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4th February 2008

The band competed in the 'Brass at the Guild' in Preston Contest and were genuinely disappointed to have been judged into a position of 12th. We played the 'Blackpool piece' The dark side of the Moon.... Still aint that contesting for you......

Can we thank Martin Trumble from Coppull & Standish for helping us out on Principle Cornet.... Thanks again Martin!

The remarks were as follows:

Balance in Cornets needs attention.  Poor tuning throughout the opening.

'C' Good Cornets & Trombones.  'E' Best Section so far.  'G' Good try Horn.

'I' This is getting Better, tuning needs attention

'L' Well handled.  'H' Cornet and Trombone not in tune

'N' Good Soloist. Accompaniments need attention, Keep it smooth.

'O' untidy in Cornets.  Figures need to be more secure. Well done Glock.

'P' nice Flugal.  Horn is flat 2 bars before 'Q'. 'R' Good band sound

'S' needs to be more sympathetic

4 bars before 'T' Overblown and out of tune. 'T' not rhythmically correct.

'U' Tuning spoils this.  'W' moves well, Good balance

'Z' Horns and Bari's a little untidy. 'BB' Quavers need to be shocked

Overblown last chord, not in tune

Thank you 

Tuning - Poor    Rhythm - Fair    Tempo - Good    Dynamics - Fair

Balance - Fair    Soloist - Good

 Points - 173        Position - 12th

24th December 2007

A big to everyone!

As everyone in the banding world knows, the pre Christmas concert schedule is very busy.  Our schedule had 11 engagements within the past 4 weeks.  Can we on behalf of the band thank everyone for their commitment in ensuring that it was a successful few weeks.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all the Band and to all visitors to our site!

Amy and Janet leave Rivington & Adlington

It is with great disappointment and sadness that the band announces the departure of two of our longer serving players. Amy Vernazza has been our Principle cornet player for the last 18 months having come up through the ranks.  Her improvement over that time was remarkable and she excelled both in concerts and on the contest stage. Her mother Janet Vanezza has been our Solo Horn player for a number of years and also our treasurer. As with Amy, Janet always performed well at both concerts and at contests. All the band wish them the best of luck for the future, they will be sorely missed.

Anyone who believes that they have what it takes to step into these positions, please don't hesitate to contact us through the 'contact' page.

Thursday 15th November 2007

Rivington & Adlington Brass Band Christmas Concert Friday 30th November 2007

Tickets are now on sale for the Christmas Concert to be held at the Adlington Community Centre on Railway Road in Adlington. This wonderful event will start at 7.15pm and includes all the traditional favourites plus the evening will feature music by The Rivington & Adlington Junior Band and singing by The Rivington Primary School Choir. This fantastic occasion cannot fail to get you in the festive mood. Tickets priced at £6 can be obtained by telephoning the Band Secretary or by contacting us online to reserve your tickets. Click Here for Ticket Enquiries

Thursday, 11th October 2007

Rivi Band make 4bars rest!

Our recent success at the Fleetwood Contest (for details see below) has made it on to the 4barsrest web page!  We are now being compared to Liverpool.  Not sure if that's a good idea or not!  See link for details  http://www.4barsrest.com/news/detail.asp?id=6491

More changes in personnel

We would like to officially welcome back Alan Parrish back to the band on Flugal Horn.  Alan is a long standing member of the band and we are delighted to have him back in our ranks..... where he should be!  For this to happen Simone has gone back on Solo Cornet. Simone loves the Flugal and it is great that she will put the interests of the band first to allow this change to happen.  Thank you very much Simone, we appreciate it.

Monday 8th October 2007

3rd place at Fleetwood Contest

Congratulations must go out to the band for their 3rd Place finish in the Fleetwood contest. The own choice test piece was 'Music for a Festival' by Philip Sparke.  After all the problems we have had over the past few weeks, a podium finish was just rewards for all the effort put in by David our musical Director and all the band.

It was an early start for everyone, a rehearsal room being booked in Fleetwood for 9am. However, it didn't look good as the club was chained up shut, with a massive padlock, when we arrived!  We then got the news that one of the cars, bringing Antony (Euph), Jen (2nd Horn), Charlotte (Rep Cornet) and Ali (drums) was having trouble on the Motorway and may not get to Fleetwood. We finally got in the club at about 9:20 and relief all round when the missing car arrived about 9:30.

