Once again the band competed in the regional qualifying contest for the National Brass Band Championships. After several weeks of intensive rehearsals the band gave a good solid performance which featured some excellent solo playing from the bands Soprano Cornet and Principal Cornet Players. Congratulations must go to Samantha Harrison our Principal Cornet Player who was awareded "Best Soloist" and the band was placed 5th, so missing out on a place at the finals and promotion to section 2. Non the less, the bands performance was commended by many well known brass band enthusiasts and many were surprised that the band was not placed higher, including 4bars rest, who in their opinion had placed the band down to win!

Congratulations must go the the winners Dodworth and runners up Clifton and Lightcliffe who will represent Yorkshire at the Finals.

Building on the bands recent run of success the band competed at the Silkstone March Contest on Saturday 8th July, and was awarded second place at Red Lion and the Lodge Contests. Samantha Harrison, the bands principal cornet player was also presented with "Best Cornet Player" at both venues. Again a fantastic result considering that the band was once again competing against higher section bands.

More success again for the band came in the Brighouse March Contest, where the band was awarded Best 3rd Section Band, and placed 7th out of a total of 28 competing bands. Not only did the band win its own section, but was placed higher than several first and even championship section bands. A fantastic result, which was thoroughly deserved and continues the band success at contests.

The Youth band also performed brilliantly in the contest, giving one of its strongest performances to date and was placed third in the Youth Section. The bands Principal Cornet player, Hannah Wigley was also awarded "Best Principal Cornet".

Once again the band took part in the annual Whit Friday March Contests on Friday 9th June. The band managed to complete a total of 8 contests around Saddleworth and Tameside, marching to "The Middy" and performing "Harlequin" for the contest march. The results so far are:

Denshaw - 1st Place

Scouthead - 2nd Place

Hurst Cross - 1st Place

Denton - Joint 1st Place

Drolysden - 1st Place

On Sunday 21st May the band competed in Section B of the Holmfirth Contest. After months of hard work the band was awarded first place for its performance of Peter Graham's, "Renaissance" and 2nd place for its performance of the Hymn Tune, "Deep Harmony". This was a great result for the band, as the section also include the current 2nd Section, Yorkshire Are Finalists, Meltham and Meltham Mills. Morgan Girffiths was also awarded the prize for the best conductor in the B section, and also received the award for the highest placed Huddersfield Association Members, having gained more points than bands in the Championship section.

The band intends to celebrate its success with a social event on Saturday 3rd June!

The annual presentation and dinner was held on Saturday 18th March. The evening included the bands own version of the "Oscar" where awards were made to Philip Varley for "Most Improved Youth Player", Richard Knight, "Most Improved Player", Fiona Bell, "Best New Comer", Morgan Griggiths as " Band Person of the Year" and Andrew Whitham, Eleanor Chestor and Graham Harrison as "Player of the Year".

Following the presentations Mr Gilbert Symes entertained as "After Dinner Speaker".

On Saturday 9th July the band was awarded first place at the Silkstone Lodge March Contest, for its performance of the march Harlequin by William Rimmer. The bands principal cornet player was also awarded "Best Cornet". This was another great result for the band especially as the band was competing against bands from the 1st and Championship Section.

The bands next appearence will be at Dobcross Band Club on Sunday 4th September, 8.00pm

On Sunday 3rd July, the band took part in the Brighouse March and Hymn Contest. The band gave a solid performance of the the march "Harlequin" by William Rimmer and Eric Balls arrangement of "Angelus". The band was awarded best 2nd section band and placed 9th out of 26 bands. This was a great achievement as the band was competing against bands from all levels, and was actually placed higher then two 1st Section Bands.

The bands next performance will be at the Old Silkstone March Contest on Saturday 9th July.

On Saturday 8th May, the band took part in the Meltham March and Hymn Contest held at the Travellor's Rest Public House, Meltham. Performing the March "Senator" and Hymn Tune "Sandon", the band was awarded 3rd Prize. The adjudicator, Mr David Horsfield described the bands performance was as "spirited, with much to commend".

