29 August 2010 - Merano Brass Festival

The Band is delighted to announce that it has accepted an invitation to appear as part of the 10th International Brass Festival in Merano (Italy) in October 2011. This is indeed a prestigious outing for the Band, following in the footsteps of Black Dyke (2008), Fodens (2009) and this year Cory.

This means that the Band will be basking in the foothills of the Alps on two separate occasions in 2011, following our qualification for next years European Championships which are to be held in Montreux!

22 August 2010 - 37 Opens and Counting!

Alan Wycherleys appearance at this years Open will be his 37th in a row! His first was way back in 1984 with Faireys on 'James Cook Circumnavigator' and since then he has appeared with Desford, Leyland and most recently Fodens. Read the full story over at 4Barsrest.com  here.

18 August 2010 - More new signings

Iain Culross is the Bands new principal cornet. He hails from Scotland and has an excellent banding pedigree having played principal cornet previously with; Carlton Main, Sellers International and the former YBS Band. More recently he has been helping out the Brighouse & Rastrick and Blackburn & Darwen bands as stand in principal. Also joining in time for the Open are Tanya Furness on 2nd cornet and Jim Henson on Eb bass.  We wish them all long and successful tenures with the Band. Finally, the former Black Dyke horn player Afron Owen has agreed to cover the 1st horn position for the Open. We are thankful to have such a high quality and experienced 'dep' for this important contest.

16 August 2010 - Alan's Back & Blue!

The Fairey (Geneva) Band is pleased to announce that Alan Wycherley is not only playing again following a recent health set back, but is back in the fold with the band he first joined way back in 1973! His "first" outing with the Band will be at this years British Open on the 4th of September. The Band is thankful and extremely fortunate to continue to call on the services of another soprano legend, Michelle Ibbotson, whilst Alan eases his way back into the hustle and bustle of top level contesting. This exciting development adds to the recent good news stories of the Bands successes at the Whit Friday marches and the English National Championships, and gives the Band a massive lift going into the forthcoming contesting season. Alan himself had the following to say on his pending return:

"I am looking forward to returning to banding at the very top level again after having an enforced 5 month break for the first time in 37 years. To be doing it with one of the top bands in the country and a band so close to my heart is a great bonus. It's fantastic for the band that Michelle has agreed to cover contests this year which gives me time to knock out a few 'Floral Dance's and the odd Minster' before getting to grips with today's test pieces once again. With the fire power around the stand and the MD they currently have I don't think Faireys have finished filling the trophy cabinet by a long way yet this year!".

20 July 2010 - Gary hangs up his cornet

It is with great regret that the Band had to accept the resignation of 2nd cornet player Gary Parker prior to our last engagement before the summer break last Friday. Gary has been a loyal servant of the Band since his debut in 1989, sitting in most of the cornet seats over the intervening years (including sop at Acid Brass gigs!) and enjoying many memorable contest wins, high profile concerts and foreign tours.

Unfortunately family and work commitments have recently built to the extent where he can no longer give the 100% commitment that has always been his trademark. The Band presented him with a commemorative watch at the concert as a mark of our appreciation for all his efforts over 21 years, but we sincerely hope that some time in the future he can return when his commitments ease ... returning the watch will not be a pre-requisite! The man himself had the following to say:

"It is with a heavy heart that I am leaving but I can no longer give the commitment required for a band such as Fairey’s. When I think about the best days of my life, without exception, Fairey’s or members from Fairey’s have been involved in some shape or form. I have so many happy memories of my time with the band, both and on and off the stage!!! And I feel privileged to have been able to make so many friends along the way. I wish the band the best of luck for the future and hope it won’t be long before I get chance to play with them again."

14 July 2010 - World Rankings Boost

According to the latest copy of the 'British Bandsman' our success at Preston has moved us up to 10th in the World  Rankings.  This is encouraging news but then a couple of good results in Birmingham and London could see us as high as 5th due to the extreme closeness of bands 5 to 10 (see the chart). Cory remain well over the banding horizon for all concerned!!!

02 July 2010 - Live 'Eden' Performance now available on Jukebox

Just click on the speaker icon above or go to the homepage (by clicking on the Fairey Fox top left) and use the side bar button. The recording is just over 15 minutes long and is provided courtesy of Jill Aspray's mobile phone!

27 June 2010 - We're on our way to Montreux

The Band's long wait for a major contest win has come to end as it claimed the title of English National Champions at the Guild Hall in Preston yesterday. This was the Band's first contest outing under the baton of Russell Gray and the Scottish wizard weaved his magic once again on the test-piece 'Eden' that many regard as one of the most difficult in the repertoire. Adjudicators  Kevin Wadsworth, David Horsfield and Derek Broadbent were unanimous in their praise, stating that it was a ‘superb performance full of musical and technical quality’. As well as the title and trophy, the Band received a cheque for £4,000 (with £2,000 worth of add-ons) and the invitation to represent England at the 2011 European Championship in Montreux.

