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Spennymoor Brass in Concert
2003
We look at this years 27th running of the premier Brass Band Entertainment
Contest in the UK, where 11 top class bands line up to showcase
their talents.
Although not all the top bands in the country are in attendance,
the Spennymoor Brass in Concert Championship remains the premier
brass band entertainment contest in the UK. Now in its 27th year,
the contest has survived through the sheer hard work of the excellent
organisers and the ongoing appetite for good quality brass entertainment.
Although there are no ticks in the attendance register this year
for 7 of the 4BR top 10 ranked bands – Fairey FP (Music),
YBS, BAYV Cory, Fodens, Black Dyke, Brighouse and Rastrick, Tredegar
and Whitburn are not here, there is still more than enough quality
on stage to ensure the standards which have been so brilliantly
maintained since 1977 will continue for yet another year at least.
It says a lot for the contest that it is still a sell out (and we
mean a sell out in the best possible way – no empty seats
even for the so called lesser bands) and even though there was some
concern that the contest was in some financial trouble after losing
long term sponsorpship, the help of Grimethorpe in particular and
many others have made certain that the contest has a good short
term future at least. Congratulations to Jacqueline Beere and her
team for ensuring the contest continues.
This year sees a line up of (in playing order) of JAG Mount Charles,
Yorkshire Imperial Urquhart, Flowers, Scottish Co-op, Grimethorpe
Colliery UK Coal, Ever Ready, Ransome, Sellers International, Kirkintilloch,
Leyland and Carlton Main Frickley Colliery. Pretty good value in
anyone’s book and bands that all can show off in all sorts
of ways to try and catch the ears of the adjudicators John Berryman
and Wing Commander Rob Wiffen, whilst the soloists will have to
try and impress Morgan Griffiths – a fine choice from the
organisers. The entertainment factor – worth 60 points to
add to the possible 200 for performance – and one that can
effect the result will this year be judged by David Hirst and Ted
Griffiths – two experienced older heads who we think will
put musical intelligence ahead of Music Hall antics.
Plenty of prizes on offer, from a trophy for the youngest player
on the day to one for the best new arrangement or composition to
one for the neatest package of musical scores and notes. That’s
entertainment folks, and ensures that everyone on the day can be
in with a shout of going home with something - if they have put
in the graft.
The usual points will be up for grabs with 200 points on offer
for the music itself and 60 for entertainment and presentation to
give a wining score out of 260. As usual there will be plenty of
debate about the latter as in 2000 Grimethorpe won the music section
by 2 clear points from eventual winners Fodens and by 4 from second
placed Leyland and still came 3rd. In the last two years though
Grimethorpe haven’t had to worry so much about the anomaly
in the system, but it remains something of a problem that needs
to be amended for the future – surely the playing is what
it is all about?
The quality of the soloists on offer will be an undoubted highlight,
whilst the number of new arrangements of fairly obscure orchestral
pieces will again show the poverty of our own brass band repertoire.
Morgan Griffiths knows exactly what it take to produce a top class
solo performance, but we still think he may be spoilt for choice
this time – all of the bands have top raters in the stand
up stakes. As for the predilection for arrangements of the latest
film music – then just like the films themselves, they should
receive mixed reviews. Just because lots of people have gone to
see the latest Harry Potter doesn’t mean the music will sound
as magical when played by even a fine brass band. You can count
the number of cracking “Big Finishers” on one hand in
recent years.
There will hopefully be some interesting choices in the March selection
(some old yellow at the edges, musky smelling stuff has brilliantly
used by some bands in recent years), whilst we would really love
to see one of the bands go for broke and try a “themed”
programme of brass band music from way out left field in approach
(just go and listen to Eikanger’s latest CD offering). Will
anyone be that brave we wonder?
The contest starts at 9.30am prompt with a 10-minute rule for the
competing bands to adhere to when setting up on stage. It should
end about 6.30pm.
Lots of great prizes up for grabs as well, with a top prize of
£2000, followed by £1500, £1000 £500 and
£250. The top soloist gets £100 whilst the “Quality
Performance Award” gets £600. The best bit of new music
will get £500 and youngest player on the day will get a boost
to the pocket money to buy the latest CD’s of £200.
Lets hope it’s a cracking day!
4BR Prediction:
As we have said time and time again - Entertainment
Contests are notoriously hard to predict accurately as on their
day any of the bands could literally draw a white rabbit out of
the hat and give the audience and judges alike a feast of entertainment
last bettered only on “Opportunity Knocks” when the
Great Osvaldo performed with his amazing frog xylophone.
What we will get is hard to say as the novelty items change year
by year – although the garish, Bravo TV Channel inspired efforts
of yesteryear have by and large been replaced by intelligent performances
from nearly all the bands. It is always best to remember - The best
bands always sound the best bands whatever they play. It’s
in the quality of the sound, the production, and the musicianship
– not in the tutu’s and red noses.
There will be some brilliant solo playing that will entertain the
audience royally and some arrangements and compositions that will
do the same, whilst the amateur dramatics will be either brilliant
or just downright embarrassing.
Should be a great day out and the winners will certainly have deserved
it. Who will it be then?
Given that class should tell, and that this year isn’t the
very strongest field ever assembled here, Grimethorpe should make
it win number 12 and a round dozen of victories. Behind them though
it could well be a very close run thing with a whole batch of bands
well worth listening too. Look out for Scottish Co-op under Dr.
Childs who can on their day sound as good as any and who should
have the class about them to claim second spot whilst JAG Mount
Charles and Flowers really are fine entertainers and should push
them hard – they will certainly be lively. Ever Ready and
Leyland have the experience and the players to make it into the
top six as well, whilst we go for Yorkshire Imps as our Dark Horse.
4BR Prediction:
1. Grimethorpe Colliery UK Coal
2. Scottish Co-op
3. Flowers
4. JAG Mount Charles
5. Ever Ready
6. Leyland
Dark Horse: Yorkshire Imperial Urquhart
© 4BarsRest
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