2009 British Open Championships - Conductors Records
31-Aug-20104BR looks at the track records of the 17 men at the British Open - all of whom are hoping to find a place on top of the television for a Mortimer Maestro reminder of their triumph.
17 men (no women yet again) will take the stage at Symphony Hall to try and become the winning conductor of the 2010 British Open Champions.
Sixteen 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 - Robert Childs, Nicholas Childs, Garry Cutt, David King and Frank Renton.
There is only the one debutant this year in the form of Martin Winter with Desford, whilst Tom Davoren, James Gourlay, Steven Mead, Morgan Griffiths, Philip Chalk, Howard Tyalorr, Selmer Simonsen and Jason Katsikaris will watch proceedings from the sidelines this time around.
Garry Cutt moves from Foden’s to Kirkintilloch, whilst Ian Porthouse will front Tredegar instead of Hepworth and Russell Gray will be found at Fairey (Geneva) instead of Carlton Main.
Howard Snell returns to the contest for the first time since 2001 and makes his 33rd appearance, whilst in terms of experience both he and John Berryman can look back over five decades of British Open - both making their debuts in 1977.
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 runners up places with three different bands (Tredegar, Fodens and Dyke) since his debut, and this year will be his 17th appearance.
He has ten podium finishes including two wins to his name.
Record: 17th appearance
2 Wins: 2005, 2006
6 Seconds: 1996, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2007, 2009
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, 2010
Allan Withington
Grimethorpe Colliery
Made his debut as far back as 1991, but in 19 attempts has won only two podium finishes 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.
Record: 20th appearance
No Wins:
1 Second: 2008
2 Thirds: 1998, 2009
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 & Rastrick: 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001
Fairey: 2002, 2003, 2004
Grimethorpe Colliery: 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
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 three more times and been on the podium on five other occasions and never out of the top six – the best record of the Millennium.
Record: 11th appearance
4 Wins: 2000, 2002, 2007, 2009
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, 2010
Garry Cutt
Kirkintilloch
Has won four times since making his debut back in 1988 with Point of Ayr, including on just his second appearance with Kennedy Swinton in 1989 to become the youngest winning conductor in Open history.
Further wins have come with Marple (1996) and Foden’s, whilst he will be marking his 21st appearance with his seventh band.
Record: 21st appearance
4 Wins: 1989, 1996, 2004, 2008
3 Thirds: 1994, 2000, 2007
3 Fourths: 1992, 1993, 2001
1 Fifth: 1998
2 Sixths: 2005, 2009
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
Foden’s Richardson/Foden’s: 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009
Kirkintilloch: 2010
David Roberts
Rothwell Temperance
David Roberts makes his seventh appearance this year, after making his debut with Rothwell in 2004.
It’s 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: 7th appearance
No Wins:
1 Fourth: 2005
4 Unplaced: 2004 (15th), 2006 (14th), 2007 (9th), 2008 (17th), 2009 (15th)
Bands taken at the Open:
Rothwell Temperance: 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009
Russell Gray
Fairey (Geneva)
The eight appearance at Birmingham for the Scotsman and he will be looking to see if he can add the Open 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: 8th appearance
No Wins:
1 Sixth: 2006
5 unplaced: 2000 (21st), 2003 (9th), 2004 (18th), 2007 (12th), 2008 (7th), 2009 (16th)
Bands taken at the Open:
NSK RHP Ransome: 2000
Tredegar: 2003, 2004
Carlton Main Frickley: 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009
Fairey (Geneva): 2010
David King
Brighouse & Rastrick
David King made his debut at the Open in 1987 with Kennedy Swinton off a number 1 draw no less and has since gone on to win the title on four occasions – all with the Yorkshire Building Society Band.
He has had a bit of a hit or miss record since - but when he has hit, they have been knockout punches. Strangely he has never been a runner up.
Record: 20th appearance
4 Wins: 1997, 1999, 2001, 2003
2 Thirds: 1995, 2005
1 Fourth: 1989
1 Fifth: 2009
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, 2010
John Berryman
Virtusoi GUS
The man with a conducting record that stretches back to the Queen’s Silver Jubilee in 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 just one other mention from the stage since his debut appearance.
Record: 18th appearance
No Wins:
1 Fourth: 1995
1 Sixth: 1977
15 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), 2009 (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
Ian Porthouse
Tredegar
Ian Porthouse won the British Open as a player, but has yet to make a real mark with the baton at Symphony Hall.
Took Hepworth to solid mid table finishes in the past two years, but will be hoping it will be third time lucky with the current Welsh Regional and Grand Shield champion.
Record: 3rd appearance
No Wins:
1 unplaced: 2008 (9th), 2009 (11th)
Bands taken at the Open:
Hepworth: 2008, 2009
Tredegar: 2010
Michael Fowles
Co-operative Funeralcare
A second successive appearance at the British Open for the Englishman who led Co-op to the Masters title earlier this year.
A highly encouraging debut saw him claim a secure top 10 finish.
