The members of the band were delighted to be crowned Buxton Brass Band Festival CHAMPIONS on Sunday evening after winning the Championship section of this prestigious annual event. Competing in a strong line up of 8 bands adjudicator Colin Hardy awarded the top prize to Derwent for their performance of The Year of the Dragon. The band had worked hard for the contest, fitting all the preparation into a very short space of time. The band always puts equal emphasis on concert and contest preparation and recent activity and concert performances meant all the preparation for the Buxton Contest had to be done in just 4 rehearsals. For one of those rehearsals the band's regular bandroom was double booked and that meant traveling to our friends at Hathern to borrow their bandroom for the night and we are very grateful to them. On the day the band hijacked a hotel just across the road from the venue and the pictures show the band grabbing the opportunity for another quick run through and final polish just an hour or so before the contest started.
Speaking after the the contest of his delight at winning this event MD Keith Leonard added "I'm very proud of the band and the professional way they worked preparing for this event, every rehearsal has been on an un-scheduled rehearsal night and all the work was done in just 4 rehearsals. The first prize was deserved"
A final bit of polish preparing for the winning performance
Percussion and bass sections concentrate in the final rehearsal prior to the contest
A delighted band in celebration mood with trophies