Congratulations to our solo trombone Les Webb, seen here holding the trophy, who received the best instrumentalist award for the fiendishly difficult solo work in 'Eden'.

Full results were as follows:

1. Fairey (Geneva) (Russell Gray), 7
2. Black Dyke (Dr Nicholas Childs), 2
3. Rothwell Temperance (David Roberts), 5
4. Reg Vardy (Ray Farr), 9
5. Leyland (Philip Harper), 6
6. Fodens (Dr James Gourlay), 3
7. Hammonds Saltaire (Morgan Griffiths), 1
8. Skelmanthorpe (John Roberts), 4
9. Pemberton Old Wigan DW (Mark Bentham), 8

Full adjudicators comments are here whilst 4BR's coverage reaction and interviews can be found here.

29 May 2010 - Tameside Whit Friday Champs

Last night the Band competed at the annual Whit Friday march competitions in the Tameside and Saddleworth areas. We played 'The President' march in 13 contests; scoring six 1st, four 2nd and one 3rd place. Unofficially (as yet) we have finished as Tameside area champions, pipping Fodens by 1 place point to the £2,500 prize. The Band got off to an early 4.30pm start and hence managed to compete in all but one of the Tameside contests plus three of those in Saddleworth, racking up just shy of £7,000 in total prize money for the evening!

A large part of the credit for this success must go to conductor Garry Cutt for working us hard this week and directing us so assuredly on the night. Congratulations also to Laura (cornet) and Jonathon (soprano) for their solo prizes at Dukinfield and also to our bass team (bolstered by Andy Cattenach for the evening) for their section prize at Scouthead.

09 May 2010 - Russell Gray is our new Musical Director

We are very pleased to announce that Russell Gray has agreed to accept the position of Musical Director of the Band with immediate effect. His first concert outing with the Band took place last night, rounding off this seasons (and sadly the last) Stroud Brass Band Concert series. His first contest outing will be next month at the English National Championships in Preston. He will steer us through 'Eden', a piece with which he has had previous success in winning the 2005 National Championships with Leyland (see here).

Russell replaces Phillip Chalk who unfortunately has had to relinquish his position due to increasing business commitments. We thank him for all the sterling work he has put in over the past three years, and will certainly be working with him again in the future as and when his commitments allow. Asked for his comments on the situation Phillip stated: "It is with a heavy heart that I have relinquished the position of MD with Faireys after three years with the Band, and more than 20 years as a player. The decision was a difficult one to take, as the Band have really started to make progress, culminating with a super performance at this year's Area. However, my expanding business interests within the film and TV industry, as well as looking after a young family, have made it increasingly difficult for me to give the level of commitment the Band deserves. I just want to say a big thank you to the Band for giving me the opportunity, and to wish them well with in their future endeavours. I hope to retain an involvement with the Band and the band movement at large, and would like to work on some innovative, creatively led projects in the future."

09 April 2010 - Fairey to share the bill with BBC Phil

On Saturday 24th April at 7.30pm the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra continues its season of Mahler offerings with a performance of the epic 7th symphony at the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester. The Fairey (Geneva) Band are delighted to have been given the opportunity to follow this concert with a short programme comprising the Vaughan Williams Tuba Concerto, performed by our own Ben Thomson, and an airing of last years British Open test piece, the Mahler inspired "Titans Progress" by Hermann Pallhuber. Tickets are available via the Bridgewater Hall box office on (0161) 907 9000, or see www.bridgewater-hall.co.uk/performance/14273.aspx

07 April 2010 - Roary's Brass-less Brass Band!

Last night the Band had a rather unusual engagement, recording some background music for an episode of the well known children's cartoon show 'Roary the Racing Car'! The music was composed especially for the occasion by one of the Bands regular musical associates, the redoubtable Phillip Lawrence. It was a lot of fun to record for one and all and at one point required Paul Coupe (trombone) having to play a short solo "... really poorly, in the manner of a beginner". He performed admirably! We look forward to seeing the final cut of the cartoon.

15 March 2010 - Band qualifies for National Finals

Faireys are heading to The Royal Albert Hall for the National Brass Band Championships this coming October. Yesterday the Band competed at the North West Areas Championships and put in a virtually faultless performance of George Lloyds 'English Heritage' to pick up 2nd place. 4barsrest.com had the following to say: "Philip Chalk and Fairey pushed their rivals the closest for the title and fully deserved their runner up spot. The reading was one of musical precision and security.  The warmth of the ensemble sound was of a very high quality with the soloists having the hallmarks of high-class quality about them too. The cadenza between Laura Hirst and Mike Eccles was stunning, and they just kept piling on the points with a fabulously controlled middle section.  Nigel Fielding's contribution on soprano brought touches of class whilst Ben Thomson made the Eb tuba solo sound ridiculously easy."  You can listen to the full performance by clicking the speaker icon in the menu bar above and selecting track 1.

