2009 British Open Championships - Conductors Records
8-Sep-20094BR looks at the track records of the 18 men who will be trying to win for their bands and also get their hands on a prized Mortimer Trophy to put on top of the television.
18 men (no women yet again) will take the stage at Symphony Hall this year to try and become the winning conductor of the 2009 British Open Champions.
Seventeen 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 2009 will be their year.
Of the 17 on show, five have tasted victory before - MDs, Robert Childs, Nicholas Childs, Garry Cutt, James Gouraly and the returning David King.
Debutants this year are Tom Davoren with BTM, Howard Taylor leading Brisbane Excelsior and Michael Fowles with Co-operative Funeralcare.
Those sitting it out this year after making an appearance 12 months ago are Andy Duncan, Alan Morrison, David Hirst, Nigel Boddice and Nigel Seaman.
Who will it be then, and will there be an addition to the rather small trio here who currently have a Mortimer Maestro Trophy to their name at home?
Dr. Nicholas Childs
Black Dyke
Made his debut with Tredegar in 1994 and came close on four occasions before adding his first Open title to his CV in 2005 with Black Dyke.
He holds the curious record of five second places with three different bands (Tredegar, Fodens and Dyke) since his debut and this year will be his 16th appearance.
Nine podium finishes to his name already on the record is an impressive return.
Record:
16th appearance
2 Wins: 2005, 2006
5 Seconds: 1996, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2007
2 Thirds: 2002, 2003
1 Fifth: 1999
2 Sixths: 2004, 2008
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, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009
Allan Withington
Grimethorpe Colliery
Made his debut as far back as 1991, but in 18 attempts so far he has won only one podium finish to his name.
The early years were the struggle with Brighouse and he has yet to reproduce the winning formula here as he has done so frequently at the Royal Albert Hall (and just about everywhere else for that matter).
If he wins with Grimethorpe he will complete his personal "Grand Slam" of all major titles as a conductor.
Record:
19th appearance
No Wins:
1 Second: 2008
1 Third: 1998
3 Fourth: 1999, 2002, 2003
1 Fifth: 2007
1 Sixth: 1995
11 times unplaced: 1991 (16th), 1992 (15th), 1993 (10th), 1994 (11th), 1996 (20th), 1997 (10th), 2000 (12th), 2001 (8th), 2004 (12th), 2005 (12th), 2006 (9th)
Bands taken at the Open:
Brighouse and Rastrick: 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001
Fairey: 2002, 2003, 2004
Grimethorpe Colliery: 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009
Dr. Robert Childs
Cory
Made his debut in 2000 and promptly walked off with the Gold Shield and the Mortimer Trophy.
Since then he has won it twice more and been on podium five other times – the best record of the Millennium.
He should be confident of adding fourth title to his CV this time around again on his tenth appearance.
Record:
10th appearance
3 Wins: 2000, 2002, 2007
3 Seconds: 2004, 2005, 2006
2 Thirds: 2001, 2008
1 Sixth: 2003
Bands taken at the Open:
Cory/BAYV: 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009
Garry Cutt
Fodens
Has won four times since making his debut back in 1988 with Point of Ayr.
Won at his second attempt with Kennedy Swinton in 1989 to become the youngest winning conductor in Open history.
Marple gave him his second win in 1996 before he added two more with Foden’s in 2004 and last year. He has also notched up three podium finishes , but has never been a runner up here.
Record:
20th appearance
4 Wins: 1989, 1996, 2004, 2008
3 Thirds: 1994, 2000, 2007
3 Fourths: 1992, 1993, 2001
1 Fifth: 1998
1 Sixth: 2005
7 Unplaced: 1988 (N/K), 1990 (N/K), 1991 (11th), 1997 (11th), 1999 (12th), 2002 (11th), 2006 (13th)
Bands taken at the Open:
Point of Ayr: 1988
Kennedy Swinton Concert: 1989
Marple: 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999
Grimethorpe Colliery: 1994, 2000, 2001
Leyland: 2002
Fodens Richardson: 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009
David Roberts
Rothwell Temperance
David Roberts makes his sixth appearance this year, after making his debut with Rothwell in 2004.
Its been a bit hit and miss so far though at Symphony Hall with a best of 4th in 2005 balanced with two midfield finishes and two relegations.
Record:
6th appearance
1 Fourth: 2005
4 Unplaced: 2004 (15th), 2006 (14th), 2007 (9th), 2008 (17th)
Bands taken at the Open:
Rothwell Temperance: 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009
Philip Chalk
Fairey
A fifth appearance for the talented Mr Chalk, and a third appearance with the band that he made his name with as a player.
No real luck so far, either with the outsiders of Ashton in 2005 and 2006 or with a slowly re-building Fairey.
Record:
5th appearance
4 Unplaced: 2005 (17th), 2006 (19th), 2007 (7th), 2008 (15th)
Bands taken at the Open:
Ashton under Lyne: 2005, 2006
Fairey: 2007, 2008, 2009
Russell Gray
Carlton Main Frickley Colliery
The seventh appearance at Birmingham for the Scotsman and he will be looking to see if he can add the Open title to a CV that includes just about every other major title.
