Users of band e-mail... a few changes! To make things simpler, your username has changed! You will find that your e-mail will/has suddently started saying wrong username/password. Don't panic!!! Simply enter your new username in the form: [email protected] and you'll be up and running again. This replaces your current username which looks like m2839482 (for example!). Mail server details, passwords and e-mail addresses are unchanged. Any problems get in touch with Philip.

Rehearsal for Friday 26th March is cancelled. Too many players missing :-( Back for a FULL rehearsal on Monday :-) Note AGM the following Friday... 7pm

Off the contesting platform, our younger members have seen success in the Norwich Union Sportshall competition coming 2nd in the NW Finals last Sunday (March 21st). Congrats to Lauren (2nd in the shot) and Helen (1st in the triple jump).... members of the West Cheshire Athletics Club Team. If you've any news on band members just drop a line to Ian or Rob MacD vis the contacts section and we'll post it on our news headlines. It doesn't have to be just banding!

14th March 2004 - 3rd Section North West Regional Championships VIZCAYA Order of play: 1, Points: 176, Placing: 8th Rather loose in the opening ff and trombones, although safe, could be more majestic. Tuning shows in horns although style is fine. At C tempo needs to keep moving. Better in sostenuto. Quite tidy in the scherzando but balance not 100%. Nice ensemble in F and soloists play expressively; a little tuning again in horns in G. Cornet cadenza safe but a little rushed before 'acce'. H could be more compact. Nice dynamics though. Tuning shows around L. In the Fete Basque could be tighter and more secure. Nevertheless the style of the music is good. Balance not accurate in N. O good trombones. In P a nice balance in the quartet but some untidy ends of phrases. In the brioso style OK and a good rhythmic feel to the music, but again some untidy moments in R. Rather loud for pp S, but the tempo keeps going quite well. U, balance again suspect here. Good euph/bass line into W. The final maestoso shows some accurate rhythmic qualities. eally loose in the closing presto. Thankyou for a difficult test.

Full results listing below: The band kicked off the 3rd section contest, playing 1st off - making the 6.30am start worthwhile (just!). Playing in a tremendously competitive section, with some top bands and conductors, Chester emerged 8th overall (of 19). A fantastic result, this means that Chester will stay in the 3rd section, living to fight another day... The team: Cornets; Rob MacD (principal), Paul D (sop), Phil, Davyd, Tereena; Rep: Chris P, 2nd: Lauren H, Alex, 3rd: Chris C, Amy and Mandy on Flugel. Horns; Judy, Sylvia and Kirsty. Bari's Ian and Paul J. Euphs; Kathrine and James. Troms; Donna, Brian, Rob F. Bflat bass; Les and Andrew, Eflat; Doug and Dave. Percusion; David and Lizzie. Third Section Sunday 14th March Test Piece: Vizcaya – Gilbert Vinter Adjudicator: David Horsfield 1. Hoover (Bolton), C. Wormald, 4, 183 2. United Norwest 2000 Brass, J. Meredith, 8, 182 3. Boarshurst Silver, J. Webster, 9, 181 4. Wardle and District Anderson Brass, D. Beckley, 18, 180 5. Trinity Girls, S. Barton, 5, 179 6. Rainford Silver, A. Jones, 15, 178 7. Eccleston Brass, I. Bateson, 6,177 8. City of Chester, D. Mitchell, 1, 176 9. Timperley, C. Whiteoak, 13, 175 10. Middleton, A. Widdop, 16, 174 11. Pilling Jubilee Silver, B. Harper, 14, 173 12. Hazel Grove, T. Emery, 2, 172 13. Whitworth Vale and Healey, J. Binns, 12, 171 14. Thorntons Cleveleys, C. Andrews, 10, 170 15. Lostock Hall Memorial, R. Heyes, 17, 169 16. BMP Europe Goodshaw, D. Ashworth, 19, 168 17. Eccles Borough, K. Donaldson, 11, 167 18. Nelson Brass, J. Northm 7, 166 19. Golborne, G. Williams, 3, 165 Blackley, A. Baker, W

We've succesfully moved servers (well, if your reading this we have!!). Band e-mail users ie: [email protected] need to update there settings with new usernames, passwords and possibly mail settings. You should get your username and password on Friday at band or Saturday at the social do. Otherwise get in touch with Philip. Your server settings are similiar but may need tweaking to: Incoming mail server (POP3): mail.chesterbrass.co.uk Outgoing mail server (SMTP): smtp.chesterbrass.co.uk and you MUST tick the 'My server requires authentication' box in Outlook Express. Step by step instructions will be included with your username/password. For further help call Philip!

Do you want to make a difference to a child’s future musical experience? Would you like to learn the simple skills to encourage success? How do you teach a child to play a brass instrument from the very beginning? How do you spot the elementary mistakes? How do you know if they are using the correct tonguing technique? How do you encourage them to become masters of the art of brass playing whilst having fun? and very importantly, what are the rules? Find out on Sunday 21st March 2004, Andrew MacDonald will be giving a master class on “how to start a learner - the CORRECT wayâ€. Andrew is principle cornet with the famous Wingates band http://www.wingatesband.org/ and teaches brass full time, so he has plenty of experience on this subject. All members of the bands and parents are welcome. The class will take place from 1:00 until about 2:00 and will be held in the bandroom at Bedward Row.

OK I know, but they've done it again! This time it's our cornet/contest percussionist Lizzie Knight, who's just got her grade 5 on the flute...... well done Lizzie. She played her flute last Saturday when recording a CD with The Upton School Band (together with Lauren, Amy and Helen). wonder what it would sound like in Vizcaya? Amy and Helen also 'do' flute... what do you think Derek?

Dates set for contest rehearsals... Feb Mon 9th Full Fri 13th Full Mon 16th Bass sectional 7-8 Full Fri 20th Full Mon 23rd Cornets 8-9 Sectional/Full Fri 27th Full March Mon 1st Full Fri 5th Troms/Horns/Baris Sectional - NO FULL REHEARSAL Mon 8th Full Wed 10th Full Fri 12th Full Band room Sat 13th (9.45 to 11ish) Full MICKLE TRAFFORD SCOUT HUT Sun 14th CONTEST - coach leaves band room at 6.30 (yes)

The Evening Leader - last week, and The Chronicle this week (Feb 27th) have run the story and photo of Jessica and Derek :)