Avast! Marske Brass sweeps the prizes at the Durham League Grading Contest

On Sunday 4th November 2007, Marske Brass Band set sail for Peterlee Leisure Centre to take part in the Durham County Brass Band Association Grading Contest.

The set test piece for Section D was "The Seafarers" by Bruce Fraser, and just after 10 am it was "anchors aweigh" for the band's performance. The Marske Brass ship was then "becalmed" until the results were announced at the end of the next section, sometime after noon.

Following a tense wait, the band successfully made it to "Treasure Island" as adjudicator Alan Fernie considered the band's interpretation and playing best on the day. As well as first place, the band also won trophies for the best bass section and best solo euphonium - well done to Sue Merser, especially as she hasn't been on euph for very long.