History
HISTORY
The Marxmen Group was formed originally in 1968, but called the Marching & Concert Band of Braintree. The Band's name was changed to Braintree Dimensions in 1990 to reflect a new change in style and enable the Band to compete against others in the British Youth Band Association Competitions. Subsequently the name changed to the Marxmen Drum and Bugle Corps and finally the Marxmen Group in November 2003.
A cadet band was formed in 1992/93, whose performance at Wembley in November 1995 won them a gold medal. During 1993, Braintree Dimensions were invited to Chantilly and Paris where they took part in the Lord Mayor of Montmartre's Parade and to the French Riviera for the Nice and Menton carnivals. At home, their continued dedication led to an appearance at Wembley for the British Youth Band Championships and promotion from Championship to Premier Class for 1994.
Their shows in Premier Class included music from "Queen" in 1994, and "Mary Poppins" in 1995, which began with an invitation to play in the St Patrick's Day Parade in Dublin. They ended a successful 1995 season, in seventh place in the BYBA Premier league.
Big changes were necessary for the 1996 season. Many long standing members had left the Band due to ageing out and other commitments, and the relatively inexperienced and very young cadet band had to be amalgamated quickly into the main band. For the new members, the 1996 New Years Day Parade in London was their first big engagement, and the band continued to entertain and compete throughout the season with a new show, presenting tunes from "Joseph & The Amazing Technicoloured Dreamcoat". Despite their continuing hard work they were relegated to Championship Class at the end of the season.
Their determination to rebuild and regain their BYBA position was greater than ever. 1997 presented a huge challenge for Braintree Dimensions whose average age had dropped to only eleven years. Their presentation for the year was music from the shows by Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber.
In 1998 the band came up against some of their toughest ever competitions. Despite this they battled hard, and with a show of music by Barry Manilow earned themselves a place in the National Finals at Birmingham NEC, achieving 7th place in the Championship Class.
At the start of 1999, Braintree Dimensions were even more determined to win back their position in the Premier Class by 2000. With members who had worked together since their amalgamation in 1996 gaining unity, along with new experienced members joining them, the band had greater confidence and led by a new Bandmaster, Dan Jones and new Show Director, Lee Gardham, their target was within reach. An exciting production from Warner Brothers "Little Shop of Horrors" directed by Paul Sanders gave them the vehicle to fulfil their ambitions. Working harder than ever before, they had a very successful 1999 season. At the BYBA National Finals in October, they achieved fifth place in the league and won a total of 10 bonus points throughout the year. They were given the accolade of Most Entertaining Band within the Championship Class. Their overall points total for the season placed them fourth nationally and entitled them to a well deserved promotion back into Premier Class.
The 2000 season soon came around and the band knew that they did not have an easy job ahead of them. Performing music from "The Wizard of Oz & The Wiz" the band were well aware that once again they needed to perform a show that was both demanding enough for the judges but also entertaining to their audience. This the band achieved and at the end of the 2000 season the band were placed 9th in the Premier league having won 8 bonus points throughout the year.
In 2001 the season started with much speculation as to whether we would be able to put a show together for the year after once again losing a large number of long standing members. A lot of hard work was put in by all members of the band and staff alike and produced a show using the music from "Star Wars". This was a very demanding score and they performed it to the best of their ability. Regrettably they were not credited with the points that they felt were deserved & also due to the very high standard of other corps on the circuit they decided as a band to cut their losses and pull out of the last two competitions that they had been entered for in order to start to work on building a strong new Band with a new image & style that would clearly turn heads in 2002.
2002 was a great year for the band competing in the Premier Class of BYBA, achieving 5th place with a score of 743 points at the National Championships, this being the highest placing ever achieved by the band in its entire history.
They started 2003 by entering the Colour Guard into A Class of WGUK (Winter Guard UK). This was the first time the Marxmen had competed as a Winter Guard so they were extremely excited about the new venture. As the season went on the Guard really started to come into their own and by the National Finals really started to look like a Guard to watch for the future, achieving 8th place and a score of 50.5.
Due to the loss of some more of the older members the Band had to take one step back in 2003 so they can take 2 steps forward come the 2004 competitive season. This meant taking the difficult decision not to enter BYBA competitions in 2003. They spent most of the year recruiting and building the Band up for the 2005, 2006 and 2007 season.
So what comes next from the Marxmen Group.........? they are now making that history. Little Shop of Horrors, the first show to be repeated, for the year 2005, Eagles for 2006 and "Back to the 60's" for 2007.
Well the "Back to the 60's" show for 2007 is still buzzing in their heads as they stormed to take League position 1 and to win out right the National Finals in Junior Division. This also was now the best ever result that the Band had ever gained. All members, Committee, helpers etc are all to be thanked for their help in preparing the Band for 2007. It really was difficult as the band started the year without a percussion line and some very raw recruits that had not even seen a competition. Just goes to show you that one must take risk to attempt the impossible, because some times it happens.................................... next year......................?