Record: 2nd appearance
No Wins:
1 unplaced: 2009 (8th)
Bands taken at the Open:
Co-operative Funeralcare: 2009, 2010
Nigel Seaman
Tongwynlais Temperance
A third appearance for the Welshman with his second band, after taking Desford in 2006 and 2008.
One hit and one miss so far with a fine podium finish on his debut.
Record: 3rd appearance
No Wins
1 Third: 2006
1 Unplaced: 2008 (14th)
Bands taken at the Open:
Desford: 2006, 2008
Tongwynlais Temperance: 2010
Phillip McCann
Carlton Main Frickley
The man who as a player won numerous Open titles is still searching for that first victory as a conductor since making his debut with Sellers College Brass as far back as 1988.
Four prize winning performances have come his way with the baton - first with Sellers in 1991 and again in 2004, whilst he has also Foden’s in the frame in 1996 and Whitburn in 2001 – all in fifth place.
Returns for his first appearance since 2007.
Record: 18th appearance
No Wins:
4 Fifths: 1991, 1996, 2001, 2004
13 Unplaced: 1988 (N/K), 1989 (N/K), 1990 (N/K), 1992 (14th), 1993 (16th), 1994 (14th), 1995 (7th), 1999 (11th), 2000 (17th), 2002 (10th), 2005 (14th), 2006 (15th), 2007 (16th)
Bands taken at the Open:
Sellers International: 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007
Fodens: 1996
Whitburn: 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002
Carlton Main Frickley: 2010
Philip Harper
Leyland
Just the third appearance for Philip Harper, and he will surely be looking for a better return than on his previous two outings which have seen him come last and last but one.
Record: 3rd appearance
No Wins:
2 unplaced: 2001 (21st), 2007 (17th)
Bands taken at the Open:
Flowers: 2001, 2007
Leyland: 2010
Frank Renton
Whitburn
Frank Renton made his first appearance at the British Open in 1977 with Wingates - 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 performance in coming 5th in 1980.
He returned to the contest with Grimethorpe in 1988 and took them to the title (their last win and his only victory to date) in 1991. Whitburn is his eighth band on what will be his 19th appearance – his first since 2005.
Record: 19th appearance
1 Win: 1991
1 Third: 1990
3 Fifths: 1980, 1989, 1992
13 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), 2003 (11th), 2004 (9th), 2005 (10th)
Bands taken at the Open:
Wingates Temperance: 1977
CWS Manchester: 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982
Grimethorpe Colliery: 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 2004
Desford Colliery: 1997, 1998
Travelsphere Holidays: 2001
Kirkintilloch: 2002, 2003
Scottish Co-op: 2005
Whitburn: 2010
Brian Grant
Hepworth (Cookson Homes)
A seventh appearance for Brian Grant with his fifth different band – although his first back at the contest since 2004.
Took Ransome to 4th place off the number 2 draw on his debut in 1997, but has failed to hit the mark since, with just the one top 10 finish in 2001.
Record: 7th appearance
No Wins:
1 Fourth: 1997
5 Unplaced: 1998 (11th), 1999 (20th), 2001 (9th), 2002 (17th), 2004 (18th)
Bands taken at the Open:
NSK-RHP Ransome: 1997, 1998, 1999
Leyland: 2001
Travelsphere Holidays: 2002
Carlton Main Frickley Colliery: 2004
Hepworth (Cookson Homes): 2010
Howard Snell
Foden’s
Howard Snell returns to the British Open for the first time since 2001 to notch up his 33rd appearance at the contest over five decades.
His first appearance was with Grimethorpe in 1977 before he linked with both Desford and Fodens to come in the prizes year after year without ever quite winning managing to get his hands on the title itself.
He has taken six bands at the contest, taking Foden and Desford together at the same event on six occasions (1981- 1986) and Foden’s and CWS Glasgow together once (1988).
He returns to Foden’s, 15 years after his last Open appearance with them.
Record: 33rd appearance
No wins:
2 Seconds: 1979, 1987
4 Thirds: 1980, 1981, 1985, 1997
3 Fourths: 1982, 1986, 1991
3 Fifths: 1984, 1986, 1988
5 Sixths: 1983, 1984, 1992, 1994, 2001
15 times Unplaced: 1977 (N/K), 1978 (N/K), 1981 (Desford – N/K), 1982 (Foden’s – N/K), 1983 (Foden’s – N/K), 1985 (Desford – N/K), 1988 (CSW Glasgow – N/K), 1990 (17th), 1992 (7th), 1993 (11th), 1995 (8th), 1996 (8th), 1998 (12th), 1999 (9th), 2000 (10th)
Bands taken at the Open:
Grimethorpe: 1977
Desford: 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 193, 1984, 1985, 1986
Foden’s/BBS: 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 2010
CWS Glasgow: 1988, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999
Leyland: 2000
Fairey: 2001
On a number of occasions Howard Snell took two bands at the Open in the same year.
Debutants:
Martin Winter (Desford) makes his debut this year
