On Sunday 14th March 2004 the band shall travel to Blackpool to compete in the North West Regional Championships.

What are the Regional Championships?

The Regional championships (or Area Contest) is a very important contest for the band. The bands national rankings are calculated on the basis of this one contest. Flixton currently competes in the 2nd Section and shall be performing Philip Sparke's 'Kaledioscope'. The Band willl be competing against 12 other bands from the region in hope of gaining the title 'North West Regional Champions 2004 2nd Section'. The top 2 bands qualify for the National Finals which this year are set to take place in Harrogate in September.

Who are the runners and riders?

The 2nd Section should see a number of strong bands take the stage this year in Blackpool. Wire Brass formed in 2002 under the baton of Paul Andrews have been a strong contender both locally and nationally over the last 2 years. The Band took first prize in the 3rd Section qualifying for the nationals in their first area contest. They went on to take the runner up spot in Dundee. Wire's trophy cabinet holds a number of titles from last year including 1st prize at Wychavon Entertainments, Best 2nd Section Band at Wigan Bier and Brass Fest, and 2 2nd places at both Pontins and the Wilkinson Northern Open. Their recent form includes first place last month at the Preston Brass at the Guild Contest. Silk Brass were the band to take the first place at the 2002 3rd Section Nationals above Wire Brass and joined new to the 2nd Section along with Wire in 2003. Manx Concert Brass have put on a strong show recently at the regionals, last year qualifying for Torquay where they gained a credible 8th place. Blackpool Brass have performed well recently at the local Wilkinson Open and Guild Hall contests gained 2nd and 3rd place respectively. Delph Band also put on a good show last year with 3rd place. Diggle are new to the section after taking the 1st Prize last year in the 3rd Section as are Greenhalls. Hawk Green Marple join the Section after being relegated from the 1st.

What about the music?

At the Regional Championships all the bands in the section perform the same piece of music. The music is chosen by the National Federation of Brass Bands from a list of pieces graded as suitable for 2nd Section. Ocassionally a composer is commissioned specifically to write a new piece of music for the contest and the chosen music is announced at the time of the National Finals the September before the contest. Bands often spend weeks, even months working on the Regionals testpiece. This years test piece chosen for the 2nd Section is Philip Sparke's Kaleidoscope. Kaleidoscope is a set of variations based around 'the Bruge Song'. The Music contains flowing melodies, beautiful solo features and interesting ensemble work.


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