Band step up for championships
The biggest event in the marching band calendar is looming and members of a junior outfit in Walsall are fine tuning their routine which has to be timed down to the second. The biggest event in the marching band calendar is looming and members of a junior outfit in Walsall are fine tuning their routine which has to be timed down to the second. will be among more than 40 bands competing in the world championships between August 24 and 26. The 30 members will travel by coach to Shildon, County Durham, for the competition. Husband and wife Graham and June Cook and their team of parent helpers are busy perfecting the 15-minute display. Band members, aged between four and 18, practise twice a week for 90 minutes throughout the year. Read the full story in the Express & Star.
Walsall Coronets Junior Marching Band will be among more than 40 bands competing in the world championships between August 24 and 26. The 30 members will travel by coach to Shildon, County Durham, for the competition.
Husband and wife Graham and June Cook and their team of parent helpers are busy perfecting the 15-minute display. Band members, aged between four and 18, practise twice a week for 90 minutes throughout the year.
When the sun is shining the coronets take their rehearsals outdoors to Bully's Field in The Butts. But they cannot afford to be distracted by the good weather as they have a lot to concentrate on. As well as playing their musical instruments they must keep in step and in line with their bandmates and ensure they keep strictly to time.
Mrs Cook said: "We have 15 minutes in all. The clock starts as soon as the last band member steps into the arena and then we have 12 minutes exactly to perform our display.
"Then comes two minutes of entertainment and we have the final minute to get off."
Mr and Mrs Cook became involved with the band 10 years ago. Their son Dean had performed in other marching bands as a child and is now a singer, stage name Dean Appleby. The baton has been passed down the generations as two of the couple's grandchildren are coronets.
Most of the band hail from Delves, Caldmore and Chuckery. New members are welcome and there is a particular need for children aged nine to 14. Call Mr and Mrs Cook on 01922 630299.