Old Silkstone Band were awarded 2nd Prize and Marsen were the overall winners. This is the second year in succession the band has enterred this competition and has been awarded third prize. More importantly, the band has completed a "Hat Trick" of wins, taking 3rd prize in three successive contests over the past three weekends.

The bands next contest performance will be at the JJB Sports March Contest, Wigan on the 5th June.

Alexandra King was awarded "Player of the Year" and "Most Improved Youth Player" at the annual presentation dinner on Friday 17th March. Alex has been a member of the band since she was 10 years old, having started to learn to play in the beginngers class. Earlier last year at just aged 15, she was promoted by Morgan the bands conductor to 2nd solo cornet player. Jason Fox was also awarded "Most Improved Senior Player" and Morgan Griffiths was announced as "Band Person on the Year".

The band has recently produced its first CD entitled "And All That Jazz". This is the first time the band has recorded a CD, and features some 80 musicians. The recording took place in October, and includes tracks by the Training Band, Youth Band and Senior Band. The CD includes popular hits which have been featured at all the bands concerts throughout 2004.

Copies are available from Sam Harrison and a re priced and 11.50 including postage and packaging. To order your copy please send a cheque made payable to "Elland Silver Band" to Sam Harrison, 5 Lane Head Court, Brighouse, HD6 2EA.

On Sunday 9th May, the band held its 15th Annual Slow Melody & Quartet Contest. The competition attracted 71 entries to the Slow Melody and 11 quartets. Adjudicators this year were Mr John Maines and Mr Alan Morrison. Both men congratulated the competitors on the high standard of playing and congratulated the band onthe excellent organisation of this long running event. The event was sposnored by the bands president Mrs Sylvia Graucob and Band Supplies of Leeds.For full results click here.

Thanks to all band members who donated food and helped with the stearding and catering.

We are also pleased to welcome back former Soprano Cornet Player, Steve Biggs and Eb Bass Player, Alistair Martin.

Mr Whitham judged the 11years & under, 14 years and under and the junior quartets. This year for the first time the 11 years and under section was judged in the open. At the end of the section Mr Whitham held a "Master class", before announcing the results. He explained the importance of breathing, production and practice. He also commented on the high standard of playing from such young children, and thanked everyone for such an enjoyable morning.

He encouraged all the young competitors and parents to continue playing and to develop their talents.

Recordings of each performance were made and were available for competitors to purchase at cost price.

Mr Peter Roberts judged the 16 and under, Open, Veterans and Senior Quartets. Mr Roberts also said he had enjoyed all the playing and streesed the importance of playing and congratulated all those who took part on their performances.

See results for a list of the winners.

The band were greeted by an enthusiastic audience, who whilst eating Sunday lunch, clapped and cheered the band along (not what we were expecting for a Sunday afternoon). The programme ended with the Dambusters March which saw the audience waving their arms and cheering for more!

The band was thanked by the organisers for their splendid programme and invited back again in March!

Following a tough week of rehearsals, the band set off for Pontin's on Saturday afternoon. With no problems on route the band arrived at the Villa Marina Hotel, Rhyll in good time for the evening rehearsals. All were present and the band sounded on good form.

The evenings entertainment was provided by the hotels Kareoke Kings and Queens, not to mention a few of the bands own star performers.

Eventually we all retired to bed leaving the party annimals to it.

Sunday morning came, bringing with it torrential rain and force nine gales!. This made it really interesting trying to load the bus, and we had to abonden the poor "timps" due to falling slates from the hotel roof. Nonetheless we arrived at Pontins in good time and in one piece.

Our turn soon arrived and we were off, giving a soild opening and settling down well. We gave our best and produced some fine solo playing. We played confidentantly and no nerves seemed to show. All the youngsters did us proud along with our more experienced players.

Unfortunately when the results came out, we were placed 11th out of 23. Slightly disappointing, but still a good result for the band and a good peformance which may have been worthy of a higher placing on a different day. Lets hope we can keep it up for the Yorkshire Area Championships in March.