- Marxmen Profile -
Marxmen Profile
The Marxmen are best described as a Marching Brass Youth Band with Colour Guard. They are aged between 8 and 25 years old, and currently their average age is about 12 to 15 years. That really is a young “youth” band. The Marxmen
(previously known as Braintree Dimensions) are affiliated to the British Youth Band Association and will take part in this associations annual contesting events. Over the years the band has competed in the novice class of this association and has earned promotion through each of the four classes to reach the ultimate Premier Class, and have even finished as high as 5th place in that class at the National Finals. This really shows that the band, at its strongest, is amongst the elite youth bands in the UK. However, as members join, leave or “age out” the band’s ability will naturally change from one year to another. 2003 was a special year for the band. They took a year out from BYBA Contesting, due mainly to their combined inexperience and the loss of most of the older members. 2003 was the year that the Marxmen had to concentrate on other things.
It has always been the ethos of the band to earn the money that is needed for them to take part in the contesting events (Safe coach travel to 4 or more venues of up to 150 miles away, and to use the coach as their base for the day does cost a lot). This process of earning teaches all members some of the simple facts of life, like you have to earn money for what you want to do and sometimes you can get pleasure from earning that money. The main method of earning is to charge for taking part in Carnival Processions and arena displays.
So during 2003 all efforts went into perfecting a road march and arena display that would be classed as good by the event organisers. If the performance is good then the band may well get an invite back the following year. Should you lose your open invitation to a particular event it is extremely hard to earn it back.
The Saturday of the Band’s first engagement in 2003, a procession and arena display at Soham (The town that had the tragic loss of 2 youngsters) raced towards the Band so quickly that they were sure that they were not ready. Not much was said on the coach as it slowly travelled to Soham. Even less was said when they arrived.
They tackled the business of the day and concluded by collecting their cheque together with praise from the organisers for the performance from such a young group. They all found it difficult to talk and smile at the same time on what seemed to be a short journey home.
The Band finished the season with a procession at Epping Fireworks arranged by Epping Round Table. A mere formality after a season of hard practice and long road marches which fostered their continual gain of experience and ability.
The Marxmen returned to the BYBA Contesting Circuit in the 2004 season. They performed much better than was anticipated and firmly established their place in BYBA's Division 4. They have maintained this to the current date.
The Marxmen are prepared to consider enquiries for Carnival Processions with Arena displays, or similar, for the 2007 season. Of course the diary must be empty for that date, although the Band has been known to complete 2 engagements on the same day. One at midday onwards and another in the evening. All that is requested is the fee for the band and the cost of the coach hire. A coach is always used to provide safe travel for the band.
During the winter season of 2002/3 a contingent of the Marxmen were entered into the Winter Guard activity of the Drum Corps UK organisation. They had a very successful premiere season and were a credit to their instructor and the Marxmen. There was every intention of this activity continuing within the Marxmen Group. A working budget had been achieved. However, most of the contingent, with instructors left the Marxmen before the end of the season for “greener pastures”. They are now known as the Alliance Performing Arts Foundation and are growing all the time.
The Marxmen Group wishes success to each of the youngsters that left to meet their own personal ambitions. Those that remained have lots of hard work ahead of them.