ARTICLES

British Open Championships 2003

The Conductors

There will also be 18 conductors trying their luck at the Open this year as well - and only one will come away with the big prize and will become a footnote in the brass band history books for all to see in years to come.

These are the men at the sharp end this year.

18 men (no women this time) will take the stage at Symphony Hall this year to try and become the winning conductor of the 2003 British Open Champions. 17 of them will fail, and only one will get his name etched into brass band history for all eternity, but all will take the stage with sure-fire confidence that 2003 will be their year.

Of the 18 on show, just 4 have tasted victory before – MD’s R. Childs, Renton, Parkes and King have each had their moment in the sun here, although only Robert Childs and David King have had the added bonus of winning the Mortimer Maestro Trophy as a reminder of their victory. Only ten of last years 19 are back this time around though.

Of the rest, some have come close, some are making their debuts, but all will believe it is their destiny to win.

Who will it be then, and who has the best records here. This is what we turned up in our research. Makes for interesting reading.

Nicholas Childs (Black Dyke)

Made his debut with Tredegar in 1994 and has come close on four occasions since. He holds the curious record of four second places with three different bands (Tredegar, Fodens and Dyke) since his debut on “Salamander” and this year will be his tenth appearance. Six prize winning performances to his name already on the record is an impressive return, but what would he give to pick up that trophy and take the title back to Queensbury.

Record: 9 attempts
No Wins:
4 Seconds: 1996, 1998, 2000, 2001
1 Third: 2002
1 Fifth: 1999
3 times unplaced: 1994 (16th), 1995 (13th), 1997 (9th)

Bands taken at the Open:
Tredegar: 1994, 1995, 1996
Fodens Courtois: 1997, 1998, 1999
Black Dyke: 2000, 2001, 2002

Allan Withington (Fairey)

Made his debut as far back as 1991, but in 12 attempts so far he has won a 3rd, two 4ths and a 6th to his name. The early years were the struggle for him at the contest with Brighouse but in the last few years he has seemed to have got to grips with the recipe for success.

If he wins with Fairey he will become the first man to complete the “Grand Slam” of all major titles as a conductor. Last year he directed Fairey to 6th place.

Record: 12 attempts
No Wins:
1 Third: 1998
1 Fourth: 1999, 2002
1 Fifth:
1 Sixth: 1995
8 times unplaced: 1991 (16th), 1992 (15th), 1993 (10th), 1994 (11th), 1996 (20th), 1997 (10th), 2000 (12th), 2001 (8th)

Bands taken at the Open:
Brighouse and Rastrick: 1991 – 2001
Fairey: 2002, 2003

Robert Childs (Buy As You View Cory)

The man with perhaps the closest thing to a perfect record at the British Open than anyone else. Three attempts – two wins and a third place. You can’t get much better than that can you?

As a player he tasted success and the story has been the same with the baton in hand. Can he make it a hat trick and retain the Mortimer Maestro Trophy?

Record: 3 attempts
2 Wins: 2000, 2002
1 Third: 2001

Bands taken at the Open:
BAYV Cory: 2000, 2001, 2002

David Evans (Yorkshire Imperial David Urquhart Travel)

The second appearance for the talented young conductor who made his debut in 2001 on “Les Preludes” and which saw him gain a solid 14th place. Last year he delivered a fine reading to lead his band into 7th spot. Has made a big impression with his band since taking over in 2001 and continues to impress the critics with his direction and interpretations. One to watch out for.

Record: 2 attempts
2 times unplaced: 2001 (14th), 2002 (7th)

Bands taken at the Open:
Yorkshire Imperial: 2001, 2002

Ray Farr (Ever Ready)

Last year Ray Farr took Ever Ready to 15th place after a well merited 12th place the year before – something they won’t sneeze at again, although they will be hoping for even higher things.

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 reappear until 1981 – this time with Grimethorpe whom 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 27 years he’s made just 8 appearances – it should have been so many more and deserves a better return than he has so far.

Record: 8 attempts
No wins:
1 Fifth: 1981
1 Sixth: 1988
6 times unplaced: 1976 (N/K), 1986 (N.K), 1989 (N/K), 1995 (18th), 2001 (12th), 2002 (15th)

Bands taken at the Open:
City of Coventry: 1976, 1988, 1989
Grimethorpe Colliery: 1981
Besses o’ th’ Barn: 1986
Desford: 1995
Ever Ready: 2001, 2002

David King (Yorkshire Building Society)

The young David King made his debut at the Open in 1987 with Kennedy Swinton off a number 1 draw. He has had a bit of a hit or miss record since – but when he has hit, they have been three knockout punches.

