Rothwell Temperance Band

Rothwell Temperance Band (RTB) are a Championship Section brass band in Yorkshire. Although they do not rehearse in Rothwell itself, they have strong connections with the town and hold many concerts for the local community.

The band became the All England Masters International Champions at a contest in Cambridge Corn Exchange on 28 May 2006. [ [http://www.4barsrest.com/articles/2006/art593b.asp 4barsrest.com | articles | 2006 All England Masters International - Retrospective ] ]

Early history

Formation

In the mid-1800s a band called the Rothwell Model Band existed in the town. Later, a dispute arose between the alcohol drinkers and the teetotallers in the band. As a result the Rothwell Temperance Band was founded in 1881. When the Temperance Hall was built in 1904 one of the four corner stones was inscribed with the following:

"Laid by Thomas Blackburn in the name of the Rothwell Temperance Band. Established 1881."

The Rothwell Model Band then became know as the Rothwell Old Band.

Early years

After the 1939-45 war

Changing names

Recent history

Major contest successes

In true brass band style only top six placings are listed. For these and other contest results see the Results Archive section on [http://www.4barsrest.com 4barsrest.com] .

Notable members

*Richard Marshall played cornet with the band in the early 1990s and is now principal cornet player with the Black Dyke Band.
*Michael Howley grew up playing euphonium with the band and has held the principal euphonium seat at several top bands including The Fairey Band, YBS and Brighouse and Rastrick.
*David Roberts (conductor) was principal cornet player with the band in his youth before playing with Yorkshire Imps and Black Dyke Band. He then returned to Rothwell to concentrate on conducting.
*Lucy Beeson is a regular percussionist with the band. She competed in the final of the BBC Young Musician of the Year in 2004, having won the percussion class.

Tours and performances

The band have featured several times on BBC Radio 2's "Listen To The Band" programme, using tracks from the band's CDs and having recorded sessions especially for broadcast.

References

External links

* [http://www.rtb.org.uk Official Rothwell Temperance Band website]