*22/6/08*

Last Sunday the band returned to Kirkby Lonsdale Contest to be awarded the prize for the 'best march' alongside the band's euphonium player, Mike Rowley, achieving top honours taking the 'best soloist' prize and a prize for 2nd place in the third section. For full report click here. The band is also pleased to announce the return of former soprano and horn player's Nicola and Eddie Hill. Nicola and Eddie return to the band after a brief period with Old Hall Brass. The band is now in preparation for the next in a series of local concerts themed 'music from the movies' on 12 July. More information on the concert can be found here. Congratulations are in order for euphonium and baritone of the band Gareth and Helen Hopkin on the birth of their first born baby son William. William was born on 12th June 2008.

*3/6/08*

After the resignation of Musical Director Iain McKnight (see press release) the band is pleased to announce that Paul Andrews will be preparing them for, and conducting them at the forthcoming Kirkby Lonsdale Contest. See full press release here

*23/3/08*

Flixton performed Paul Lovatt-Cooper’s “Dark Side of the Moon” in the 3rd Section at Blackpool on 9th March.  The band was delighted to be highly placed for the third consecutive year and thus gain promotion to the National 2nd Section.  The adjudicator, James Scott who placed Flixton 4th in a field of 20 bands, was impressed by “good sound and style” and summed up with “a performance of merit”.

Congratulations to Oldham Lees who successfully defended their title from last year, and to the Eagley Band and the Pemberton Old Wigan JJB B band who pipped Flixton to the remaining qualification places for the national finals at Harrogate in September.  We hope they bring the National title back to the North West. Flixton, alongside Oldham Lees, will be promoted to the National 2nd Section from January 2009

Photos of the contest can be found in the Photogallery.

*17/2/08*

The Flixton Band are pleased to welcome some new players in time for the North West Regional Championships in Blackpool next month.

Joining the band on Eb Bass from Ilkeston Brass in Derbyshire is James Mellor, currently a Music student at the University of Salford.  Alongside James, and also on Eb Bass is Janet Elliot, herself a Salford graduate and a Music teacher at a secondary school in the city. James and Janet will join Sam Oliver and Danny Abbott to complete the bass section for the contest. Making a welcome return to assist the band at Blackpool are Tim Paton and Jenny Patel, both former members of Flixton, who join Karen Armfield to form the band's Percussion section.

Flixton's 'area' line up is completed by the signing of Joe Monck on 1st Trombone. Joe is also a Salford graduate, but has a jazz background and is a newcomer to competitive banding! He is currently training to be a music teacher alongside the band's Musical Director, Iain McKnight. Commenting on the signings, Iain said, "I would like to extend a warm welcome to all our new players, and hope that they will enjoy being a part of our successful team. We are hoping that, with the addition of our new members, Flixton will be able to achieve promotion to the second section for 2009 as well as that all important finals invitation!"

*6/1/08*

The Flixton Band are delighted to welcome four new players to their ranks. A belated greeting goes to Mark Willans who joined on 2nd Trombone shortly before the Wilkinson’s Northern Open contest in November. Mark is a former member of Flixton, but has more recently played for the Hoover (Bolton) Band. Also joining the band from Old Hall Brass are husband and wife team, Gareth and Helen Hopkin on first baritone and second euphonium respectively. The fourth signing is Chris Noakes on Repiano Cornet, who joins from Littleborough where he recently returned to banding.
Musical Director Iain McKnight said, “I am very pleased to welcome these new players to the band. It is excellent news both for the band’s stability and musical development, as all four are accomplished and experienced bandsmen, and will be valuable assets as we look towards the 2008 contesting season and beyond. I wish them all a long and happy stay with us here at Flixton!”
2007 has been a successful year for the band, with triumph in the contesting arena as well as marking the band’s 130th anniversary, which was commemorated with a special concert in September. The band also featured in the 4barsrest ‘money list’, having won £2,900 during the 2007 contesting season. “In addition to our contest prize monies, the band worked very hard over the festive period to raise more than £2,500,” said Iain. “This money will go towards the formation of our youth training group, and we hope to be able to provide positive news regarding this in the very near future.”