Even though his record with YBS is superb, he has also been seen on the Open stage with other bands – including CWS Glasgow in 1994.

Record: 14 attempts:
3 Wins: 1997, 1999, 2001
1 Third: 1995
1 Fourth: 1989
2 Sixths: 1996, 2000
7 times unplaced: 1987 (7th), 1988 (N/K), 1990 (8th), 1991 (10th), 1994 (10th), 1998 (10th), 2002 (9th)

Bands taken at the Open:
Kennedy Swinton: 1987, 1988
Black Dyke: 1989, 1990, 1991
CWS Glasgow: 1994
Yorkshire Building Society: 1995 to date

Frank Renton (Kirkintilloch)

1977 saw the first appearance of Frank Renton with Wingates at the British Open – and what an appearance – drawn number 1! The following years he appeared with the declining CWS (Manchester) and took the famous band to their last prize winning in coming 5th in 1980.

The mid 80’s saw a break away from the Open, before a return with Grimethorpe in 1988 heralded prize winning performances that culminated in the famous “Paganini” win of 1991. Since then he has been seen with Desford on a few occasions and in 2001 lead Travelsphere to 10th. 1991 and 1992 when he stood top of the world with Grimethorpe may be a while ago, but he remains a maverick at heart with the talent to win any contest. With Kirkintilloch he came 16th in 2001 and 12th last year.

Record: 15 attempts
1 Win: 1991
1 Third: 1990
3 Fifths: 1980, 1989, 1992
10 times unplaced: 1977 (N/K), 1979 (N/K), 1981 (N/K), 1982 (N/K), 1988 (7th), 1993 (9th), 1997 (15th), 1998 (16th), 2001 (10th), 2002 (12th)

Bands taken at the Open:
Wingates Temperance: 1977
CWS Manchester: 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982
Grimethorpe Colliery: 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993
Desford Colliery: 1997, 1998
Travelsphere Holidays: 2001
Kirkintilloch: 2002, 2003

Major Ian McElligott (Brighouse and Rastrick)

Major Ian McElligott has made a real impression with Brighouse since he made his debut hee last year with them. Since then it has been a successful partnership and one that resulted in a fine 4th place last year.

Record: 1 attempt
1 Fourth: 2002

Bands taken at the Open:
Brighouse and Rastrick

William Rushworth (Carlton Main)

A real talent with the baton, and someone who has worked his socks off to bring some glory back to Carlton Main. Made his debut last year here when they came 19th and were relegated, but it says something about the man that he immediately bounced them back with the Grand Shield win.

Record: 1 attempt
1 unplaced: 2002 (19th)

Bands taken at the Open:
Carlton Main Frickley

John Hudson (Cwmaman Silver)

A welcome to the stage of the British Open for the man who has already got a “major” title in his cabinet at home in Norway – the Nationals of 1990.

The British Open though hasn’t been so kind to him since making his debut in 1992 with Wingates. In his 5 attempts so far he has only got the one 6th place in 1993 to go with the 5th place with Cwmaman in 2002. Apart from that he had a 17th on his debut, followed by that 6th, another 17th and a 21st and ended in 1996 with the now defunct Markfield Band (formally William Davis) coming 21st again.

He hasn’t appeared since, but that is a shame for he is a very talented and hard working MD with a very crafty sense of knowing what it takes to make a mark in a big contest. Should do well.

Record: 6 attempts
1 Fifth: 2002
1 Sixth: 1993
4 times unplaced: 1992 (17th), 1994 (17th), 1995 (21st), 1996 (21st)

Bands taken at the Open:
Wingates Temperance: 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995
William Davis Construction: 1996
Cwmaman Colliery: 2002, 2003

Steve Sykes (Besses o’ th’ Barn)

The third appearance at the contest for the talented Mr Sykes – with a record that first started back in 1992 when he directed CWS Glasgow into 10th place on “Cloudcatcher Fells”. A few years later in 1996 he took the now defunct Sun Life Band into 12th spot, but since the he hasn’t been seen on the Open stage as a MD. He returns with Besses after a decent start at the Masters this year.