Christine Parrish went to do the draw for us and the phone call came through that we had drawn No. 7 out of 8. After a few Hymn tunes, looking over some of the more difficult parts of the piece, and lots of tuning up we were ready to go to the hall for our performance. This was not before Amy, our principle cornet player decided that she would prefer not to play as her recently fitted brace was too uncomfy to risk.

We finally had the band together that was to perform seconds before we were to go on Stage. Tommy Smith had played with Coppull who drew No. 2. We borrowed Martin Trumble from the same band.  David Mort played with Golborne who drew No. 6, John Woodcock helping us out from the same Band. Again can we thank the two borrowed players.  It couldn't have been done without you, Thank you very much.

The band thought the performance was a good steady one.  We have played the piece better, especially on the Saturday night before the contest. However we are now showing a consistency between the Bandroom performances and, the one that matters, on stage. Well Done!  But we do know that there is a better stage performance waiting to be had.

The official remarks of the performance read:

Draw: Number 7;   Points: 182;   Placed:  3rd.

Good to open with dynamic contrast and use of Accents.   All fine through 'A' and 'B'.  'C' Well done.  As is 'D' to 'E', which could be stronger in the fortissimo.  The band seam to be enjoying this movement.  Well played!!

'Andantino':  More dynamic contrast in the Quartet please!

'Larghetto':  Some nice sounds,

'Meno Mosso':  Well done All!

'K'  Good control, Good effects.   'L' Good Quartet

'Vivo':  Nice rhythmic opening. Needs more dynamic contrast.  All goes along fine.  I am impressed by the quiet rhythmic playing.  Just the odd moment of insecure rhythms.  Good to Close.Overall a fine performance.Thank you.

A few congratulations:

To all the band that have practiced hard to produce such a performance.  We all have other pressures at home, work etc. and it is appreciated how we have all pulled together to gain this result.

To the new players who have settled in well.  All the back row were either different players; Ken on Soprano, Rosie on 2nd Cornet, Ryan on 3rd Cornet, or in different positions; Charlotte on Repiano, Barbara on 2nd Cornet and Mel on 3rd Cornet.   Alan on Flugal Horn, Tom on Euphonium and Trevor on Bb Bass. Also, Ash on Timpani.

Finally to all the bands that competed but especially to Eccleston, the winners of the Third section!

Third section Results:
1. Eccleston Brass - 184
2. Lostock Hall Memorial - 183
3. Rivington & Adlington - 182
4. Eccles Borough - 181
5. Morecambe - 180
6. Golborne - 179
7. BMP Europe Ltd. Goodshaw - 178
8. Coppull & Standish - 177

Friday, 28th September 2007 

Fleetwood Contest News

Take a bow Ryan.  Ryan Moss will hopefully be taking the stage for the first time with us on 3rd Cornet. We are waiting on the registration coming through, but hopefully he will be registered in time.  Also making their contesting debut will be Rosie on 2nd Cornet and Tom on Euphonium.

 Can we, in advance, thank the players from other bands that are helping us out at the contest. 

John Woodcock from Golborne will be playing 2nd Trombone for us, he was down to band last night and it was very much appreciated.

Our front row cornets has been a moving feast in the past couple of weeks! Amy our principle cornet will be having a brace fitted so has asked to drop down the row. David, who usually steps into the breach is very busy at work and so cant play at the contest at all and our other two top cornet players Andre and Simone, are on holiday now for two weeks returning (hopefully) the day before the contest. So, we have asked Martin Trumble from Coppull to help us out.  Again thanks in advance Martin.

Banding at this or any other level is a difficult balance and we thank everyone for their efforts!

Monday 10th September 2007

The band would like to welcome Rosie!

It is with great pleasure that the band can officially welcome Rosie to the band to partner Barbara on 2nd Cornet.  She can now retire her trumpet and concentrate on her cornet playing.  If you read back on the news page you will note that we have been very unfortunate with the weather this year. Several jobs have been cancelled.  However, Rosie will now be able to predict the weather for ever job to make Robert our secretaries job much easier!

Friday, 7th September 2007

Changes in the Band - Simone and Barbara.

It is great to announce that Simone Clarke is our new Flugal Horn player.  She has been playing on the Solo cornet rank for some time now and when a vacancy arose she jumped at the opportunity.  We are sure this will ensure the high standard of the horn section. 