*6/11/07*

A milestone of four 1st prizes in a row has been marked by the band taking the top honours at Pontin's Contest. The band returned from North Wales after competing at the 34th Pontin's Contest, bringing home a cheque for £1750 and the 1st prize trophy. Click here for a full report of the contest.

*9/10/07*

This Sunday the band performed at the Fleetwood Contest and were awarded 1st prize for their performance of Peter Graham's 'Prisms'. This marked the 2nd celebration for the band since Iain McKnight took the baton. Last weekend the band performed a contest to a full hall to celebrate 130 years since the formation of Flixton Band. Click here for a full report of the double celebration.

*12/8/07*

The band is pleased to announce the appointment of Iain McKnight as Musical Director. Click here for full press release

June has brought mixed feelings to the band; whilst the last few weeks have seen the band bring home 7 prizes, between Whit Friday (click here for report) and Kirkby Lonsdale (click here for report). We also announce that Kevin Gibbs has stepped down from the position of Musical Director, after a impressively successful 3 years with Flixton Band. For the full press release click here. Auditons are now open for the position of Musical Director. Further details can be found here.

Last weekend the band travelled to Buxton to compete in the 'Buxton Brass Band Festival'. The band performed 'The Plantagenents' by Gregson and were awarded 1st Prize. Click here for full report. At this time, the band would like to offer congratulations and best wishes to Craig Savage. Craig, one of the bands Solo Cornet players, has been offered a postion at YBS band. We would like to thank Craig for his time and wish him the best of luck with his new band.

This month the band competed in the Regional championships (3rd Section). Travelling to Blackpool on the 11th March, the band took the stage at the Winter Gardens to perform Darrol Barry's 'Prelude and Jubilate'. After performing to a high standard, we were awarded 5th Place. The band would like to wish the qualifying bands, Oldham Lees, Middleton and Eccleston the best of luck at the National Finals in September.

The weekend of the 19th-21st January saw the band travel to Skegness to compete in the Butlins Mineworkers Open Championships. The band was awarded 5th place. For full report see Contesting The band would also like to formally wish Chris Gallon (BBb Bass) good luck in his new Job. Chris moves back to his homeland in the North East. Butlins marked Chris' last performance with the band.

The New Year marks and end to a successful 2006 (Click here for a full review of the year). The band performed a fun Xmas Concert in Urmston along with hard work fundraising during the holiday season. At the end of the November the band competed at the 'St Helens Wilkinson Contest'. Wilkinson's marked the band's promotion to the local Championship Section. The band performed Peter Graham's "Essence of Time" and gained 9th Place. December was a special time for 2 of our members, Adrian Robinson and Rachel Jones who celebrated a Christmas wedding. All at Flixton would like to congratulate the couple and wish them the best for their future together. The band wishes to formally welcome Adrian, who has been a regular friend of the band for over a year, into the Soprano chair. Adrian, a graduate of the Royal Northern College of Music, is an excellent addition to our team.

The last month has been a busy period for the band. At the end of September the band travelled to Harrogate to perform at the National Finals of Great Britain. The band's Musicial Director Kevin Gibbs was very pleased with the performance of 'Sinfonietta' by Gordon Langford. The band was awarded 5th Place (out of 17) by adjudicator's Steve Pritchard-Jones and Kevin Wadsworth. The band has recieved many positive comments and would to thank everyone who has contacted the band to congratulate us on our performance. In addition the band competed at Pontin's on the 4th November and were awarded 3rd Prize (out of 18 bands). The period after the National Finals has seen a couple of movements within the band personnel. The band would like to thank Simon Morgan for the time and committment he has put into the band as he moves to Pemberton Old Wigan Band to take up their Vacant Soprano Cornet Postion. Simon has been a stalwart member of Flixton Band for a number of years and we wish him luck at pastures new. Tom Hylgaard is also taking a break from the band to concentrate on his professional trumpet playing. Tom is also a long serving member of the band and we wish him well for his career. We welcome a new player to our ranks - Danielle who joins the Front Row Cornets. The band is now in preparation for the local contest season were we have been promoted to the championship section. The first show will be St Helens (Wilkinsons) on 19th November. Finally flixtonband.org now has a sister site courtesy of 1st Horn Player Julie Paton - we are on myspace!! you can view the site at http://www.myspace.com/flixtonband