Record: 2 attempts
2 times unplaced: 1992 (10th), 1996 (12th)

Bands taken at the Open:
CWS Glasgow: 1992
Sun Life: 1996

Thomas Wyss (Fodens Richardson)

Fourth appearance for the talented Mr Wyss as he takes the stage with one of the favourites for the title. Made his debut with the Rothwell band in 1997 when he directed them to 14th place on “Whitsun Wakes” and then again in 1999 with the combined Yorkshire Imps/ Rothwell when they came 15th off the number 1 spot on “Dove Descending”. In 2000 he directed Yorkshire Imps to to 19th off the number 2 draw.

Record: 3 attempts
3 times unplaced: 1997 (14th), 1999 (15th), 2000 (19th)

Bands taken at the Open:
Rothwell: 1997
DUT Rothwell: 1999
Yorkshire Imperial Rothwell: 2000

James Scott (Scottish Co-op)

The most experienced conductor at the Open this year, James Scott made his debut with the Cammel Laird Band way back in 1963 on “Life Divine” and since that time he has competed at the contest on a further 25 occasions (including a double showing with Rochdale Wilsons and Grimethorpe in 1980).

He still hasn’t won the contest though, with his closest being 2nd place in 1985 with Wingates on “Salute to Youth”, whilst he also came 3rd with Brighouse in 1973 and Grimethrpe in 1983. He last appeared at the contest in 1999 with Tredegar with whom he gained a 6th and two 7th’s in three appearances. His appearance with Scottish Co-op means that he will now have conducted ten separate bands at the contest.

Record: 26 attempts
1 Second: 1985
2 Thirds: 1973, 1983
2 Sixth: 1980,1 997
21 times unplaced: 1963 (N/K), 1965 (N/K), 1966 (N/K), 1974 (N/K), 1975 (N/K), 1976 (N/K), 1977 (N/K), 1978 (N/K), 1980 (N/K), 1981 (N/K), 1982 (N/K), 1984 (N/K), 1986 (N/K), 1987 (N/K), 1988 (N/K), 1989 (N/K), 1990 (N/K), 1991 (20th), 1992 (13th), 1998 (7th), 1999 (7th)

Bands taken at the Open:
Cammell Laird: 1963, 1965, 1966
Brighouse and Rastrick: 1973, 1974, 1975, 1981, 1982
Fodens: 1976, 1977, 1978
Rochdale Wilsons: 1980
Grimethorpe Colliery: 1980, 1983
Wingates: 1984, 1985, 1986, 1990
Yorkshire Imperial: 1987, 188, 1989, 1992
Whitburn: 1991:
Tredegar: 1997, 1998, 1999

Peter Parkes (Travelsphere Holidays)

The other elder statesman at the Open has a much more successful record of achievement here since making his winning debut with Black Dyke in 1976. In fact he won on his second appearance too, and followed this with a further three wins with Black Dyke before moving to Fairey’s and winning with them too in 1993.

That was his last triumph, but what a record it has been, even if the last few years have seen him direct bands that have come right at the bottom of the pile. Do not put it past him though to once again make a mark with this his sixth band.

Record: 26 attempts
6 Wins: 1976, 1977, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1993
4 Seconds: 1978, 1984, 1988, 1991
1 Third: 1992
1 Fourth: 1998
2 Fifths: 1995, 1997
1 Sixth: 1990
11 times unplaced: 1980 (N/K), 1981 (N/K), 1982 (N/K), 1987 (12th), 1989 (8th), 1994 (7th), 1996 (7th), 1999 (17th), 2000 (20th), 2001 (19th)

Bands taken at the Open:
Black Dyke: 1976 – 1988
William Fairey’s: 1989 – 1994
Grimethorpe Colliery: 1995 – 1998
Sellers International: 1999
Desford Colliery: 2000, 2001

Russell Gray (Tredegar)

Just the one appearance for Russell Gray at the British Open when he took NSK RHP Ransome to 21st spot on “Ceremony” in 2000.

He was due to take Fodens this year but a transfer to Tredegar will mean he will make his second appearance with the Welsh band.

Record: 1 attempt
1 unplaced: 2000 (21st)

Bands taken at the Open:
NSK RHP Ransomes: 2000

Debutantes:
Peter Lipari, Peter Bassano, Andrew Duncan

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