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2003 Spring Brass Band Festival
The 83rd Grand Shield
May 3rd
Winter Gardens, Blackpool
There is little doubt in the minds of both performers
and audience that the Grand Shield is the hardest brass band contest
of all to win – and this year proves the point.
All our readers know we like to use football as an analogy, but
even though we sometimes go a bit OTT with the comparisons they
do remain the most accurate. Just have a look at the desperate struggle
the likes of West Ham and Bolton Wanderers are going through at
the moment to retain their place in the Premiership and then look
at the problems teams such as Leicester, Ipswich and Derby County
have encountered since they lost their status and you get some idea
of what playing in the British Open means to bands and conductors.
Not being in Birmingham in September for quite a few of the bands
on show in Blackpool this weekend will be a hammer blow many may
take a very long time to recover from, whilst the spectre of relegation
to the Senior Cup is really the stuff of banding nightmares.
Just take a glance at the 21 bands hoping to make it this year.
CWS Glasgow and Desford were Regional winners, whilst ASDA Stocksbridge,
EYMS, Flowers and Ransome all qualified for London. Aveley and Newham,
Fishburn and Sellers just missed out, so you have close on half
the field that has already shown this year that they can beat many
of the bands that are actually at the Open. Given that there are
only two promotion places up for grabs, you can see why all the
bands are desperate to secure their place at Symphony Hall, and
why another year in the “Nationwide League” could be
disastrous.
The 4BR rankings really show how close it is on form over the past
few years with nine of the bands ranked between 12 and 25 and the
rest bar two all in the top 50. That has the makings of a close
contest in anyone’s books.
The added ingredient that will make this contest even harder to
call is the choice of the test piece. Rumours suggested that the
organisers may have dropped a clanger with the choice of “Tallis
Variations” ahead of “Paganini Variations” for
the Senior Cup, but on close examination the choice is a very clever
one. All the bands here will be able to play the piece, but only
the ones with real aspirations and the quality that you come to
expect from Open contenders will deliver it in a fashion that will
do it real justice. It is a piece to be treated with love and care,
delicacy allied to sombre understatement and with a dynamic control
that only fine bands can achieve. Try and blast this one and you
not only ruin the beauty of the music, but also your chances of
making it to Birmingham.
So all 21 bands will make the journey to Blackpool with genuine
hopes of doing well, but isn’t that how it should be? Come
results time there will be the usual complaints and disgruntled
moans, but the two that do gain the favour of the judges will have
proved their worth against their contemporaries. There are real
quality bands here, but also a whole raft that on their day could
give a performance that could win it in style. That’s how
hard it is going to be. How the winners then get on against the
Premiership “big boys” is another story though.
 ASDA
Stocksbridge
Conductor: Derek Renshaw
4BR Ranking: 21 (121.77pts – up 39 places
since Areas)
Principal Cornet: Matthew Knowles
Solo Euphonium: Simon Willis
Solo Horn: Adele Fullelove
Soprano: Giles Rimmer
Flugel: Martin Grimes
Solo Trombone: Jamie Ashtn
The Last 10 years
(Open, Grand Shield, Senior Cup, Senior Trophy)
2002: 5th Senior Cup (prom)
2001: DNC
2000: DNC
1999: DNC
1998: DNC
1997: DNC
1996: 10th British Open (R. Newsome)
1995: 15th British Open (G. O’Connor)
1994: 8th British Open (G. O’Connor)
1993: 7th British Open (K. Bolton)
Form Guide:
Results 2002 – 2003
2003
Yorkshire Area (Championship) - Prague - 2nd
Rochdale Contest - Ballet for Band - 2nd
2002
Senior Cup - Le Carnival Romain - 5th
Pontins (Championship) - Ballet for Band - 7th
Whit Friday - 2nd at Greenfield
Whit Friday - 3rd at Denshaw
Whit Friday - 4th at Lee & Springhead
Whit Friday - 4th at Uppermill
Yorkshire Area (Championship) – Whitsun Wakes – 14th
ASDA Stocksbridge will be making the journey to Blackpool with
confidence full to the brim after their qualification for London
after coming runners up at the Yorkshire Regional Championships.
On the face of it, that result may have come as something of a surprise,
but if you take a close look at their results over the last few
years then you can see a band that has been moving towards the top
of the contesting pile.
Over the years they have a very decent record of achievement here,
including two wins (possibly the only band ever to do this feat
in 1980 and 1984 when they were called Andrews Heat for Hire) and
also including 7th place at the Open itself in 1993. They qualified
for the Open after gaining 2nd place behind Hammond’s Sauce
in 1989, but dropped out after the 1996 contest. 5th in the Senior
Cup saw them gain that valuable promotion and after shooting up
39 places in the rankings on the basis of Bradford they could be
in the right form to make it a double and book a further trip to
Birmingham. Derek Renshaw has a very strong and competent band to
direct and some super solo players in the important positions so
this could well be a piece that will suit them.
