A weekend of Music Making
It’s been a busy weekend, with members of the Allegro Optical team making music. They have been taking part in events in both Blackpool and Huddersfield.
Sunday was a big day in the Brass band calendar and our team has been hard at work. Clinical Support Technician James Brooks has been to the North West Regional Championships in Blackpool’s Winter Gardens where 78 bands were competing.
James and his wife Kayleigh were playing with Littleborough Band, Kayleigh was on Euphonium and James on BBb Tuba. We are delighted to say that Littleborough finished third in the fourth section. It’s a fantastic achievement for a band who nearly didn’t enter the competition.
Well done to all our friends
Also playing at the championships were all our friends in Uppermill Brass Band. Jeremy and Lesley Lewis are longtime friends of Allegro Optical and we are delighted that the band came first in the second section. This is again a great achievement as the band only won promotion to the second section last year.
Also, a huge well done to Eagley Band and a big thumbs up to Chris Wormald, their conductor. Also having a good day was Ewan Easton who’s band, City of Chester came a very respectable 5th out of 17 bands.
Commiserations go to Longridge Brass band and our friends Brian Law and Mark Peacock.
Also to Middleton Brass Band including soprano cornet Louise Crane, who in spite of making music to a very high standard were not lucky enough to win this time.
While James and Kayleigh were in Blackpool they also caught up with old friends from Oldham Lees band who have all had glasses from Allegro Optical and are delighted that they can now see the music.
Brass and Brunch
While all the Saddleworth Bands were busy in Blackpool, MD Stephen Tighe was conducting his band Kippax at Huddersfield’s Cedar Court as part of their new Brass and Brunch programme. The event is organised by Allegro Optical’s good friends Champion Brass and offers guests an afternoon like no other with a different 30 piece brass band every last Sunday of a month. Guests can enjoy a delicious brunch that hits the spot while listening to some of the regions finest Brass bands.
Thanks to Cedar Court’s enviable location, it’s easy for guests to get there and enjoy listening to bands making music. The events will feature the best brass bands from either side of the Pennines. If you would like to enjoy a Cedar Court brunch and some real Brass Band tunes next month just visit https://togo.uk.com//ViewEvent/17231
Don’t let struggling to #SeeTheMusic spoil your music making
It’s been a very musical weekend for many of us here at Allegro Optical and for many of our friends. Thankfully we can all see our music on the stand clearly. However, if you are a musician and you’re struggling to see the music there are solutions available. Seeing the music shouldn’t hamper playing and there is help at hand for the frustrated musician through Allegro Optical. We have developed these specialised skills over the last 15 years. As specialists in musicians eye care and the only optician registered with the British Association for Performing Arts Medicine (BAPAM) we can help where other optical professionals have failed.
Many musicians have attempted to solve problems with their opticians but this often does not work. As non-musicians, the optometrists, dispensing opticians or dispensing assistants have little idea of the working distances and visual field required by the musician. Many of the professional team at Allegro Optical are themselves musicians and fully understand the musician’s complex visual requirements. As many Music Directors/Conductors in the brass band world continue to prepare their band for the upcoming important Regional Championships. I would ask them to consider what extra help some of the team might need. Perhaps a consultation with Allegro Optical would be of real benefit.
Award-winning eye-care
We’ve been pretty successful in helping performers to #SeeTheMusic. In fact, in the last twelve months alone amazingly we have scooped no less than five national and regional awards for our work in this field. These awards include the National ‘Best New Arts & Entertainment Business of the Year at a gala event in London. Managing Director Sheryl Doe was awarded the 2019 Dispensing Optician of the Year and she was a finalist in the AOP Dispensing Optician of the year 2020. Allegro Optical’s cutting edge approach to dispensing and their musical experience has led to the team being shortlisted for the prestigious Opticians Awards, Optical Assistant team of the year 2020
During March 2019, Allegro Optical was awarded the Scale-Up Business of the Year, at the regional finals of the Federation of Small Business awards in York. We then went on to receive the FSB Chairman’s award at the national finals in May. Finally winning the FBU Yorkshire family business of the year.
Allegro Optical has been featured in many national publications including The Times, 4BarsRest, The British Bandsman and Music Teacher Magazine.
If you are a musician who is struggling with their vision and making music no longer the enjoyable experience it once was, give us a call at either Greenfield on 01457 353100 or Meltham on 01484 907090.
