History
2009:
DDSB competed in 3 competitions in the 2009 programme, securing a new outdoor practice venue and sponsor in the process. Ready Steady Store offered to let DDSB use their space to practice marching the show, which helped tremendously. The band did well and introduced more than 50% of their membership to BYBA competitions for the first time. At the end of the 2009 season, DDSB attended the BYBA Individuals and Ensembles event in Nottingham. Woodwind player Sam Heald was crowned ‘Young Musician of the Year’ with Drummer Charlie Jackson announced Runner-Up. Unfortunately, Kevin Gray departed the band at the end of the 2009 season, leaving a vacancy for the Percussion Intructor. This was filled on an acting basis by Nathan Burton. 2009 also saw the return of two former members, Mark Littlewood and Tim Freebury to the brass section.
DDSB announced the title of their 2010 Programme would be ‘Suite 16′, a look back at the last 16 years of Doncaster Danum Scout Band. At the end of 2009, DDSB held their first award ceremony, recognising the achievements of the band and it’s members of the past year.
2008:
Unfortunately, a number of key players were unable to commit to a 2008 programme. DDSB therefore decided to take a break from competing for 2008, to concentrate on recruiting and going back to basics with every intention of competing on the 2009 BYBA competition circuit.
During 2008, a personnel change saw new Drum Section Leader Kev Gray introduced to the fold, as Andy Terrace took the Head of Wind Section role and Fiona Terrace remained Pit Percussion Section Leader. Bandmaster John Green was presented with a Medal of Merit for services to Scouting, which is a testament to the hard work that he has put in to the band over the years and the 2009 Donny Horror Show was announced!
2007:
The BYBA informed the band that due to a League reshuffle, they would be promoted to Division 3.
The members were excited but also nervous about their forthcoming challenge. The inevitable eventually happened during the band’s six-week summer break, when the car park that the band had been marching on was sold off. This meant that the intensive summer rehearsal schedule was not going to plan, and once again, DDSB were on the hunt for a new marching venue.
Thankfully, a venue was found prior to the National Finals, and thanks to this, DDSB continued to improve their show.
After marching their most challenging show to date, DDSB finished 8th out of 14 in the Division 3 League table and 6th out of 10 at the National Finals, missing out on 5th place by just one point.
2006:
In February 2006, Doncaster Danum District Commissioner Bernard Gray was killed in a tragic accident, he was a big supporter of the band and his death struck all of the members. The band was given the honour of playing at his funeral at the St. Georges Minster in Doncaster. DDSB members decided to dedicate their 2006 show to Bernard. Entitling the show ‘Bringer of Jollity’ after the opening song ‘Jupiter’, it was also a fitting description of Bernard.
Unfortunately, DDSB lost their permanent practice venue mid-season when the company who owned the land was sold. The new owners were supportive of the band and allowed them to use an area of the premises for instrument storage on a temporary basis, as the land was also due to be sold off. The band were still allowed to march on the company car park.
The band then had to hunt for a new indoor practice venue. DDSB had a more succesful competition season, finishing with 6th place in Division 4 and 4th in the National Finals.
Thanks to their previous year’s performance at the Remembrance Parade, the Royal British Legion offered DDSB a room in their club for practicing along with storage room for a number of instruments. This was ideal for learning their 2007 music. The band would use their old venue for marching.
Following a good Christmas programme, DDSB decided to continue in BYBA competitions for 2007. Deciding on a show titled, ‘Batman vs. Robin Hood – Men In Tights’, the band started to learn music from various Batman and Robin Hood movies.
2005:
After initially opting for a ‘Dirty Dancing’ show, and realising the music was unavailable, DDSB decided to play a ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ show, featuring music from the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical. The band didn’t take any trophies from the competitions, but it was a firm footing for the following season.
DDSB kept up their Scouting commitments and played at the annual St. Georges Day parade in Doncaster and Remembrance Parade in Edlington for the first time, after several years of doing the parade in Conisbrough.
Following the closure of another local band, DDSB received a welcome influx of experienced players.
2004:
Upon the amalgamation of the four Doncaster districts (North, South, East & West) in January 2004, it ws decided the DSMB should become DDSB to come in line with the all-new Doncaster Danum District.
For the first year, DDSB decided to recruit to add to their numbers, and were succesful in acquiring new members for all sections. Not competing on the BYBA competition circuit, DDSB decided to perform at Parades and Galas to raise their profile in the Doncaster area. Towards the end of 2004, DDSB decided to enter 2005 BYBA competitions but not for a league placing, just for the new members to experience them.
Doncaster Scouts Marching Brass 1993 – 2004:
In 1993, Doncaster Scouts Marching Brass (DSMB) were formed as the Doncaster Scouts Borough Band. Entering the BYBA (British Youth Band association), the band won the Novice Class (Div 4) in 1994 and the National Finals, the following season the band were promoted to Contest Class (Div 3) and won the league and National Finals that year too! DSMB then lost several key players and their next season in the Championship Class (Div 2) was successful, but not on the same level as the previous two.
Several more seasons passed and competitions were won, but DSMB never repeated the success of their first two seasons.
