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Post Match Analysis:
North West Regional Championships 2002
Championship Section:
The Winter Gardens, Opera House
Sunday March 10th
Adjudicator: Dr Roy Newsome
Commences: Approx 3.15 pm
Results:
1. Fodens (R. Gray): 197 4
2. Williams Fairey (H. Snell): 196 10
3. Leyland (G. Cutt): 194 7
4. Besses O' th' Barn (S. Sykes): 193 1
5. Wingates (B. Hurdley): 191 6
6. Haydock Ogden Travel (I. Brownbill): 190 8
7. Marple (J. Cant): 189 11
8. Freckleton (P. Dalton): 188 3
9. BT (M. Fowles): 1852
10. Longridge (S. Booth): 182 5
11. Mossley (J. Davies): 180 9
Top four bands qualify
Hands up if you would like to be an adjudicator? Dr Roy Newsome
had the difficult task on Sunday of selecting the bands to go to
London in October - a task that was made even harder by four outstanding
performances. In the end, Roy Newsome said that Fodens pipped their
Cheshire rivals, Williams Fairey Band, by a whisker, simply because
for him, 'their soloists made the music sound easier'. It was that
close – and when the level of soloist playing was as high as
we had on show in Blackpool, it was perhaps the only thing that
could part the top two bands.
The contest commenced with Besses asserting themselves with a comfortable
and confident performance. Steve Sykes is an accomplished conductor
and he drew on every ounce of this band to produce a performance
that right from the off was a marker. They let the dynamics work
to their advantage, which was highlighted in the light and airy
feel in the softer chord work, then later at its best in the march
which was quite pointed but very effective. As it turned out, they
gained a well-deserved fourth place and qualification for the Royal
Albert Hall, which of a number 1 spot was an excellent achievement.
BT were next up on stage, and although the performance was driven
with plenty of energy by Michael Fowles, it just didn't come off
for them, as a few too many slips meant that they finished in ninth
place. At times the sharp edged attack and vigorous style worked,
but it lacked excitement and as such became anonymous and bland.
Not bad, but not great.
Freckleton and Paul Dalton once again gave a very confident and
solid performance that on another day could have had them finish
higher than 8th place. It says a lot for the standard produced from
the other bands that this sharply defined and articulate reading
didn’t finish any higher.
Fodens came next, making their contesting debut under Russell Gray.
Russell's cornet playing was always articulate and his conducting
has gone the same way. The band responded to his leadership and
each player was on top of their game. A mobile phone ringing in
the opening section didn't seem to distract them as Messrs Wycherley,
Wilkinson, Williams and Barber produced some purely magical movements
- this music was flowing and the audience were being treated to
something special as the players were helped by some beautiful ensemble
playing right the way through the band.
Whitsun Wakes has provided flugel players up and down the land with
many a sleepless night on the run up to the contest performance,
with the immensely difficult cadenza. Helen Fox's decision to transfer
from cornet to flugel has paid off, and she showed why she is without
doubt one of the leading flugel players in the country. Her playing
throughout was superb. It was a highlight of a quite stunning performance
from the band and confirmed that even with the recent changes of
personnel they are an immensely talented band. There was little
doubt that it was the performance to beat.
Longridge, under Baritone virtuoso, Steven Booth had the unfortunate
task of following Fodens on to the stage and they discovered that
the step up from First section to Championship is a big one. It
was a listenable and competent performance but lacked the clarity
and style to really make a mark. They will take heart from it though.
Wingates were drawn at six and with Bryan Hurdley in charge the
band were hoping to take one of the four positions for London later
in the year. It was a solid performance which was extremely well
directed and it was no real surprise to see a touch of disappointment
on the faces of Wingates' players having heard that they had been
placed fifth and missing out on a crack at Masquerade by two points.
It contained a moody opening statement, which led to some rapid
rhythmic playing in the technical sections, which at times just
robbed them of the clarity that Dr Newsome must have been looking
for. Fifth place will give them heart though and they will approach
other contests this year knowing they can really perorm at the top
level.
4BarsRest has mentioned in recent times that Leyland are certainly
finding their feet again after an uncomfortable time with the loss
of sponsorship from JJB Sports. However, this band has a lot of
self-belief and determination about it and under Garry Cutt, produced
a wonderful performance. Mr Cutt's conducting style is such that
every note is musically visible and he keeps everybody on their
toes. The band responded with all sections producing some beautiful
moments throughout the performance that was full of energy and the
flugel cadenza was another highlight of the day. This was backed
up by fine playing from Rob Westacott on cornet, Brian Heyes on
Soprano and Neil Samuel on Principal trombone. On another day, Leyland
could have finished higher than third place, but it was one of those
days where they had two bands in front of them that were simply
magnificent.
Malcolm Brownbill had been picking the bones out of the fourth section
all afternoon as adjudicator, and had finished in time to come into
the Opera House and listen to Haydock Ogden Travel, conducted by
his son Ian. The band played exceptionally well and got to grips
with the music and produced a sound and solid performance, which
they have to be pleased about. Being placed in sixth position was
very creditable and richly deserved. The balance wasn’t quite
on the mark at times and there were a number blips and blobs that
detracted, but the overall shape of the music was excellently realised
and 6th place was more than justified.
Mossley Band came back into the Championship section after a long
absence, resplendent in new uniforms, and like Longridge discovered
that moving up a section is a very tough ask. They produced a performance
that had more than a few slips in it, and at times you could see
more than a few red faces as they tackled this demanding work. However
the thing for Mossley is that the performance is part of a learning
curve and the band and can build on this performance and the experience
of playing in the top section again.
And so to Williams Fairey. They came onto stage in determined mood
to retain their north west area title and of course, Howard Snell
was conducting his final UK contesting performance and the band
had the likes of Ian Porthouse and Morgan and Geraint Griffiths
making their contesting debuts. Every player was on their metal,
and it was an assertive and confident beginning with delightful
touches all the way through the band. This was gripping stuff and
some of the dynamics in this performance made the hairs on the back
of your neck stand up. Messrs Crockford, Porthouse, Morgan Griffiths
and Nick Hudson were in sparkling form, backed up by solid bass
and ensemble playing. Neil Hewson was his usual self with his very
strong flugel sound and the band produced a truly outstanding performance.
When the performance concluded, the audience reacted assuming that
they had won, but, as we all know interpretation is a very funny
thing and Dr Newsome found something else from Fodens to give them
title. We cannot let it pass without mentioning that audience and
members of the band gave Howard Snell a tremendous reception at
the end of the performance. He will be sorely missed.
Marple rounded the competition off and for a band that has struggled
in recent months, they produced a very fine performance under Jim
Cant, and were justly awarded 7th position. Much of the ensemble
work was of a high standard and reminiscent of the Marple of just
four or five years ago, but the complex technicalities of the music
found them wanting a little and a few too many slips cost them a
chance of a higher place. Still, it’s great to see them back.
And so to the results and the usual round of platitudes and formalities,
with the representative from Boosey and Hawkes managing to make
the same speech for the fourth consecutive time in the day. Some
feat that. Dr Newsome gave a quite model speech himself and indicated
that he in fact felt that there were four outstanding performances
and that he had to read over his notes and recall the performances
several times before he finally made up his mind. When he did, there
was little to question and so the winners were Fodens and a delighted
Russell Gray. This could well be a team to beat in 2002.
© 4BarsRest
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