 Aveley
& Newham
Conductor: Nigel Taken
4BR Ranking: 25 (81.06pts – No change from
Areas)
Principal Cornet: Dave Lewis
Solo Euphonium: N/K
Solo Horn: Trevor Foster
Soprano: N/K
Flugel: N/K
Solo Trombone: N/K
The Last 10 years
(Open, Grand Shield, Senior Cup, Senior Trophy)
2002: 4th
2001: 5th
2000: DNC
1999: DNC
1998: DNC
1997: DNC
1996: DNC
1995: DNC
1994: 13th (as Aveley) (M. White)
1993: DNC
Form Guide:
Results 2002– 2003
2003
London & Southern Counties Area – Prague – 3rd
2002
Pontins – Ballet for Band – 9th
National Finals Albert Hall – Masquerade – 12th
All England Masters – Atlantic - 5th
Grand Shield – Checkmate - 4th
London & Southern Counties Area – Whitsun Wakes –
2nd
Yeovil Entertainment – 9th
The Grand Shield takes on real significance for the London based
band this year after failing to qualify for the National Finals
for the first time in a while. It’s a long trip up from London
to Blackpool, but in the past two years they have found it very
nearly worthwhile. As far back as 1994 they competed here (although
without the help from the Newham brigade) so they have been trying
to get to the Open for some time.
5th place in 2001 on “Epic Symphony” was followed last
year by 4th on “Checkmate” and on their day they are
a band that can really push for a qualification place. Whether this
will be it after the disappointments of Stevenage remains to be
seen and they do have a tag of being a “there or there abouts”
band when it comes to the crunch. They will need to be at the top
of their form to go a couple of places better this time though.
 Seindorf
Beaumaris
Conductor: Gwyn Evans
4BR Ranking: 33 (56.86pts – down 3 since
Areas)
Principal Cornet: Paul Hughes
Solo Euphonium: John Powell
Solo Horn: Nia Wyn
Soprano: Ian Davies
Flugel: Wyn Williams
Solo Trombone: Jos Harris
The Last 10 years
(Open, Grand Shield, Senior Cup, Senior Trophy)
2002: 12th
2001: 2nd Senior Cup (prom)
Did not compete in the contests before 2001
Form Guide:
Results 2002– 2003
2003
Wales Area – Prague – 6th
2002
National Finals Albert Hall – Masquerade – 17th
Grand Shield – Checkmate – 12th
Wales Area – Whitsun Wakes – 2nd
The North Wales band had an excellent 2002, winning through from
the Welsh Regional Championships to the Albert Hall and also gaining
a solid 12th place on “Checkmate” last May. 2003 hasn’t
quite lived up to expectations as yet, but they did put in a strong
show in Swansea where they finally came home in 6th place. That
meant that they have just dropped a few places in the 4BR rankings.
They have some very talented players around the stand and are always
well prepared, but they are up against some very tough opposition
here and will have to play to the top of their form if they are
to feature in the prize list.
 British
Telecom
Conductor: Mike Fowles
4BR Ranking: 39 (45.64pts – No change)
Principal Cornet: Mike Jones
Solo Euphonium: Paul Walton
Solo Horn: Helen Varley
Soprano: Clint Miller
Flugel: Kate Chisholm
Solo Trombone: James Garlick
The Last 10 years
(Open, Grand Shield, Senior Cup, Senior Trophy)
2002: 11th
2001: 12th
2000: 23rd British Open (rel) (P. Bailey)
1999: 16th British Open (P. Bailey)
1998: 2nd (prom) 9th British Open (G. O’Connor)
1997: 8th (A. Lawton)
1996: DNC
1995: 20th (J. Maines)
1994: 4th (J. Maines)
1993: 16th (J. Maines)
Form Guide:
Results 2002– 2003
2003
North West Area – Prague – 6th
Brass at the Guild - On Alderley Edge – 8th
2002
Northern Open, St. Helens – Ballet for Band – 8th
Wychavon Festival of Brass – 2nd
Grand Shield – Checkmate – 11th
North West Area – Whitsun Wakes – 9th
Yeovil Entertainment – 8th
Mike Fowles directs BT for the third year in a row here and will
be hoping to carry on the improvement that has seen them move to
within a place of the top ten. 2003 saw them come 6th at the very
strong North West Regional Championships as well as coming 8th at
the Brass at the Guild Hall contest. They remain number 39 in the
4BR rankings.
They have shown that they can do the business here in the past
and qualified for the Open in 1998 when they were runners up to
Flowers. They then spent three years in the Open but were relegated
back in 2001 after coming 23rd under Philip Bailey. They will have
to be on top of their game if they are to return once more to Symphony
Hall this year.
