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The Track Record – The Conductors:
Certain conductors seem to fancy certain contests, but all conductors
want to be able to say that they have won the British Open Championships.
It’s something to be able to tell your grandchildren and you
can show them the physical evidence with banding version of an Oscar
– a Mortimer Maestro trophy (except it’s not gold and
the sculpture makes the old man look as if he’s had 20,000
volts up his jacksy)
Some conductors have been luckier than others at the Open and some
have even won it at their first attempt, but all of them will keep
trying until they no longer can get a band to hire their talents.
This year’s field for instance will feature seven men who
have won the title, but 14 who haven’t and 4 making their debuts.
So here are the records of each of the 21 men at this year’s
Open.
Nicholas Childs (Black Dyke):
Made his debut with Tredegar in 1994 and has come close on three
occasions since. He holds the curious record of three second places
with three different bands (Tredegar, Fodens and Dyke). This year
will be his eighth appearance with four prize winning performances
to his name already on the record. Could 2001 be the year for a
first win?
Record: 7 attempts
No Wins: 3 Seconds (96, 98, 2000): 1 Fifth (99): 3 Unplaced
Allan Withington (Brighouse and Rastrick):
Made his debut as far back as 1991, but in 10 attempts so far
has only got a 3rd a 4th and a 5th to his name. The early years
were the struggle for him and Brighouse but in the last three years
he has got to grips with the contest and has featured in the prizes.
If he wins the Open it will see him complete a personal “Grand
Slam” of Major titles.
Record: 10 attempts
No Wins: 1 Third (98): 1 Fourth (99): 1 Sixth (95): 7 Unplaced
Robert Childs (Buy As You View Cory):
The ultimate record so far at the Open. One attempt – one
victory. Who can ask for more? It’s the retaining rather than
the winning that’s the more difficult task we are told, and
2001 sees his band coming to the Open as one of the short priced
favourites. A possible two out of two?
Record: 1 attempt
1 Win (2000)
John Hinckley (Carlton Main Frickley Colliery):
The third attempt for the hardworking MD of Carlton Main, who
has brought the band back to the Open after many years away. His
1999 debut saw 14th spot, but last year saw further improvement
and 9th place. Could 2001 see a further move up the table?
Record: 2 attempts
2 unplaced
James Gourlay (CWS Glasgow):
2001 sees Gourlay charged with the task of trying to take the
title North of the Border for the first time. One of the most impressive
records at the Open since his debut in 1995 with Williams Fairey
– he has never come out of the top 4, including a fine win
in 1998.
Could 2001 see another prize-winning performance from the Scot?
Record: 6 attempts
1 Win (98): 2 Seconds (95, 97): 1 Third (99): 2 Fourths (96,
2000)
David Evans (DUT Yorkshire Imperial Rothwell):
A debut for the talented young conductor, who has won the Open
before – as a player with YBS. Has made a big impression with
his band since taking over earlier this year and directed them to
a well-deserved 6th place at the Masters in May. One to look out
for.
Record: Debut this year.
Ray Farr (Ever Ready):
One of the strangest records at the Open for the multi talented
Mr Farr. A debut as far back as 1976 with City of Coventry, he didn’t
re appear until 1981 – this time with Grimethorpe who he took
to 5th place. Another break until 1986 and this time Besses and
a year off before a return with Coventry again in 1988 and a sixth
place spot. In 25 years he’s made just 6 appearances –
it should have been so many more.
Record: 6 attempts
No wins: 1 Fifth (81): 1 Sixth (88): 4 Unplaced
Bramwell Tovey (Fodens):
The man with the longest pedigree in terms of debut – he
made his debut with Hanwell back in 1974 on “James Cook”
– Mr Tovey has only been back a further five times and has
won it once, come third once and fifth once. That’s a pretty
good record; with the 1988 win with Rigid Containers on “Contest
Music” the undoubted highlight. Many thought he was very unlucky
last year to add to that win, so could 2001 see a second victory
for him and the first for Fodens since 1964?
