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Yeovil Entertainment Contest 2003
1st February 2003
The Octagon Theatre, Yeovil
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The Yeovil Entertainment Contest traditionally marks
the start of the new contesting season – the banding version
of the Charity Shield, and whilst it is fair to say that it no longer
attracts the very top bands as it did some years ago, there is still
an impressive list of contenders making the trip into Somerset to
pick up the title and a nice early season “earner” of
£1500.
The contest is now in it’s 26th year and since its inception
there has been an impressive list of winners. The contest also offers
something of an early season guide to contesting form as many bands
have used Yeovil as a springboard for a year of achievement. The
reigning champions are JAG Mount Charles, who won here in fine style
last February and repeated their successful entertainment formula
at Spennymoor in November where they came a third behind Grimethorpe
Colliery and Fodens.
The bands have to give an own choice entertainment programme of
25 minutes in duration (including applause)
Nine bands will be battling it out this year (Aveley and Newham
having dropped out) and so the line up reads as follows:
BTM; Bodmin; Bournemouth Concert; Flowers; JAG Mount Charles; Kidlington;
Parc and Dare; Redbridge; SWT Woodfalls.
David Read is the man in the box.
The first champions of the contest were Cory in 1979 under Denzil
Stephens, who retained their title the following year and picked
up a third crown in 1997, whilst the other bands to successfully
defend their title here have been Fodens (1985 – 1987), Tredegar
(1994 – 1996) and Bodmin (1999 and 2000). Fodens and Tredegar
head the all time list with four wins apiece, whilst Cory have three
titles and Bodmin and St. Austell a brace each. JAG Mount Charles
will be looking to join that very select club this time around.
Some famous names have directed bands to success here as well and
the winning conductors include Nicholas Childs, Howard Snell, Garry
Cutt and Richard Evans, so the contest always attracts the talented
MD’s.
The contest starts early at 9.30am and there has been a pre draw
for the bands. We don’t know the entire draw so we’ll
be fair and leave it alone. Top prize is a nice £1500 with
£900 for the runners up and £600 for third. The top
soloist will pick up £50.00.
The competing bands:
B.T.M.
Conductor: David Stowell
Best Result: 2nd place in 1991
Record since 1998: (98 – DNE, 99 – 4th, 00 – 8th,
01 – 6th, 02 – 5th)
Last Year: 5th
4BR Ranking: 28
The improving Welsh band will be looking for a good result to kick
start their season here and in the past three years at Yeovil they
have improved on each outing. 8th in 2000 has come down to 5th last
year and they certainly have the talent to make a mark again this
year. They were runners up back in 1991, and even though that may
just be beyond them this time, they will be looking to gain another
rung up the prize ladder at least. They also have a number of quality
players in the ranks and keep your ears peeled for a couple of classy
arrangements from the pen of Mark Hutcherson. They used one of his
numbers to open last year called “Blue Midnight” and
featured their excellent xylophonist as soloist before rounding
things off with “Shine As the Light”
Over the years they have been regular visitors to the Octagon Theatre
and can also boast in addition to their second place in 1991, 4th
place in 1992 and 1995, 8th in 1996 and 6th in 1998.
The partnership with David Stowell has been fruitful and the band
has a real flair for the entertainment contests so they could well
be there or thereabouts come results time.
Bodmin
Conductor: Steve Sykes
Best Result: Winners 1999 and 2000
Record since 1998: (98 – 5th, 99 – 1st, 00 – 1st,
01 – 3rd, 02 – 2nd)
Last Year: 2nd
4BR Ranking: 41
A great record here over the past few years, including a double
win, a third and runners up a twelve month ago. Steve Sykes directed
that performance and he has been employed again to see if they can
go one better and take their third title.
Over the years they have been very regular contenders here and
were 5th in 1992 and 8th in 1993.
2002 wasn’t the greatest of years for the band (they went
on to come 7th at the Regionals), but we understand they have been
rebuilding somewhat and have been working hard in preparation for
this one. They used a lot of humour last year after a cracking start
with the march “The Waltonian” as well as a fine bit
of euph playing in “Carnival Cocktail” and a big finisher
with “The Little Russian”. Don’t write off their
chances of making it a threesome, although coming in the frame yet
again shouldn’t be beyond them.