 Bodmin
Town
Conductor: Russell Gray
4BR Ranking: 45 (35.76pts – down 2 places
since Areas)
Principal Cornet: Steven Hawkey
Solo Euphonium: Kevin McKenzie
Solo Horn: Mark Letcher
Soprano: Andrew Julian
Flugel: Katie Bullock
Solo Trombone: Martin Saunders
The Last 10 years
(Open, Grand Shield, Senior Cup, Senior Trophy)
2002: 13th (S. Sykes)
2001: 3rd (S. Sykes)
2000: 9th (R. Newsome)
1999: 3rd (J. Hudson)
1998: N/K (J. Hudson)
1997: DNC
1996: 16th (H. Taylor)
1995: DNC
1994: DNC
1993: DNC
Form Guide:
Results 2002– 2003
2003
West of England Championships – 6th
Cornwall BB Championships – Entertainment – 2nd
Yeovil Entertainment – 6th
2002
Grand Shield – Checkmate – 13th
West of England Area – Whitsun Wakes – 7th
Yeovil Entertainment – 2nd
Russell Gray remains at the helm to direct Bodmin’s challenge
for a place at the Open after directing them to 6th place at Torquay.
That was a hard earned result and even though they didn’t
quite have the strength to mount a challenge for the top places
they have certainly turned the corner in terms of form and are now
45th in the 4BR rankings.
They also have a pretty good record here over the past few years
as well, just missing out by the skin of their teeth for a place
at the Open in both 1999 and 2001. Russell Gray will be determined
to make sure 2003 is at least a repeat showing of those two years,
but we think they may have to settle for a top 10 place at best.
 Burry
Port Town
Conductor: David Evans
4BR Ranking: 29 (73.84pts – up 8 places since
Areas)
Principal Cornet: Roger Boyle
Solo Euphonium: Ceri John
Solo Horn: Gareth Davies
Soprano: Jayne Thomas
Flugel: Mark Smith
Solo Trombone: Marc Scaife
The Last 10 years
(Open, Grand Shield, Senior Cup, Senior Trophy)
2002: 3rd Senior Cup (prom)
Before 2002 the band did not compete in these contests
Form Guide:
Results 2002– 2003
2003
Welsh Area – Prague – 3rd
2002
SEWBBA Treorchy – Le Roi d’Y’s – 7th
WWBBA Ammanford - On Alderley Edge – 2nd
National Eisteddfod – Entertainment – 1st
Senior Cup - Le Carnival Romain – 3rd
SWBBA - Ebbw Vale - Le Carnival Romain - 5th
Welsh Area – Whitsun Wakes – 5th
Another band that makes the long trip with confidence sky high
after they qualified for the National Finals by coming 3rd at the
Welsh Regional Championships and beating some good bands in the
process. The past two years have seen the band grow in maturity
and the combination with David Evans from Yorkshire has been very
beneficial indeed.
They have continued to shoot up the 4BR rankings (up another 8
places after Swansea) and they have a group of very talented soloists
to call upon as well. 3rd last year in the Senior Cup saw them claim
a place here and they could well feature strongly again at this
higher level. Ones to listen out for.
 Carlton
Main Frickley Colliery
Conductor: William Rushworth
4BR Ranking: 23 (93.63pts – down 2 places
since Areas)
Principal Cornet: Kirsty Abbotts
Solo Euphonium: Ian Wright
Solo Horn: N/K
Soprano: Gary Bates
Flugel: Bridget Scott
Solo Trombone: Richard Walker
The Last 10 years
(Open, Grand Shield, Senior Cup, Senior Trophy)
2002: 19th British Open (rel)
2001: 17th British Open (J. Hinckley)
2000: 9th British Open (J. Hinckley)
1999: Winners (prom) 14th British Open (J. Hinckley)
1998: DNC
1997: 17th (J. Hinckley)
1996: 14th (J. Hinckley)
1995: 9th (J. Davies)
1994: 14th (J. Davies)
1993: DNC
Form Guide:
Results 2002– 2003
2003
Yorkshire Area - Prague – 10th
2002
Brass in Concert – Entertainment – 9th
CABA Folkestone - Variations on a Ninth – 1st
150th British Open Contest - The Maunsell Forts – 19th
Yorkshire Area - Whitsun Wakes – 9th
William Rushworth continues to rebuild in fine fashion at Carlton
Main and even though they 10th at Bradford they put in a very strong
performance. They have had plenty of new faces around the stand
as well, so the settling down process may now be over and they could
be ready to really give it a cracking show here.
The band has been here before and won the contest in 1999 under
John Hinckley, but they found life tough in the last two years and
fell through the trap door after 19th place at the Open in 2002.
They certainly have got the players around the stand to do well,
and William Rushworth is one of the most musically inspired performers
you would ever like to meet. This one could really suit them.
