North Tyneside Steelband Charity no. 1059729
Albert Hall Schools’ Proms 2003, Music For Youth Festival 2003, 2004, 2005
National Youth Arts Festival 2000, 2002, (Millennium) Dome Performers of the Year 2000, National Steelband Festival 1990, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995
Bookings: Karina Atkinson 0798 685 6783 karinaatkinson@hotmail.com
Sec: Debra Betham 0191 252 9853 iain.betham@hotmail.com
PRESS RELEASE 12 July 08
YOUNG NORTH EAST MUSICIANS WIN NATIONAL AWARD.
Twenty years ago there were no steelbands at all in the north east of England. Then two community steelbands started in Heaton and Whitley Bay. Last week one of them, North Tyneside Steelband, showed just how far they had come in less than two decades by taking the ‘Outstanding Performance’ award at the National Music for Youth Festival in Birmingham.
They had won through to the finals of this national festival, which was entered by over 500 ensembles, for under 19 musicians after a stunning performance at one of the sixty regional festivals in Blaydon in March.
It was a long day for the 13 strong band who had to start out from Tyneside at 6.30am, not returning until after midnight. On arriving in Birmingham they played a 20 minute outdoor set on the tropical beach specially built behind the town hall. This soon drew a large crowd of tourists and office workers, many of whom videoed and photographed it on mobiles and cameras – watch out for this on You Tube.
Afterwards they were on stage in front of the adjudicators in the Adrian Boult Hall, along with the other 21 acts in the ‘Traditional and International’ class, including six top steelbands and ensembles playing music from Asian, Indian, Irish, African and English traditions. The exceptionally high standards of musicianship were recognised by the adjudicators who included top London steelband guru Brent Holder, who were full of praise for the young players.
Tension mounted afterwards at the awards of certificates and there were several bands that could have walked away with the ‘Outstanding Performance’ award, it was terrifically close. But the adjudicators commented on NTSB’s ‘wholehearted playing, mastery of the music, connection with the audience, authenticity and infectious enjoyment’ as they gave the award to them.
Jenny Gilberg, who arranged most of the music and led the band on their stage performance, was overwhelmed. ‘I knew we had played really well but I genuinely didn’t expect this….. but we did deserve it. This is really a day to remember.’
Hannah Betham, 15, enthused ‘It was fantastic. When we heard some of the other bands play we were amazed at the high standard. So we had a group ‘huddle and shake’ before we went on stage which put us in the mood to really do our best. I was really tired the next day.’
Michael Darling, 18, kit drummer with NTSB, said ‘We made a couple of small mistakes but the band is good enough to deal with that sort of thing without letting it show. It was a tremendous day – all the other bands were really good, they must have thought we were something special.’
NTSB musical director Dave Edwards said ‘I’ve been really proud of some of the bands performances in the past, but this is something special. They found themselves on the same stage with some of the top youth steelbands in the country and they really showed what they can do; it’s incredible! With Jenny winning the national solo steelpan competition in May this is turning into quite a year for NTSB.’
NTSB’s stage set consisted of The Stranglers 80’s hit ‘Golden Brown’, a traditional Caribbean tune ‘Bachannal Woman’ and a short Abba medley. You can hear these and lots more steelband music from the band at -
Mon 21 July opening of Whitley Bay Skatepark 11am
Mon 21 July Northburn Primary School Cramlington BBQ 5.30pm
community picnics at North Shields and Wideopen on 9th and 16th August, 11am.
Journal food event at Linden Hall on Aug 30th
As well as several weddings across the region including Bradford, Teesside, Gateshead and Northumberland.
On August 23rd several of NTSB’s experienced players will be joining Caribbean Steel International (CSI) to take part in the Panorama competition at the Notting Hill Carnival.
NTSB on the beach in Birmingham ………………….. and later on stage in the Adrian Boult Hall
MORE INFO/PICS FROM DAVE EDWARDS
dave@steelbandsnorth.org.uk
North Tyneside Steelband is a registered educational charity promoting tuition, rehearsal and performance opportunities for young people and others on steelpan and related instruments. We run weekly beginners, intermediate, adult and performance sessions in Wallsend, supported by North Tyneside Council, and have 4 outreach facilities across the north east enabling a total of over 300 players to access steelband activities
Chair: Lesley Darling, Secretary: Debra Betham, Treasurer: Mike Gilberg, Committee: Karina Atkinson, David Beasley, Carol Brown, Jenny Gilberg, Sue Higginbottom, Ewan Mood, Lauren Stead, Mandy Watters