Nothing of real note so far though with just the one mention off the stage in 2006.
Record:
7th appearance
1 Sixth: 2006
5 unplaced: 2000 (21st), 2003 (9th), 2004 (18th), 2007 (12th), 2008 (7th)
Bands taken at the Open:
NSK RHP Ransome: 2000
Tredegar: 2003, 2004
Carlton Main: 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009
David King
Brighouse & Rastrick
The young David King made his debut at the Open in 1987 with Kennedy Swinton off a number 1 draw no less.
He has had a bit of a hit or miss record since - but when he has hit, they have been knockout punches.
His record with YBS was superb, but he has also been seen on the Open stage with other bands - including CWS Glasgow, Black Dyke and now Brighouse.
Record:
19th appearance
4 Wins: 1997, 1999, 2001, 2003
2 Thirds: 1995, 2005
1 Fourth: 1989
2 Sixths: 1996, 2000
9 times unplaced: 1987 (7th), 1988 (N/K), 1990 (8th), 1991 (10th), 1994 (10th), 1998 (10th), 2002 (9th), 2004 (14th), 2006 (8th(
Bands taken at the Open:
Kennedy Swinton: 1987, 1988
Black Dyke: 1989, 1990, 1991
CWS Glasgow: 1994
Yorkshire Building Society: 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006
Brighouse & Rastrick: 2009
James Gourlay
Desford Colliery
A welcome return for another Open winner as James Gourlay makes his first appearance back at the contest since 2005.
The one win so far came with Fairey in 1998, and for a five year period he was in and around the prizes here. He has a pretty good strike rate, so Desford should be confident he can do for them what he did for Fairey.
Record:
11th appearance
1 Win: 1998
2 Seconds: 1995, 1997
1 Third: 1999
2 Fourths: 1996, 2000
4 Unplaced: 2001 (15th), 2002 (14th), 2004 (11th); 2005 (7th)
Bands taken at the Open:
Williams Fairey: 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000
CWS Glasgow: 2001
Grimethorpe Colliery (UK) Coal: 2002
Brighouse and Rastrick: 2004, 2005
Desford Colliery: 2009
John Berryman
Virtusoi GUS
The man with the longest history at the contest – back to the Queen’s Silver Jubilee in fact and 1977 and the now defunct William Davies.
This will be the 17th time John Berryman has conducted at the contest, but it hasn’t proved to be the happiest of hunting grounds with a 6th on his debut and 4th in 1995.
The rest of the time it has been midfield or worse.
Record:
17th appearance
1 Fourth: 1995
1 Sixth: 1977
14 Unplaced: 1978 (N/K), 1979 (N/K), 1980 (N/K), 1981 (N/K), 1982 (N/K), 1983 (N/K), 1984 (N/K), 1985 (N/K), 1987 (N/K), 1993 (8th), 1994 (15th), 1996 (16th), 1997 (17th), 2000 (14th)
Bands taken at the Open:
William Davis: 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985
GUS/Virtuosi GUS: 1987, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2009
Glossop Old: 2000
Steven Mead
Whitburn
The euphonium star picks up the baton for a second time with the Scots of Whitburn.
Last year he directed them to a well earned 10th, so more of the same or better will be the ambition.
Record:
2nd appearance
1 unplaced: 2008 (10th)
Bands taken at the Open:
Whitburn: 2008, 2009
Ian Porthouse
Hepworth (Cookson Homes)
The talented Mr Porthouse has a knack of picking up second places in 2009 and he won’t complain too much if he can lead Hepworth into the podium slots on the weekend.
Record:
2nd appearance
1 unplaced: 2008 (9th)
Bands taken at the Open:
Hepworth: 2008, 2009
Morgan Griffiths
Hammonds Saltaire
The former euphonium star of the YBS Band is now the hard working MD of their successors, and is doing a fine job.
16th place last year wasn’t great, but he will be hoping for a much better return come Saturday.
Record:
2nd appearance
1 unplaced: 2008 (16th)
Bands taken at the Open:
YBS/Hammonds Saltaire: 2008, 2009
Selmer Simonsen
Kirkintilloch
The Norwegian really did make a mark on the British Open on his debut last year, leading Kirkintilloch away from potential relegation disaster and into the prizes with real elan.
More of that and he may start wearing a kilt.
Record:
2nd appearance
1 Fifth: 2008
Bands taken at the Open:
Kirkintilloch: 2008, 2009
Jason Katsikaris
Leyland
The Australian was another overseas MD to make a real mark on the contest last year, leading Leyaland from the Grand Shield and right back into the big time with 4th place.
Expectations are high and so they should be.
Record:
2nd appearance
1 Fourth: 2008
Bands taken at the Open:
Leyland: 2008, 2009
Debutants:
Tom Davoren (BTM), Michael Fowles (Co-operative Funeralcare) and Howard Taylor (Brisbane Excelsior) are making their conducting debuts at the contest this year.