 CWS
(Glasgow)
Conductor: Nick Childs
4BR Ranking: 15 (178.54pts – up 1 place
since Areas)
Principal Cornet: N/K
Solo Euphonium: N/K
Solo Horn: N/K
Soprano: N/K
Flugel: N/K
Solo Trombone: N/K
The Last 10 years
(Open, Grand Shield, Senior Cup, Senior Trophy)
2002: 16th British Open (rel) (J. Hinckley)
2001: 15th British Open (J. Gourlay)
2000: 11th British Open (K. Uemura)
1999: 9th British Open (H. Snell)
1998: 12th British Open (H. Snel)
1997: 3rd British Open (H. Snell)
1996: 8th British Open (H. Snell)
1995: 10th British Open (F. Violet)
1994: 9th British Open (D. King)
1993: 3rd British Open (F. Violet)
Form Guide:
Results 2002– 2003
2003
Scotland Area - Prague – 1st
2002
Land O' Burns Troon – Entertainment – 4th
150th British Open Contest – The Maunsell Forts– 16th
Whit Friday – 3rd at Stalybridge
Whit Friday – 3rd at Hurst
Whit Friday - 2nd at Carrbrook
Whit Friday – 1st at Broadoak
24th European Championships – 8th
Scotland Area - Whitsun Wakes – 7th
The question everyone will be asking is how on earth do Glasgow
find themselves back here? This is a band that over the past ten
years has on their day been one of the very best in the business,
but the stats don’t lie and since 1999 they found the going
at the Open increasingly difficult, finally losing their status
after last years disappointing 16th place under John Hinckley. They
have been here before though and were Grand Shield winners back
in 1988.
They were beginning to drop through the rankings as well, but they
have taken strong remedial action and 2003 started in fine fashion
when the combination of Prague and Nicholas Childs sealed their
victory at the Scottish Regionals and a 1 place leap in the rankings.
If the good work has continued in the bandroom on a regular basis
then they will be one of the favourites to make a very swift return
back to Symphony Hall.
 Desford
Colliery
Conductor: Peter Parkes
4BR Ranking: 20 (123.33pts – up 2 places
since Areas)
Principal Cornet: David Smith
Solo Euphonium: Mike Kilroy
Solo Horn: Murray Borthwick
Soprano: Martin Britt
Flugel: Brian Winter
Solo Trombone: Mark Horton
The Last 10 years
(Open, Grand Shield, Senior Cup, Senior Trophy)
2002: DNC
2001: 19th British Open (rel)
2000: 20th British Open
1999: 13th British Open (R. Newsome)
1998: 16th British Open (F. Renton)
1997: 15th British Open (F. Renton)
1996: 15th British Open (B. Tovey)
1995: 18th British Open (R. Farr)
1994: 10th British Open (J. Clarke)
1993: 13th British Open (S. Roberts)
Form Guide:
Results 2002– 2003
2003
Midlands Area - Prague – 1st
2002
National Finals Albert Hall – Masquerade – 8th
Midland Area - Whitsun Wakes – 1st
Desford had been living a bit of a charmed life at the British
Open for far too many years, so it finally came as no surprise that
they finally lost their place at the contest after coming 19th under
Peter Parkes in 2001. That meant relegation back to the Grand Shield,
but last year they gave it a miss, so they can count themselves
a touch fortunate they get a chance as quickly as this to return.
2003 has seen then back on form though and they retained their
Midlands Regional title in fine style a few weeks back to get them
another trip to London. This will be a bit more difficult though,
but they have the class players around the stand, and a wily old
head in front of them to direct things along. They should feature
strongly.
 EYMS
Conductor: Gareth Pritchard
4BR Ranking: 41 (43.23pts – up 4 places
since Areas)
Principal Cornet: Craig Gaskell
Solo Euphonium: Melanie Pattison
Solo Horn: Miles Davison
Soprano: Graham Drury
Flugel: Joanna Peacham
Solo Trombone: Mark Unsworth
The Last 10 years
(Open,Grand Shield, Senior Cup, Senior Trophy)
2002: Winners Senior Cup (prom)
2001: DNC
2000: 14th (G. O’Connor)
1999: DNC
1998: N/K (J. Roberts)
1997: 6th (A. Snell)
Did not compete in these contests before 1997.
Form Guide:
Results 2002– 2003
2003
Northern Area - Prague – 2nd
2002
Malton Contest – Entertainment – 9th
National Finals Albert Hall –Masquerade – 20th
Wychavon Festival – Entertainment – 4th
Senior Cup - Le Carnaval Romain – 1st
Northern Area - Whitsun Wakes – 2nd
EYMS have been moving in the right direction in the past couple
of years since Gareth Pritchard took up the reins with the band
from Hull. Up 4 places in the 4BR rankings to 41 they won the Senior
Cup last year in fine style and also qualified for the National
Finals as well.