Bournemouth Concert
Conductor: Lt Col. Chris Davies
Best Result: 4th in 2002
Record since 1998: (98 – 14th, 99 – 5th, 00 –
9th, 01 – 7th, 02 - 4th)
Last Year: 4th
4BR Ranking: 100
Another band that has performed consistently here over the past
five years, with a year on year improvement up to 4th last year
since 2000. Lt. Col Chris Davis (he was only a Major last year)
directed the band into that 4th spot last year with a programme
that included two cracking solo spots from the euph (another who
put in a fine rendition of “Brillante”) and xylophonist
who whipped through “On the Track”, so look out to see
if they are featured again. They started with “Star Trek”
and ended with “Shine As the Light” so they can play
in just about any style.
They came 16th here in 1993 and 7th in 1996. 2002 wasn’t
the greatest of contesting years following that result (they went
on to get 5th at the Regionals), so they will be keen to improve
once more and the MD has been added to his CV with a spell with
Leyland band.
Flowers
Conductor: Philip Harper
Best Result: 2nd place 1992, 1998, 2001
Record since 1998: (98 – 2nd, 99 – 11th, 00 –
DNE, 01 – 2nd, 02 – 3rd)
Last Year: 3rd
4BR Ranking: 18
A pedigree entertainment contesting band, but one who have yet
to taste victory here in Yeovil with their best efforts being rewarded
with 2nd places in 1992, 1998 and 2001. Third place last year was
another fine effort, and their programme was chock full of great
visuals to go with the playing. They came 2nd in 1992 behind Besses
O’ th’ Barn by a point and 7th in 1993.
Philip Harper brings his talents to the fore with a number of clever
arrangements and last year they opened with his “Mega Fanfare”
as well as his arrangement of “Barcelona” and the finishing
item “The Circle of Life”. Don’t be surprised
then if a few more are features, as well as their fine flugel player
who performed “Beneath the Willows” last year. Should
feature strongly again (they won two other entertainment contests
last year) but they will be hoping that their good form will transfer
to the Regionals after they failed to qualify for London in 2002.
JAG Mount Charles
Conductor: Richard Evans
Best Result: Winners in 2002
Record since 1998: (98 – 14th, 99 – 8th, 00 –
2nd, 01 – 5th, 02 – 1st)
Last Year: Winners
4BR Ranking: 24
Last years winner will come to the contest as hot favourites to
retain the title and possibly give a repeat showing of their outstanding
performance at Spennymoor Brass in Concert in November. They have
been regular contenders here over the years and came 6th way back
in 1992.
There Bryan Hurdley directed them, and their programme was sparkling
from start to finish. They also had the added benefit of Shaun Thomas
on euphonium winning the soloist prize (as he did here with the
same piece, “Brillante”) so don’t be surprised
if he is featured again. Look out for may be lots from that programme
with Jan Magne Forde’s “Kongolela” a cracking
starter. They finished things off both there and here last year
with “Coronation Scene” from Boris Gudenov as well as
the Mozart’s “Ave Verum”. Should be the band to
beat, although they will be hoping that victory here will not lead
to disappointment at the Regionals where they could only manage
4th place.
Kidlington Concert
Conductor: Catherine Underwood
Best Result: 10th in 2001 and 2002
Record since 1998: (98 – DNE, 99 – DNE, 00 – 11th,
01 – 10th)
Last Year: DNC
4BR Ranking: 92
A third appearance for Kidlington here under the baton of Catherine
Underwood, and they will surely be hoping to keep improving their
form. 11th in 2000 and 10th in 2001 may seem not to be the greatest
of results, but the band performed solidly on each occasion and
would have gained valuable experience.
Last year they didn’t make the trip to Somerset, and they
didn’t quite have the kind of contesting year they would have
hoped for after their fine qualification for the National Finals
in 2001. That came after they played here, so their return may well
signal a concerted attempt to get some early season practice under
their belts before they tackle “Prague” at Stevenage.
There’s a change in repertoire isn’t it? May not feature
in the prizes this time around but should perform solidly enough.
Parc and Dare
Conductor: Craig Roberts
Best Result: 3rd in 1983
Record since 1998: (98 – DNE, 99 – DNE, 00 – DNE,
01 – DNE, 02 – DNE)
Last Year:
4BR Ranking: 60
A return to Yeovil for the first time since 1995 for the famous
band from the Rhondda. Then they came 5th, but the years since have
been hard on the band and it seems an age ago when they came 3rd
here in 1983 behind St. Austell and Ancient Order of Foresters.
The years haven’t been too kind to all three of those bands,
but the appointment of Craig Roberts has seen the band adopt a long
term approach to contesting results and it has been a sensible move.
There seems to be a much more solid foundation at the band and results
have improved steadily over the past two years. Nothing spectacular
but steps in the right direction none the less.
