BT have Guilded edge

Brass at the Guild
Preston Guild Hall
February 4th 2007


Those who admire the sound produced in a receptive hall with a warm ambience will relish the prospect of hearing the bands playing at the English Natioanl to be held at the Preston Guild Hall in June later this year. At the close of the Championship Section adjudicator James Scott spoke of his pleasure at the resurgance of lyrical playing that he had heard at this contest.

As well as the need for technique, he added, he wanted to be 'moved' by a performance and there was no doubt in his mind that BT Band conducted by Mike Fowles provided that quality at this contest. Taking 'Partita' (Philip Sparke) they led from Derwent Brass with 'Paganini Variations' (Philip Wilby). Keith Leonard guided them in to the runners-up spot with Soprano Cornet Dai Roberts collecting the best solo award.

Pemberton Old Wigan JJB with Mike Peacock looked to the give the regional set work a run out and 'Isiah 40' (Robert Redhead) secured them the 3rd prize a position mirrored by the 'B' Band when they had played in the Guild Hall in the Third Section earlier in the day.

Solo Trombone player David Chapman made it a fruitful day for the Chapman family as they literally secured a 1,2 3,4 in prizes at this contest. Dave himself taking a 1st with St. Helens Youth. Mum, Diane Chapman, taking a 2nd place with Rainford Band. David securing the 3rd prize as described here, whilst his sister Sarah Chapman supported the Freckleton Band on percussion as they took the 4th spot in this Championship Section playing 'Hymn at Sunrise' (Ray Steadman Allen).

Bactiguard Wire Brass with Paul Andrews maintained their consistent form with 5th place, again approaching the Regional test piece 'Isiah 40'. Their whole was well supported with some good solo work and their performance was bolstered with the presence of Gavin Saynor now leading their bass line.

The Second Section saw Holywell Band give a sparkling account of 'Tryptych' (Philip Sparke) and it was Roy Sparke adjudicator for the section who noted in his summation that, interestingly, no band in this section had given a run out of the Regional set work 'Carnival' (Helen Perkin).

Neil Samuel continued to make his mark in the conducting arena as he once more fronted the Rainford Band. Newly promoted to the National 2nd Section following their recent run of success in the 3rd Section they took the second prize playing the challenging Kenneth Downie piece 'Purcell Variations'.

Paul Lovatt-Cooper, whose work ‘Where Eagles Sing' has had a few airings in contests of late, took the baton with Royal Buckley Town. Conducting his own quite cinematic work 'The Dark Side of the Moon' he helped them secure the 3rd prize.

The 'Ball' family, featured on Channel 4 following their Wilkinson Open contest, were not comletely out of the silverware. Greenalls secured the 4th place playing 'A Swiss Excursion' (Darroll Barry) but it was principal cornet James Ball this time who took home the trophy winning the solo award for the section.

The Third Section witnessed the continued progress of the Oldham (Lees) Band. John Collins has taken the band up a section this year following Harrogate success. They led from the front with a number 1 draw playing 'Prelude and Jubilate' (Darroll Barry) and they also secured the solo prize with a fine soprano cornet show.

Whitworth Vale and Healey continued their prize winning form. Having taken the 3rd place at the recent Butlins contest they went one better here and gained a runners-up berth playing 'Episodes for Brass' (Gareth Churcher). The same outcome as the Pontins contest where they previously performed this work.

Consistent performers Pemberton Old Wigan B JJB under the baton of Peter Ashley again took the Darrol Barry work 'Prelude and Jubilate' and secured the 3rd prize.

The Fourth Section saw the Regional work 'The Seasons' secure the prize for Lofthouse 2000 whilst Coppull & Standish and Eatons Farnworth & Walkden both chose 'Facets of Glass' (Gordon Langford) to take prizes. The testing baritone part a reward for the Coppull Solo Baritone who took the best solo award.

In the Youth Section, Lynda Nicholson brought a very solid account of 'The Aeronaughts' (Goff Richards) from the St. Helens Youth Band to take the winning trophy and a healthy prize of £700, the sum on offer to all the winning bands at this contest.

Once more the Brass at the Guild contest proved popular and most pleasurable.

Some interesting works featured and was there a hidden message in the choice of music in the second section - perhaps the answer will be forthcoming at the pending Regional Championships.

Results

Championship Section

1. BT (M.Fowles) - 193 (12)
2. Derwent Brass (K.Leonard) - 192 (6)
3. Pemberton Old Wigan JJB (M.Peacock) - 191 (3)
4. Freckleton (P.Dalton) - 190 (7)
5. Bactiguard Wire Brass (P.Andrews) - 189 (4)
6. Powerfuel Hatfield Colliery (G.O'Connor) - 186 (3)
7. Poulton-le-Fylde (S.Tarry) - 184 (2)
8. Blackpool Brass (A.Warriner) - 182 (1)
9. Silk Brass Astra Zenica Macclesfield (J.Cant) - 181 (8)
10. Hade Edge (S.Wood) - 180 (10)
11. Blackburn and Darwen (N.Sheppard) - 179 (11)

Withdrawn

Alliance Brass (J.Clark)
Flixton (K.Gibbs)
Newstead (D.Beckley)
Timperley (A.Evans)
Tintwistle (D.Shutter)

Second Section

1. Holywell (G.Thomas) - 189 (6)
2. Rainford (N.Samuel) - 188 (2)
3. Royal Buckley Town (P.Lovatt-Cooper) - 187 (9)
4. Greenalls (J.Ludden) - 186 (8)
5. Valley Brass Haydock (D.Chadwick) - 185 (1)
6. Middleton (C.Whiteoak) - 184 (11)
7. Maxilead Metals Tyldesley (R.Taylor) - 183 (5)
8. Delph (P.Goodwin) - 182 (4)
9. Eagley (G.Westwood) - 181 (12)
=10. Shotts St. Patrick's Brass (A.Duncan) - 179 (2)
=10. United Co-operative 2000 Brass (J.Meredith) - 179 (3)

Withdrawn

Hesketh Bank ((G.Clough)
Pilling Jubilee (B.Harper)

Third Section

1. Oldham (Lees) (J.Collins) - 182 (1)
2. Whitworth Vale and Healey (J.Binns) - 181 (13)
3. Pemberton Old Wigan B JJB (P.Ashley) - 180 (7)
4. Eccleston Brass (I.Bateson) - 179 (10)
5. Porthaethwy Menai Bridge (C.Williams) - 178 (14)
6. Audley Brass (C.Fox) - 177 (11)
7. Uppermill (A.Widdop) - 176 (5)
8. Lostock Hall (I.McKnight) - 175 (8)
9. Dearham (M.Condron) - 174 (8)
10. Rivington and Adlington (D.Mort) - 173 (3)
11. Golborne (E.Hill) - 172 (9)
=12. Eccles Borough (L.Webb) - 171 (6)
=12 Nelson (J.Roberts) - 171 (12)

Withdrawn

Parr (Richardson Ltd.) St Helens (J.Smith)

Fourth Section

1. Lofthouse 2000 (A.Whitaker) - 178 (3)
2. Coppull and Standish (H.Bentham) - 176 (5)
3. Eatons Farnworth & Walkden (P.Ashley) - 173 (6)
4. Blackley (A.Smith) - 172 (7)
5. Tarleton & District (G.Bould) - 170 (1)
6. Littleborough (M.Bailey) - 169 (8)

Withdrawn

Barnton Silver (S.A.Yates)
Newstead Youth (P.Whyley)

Youth Section

1. St. Helens Youth

Astley Youth (H.Minhsall)
Pemberton Old Wigan Youth JJB (J.Don Duncan)

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