2003 has seen them do the first part of that equation again with
a runners up spot in the North East, so they will be hoping to repeat
the second part here. Plenty of talent around the stand and another
wise old head on the conductor’s rostrum they should feature.
Whether they have the strength from top to bottom throughout the
band is another thing, so a top ten place maybe the best they can
get.
 Fishburn
Conductor: Graham O’Connor
4BR Ranking: 36 (52.92pts – down 4 places
since Areas)
Principal Cornet: John Gill
Solo Euphonium: Jeff Bell
Solo Horn: Jillian Dixon
Soprano: Malcolm Usher
Flugel: Sue Parker
Solo Trombone: Malcolm Gill
The Last 10 years
(Open, Grand Shield, Senior Cup, Senior Trophy)
2002: 6th
2001: 10th (I. Robinson)
2000: DNC
1999: 14th (I. Robinson)
1998: DNC
1997: 19th (I. Robinson)
1996: 10th (I. Robinson)
1995: DNC
1994: DNC
1993: DNC
Form Guide:
Results 2002– 2003
2003
Northern Area – Prague – 3rd
County Durham 62nd Grading Contest - Journey Into Freedom –
1st
2002
CISWO - Mineworkers Championships – Essence of Time –
3rd
All England Masters – Atlantic – 20th
Grand Shield – Checkmate - 6th
Northern Area - Whitsun Wakes – 3rd
Durham League - John O’ Gaunt – 2nd
Consistent challengers here over the past two years, Fishburn came
10th in 2001 under Ian Robinson and followed that up with a well
deserved 6th place under Graham O’Connor a twelve month ago.
They started 2003 in excellent fashion with a win at the County
Durham contest but fell away slightly in the North East Regional
Championships and missed out on a trip to London behind Ever Ready
and EYMS. Graham O’Connor though is a man who knows what it
takes to win here and he could well boost their chances to make
a mark. If the talented soloists play to form they could push some
more fancied runners very close.
 Flowers
Conductor: Philip Harper
4BR Ranking: 18 (164.12pts – down 1 place
since Areas)
Principal Cornet: Kevin Robbins
Solo Euphonium: Mark Hadlington
Solo Horn: Richard Knight
Soprano: Chris Howley
Flugel: Julia Telling
Solo Trombone: Andrew Norman
The Last 10 years
(Open, Grand Shield, Senior Cup, Senior Trophy)
2002: 3rd
2001: 21st British Open (rel)
2000: 19th British Open (R. Evans)
1999: 19th British Open (B. Hurdley)
1998: Winners (prom) 14th British Open (B. Hurdley)
1997: 10th (B. Hurdley)
1996: 9th (P. Bailey)
1995: DNC
1994: 17th (D. Williams)
1993: DNC
Form Guide:
Results 2002– 2003
2003
West of England Regional Championships – 2nd
Yeovil Entertainment – 1st
2002
Pontins (Championship) - Ballet for Band – 3rd
Wychavon Festival of Brass – 1st
Porthcawl Open Entertainment – 1st
All England Masters – Atlantic – 5th
Grand Shield – Checkmate – 3rd
West of England Area - Whitsun Wakes – 3rd
Yeovil Entertainment – 3rd
Fresh from their recent runners up spot in Torquay, Flowers will
make the trip to Blackpool with serious ambitions of making a return
back to the Open for the first time since 2001. Last year they just
missed out by coming third, but at times that seems to be the story
of their life on the big contest stages.
The band initially qualified for the Open by winning the Grand
Shield in 1998 under Bryan Hurdley but they then found life tough
at the top and returned back after coming 21st in 2001 under Philip
Harper. They are certainly a better band now with plenty of fine
players around the stand, but with still the occasional bad habit
of not playing to their undoubted form when it counts – as
in Torquay to a point. There is class here though and with Philip
Harper pushing them hard from the middle they could be in with a
very good shout.
 Freckleton
Conductor: Paul Dalton
4BR Ranking: 42 (38.99pts – down 1 place
since Areas)
Principal Cornet: David Booth
Solo Euphonium: Patrick Howard
Solo Horn: Chris Redman
Soprano: Phil Symonds
Flugel: Ian Rayton
Solo Trombone: Stephen Lord
The Last 10 years
(Open, Grand Shield, Senior Cup, Senior Trophy)
2002: 2nd Senior Cup (prom)
2001: 18th Senior Cup
The band didn’t compete at these contests before 2001.
