Section 1

Monday 19, 20:16:31

Prize Winners from First Section

Darren Hawken winning MD St Dennis

St Dennis take the National title

The girls of St. Dennis leaving the stage after their winning performance

2nd Place. Vernon Building Society Poynton (Neil Samuel)

Best Instrumentalist: Anne Britt Hermanen (Principal Cornet) — Vernon Building Society Poynton

Soprano: Preben Johansen and Principal Cornet: Anne Britt Hermanen — Norwegian partnership with Poynton

3rd Place. Aveley & Newham (Robert Nunnery)

4th Place. Blidworth Welfare (Martin Heartfield)

5th Place. Ebbw Valley (Gareth Ritter)

6th Place. Jackfield Elcock Reisen (Simon Platford)

---

Section 1

Sunday 18, 21:59:27

That's it...

That's it from Cheltenham. Congratulations to every competing band for your efforts this weekend and in particular the four National Champions.

We hope you have enjoyed our coverage this weekend. Goodnight from Cheltenham.

---

Section 1

Sunday 18, 21:53:42

Results

Test Piece: Ballet for Band (Joseph Horovitz)
Adjudicators: John Maines and Alan Morrison

1. St Dennis (Darren Hawken)
2. