What's it like to play as part of Wem Band?

I have played with Wem for over 15 years now and to be honest it's now part of being me!

Since joining the band I have always been welcomed, encouraged, motivated and inspired. That's not to say there haven't been times when banding hasn't been so enjoyable, but it's at those times when you have to reflect back to that feeling you get when you've just played an amazing concert or just played a blinder at a contest and remind yourself why it's worthwhile. However very often it is not those times which encapsulate what, for me, has made playing with Wem so enjoyable. Throughout the years I've met and become good friends with many people through band - the same people who now welcome me back to play if I'm in the area. Without the people, the atmosphere, the passion and the enjoyment, maybe I wouldn't want to still be a part of Wem?

As I learnt to play at the age of nine with the Junior band and then joined the Senior band the following year, I was well and truly nurtured and supported as I progressed as a player and also corrupted  - I'm joking (a little). The humorous and lighthearted nature of the once Thursday, now Friday night rehearsal, intertwined with the seriousness and importance of the forthcoming concert or contest, I believe, prepares you as an individual with many fundamental life skills.  When it came to applying to University (first time round!) for example, one of the skills I acknowledged was my ability to integrate, communicate and work as a member of a team with a large age range of people - something which many 18 year olds are not yet prepared to do!

Since ‘leaving' band six years ago I think I have played at every area contest the band have played at, with the exception of the areas in 2002 when the band won. I was so pleased but always felt a little gutted that I hadn't played at the regionals! Luckily winning the areas this year (2007) made me experience first hand the elation of coming first ...which means another trip to the finals and then...who knows!

Some of my most memorable experiences:

•     The first recording -
      playing Drunken Sailor with the Junior Band on Treacle Mine Rag

•     Our first contest - 
      The regional areas in 1994 (It may have been 1993 though!) and coming about 17th

•     Our first contest victory at Wychavon -
      Contest in Pershore winning the 4th Section.
       I seem to remember some people celebrated extremely hard that day!

•     1997 - The Lottery Grant and Celebration Concert -
       If I remember one of the most stamina building concerts ever with such gems as                       Opus One, Born Free, Jurassic Park, Riverdance....

•     Wychavon over the years -
      2001 I think was when the band won the 3rd and 4th section.

•     Areas 2002 -
      Wem won, I watched

 •    National Finals 2001 - Torquay -
      An excellent weekend, Blondie (Adam) stole my cheeseburger and has never                               admitted it. I also broke John Robert's shoe and I am still very sorry about it!

  •   Wychavon 2004 -
      was another year when we won the 3^rd section playing Lazy days of Summer,                               Clash of the Titans, A Nightingale Sang and a couple more I think!                                                However a Wychavon that was memorable due to the drunken state of the following band           members: Pete, Craig and the winner of most drunk that day was most certainly Elin!                I was driving and so incredibly sober, but next time you see her ask her about her                       nettle stings that day!

•     Pre Pontins rehearsal in the labour club in Rhyl -
      WOW - amazing and awesome.

•     Pontins 2004 -
      Possibly the only band to stop and start again on a contest stage?  Penultimate place               playing Prelude and Jubilate due to an incident with a microphone. Little did we know then       that in a few years time the piece would produce different results

•     All of the Christmas Concerts . . .
      there's nothing like a bit of festivity to get you in the mood!

•     Areas 2007 -
      an unexpected and extremely deserved victory if you ask me!

•     Wychavon 2007 and the National Finals 2007...? (fingers crossed!)

 The dates may be wrong and the memories may be distorted but it's how I remember it!