Form Guide:
Results 2002– 2003
2003
North West Area – Prague – 7th
Brass at the Guild – Cloudcatcher Fells – 6th
2002
Wilkinson Northern Open, St. Helens – Ballet for Band –
2nd
NWCBBA Fleetwood Contest – Cloudcatcher Fells – 1st
Land O' Burns Troon – Entertainment – 3rd
Whit Friday – 4th at Upper Mossley
Whit Friday – 1st at Denton
Senior Cup - Le Carnival Romain – 2nd
North West Area - Whitsun Wakes – 8th
Brass at the Guildhall – 5th
Freckleton made it to the Grand Shield after coming runners up
in the Senior Cup in 2002. That was a huge improvement for 2001
when they came a very lowly 18th and 2002 was a fine year for the
band with some good results against strong opposition in a couple
of contests.
2003 has seen them continue with that decent form and they came
6th at the Bras at the Guild Hall and then 7th at the strong North
West Regional Championships. Paul Dalton continues to direct things
with a level head and plenty of talent and his players do respond
in kind. This is a higher class of opposition though than a twelve
month ago, but they won’t be out of their class and should
do well.
 Glossop
Old
Conductor: James Cant
4BR Ranking: 43 (37.63pts – down 1 place
since Areas)
Principal Cornet: Janet Lewis
Solo Euphonium: Pete Bowd
Solo Horn: Stuart Wilkinson
Soprano: Mandy Crowther
Flugel: Steve Roberts
Solo Trombone: Gary Burgess
The Last 10 years
(Open, Grand Shield, Senior Cup, Senior Trophy)
2002: 18th British Open (rel)
2001: 20th British Open (G. Pritchard)
2000: 2nd (prom) 14th British Open (J. Berryman)
1999: 5th (J. Cant)
1998: DNC
The band didn’t compete at the contests before 1999
Form Guide:
Results 2002– 2003
2003
Midlands Area – Prague – 7th
2002
150th British Open Contest - The Maunsell Forts – 18th
Whit Friday – 3rd at Greenfield
Whit Friday – 3rd at Upper Mossley
Whit Friday – 4th at Heyrod
39th Buxton Festival – Whitsun Wakes – 1st
Tameside Open – Whitsun Wakes – 2nd
Midlands Area - Whitsun Wakes – 6th
Glossop Old are another band that knows what it takes to make it
to the British Open here and they did just that in 2000 when they
were runners up to Todmorden Old. They spent three years at the
top level under three different conductors but fell back here after
they came 18th at Birmingham in 2003.
The return of James Cant has been a boost to the band though and
although they only came 7th at the Midlands Regional Championships
they are certainly a stronger band than a 12 month ago and have
talented players around the stand who could do very well on this
piece. Maybe not quite ready for a return to Birmingham just yet,
but a strong challenge nonetheless should be expected.
 JAG
Mount Charles
Conductor: Bryan Hurdley
4BR Ranking: 24 (92.16pts – No Change)
Principal Cornet: Ian Thomas
Solo Euphonium: Shaun Thomas
Solo Horn: Sarah Robins
Soprano: Jon Small
Flugel: Tim Whitehead
Solo Trombone: Helen Thomas
The Last 10 years
(Open/Grand Shield, Senior Cup, Senior Trophy)
2002: 9th
2001: 14th
2000: 8th (R. Evans)
The band didn’t compete at the contest before 2000.
Form Guide:
Results 2002– 2003
2003
West of England Championships – 5th
Cornwall BB Championships – Entertainment – 1st
Yeovil Entertainment – 2nd
2002
Brass in Concert – Entertainment – 3rd
South West Championships – Oceans – 1st
Pontins (Championship) - Ballet for Band – 5th
All England Masters – Atlantic – 14th
Grand Shield – Checkmate – 9th
West of England Area - Whitsun Wakes – 4th
Cornwall BB Championships – Entertainment – 1st
Yeovil Entertainment – 1st
What we can come to expect of JAG Mount Charles we don’t
really know. We are starting to run out of ways trying to explain
why a band that on paper is as good as nearly any of the other in
the field continues to disappoint so regularly when it really matters.
They are ranked 24 but can perform like a band in the top ten –
the problem is that they can also perform like a band outside the
top 100. Yet more disappointment in Torquay when they came 5th under
John Hinckley, they haven’t really impressed here either since
2000 and can only boast a 8th place as their best effort. Bryan
Hurdley returns though and they do seem to play better under his
direction. Lets see if they can finally justify their high hopes.
 Kibworth
Conductor: John Berryman
4BR Ranking: 82 (11.69pts – down 6 places
since Areas)
Principal Cornet: Carol Smith
Solo Euphonium: Simon Rotchell
Solo Horn: Nathan Waterman
Soprano: Bob Stradling
Flugel: Guido Damore
Solo Trombone: N/K
The Last 10 years
(Open, Grand Shield, Senior Cup, Senior Trophy)
2002: 8th
2001: 6th Senior Cup (prom)
2000: 17th
The band didn’t compete at the contest before 2000.
