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Friends Of Grimethorpe Colliery Band Society [Read more]

BRONZE BENEFACTOR

Entry level sponsorship including a number of mentions in concert programs, complimentary concert tickets and company recognition on our website. [Read more]

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CORPORATE SPONSORSHIP

As a corporate sponsor of Grimethorpe Colliery Band, you or your business could receive the following, dependent upon the level of support you choose to give: [Read more]

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The Early Days
The Grimethorpe Colliery Band was formed in 1917, as a leisure activity for the workmen at the colliery. It was initially financed by the colliery, a sister company, and a welfare fund set up by the miners themselves. The musicians, most of whom worked at the colliery full-time, perfected their skills through competition. From 1932 to 1945 the band entered 42 such competitions, winning 19 and never coming lower than fifth! [Read more]

GRIMETHORPE SPECIAL

History - Grimethorpe Special In 1976 arguably the most important Brass Band recording of it's time was released entitled "Grimethorpe Special" and conducted by Elgar Howarth. The recording consists of "Fireworks" by Elgar Howarth, narrated by Lady Valarie Solti, Elgar Howarths arrangement of Takemitsu's "Garden Rain", Harrison Birtwistles "Grimethorpe Aria" and Hans Werner Henze's "Ragtimes and Habaneras".

1976 was the year after "Fireworks" had been unleashed on the unsuspecting banding fraternity at the British Open where Wingates under the baton of Richard Evans took the title playing of number 23. [Read more]

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LATEST NEWS

This is the latest CD in The Composer's Portrait Series and features the music of Martin Ellerby, played by Grimethorpe Band and includes Piano solos from Philip Mead and a cornet solo from Robert Westacott. The conductor is james Gourlay.

Martin Ellerby has written a wide range of music for most media including 5 symphonies and a large Requiem.His works for Brass Band also embrace a large number of concertos which have entered repertoire world-wide.

Martin is currently the civilian composer-in-residence with the Regimental Band of Her Majesty's Coldstream Guards, a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Musicians and Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. [Read more]

FRENCH BON-BONS

Cover:

French Bon-Bons - Grimethorpe Colliery Band

Conductor:

Major Peter Parkes

Year:

1996

Label:

Chandos - CHAN 4542

Tracks:

1 - Marche Lorraine

Three movements from Petite Suite

2 - I. En bateau

3 - III. Menuet

4 - IV. Ballet

5 - Presto from Rapsodie norvegienne

6 - Berceuse from Dolly Suite

7 - Marche militaire francaise

8 - Gymnopedie No. 1

9 - The Girl with the Flaxen Hair (Richard Marshall - Cornet)

10 - Clog Dance from La fille mal gardee

11 - An Offenbach Fantasy

12 - Pavane pour une infante de defunte

13 - The Parade of the Tin Soldiers

14 - Berceuse de Jocelyn (Jonothan Beatty - Trombone)

15 - Marche militaire la ronde

16 - Duet from the Pearlfishers (Mike Kilroy - Euphonium, Jonothan Beatty - Trombone)

17 - Joyeuse marche

£11.00

Recorded at Dewsbury Town Hall

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NEWS ARCHIVE - 2006

December 2006 - Grimethorpe win top award

The band are pleased to announce that both the band and conductor won the prestigious 4 BARSREST.com 2006 awards for both the Band of the Year and also the Conductor of the year to Allan Withington. The awards which are voted by the readers of the Brass Bands top international website 4 Bars rest end off a memorable year for the musical partnership of Band and Conductor. [Read more]

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GWAHODDIAD (Album: Sounds Sensational | Conductor: Phillip McCann | With Eastwood Collieries Male Voice Choir)

£1.00

#3 from the album 'Sounds Sensational´ recorded at Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham on 1st November 2008

Musical Director: Gloria Preece | Accompianist: Hilary Griffiths

Featuring:

Eastwood Collieries' MVC, Bestwood MVC, Coalville MVC, Dalesman MVC, Gresley MVC, Leicester City MVC, Melbourne MVC, Moira MVC and Nottingham MVC

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MICHAEL WELLS - SOLO BARITONE

Michael originally hails from Blackpool, Lancashire, and started playing baritone at the age of nine. He is now studying under David Thornton at the Royal Northern College of Music, in Manchester, where he currently lives.

He has worked his way through the sections, playing for the Blackpool Brass and Longridge bands, before being offered the Solo Baritone seat at the famous Fairey Band, based in Manchester, in 2006. He held that position for over two years, before accepting the Solo Baritone seat at Grimethorpe Colliery Band in early 2009.

Michael was also Principal Baritone of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain for a number of years.