Bactiguard Wire Brass MD, Paul Andrews has informed 4BR that the Warrington based Championship Section band will withdraw from contesting at the end of the year.

Great deal of thought

Speaking today, Paul told 4BR that the decision was taken after a great deal of thought and soul searching, and that after a decade of increasing contest commitment as they rose successfully up from the lower sections, the struggle to get a band fully prepared for top level contesting has, he says, ‘finally wore us down’.

Withdrawing

Paul told 4BR: "As of 1st January 2011, Bactiguard Wire Brass will be withdrawing from contesting in order to pursue other projects. In the 10 years that the band has been formed we have enjoyed many good times and high points far too numerous to mention.

However, the band has been affected by issues that many other bands are struggling with, namely the lack of available players to improve standards, work/life/band balance and personal rehearsal time."

Increasing demands

Paul made it clear however that the increasing demands of contesting has proven to be too difficult to overcome even for a band with ambition, drive and determination to succeed.

"The constant battle to get players around the stand and the drudgery of rehearsing for a contest with empty chairs and last minute deps, has taken the fun of contesting, and well — finally wore us down," he said.

The constant battle to get players around the stand and the drudgery of rehearsing for a contest with empty chairs and last minute deps, has taken the fun of contesting, and well — finally wore us downPaul Andrews

Respected views

A conductor with respected views on the current state of 21st century banding, Paul has been realistic in his assessment of what the future holds for his band, the banding movement and himself.

"It’s time to move on to something different away from mainstream brass band formats. We will be concentrating on our very successful 12 piece band and have several projects lined up for 2011."

He concluded: "We would like to thank each and every one of the past and present players who have helped in the success of Bactiguard Wire Brass."

Impressive record

Since their formation in September 2001, Bactiguard Wire Brass rose though the contesting sections in meteoric – claiming Championship Section status in just five years. Up until this year they had posted higher final placings at the North West Area Championships in Blackpool from 2002 onwards.

Innovation

The band also earned a respected reputation for innovative concert and entertainment contest programmes.

Notable achievements on the 10 year contesting journey included North West Area titles in 2002, 2005 and 2006, as well as the Second Section Pontins title in 2005 and many local and national contesting successes.

The end their contesting life close to the top 40 bands in the world, following their final appearance at the Scottish Open Championships in Perth where they came 5th.