Form Guide:
Results 2002– 2003
2003
Midlands Area (S1) – Passacaglia on the Theme of Brahms –
1st
Milton Keynes (SA) – 3rd
2002
LBBA Leicester - Ballet for Band – 1st
WMBBA Leamington Spa - English Heritage – 2nd
Wychavon Entertainment (S1) – 2nd
Whit Friday – 4th at Micklehurst
Grand Shield – Checkmate – 8th
Midlands Area (S1)– Royal Parks – 8th
One of the two First Section bands here, Kibworth have shown over
the past couple of years that they can more than hold their own
against high class fields. 6th place in the Senior Cup in 2001 gave
them the promotion to the Grand Shield and last year they justified
that promotion with a fine 8th place against some pretty tough opposition.
2003 saw them win the Midlands Regional First Section crown in
brilliant fashion (perhaps the only band in the country to master
the Brahm’s “Passagaclia”) and they really are
a Championship band in all but grading, John Berryman is a superb
MD and this is the type of music he directs so well. Maybe not strong
enough to win but they will take a fair shares of scalps once more.
 Skelmanthorpe
Conductor: Kevin Wadsworth
4BR Ranking: 49 (28.78pts – up 24 places
since Areas)
Principal Cornet: Ralph Little
Solo Euphonium: N/K
Solo Horn: Phil Garlick
Soprano: Robert Jagger
Flugel: Clare Lewis
Solo Trombone: Dan James
The Last 10 years
(Open, Grand Shield, Senior Cup, Senior Trophy)
2002: 10th
2001: 4th Senior Cup (prom)
2000: DNC
The band didn’t compete at the contest before 2001.
Form Guide:
Results 2002– 2003
2003
Huddersfield Pogson Bray Brass Band Competition – Tallis Variations
– 1st
Yorkshire Area – Prague – 7th
2002
Wilkinson Northern Open, St. Helens – Ballet for Band –
5th
Grand Shield – Checkmate – 10th
Yorkshire Area - Whitsun Wakes – 11th
2003 has been a tremendous year so far for Kevin Wadsworth and
his band and after gaining a fine 7th place at the Yorkshire Regional
Championships, they then gave “Tallis Variations” an
airing at the Huddersfield Pogson Bay Contest and duly won. Confidence
will be sky high then as they make the trip to Blackpool and they
have shown over the past two years here that they will be strong
contenders.
4th place at the Senior Cup in 2001 saw them gain the promotion
up to the Grand Shield and they then came 10th last year. The ways
things have been going of late they could well feature highly.
Ransome
Conductor: Peter Parkes
4BR Ranking: 14 (181.12pts – No Change)
Principal Cornet: Brian Winter
Solo Euphonium: Dave Belshaw
Solo Horn: George Thackrey
Soprano: David Bird
Flugel: Della Pearce
Solo Trombone: Chris Jeans
The Last 10 years
(Open, Grand Shield, Senior Cup, Senior Trophy)
2002: 5th
2001: DNC
2000: 21st British Open (rel) (R. Gray)
1999: 20th British Open (B. Grant)
1998: 11th British Open (S. Wood)
1997: 2nd (prom) 4th British Open (B. Grant)
1996: DNC
1995: 13th (D. Hirst)
1994: 12th (D. Hirst)
1993: 10th (S. Appleton)
Form Guide:
Results 2002– 2003
2003
Midland Area - Prague – 2nd
2002
Brass in Concert – Entertainment – 5th
All-England Masters –Atlantic – 10th
Grand Shield – Checkmate – 5th
Midland Area – Whitsun Wakes – 5th
On past form, Ransome should be one of the pre contest favourites
to take one of the two qualification spots on offer, but although
they are highly ranked (14th) they will need to justify that here.
They gained promotion to the British Open after coming 2nd here
in 1997 under Brian Grant and they spent four years at the Open
before being relegated down again after coming 21st in 2000. They
missed the contest in 2001 as they were competing at the European
Championships and they put in a very strong show a twelve-month
ago to come 5th. Plenty of talented players they certainly have
the tools to do well. They have already made it to London this year,
so what price the double for Birmingham?
 Sellers
International
Conductor: Philip McCann
4BR Ranking: 12 (192.02pts – up 7 places
since Areas)
Principal Cornet: Darren Stott
Solo Euphonium: Mark Bousie
Solo Horn: Martin Armstrong
Soprano: Kay Mackenzie
Flugel: Natalie Beer
Solo Trombone: Rupert Trippett
The Last 10 years
(Open, Grand Shield, Senior Cup, Senior Trophy)
2002: 7th
2001: 4th (A. Exeley)
2000: 13th (A. Exeley)
1999: 17th British Open (rel) (P. Parkes)
1998: 18th British Open (A. Morrison)
1997: 12th British Open (A. Morrison)
1996: 11th British Open (A. Morrison)
1995: 7th British Open (P. McCann)
1994: 14th British Open (P. McCann)
1993: 16th British Open (P. McCann)
Form Guide:
Results 2002– 2003
2003
Yorkshire Area – Prague – 3rd
2002
Brass in Concert – Entertainment – 4th
All England Masters - Atlantic – 4th
Grand Shield – Checkmate – 7th
Yorkshire Area - Whitsun Wakes – 6th
The highest ranked band here should be one of the favourites to
claim back a spot at the British Open if they play to form. The
return of Philip McCann has undoubtedly been the catalyst but he
has a fine set of solo players to call upon as well.