Barbara Unsworth has also been moved, to play on 2nd cornet. This  recognises the hard work that Barbara has put in on cornet since she joined the band. It leaves a vacancy on the back and front row that we are looking to fill.

However it is sad to announce that Miles Cook(Flugal) and Sally Cook (2nd Cornet) have decided to leave the band for pastures new. The band thank them for their service to the band and wish them luck in wherever their banding takes them.

Friday, 7th September 2007

Rehearsals next week:

Monday 10th; 7:30, Bass Sectional, Full Band 8:30.

Thursday 13th; 7:30, Horn Sectional, Full Band 8:30.

Monday, 3rd September 2007 

 Great News! - Trevor joins the band

The band would like to welcome Trevor on Bb bass.  He will complete the Bass section and give Tommy a 'mate' for the first time in a couple of years!  We would also like to thank Rosie for coming down for a blow and hopefully we will see her again in the future soon

Sunday 2nd September 2007 

Another Washout!

Our latest engagement, Bridgman Park, Bromwich St, Bolton, was again subject to the great summer we have had this year.  Unfortunately it had to be cancelled due to the rain that was set for the day!  Hopefully we can perform nearer Christmas at the venue.

Friday 31st August 2007

Great News! - Ken Joins the Band

The band are delighted to welcome Ken Smith to the band on Soprano cornet.  Ken brings a wide range of experience of playing to the band. Once everyone is back from Holiday we are sure that the Cornet section will sparkle in the coming months. Welcome Ken!!

Band Vacancies:

2nd Cornet, 2nd Trombone, Bb Bass.

If you are interested in joining the  Band please visit or 'Contact' page and complete the online form, give us a call or visit us at practice. Click here for details.

Sat 18th August 2007

Chorley Day of Music, Chorley Market. What a wash out! The job was cancelled due to the persistent 'fine rain that wets you through'. However it was only cancelled once the band had all met at the nearest coffee shop. Due to holidays especially, on the cornet rank, Barbara had arranged for quite a few borrowed players to help us out.  Can we thank you all for turning up, even if you didn't get to play!

Charlotte Roocroft has taken on the position of Repiano to fill the chair vacated by Natalie.  This now puts additional responsibility on Sally Cook on 2nd.  We are sure both ladies will stand up and be counted in the coming months.

The band were very upset to find out that Natalie Pilkington our Repiano player has needed to step down from playing with the band. This is because of her moving away to study. Natalie will be visiting us on her holidays and we look forwards to seeing her quite soon

The band played a concert on the 22nd at Chorley Town Hall. This included a great session by the Junior Band under the direction on Valerie Roocroft.  A comment from a band supporter was that "it was the best concert that they had heard from the band in all the years that they have listened to the band". A big thanks to to players that helped us out, especially Barry on Soprano. It was also great to see Alan Parrish in the Light Blue blazer again! The programme was: Bramwyn. This was the march we played on Whit Friday March. Lost Chord, Breezin Down Broadway. Where is Love, expertly played by Miles Cook on the Flugal Horn. The Wind Beneath my Wings. On with the Motley. Our thanks go out to Barry who stood in literally at the last minute and performed this difficult solo brilliantly in the absence of our guest soloist, who was trying to get his car back after it had been stolen that afternoon! Harry Potter. Evening Hymn and Last Post. Featuring all our front Row Cornets; Amy, Andre, David and Simone. Television Showcase. The Senior Band and Junior Band played John B rock together before  The junior Band played 6 numbers on their own. After the break the two bands again amalgamated performing 3 songs from the New World March of the Cobblers. Tom Jones in Concert. The Lark in the Clear Air, Played on Tenor Horn by Janet Vanezza. The Irish Blessing. One Moment in Time. Tyrolean Tubas, featuring our bass section, Tommy, Zoë and Robert.  The Best of Bond. Riverdance. Featuring our percussionist, Ali, Darren, Jack and Ash. Following this was a mad dash of 230 miles, by David our Musical Director to catch the 4am ferry from Dover.  Apparently he and Carole made it with seconds to spare so the divorce lawyers are not needed yet!

Friday 1^st June 2007

Whit Friday Brass Band Contests. The band once again took part in this years Whit Friday contests. band had a successful year, coming third in the 3rd section at Greenacres Contest. It was also notable for Barry falling off the platform at our last venue!