Record: 6 attempts
1Win (88): 1 Third (86): 1 Fifth (2000): 3 Unplaced
Gareth Pritchard (Glossop Old):
Made his debut in 1999 with a solid performance with Besses
that only got 21st place. He has won the contest as a player but
may have to wait a bit longer as a conductor. No band last year,
but a welcome return for a talented MD with Glossop. His performances
especially at the Grand Shield showed a man with a very musical
insight into even the most boring of scores.
Record: 1 attempt
1 Unplaced
Gary Cutt (Grimethorpe Colliery UK Coal):
What a fine record for one of the most effective Musical Directors
on the circuit. A debut as far back as 1988 with Point of Ayr Band
from North Wales heralded a win at only his second attempt with
Kennedy Swinton in 1989 to become the youngest winning conductor
of the Open. His partnership with the Marple band was a model of
consistently good quality performances that led to his second win
in 1996 at the Bridgewater Hall. In between he also took Grimey
to 3rd spot in 1994 as well as coming 3rd last year. A real class
act.
Record: 12 attempts
2 Wins (89, 96): 2 Thirds (94, 2000): 2 Fourths (92, 93) 1 Fifth
(98): 5 Unplaced
Allan Ramsey (Kirkintilloch):
Another conductor making his debut this year. Allan Ramsey should
take great credit for the way in which he has brought Kirkintilloch
to the Open and brought contest success to the band. The win at
this year’s Grand Shield was very much down to a very detailed
and musical reading from him as MD and the release of a well received
CD has shown further proof of his talents.
Record: Debut attempt
Brian Grant (Leyland):
A fourth attempt for the conductor, who previously took the
Ransome band on three occasions at the Open. He claimed a well-deserved
4th place in 1997, but the following years saw a dip in form and
the band were relegated to the Grand Shield contest after 1999.
An experienced conductor who has also worked with Faireys as Resident
up until last year, he has been given chance with the improving
Leyland Band to see if he can bring both them and himself back in
the prize winning frame.
Record: 3 attempts:
No Wins: 1 Fourth (97): 2 Unplaced
Duncan Beckley (Marple):
One of the most hard working and committed conductors plying
his trade. Duncan Beckley makes his debut with Marple after serving
what seems an extraordinarily long apprenticeship in the lower sections,
where he has a record of success second to none. He has won National
titles at just about every level and has been responsible for the
development of an almost endless supply of talented players. A much
deserved chance to prove himself at the highest level.
Record: Debut attempt
Phillip McCann (Whitburn):
The man who as a player won numerous Open titles is still searching
for that first victory as a conductor since making his debut with
Sellers College Brass as far back as 1989. Two prize winning performances
have come his way – first with Sellers and in 1996 with Fodens,
but for the most part it has been a quest without reward. His direction
of Whitburn at the European Championships in taking them to 4th
place showed what he could achieve – could this be a year of
success or another of brave failure?
Record: 11 attempts:
No Wins: 2 Fifths (91, 96): 9 Unplaced
David King (Yorkshire Building Society):
The young flamboyant David King made his debut at the Open in
1987 with Kennedy Swinton off a number 1 draw that announced to
the banding world that here was the “Real Thing”. The
early years however were not as successful in terms of prize-winning
performances as he hoped, and only a 4th place in 1989 with Black
Dyke was his reward. He took a break from the contest in 92 and
93 and returned with CWS (Glasgow) in 1994 without success. However,
his partnership with YBS since 1995 has now in some way given the
more mature David King recompense. Only once out of the prizes since
and two wins (including a 199 points victory in 1997), his appetite
for success remains unsated. Could 2001 see a hat trick?
Record: 12 attempts:
2 Wins (97, 99): 1 Third (95): 1 Fourth (89): 2 Sixths (96,
2000): 6 Unplaced
For the following musical directors:
Howard Snell (Williams Fairey)
Peter Parkes (Desford Colliery)
Dennis Hadfield (Todmorden Old)
Frank Renton (Travelsphere Holidays)
Steve Bastable (Tredegar)
Philip Harper (Flowers)
See our article on The Old Masters versus
The Young Guns
© 4BarsRest
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