Palanga Performance
Flowers Band were the headline act for the weekend and played to a full house of Lithuanian banders, all eager to see what the UK could offer.
Flowers Band were invited to perform at the Lithuanian Finals over the weekend of the 30th and 31st of March.
Flying Friday morning from Luton, we landed at 5pm local time at Palanga Airport in time to eat, check in at the hotel and to rehearse with members of the MASSED.
The next morning began with a fascinating walking tour of Palanga, visiting the many sculptures, remnants of the Soviet Era and fables etched in the Lithuanian history.
After lunch, Flowers Band took to the fantastic Palanga Concert Hall for a final rehearsal before our performance.
Flowers Band were the headline act for the weekend and played to a full house of Lithuanian banders, all eager to see what the UK could offer.
With a programme highlighting soloists within our ranks; Andy Smith (Cornet) with Hejre Kati, Rob Wilshaw (Trombone) with Can’t Take My Eye Off You and Carlton Sykes (Eb Bass) with Carnival for Bass, as well as audience favourites; Manhattan Skyline, Night Flight to Madrid and Lightwalk amongst others.
To complete the night, Flowers performed alongside two competing bands during the awards ceremony.
A meal, courtesy of our organisers, was laid on for the band and we feasted on fantastic local delicacies, whilst also sampling our fair share of local beers, wines and spirits!
With an early flight, Flowers Band touched back down in the UK by midday; already missing the views, location, food, drink but most of all the brilliant hospitality awarded to us by our hosts.
What a great place. Thank you Palanga, and thank you Lithuania.
West of England Champions!
.… a clear winner by the adjudicators…
Champions!
Flowers Band secure another victory at the West of England Areas, with a eighth win in the past ten years.
Following our result at Butlins earlier in January, the rebuilding process was well and truly underway. The task had fallen squarely on the shoulders of Paul Holland to bring Flowers back to the heights achieved just a few years ago.
Draw fifth out of a pool of thirteen, Flowers were described as a “clear winner” by the adjudicators. There were excellent performances from Aldbourne and Filton Concert, finishing second and third respectively. Flowers Band will be joined by Aldbourne at the Championship National Finals, held at the Royal Albert Hall in October.
Goodbye Grant, Welcome Matt!
Personnel change at Flowers Band
Our beloved Solo Euphonium Grant Jameson has made the difficult decision to return to the USA and as such leave his seat with the band.
Grant signed for the band in 2015 under his tutor David Childs. When David made the move to Musical Director, Grant stepped up to the Solo seat, delivering outstanding performances for the band, featuring on multiple CD releases by Flowers. Grant was named Player of the Year in 2017 for his contributions to Flowers Band.
Matt Rowe, formerly of Tongwynlais Temperance and Ebbw Valley, has stepped forward to take up the solo seat.
“I’m delighted to be joining such a top quality band as well as working with Paul Holland. It will be great to play in my first British Open in September, and will be great to return to the Royal Albert Hall in October. I have big shoes to fill from the previous occupants of the seat, but I’m very much looking forward to the challenge and drive to push the band further forward. I’m looking forward to stamping my own authority on the seat.”
Matt’s first outing will be at the West of England Area, where Flowers will be looking to defend their title as Champions and book another trip to the Royal Albert Hall in October.