2003 has started very well, although they would have been a touch
disappointed to have just missed out on a trip to London, but since
2002 they have shown enough class to make them strong contenders
here. They were last at the Open in 1999 when three years of poor
results condemned them to relegation, but with the exception of
2000 they have featured highly here. 7th last year was about right,
but they have it in them to claim one of the two top spots. We’ll
wait and see then.
 Thoresby
Colliery
Conductor: Stan Lippeatt
4BR Ranking: 47 (33.14pts – down 1 place
since Areas)
Principal Cornet: Neil Day
Solo Euphonium: Terry Wells
Solo Horn: Christine Gent
Soprano: Simon Oates
Flugel: Matthew Challender
Solo Trombone: Malcolm Portman
The Last 10 years
(Open, Grand Shield, Senior Cup, Senior Trophy)
2002: 4th Senior Cup (prom)
2001: 14th Senior Cup
2000: DNC
1999: DNC
1998: DNC
1997: 21st
1996: DNC
1995: 19th
1994: DNC
1993: 17th
Form Guide:
Results 2002– 2003
2003
Midland Area –Prague – 5th
2002
CISWO - Mineworkers Championships – Essence of Time –
4th
NE Derbyshire Entertainment – 1st
Pontins (Championship) - Ballet for Band – 20th
All England Masters - Atlantic – 17th
Senior Cup - Le Carnival Romain – 4th
Midland Area –Whitsun Wakes – 3rd
Stan Lippeatt and Thorseby had a decent season last year, which
had it’s ups and downs. One of the ups was certainly the fine
performance they gave in the Senior Cup which gained them 4th place
and therefore saw them claim a place here in the Grand Shield for
2003.
They have been trying to get into the British Open for some time
now and since 1993 they have a strange record that has seen them
enter and come way down the field, then drop out only to return
for the same thing to happen again. They missed out f or a period
between 1998 and 2000 but 14th place at the Senior Cup was followed
by that qualification spot and they started this year by giving
a good performance on Prague which secured them 5th spot in the
Midlands Regionals. Ranked 47, they should hold their own but may
have to wait a bit longer for that Open berth.
 Yorkshire
Co-operatives
Conductor: John Roberts
4BR Ranking: Outside top 100
Principal Cornet: Tabby Hall
Solo Euphonium: Rob Cavender
Solo Horn: Jamie Clegg
Soprano: Jason Varley
Flugel: Caroline Ramsbottom
Solo Trombone: N/K
The Last 10 years
(Open, Grand Shield, Senior Cup, Senior Trophy)
2002: 6th Senior Cup (prom)
2001: 11th Senior Cup
The band didn’t compete at the contest before 2001.
Form Guide:
Results 2002– 2003
2003
Yorkshire Area (S1) – Passacaglia on the Theme of Brahms –
3rd
2002
Senior Cup - Le Carnival Romain – 6th
Yorkshire Area –Whitsun Wakes – 13th
The only band on show at the Grand Shield with a 4BR ranking outside
the top 100, Yorkshire Co-operatives came 11th in the Senior Cup
in 2001 and then gained the last automatic promotion spot by coming
6th here last year.
John Roberts continues to lead the band well and although they
played in the First Section at the Yorkshire Regional Championships
they certainly sounded like a championship section outfit, even
if they just missed out on a trip to Dundee by coming third. Some
very neat and tidy players around the stand they will be looking
to make a mark here, although we think they will have to be content
with a midfield placing at best.
4BR Prediction
This is going to be too close to call...
but we'll put our necks on the line once more and give our prediction
of what we think will be the result. Given that there are so many
quality bands on show here, there are any number of permutations
we could envisage and all of them would be pretty fair reflections
of the talents of the bands and conductors.
Given that the test piece is within the capabilities of all the
bands here, it could come down to the basics - sound, tone, dynamics,
balance and which of those bands really - and we mean, really sound
like British Open bands.
Therefore we plumb for...
1. Sellers International
2. CWS Glasgow
3. Flowers
4. Desford Colliery
5. Carlton Main
6. Ransome
Dark Horses:
Kibworth
Burry Port
Sorry if we put the mockers on anyone, or that we have left anyone
out - as we said, we could be way out and still it will be a pretty
decent result.
© 4BarsRest
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