Rochdale Borough Youth's MD, Eric Landon has spoken to 4BR about the band's latest victory at the Action Medical Research Youth Entertainment Contest in Blackpool on Sunday and admits there is no real secret to his bands continued success.

Planning

Reflecting on his band's fourth victory on the trot at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool Eric said 'I get asked all the time whats the secret to success and the honest answer is there is not one particular thing, but I like to think ahead as to what the band can do in advance'.

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Eric continued 'I knew about a year ago that for this year's contest, I wanted to feature the band's Principal Cornet, Nosheen Sattar who leaves the band this year as she goes to university, Ben Wright on euphonium and Nathan Mills, our Principal Percussionist. That was it though, I then had to start thinking about the best way to utilise their individual talents within the programme. I also look back to my childhood and younger days and remember the music from that era and I'll constantly look at how people present things, Roy Castle was a clever musician who did things in a different way and for those who go to Pontins, you enjoy the Bavarian Stompers but can pick ideas up too '.

Music from a similar era

As time went by though, Eric started to formalise his ideas and he admitted 'Having thought about some ideas and thinking whether they'd work or not, you go from there and having settled on the idea for Coronation Scot, I believe the inclusion of a slow piece like the Lost Chord is of key importance in an entertainment programme, but finding new and fresh ideas is something I enjoy doing'.

Nathan's a natural

I just told the band that it was important to play to the best of their potential. If they can do that, you can't ask for anymore than that can you?Eric Landon

Talking about Nathan Mills' starring role as a Percussionist dressed as half woman, half man, Eric said 'Nathan's a natural; he's a great musician and he's played solo's for us before on the entertainment stage but he just bought into the concept of how the piece was going to be presented and he brought it off brilliantly'.

Play well

Winning the title though is down to the adjudicators but Eric always strives for the band to play at its best 'I think we've been lucky to win the last three years never mind four and before we went to Blackpool, I just told the band that it was important to play to the best of their potential. If they can do that, you can't ask for anymore than that can you?'.

Backroom help

The Rochdale Borough MD wanted to thank his team that works so hard behind the scenes. 'I can't do it all and I don't but I must thank Rochdale Music Services, Catherine Duffy who organises so much on my behalf and I have to thank Susan, my wife. I couldn't do this without her love, blessing and encouragement Susan is the one I'll say to 'what do you think about this, would something like this work'.

In praise of others

Eric also paid tribute to the other competing bands on the day and the organisation that goes into making the day what it is 'Credit, enormous credit must go to Gary and Monica Walczak for their organisation of this event. Everything is superbly done and they have a team that take care of whatever needs to be dealt with. I hope the bands enjoy the day as much as we do too. I only saw a couple including Sellers International who I thought were terrific; watching Mark Bousie walk on stage out of a book cover was clever and effective, but congratulations to everybody involved on the day'.

Brass in Concert

Following a link up between the Brass in Concert Championships and the Youth Entertainment Contest, Rochdale Borough Youth have now formally been invited to perform an hour long concert on Saturdat 15th November prior to the Gala Concert. 'I'm delighted for the band' said Eric, 'the players will be looking forward to that for sure and we'll enjoy it'.

Germany bound

There's no time for the band to savour their victory though as the band heads to Germany on Wednesday. Finally, Eric commented, 'It's a busy time at the moment. We head to Germany on Wednesday returning on Monday and everyone will enjoy being together and of course we'll be talking about Sunday. I'm so pleased for the band, they work very hard for me and they're a great bunch'.