Not quite ready perhaps to challenge for prizes this time round,
but they will be looking to gain further experience for their young
players in preparation for the forthcoming test on “Prague”
in Swansea.
Redbridge Brass
Conductor: Melvin White
Best Result: 2nd place 1993
Record since 1998: (98 – DNE, 99 – DNE, 00 – 5th,
01 – DNE, 02 – 10th)
Last Year: 10th
4BR Ranking: 37
A good year for the band in 2002 was capped by their 11th place
at the National Finals on London. That followed them winning their
Regional title after performing here last year when they came 10th.
Melvin White has been with the band for a few years now and has
the experience to make the most of his resources. The band have
been regulars here over the years and came 12th here back in 1995.
They opened with a bit of “Boogie Woogie” last year
before taking in a bit of “West Side Story”, “Windows
of the World” and finishing off with a run through “Russlan
and Ludmilla”. They featured a fine trombone player in”Bluebells
of Scotland” so we may hear a bit more this time around as
well. If they have maintained that form from late 2002 then they
could well feature strongly. In 1993 under John Clark they came
runners up to Camborne, so they will be keen to try and at least
emulate that feat.
SWT Woodfalls
Conductor: Jonathan Camps
Best Result: 6th in 2002
Record since 1998: (98 – 12th, 99 – DNE, 00 –
DNE, 01 – DNE, 02 – 6th)
Last Year: 6th
4BR Ranking: 47
SWT Woodfalls came 6th here last year, but used that result to
go on and claim the West of England Regional title a few months
later. They will of course be hoping for a repeat of that success
(although it came under the baton of Garry Cutt and not Jonathan
Camps). They came 18th at London on a very difficult set work, so
they know what is expected of them to succeed at the top level.
Regulars here over the years they came 7th back in 1992, 12th in
1993, 7th in 1995, 5th in 1996.
Last year they started with the oddly named “Kindly Leave
the Stage” before they performed “Tonight” and
“Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” with a fine euph rendition
of “Endearing Young Charms”. Their finisher possibly
let them down (Toccata form Suite Gothique) as they were more than
capable of ending with something a bit more difficult and rousing.
A good band though and one with plenty of talent to make a mark
here this time around.
2002 Result:
1. JAG Mount Charles 197pts
2. Bodmin 196pts
3. Flowers 194pts
4. Bournemouth Concert Brass 193pts
5. BTM 192pts
6. SWT Woodfalls 191pts
7. Tredegar 190pts
8. British Telecom 189pts
9. Aveley and Newham 188pts
10. Redbridge Brass 187pts
11. First City 186pts
12. Woolley Pritchard Sovereign 185pts
13. Aldbourne 184pts
Adjudicator: Derek Broadbent
Best Soloist: Shaun Thomas JAG Mount Charles
4BR Prediction:
JAG Mount Charles
Flowers
SWT Woodfalls
BTM
Bodmin
Redbridge
Dark horse: Bournemouth Concert
The Winners:
1979: Cory
1980: Cory
1981: St. Austell
1982: Leyland Vehicles
1983: St. Austell
1984: Sun Life
1985: Fodens OTS
1986: Britannia Building Society
1987: Britannia Building Society
1988: Desford Colliery
1989: Britannia Building Society
1990: Kennedy’s Swinton
1991: William Davis
1992: Besses O’ th’ Barn
1993: SWEB Camborne
1994: Tredegar Town
1995: Tredegar Town
1996: Tredegar Town
1997: Cory
1998: Tredegar Town
1999: Bodmin
2000: Bodmin
2001: Aveley and Newham
2002: JAG Mount Charles
Winning Conductors:
1979: Denzil Stephens
1980: Denzil Stephens
1981:
1982: Richard Evans
1983:
1984: Barry Pope
1985: Howard Snell
1986: Howard Snell
1987: Howard Snell
1988:
1989: Howard Snell
1990:
1991: Keith Wilkinson
1992: Paul Hindmarsh
1993: Derek Greenwood
1994: Nicholas Childs
1995: Nicholas Childs
1996: Nicholas Childs
1997: Jeremy Wise
1998: Garry Cutt
1999: Nicholas Childs
2000: Gareth Pritchard
2001: Nigel Taken
2002: Richard Evans
Winning Conductors:
If you can help us identify the winning conductors for
the missing yers we would be very grateful. 1981 and 1983 with St
Austell, 1988 with Desford and 1990 with Kennedy Swinton.
Best Soloist:
2000: I. Williams - BAYV Cory
2001: J. Hitchin - Bodmin
2002: S. Thomas – JAG Mount Charles
© 4BarsRest
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