The History of the Long Eaton Silver Prize Band

Arthur Marshall

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Arthur Marshall joined the band on euphonium in 1933 before succeeding Harry Evetts as musical director of the Long Eaton Silver Prize Band in 1950. Success was immediate: on 26^th March 1951 the band achieved 3^rd place and were awarded the Hawkes Shield in Section 3 of the Leicester Brass Band Festival (behind Bedford Trades and Thoresby Colliery Welfare). The test piece, Indian Summer by Eric Ball, was to feature prominently in the band's 1950 summer programme, such as in the 6^th August afternoon and evening programmes at Ablington Park, Northampton.

A new institution during the early years of Arthur Marshall's tenure was joint concerts with the Toton (Railway) Male Voice Choir. The first was held on November 15^th 1953 in the People's Hall in Long Eaton, and, "By Popular Acclaim", another was held on April 4^th 1954.

In 1958 the band applied for re-registration as a third section band, where it was to remain for eight years. On February 11th 1962, the band achieved second place behind Pleasley Colliery in the second section of the North East Midlands Brass Band Association contest, before finishing third and second respectively in the Daily Herald Midland Area Qualifying Finals of 1963 and 1965. Finally, in 1966 the band regained its position in the second section by becoming third section Midland champions: winning by a margin of nine points ahead of Corby Silver and achieving their fifth prize in six contests within a period of six months. The win was reported in the Long Eaton Advertiser, Nottingham Evening Post and Derby Evening Telegraph.

Arthur Marshall resigned as Musical Director in 1975.