Full results of the Championship section contest were as follows:

1. Foden's (Garry Cutt), 9
2. Fairey (Geneva) (Philip Chalk), 8
3. Leyland (Howard Evans), 4
4. Wingates (Alan Morrison), 12
5. Ashton-Under-Lyne (Martyn Evans), 3
6. Co-operative Milnrow (John Ward), 11
7. Pemberton Old Wigan DW (Mark Bentham), 2
8. Blackburn & Darwen (Nick Sheppard), 5
9. Co-operative (Crewe) (Jef Sparkes), 6
10. (Bactiguard) Wire Brass (Paul Andrews), 1
11. Roberts Bakery (Colin Cranson), 7
12. Poulton-Le-Fylde (Gareth Westwood), 10

Congratulations to Fodens on their win,  making it five in a row at this qualification event.

08 February 2010 - Lucy hands flugel baton to Mike

Lucy Murphy, the Bands flugelhorn player of the last five years, has decided to take a well earned break from her playing commitments. She does however retain her links with the Band through her position as Contest Secretary. Lucy began her playing career with the Marple Junior Band, before moving onto the senior band just prior to their appearance at the Grand Shield Contest of 1990. In 2003 she moved to Leyland before joining Fairey's back in 2005. Her musicality and mellifluous tone are well known throughout the banding world and we hope to hear them again one day ... when the novelty of nightly soaps and sauvignon blanc wears off!

The Band is very fortunate to have a player of the versatility of Mike Eccles to take up this important 'corner' seat. As a former Principal Cornetist with the Band he is all too familiar with the added responsibility and pressure that this brings and he will be looking forward to stamping his authority in the forthcoming Northwest Area contest. We wish him a long and successful tenure in his new position.

10 January 2010 - It's Snow Joke!

The recent blizzards have played havoc with the Bands preparations for a busy January schedule that includes; a gala concert at the Butlins Brass Band Championships, a recording for Radio 2's 'Listen to the Band', and a concert at the Gracie Fields Theatre in Rochdale. Last Thursdays rehearsal had to be cancelled completely and some band members travelling from Saddleworth, parts of Yorkshire, and further afield, are still unable to make it over to Stockport. Hopefully the rising temperatures will enable normal service to be resumed as soon as possible!

07 December 2009 - New sponsorship deal announced

The Band is pleased to announce the signing of a new three year sponsorship deal with Geneva Instruments. The deal, completed last Friday, will see a complete new set of bespoke Geneva instruments being produced and provided to the band, as well as a complete set of new walking out uniforms and livery. As soon as is practicable the band’s name will change to become: 'The Fairey (Geneva) Band'.

Band Manager Ian Howarth states: "The band has had a period of solid rebuilding over the last three years. We have strived to maintain the highest possible playing standards, and so to be able to work with an instrument supplier of Geneva’s incredibly high standards will set new levels of professionalism for the band. Everyone concerned is looking forward to developing and strengthening this extremely generous relationship."

Musical Director Phil Chalk is also relishing the prospect: "To be given the opportunity to unify and hone the bands sound with Geneva is one we are relishing. I would also like to thank our own Ian Howarth and Martin Gernon, and Tim Oldroyd of Geneva for their hard work in putting this deal together so efficiently."

Geneva Instruments Managing Director Tim Oldroyd is equally excited about the new sponsorship deal: "In a short period of time, we have gained an excellent reputation for the supply of quality brass instruments. To now be strongly associated with Fairey is something we are very proud of. The Fairey tradition and heritage speaks for itself and we are looking forward to helping the band develop further, whilst at the same time honing the superb quality and tone of our instruments with the involvement of the supremely talented players at Fairey."

05 December 2009 - Faireys hand out the gongs!

As is always the tradition the annual awards for 'Best Bandsman' and 'Player of the Year' were handed out during our Christmas concert at Stockport Town Hall last night. 'Best Bandsman'  went (for the second year running!) to 3rd cornet player and librarian Jimmy Leggatt. Unfortunately he couldn't be there on the night to collect the award as he is enjoying a spot of Indonesian sunshine and sight seeing at the moment! 'Player of the Year' went to our relatively new solo Euphonium player, Gary Curtin, in recognition of some great playing at the National Finals and Brass in Concert.  Both awards were presented on the night by the MD of Geneva Instruments, Tim Oldroyd.