Lancers News

29 Aug 07 - 1st Half of Season - Review

In the build up to the first half of the BYBA Contesting season Stafford Lancers appeared for the first time at "The Midlands Preview" (MMM) at Bedworth Civic Hall, which was a terrific night, especially for the new members that saw and heard other bands for the first time.

After that we got out on the Drill field and started putting together the Visual Show, now as everyone knows April was just super warm weather for the time of year but boy was everybody to pay for that in the following couple of months rain, rain, rain and more rain!!!! The first uniform appearance of the year came at the "Stafford Music Festival", in the Market Square, Stafford (guess what it rained) followed by our dress rehearsal and Annual "Family Fun Day" which was well attended once again.

From then on we were on the road, (it was great to be properly back in BYBA) although taking us a little by surprise on how well things went early on. With so many changes from the end of 2006 and the nearly 20 young rookies we knew that we would be dirty early doors but was confident by second half we would be in business. As we were knew that we had a good musical and visual book and the potential to do it justice given time.

As it turned out we won our very first show at BYBA Barnsley Show (which was moved last minute from Leeds due to flooding, our thanks to BYBA and organisers for ensuring the show went ahead) in a strong field and that gave everyone a big confidence boost and lots of belief. From there we came Runners Up at "Sommer Sounds Show" down Bristol way followed by another good win at "Barnsley Academy Magic Contest".

On top of this "The Lancers" had the distinction of performing at a corporate event for Kleeneze UK Sales Conference in front of over 7,000 delegates at the National Indoor Arena, Birmingham. A terrific experience for our members who did such a good job that they were voted as one of the top three highlights of the day by the delegates!

All sections have grown in quality and confidence during the first half, the Brass have really progressed well with their book and with a few tweaks here and there we feel that they will be where they need to be second half. The Drumline are still to march a full section this year, take "Somer Sounds Contest" when exactly half of line was absent. Subsequently everyone is looking forward to marching a full line up starting at "Brass Explosion" added to a completed book sure we are sure they will do themselves and the Corps proud. The Frontline too have come on very well in the first half despite not having a dedicated instructor and only 3/4`s of a book for the first half. Everyone chipped into help and they are sounding and looking a lot more confident moving forward moving forward!

We are looking for a dedicated Instructor for the Frontline moving into 2008, if you can help please get in touch!

Musical Director Jason Howard said "Its been a great first half musically, the members have really started to grow into the musical styles of the show. We have had a plethora of new players which have been working hard over the winter and the first half to improve. The Front Line are doing a fantastic job despite the current situation but they really work together and keep positive. The Drum Line have come on leaps and bounds and starting to sound well as a unit. Brass Explosion will be the first show the line will feature 'In-Full' and im looking forward to seeing how they develop there game. Brass have come on massively with the experienced members taking the new players under there wings and helping them achieve. Overall the ensemble is starting to sound really solid together and im positive we can achieve fantastic results for the latter part of the 2007 season."

The Guard have been working on filling out their book during the summer break, both working on projection and performance. Although the only sections not to have won a caption in the first half, Lancers have a long tradition of turning out good Colour Guards and their work in the last few weeks will surely move them close to achieving that aim.

From a Visual point of view the Corps has come such a long way already with half of the band being brand new. As the first half progressed they have been raising the bar each week getting the basics right; that is due to their hard work and effort plus the help and encouragement of the senior members.

We have had some really positive comments about our show and feel very excited that as we focus on intensive cleaning both visually and musically, that it will really come alive in the next month.

Corps Director Dave Milton said "We would like to take this opportunity to wish everybody all the best for the remainder of the season, especially all our competitors in BYBA Division Three?.

You can see The Lancers during the 2nd half at Brass Explosion, Midland Impact & BYBA Finals.