Shane) hold a slender 1-0 lead into half time.
As the Heavens opened, so did the floodgates, and after 90 minutes of non-stop footballing action the Red Team (Matthew Darlington, Michael Potts, Ashley Taylor, Wilson Taylor and former principal horn player Neil Raisbeck) triumphed 13-9.
A great time was had by all, and it's unlikely the current Robbos Boys will forget Jack's 'Robert Green moment' or Tom's slip on the wet pitch when clean through on goal. Wayne Rooney eat your heart out!
8th June - Press Release
As reported on www.4barsrest.com earlier today:
Roberts Bakery Band has announced the signing of principal Euphonium player Christopher Small.
Christopher is a second year student of the Birmingham Conservatoire, and prior to his studies there, spent 13 years with Enderby Youth and Senior Bands. He now studies under David Childs, and performs regularly with the Birmingham Conservatoire Band under the direction of Ian Porthouse.
Chris told 4BR: "I’m delighted to be joining up with Roberts Bakery, and filling the solo euphonium vacancy. I’m ready for the challenge that this will bring and look forward to working with the band and MD, Colin Cranson."
Chris replaces Alex Holsgrove, who is leaving the band to study Zoology at University. A highlight of his time with the band was as a keynote soloist at the European Blasmusikfestival in Germany.
Band spokesperson Tom Hancock told 4BR: "We wish Alex well and with Christopher now taking up the position, Colin and the band hope to put the disappointment of this year’s relegation from the Championship Section behind them and mount a serious challenge at the North West Area contest in February."
1st June - RBB Spring Social
Ashley, Gareth, Jacquie, Ken and Wilson at bowling
Saturday saw Roberts Bakery Band members take to the lanes at Lakeside Bowling in Crewe for this year's Spring Social, arranged by Principal Cornet Michael Pollitt. A great night was had by all.
In the World Cup Spirit: First Horn player Charles Gorse
"Oh dear Mr. Pollitt": That last pin just won't go down for Mike...
With the Bank Holiday weekend over, the band will continue work on some challenging repertoire for a massed band concert with the world famous Foden's Band on Saturday 2nd October, including the Wagner march Tannhauser, Howard Snell's fine arrangement of Folk Festival and of course Tchaikovsky's epic 1812 Overture.
28th March - Concert with Warrington MVC
Last night saw the Roberts Bakery Band perform alongside the excellent Warrington Male Voice Choir, conducted by Anthony Whittaker, at the Oakley Centre in Crewe.
Warrington Male Voice Choir opened the concert with the rousing Welsh hymn Gwahoddiad and further entertained the appreciate audience with C.H.H. Parry's Sunset and Evening Star and the ever-popular You'll Never Walk Alone from the musical 'Carousel'.
Roberts then took to the stage, treating their regular concert-goers to the march favourites Death or Glory and Blaze Away, along with superb solo performances by Michael Pollitt (Cornet), Sara Oberland (Flugel Horn) and Alex Holsgrove (Euphonium). The grand finale saw the choir and band come together to perform the patriotic Jerusalem and Pomp & Circumstance No.1.
The band will now develop their repertoire ahead of the hometown concert at Sandbach Town Hall on Sunday 25th April. Tickets for this event are priced at £10.00.
19th March - 4 Bars Rest Retrospective
4 Bars Rest have published their much-anticipated retrospective of last weekend's North West Area contest. About the band's performance, Malcolm Wood commented:
"Roberts Bakery struggled through on a bit of a wing and a prayer at times, and a great deal of credit must go to the MD who at no point looked as if [he was] going to throw the towel in.
[They were] cruiserweight performers in a heavyweight division here and would be serious contenders for honours at First Section level. They left here bloodied but bravely unbowed."
The 4BR Championship retrospective is available in full at: http://www.4barsrest.com/articles/2010/1117d.asp
Colin and the band would like to take this opportunity to once again express their thanks to Kenneth Greswell who travelled all the way from France to perform at the contest, and also to the multi-talented Richard Hibberts-Caswell who performed the tough Eb Bass solos in English Heritage with aplomb.
15th March - North West Area Result
Yesterday saw Roberts Bakery Band compete in the Championship Section at the North West Regional Championships in Blackpool. After a terrific effort rehearsing the test piece English Heritage over the last five months, the band and Colin were very disappointed to be awarded 11th place of the 12 competing bands. Results are as below:
- Foden's, Garry Cutt, 9, Q
- Fairey (Geneva), Philip Chalk, 8, Q
- Leyland, Howard Evans, 4, Q
- Wingates, Alan Morrison, 12
- Ashton-under-Lyne, Martyn Evans, 3
- United Co-op Milnrow, John Ward, 11
- Pemberton Old Wigan DW, Mark Bentham, 2
- Blackburn & Darwen, Nick Sheppard, 5
- United Co-op (Crewe), Jef Sparkes, 6
- Bactiguard Wire Brass, Paul Andrews, 1
- Roberts Bakery, Colin Cranson, 7 (rel)
- Poulton-le-Fylde, Gareth Westwood, 10 (rel)
Unfortunately the result is likely to see the band relegated to the First Section for 2011. Of course congratulations go to our neighbours Foden's for an awesome winning performance, and the band looks forward to a joint concert with them later this year.
9th March - 4 Bars Rest Preview Online
4 Bars Rest, the world's most visited brass band website, has published it's preview of the North West Regional Championships ahead of Sunday's contest. About the band, they remark:
"Roberts Bakery...will know that they will have to take more than a few scalps if they are to avoid the relegation trap door. [They have not] been busy of late, so no excuses over preparation then."
The full Championship preview can be accessed at: http://www.4barsrest.com/articles/2010/1109d.asp
Rehearsals are progressing well for the performance that is now less than five days away. As always, Webmaster Tom will be updating the band's Twitter page throughout Sunday. Results are expected to be announced by 8:00pm.
17th February - Familiar faces return for the Area contest
The Roberts Bakery Band is pleased to announce the return of Richard Hibberts-Caswell (Eb Bass) and Ken Greswell (Euphonium) just in time for the North West Regional Championships next month.
Richard Hibberts-Caswell (above) has proved himself to be a hugely talented musician, having excelled in a number of different positions within the band. His experience with a number of bands and musical ensembles will be invaluable as he tackles the highly demanding Eb Bass part to set work English Heritage.
The sudden departure of Jack Robinson in January has seen Gareth Broughton return to his favoured position of Bass Trombone and fortunately Ken Greswell, who like Richard assisted the band in Germany, brings a wealth of experience to the Second Euphonium seat.
15th February - A Valentine's concert
Last night the band gave a fine concert performance at Knutsford High School in support of Rotary, featuring superb solo performances from Michael Pollitt (cornet), Alex Holsgrove (euphonium) and the returning Sara Oberland (flugel horn) following the birth of her son Edwin in December.
As it was Valentine's Day, the band took the opportunity to perform a few 'romantic' items, such as the cornet-euphonium duet All I Ask of You which was well received by the Knutsford audience.
