A party of some 60 players and 40 supporters will brave the Irish Sea to embark on their trip to Blackpool to compete in the Brass Band North West Regional Championships at the Winter Gardens on Sunday 1st March. It will be an eye-opening experience for most of the players, with all but four making their contest debut, including the youngest player, Emily Kneen, at just 10 years of age.
 
The Fourth Section test piece, which Manx Youth Band are gradually conquering, is “An English Pastorale” by Dean Jones. The idea of depicting the seasons and reflecting some of the grandeur of the English scenery proved an inspiring source to write this 4 movement piece. After the dignified initial theme “Heralding the Dawn” is established, the piece moves naturally into “Autumn on the Plains”, a light, joyful scene. “Winter in the Dales” has a more mysterious and contains a somewhat darker feel in the minor key while “Spring on the Lakes” is a flowing, scenic movement. “Summer on the Quays” starts with some exciting fanfare-like qualities initially from the Cornets and Trombones, but then extra impetus is provided from the whole band. The music moves then into a dynamic and resounding conclusion.
 
For those with a long memory in the brass band world, the Manx Youth Band name has featured in North West contests previously, having won the Daily Mirror Challenge Trophy at Belle Vue, Manchester in 1978, conducted by the bands founder, the late Jim Crosbie.

The band returned to the same venue in 1982 to take 7th place in the North West Area Brass Band Association Fourth Section contest, led by Jim’s successor, a youthful Ian Clague MBE.
 
Ian Clague MBE has continued to lead the Manx Youth Band ever since, and in 1995 also took on the position of Musical Director of the newly formed Manx Concert Brass. Ian has been a key factor in their successes at the North West Regional Championships and several National Finals appearances, but this year will be special when Ian returns to the contest platform for the first time in over 30 years with the current Manx Youth Band.
 
Manx Concert Brass will also be playing in the Second Section at this year’s Regional Championships; where in order to allow Ian to focus on preparations with the Manx Youth Band, they will be conducted by the bands’ long time musical advisor, Derek Broadbent.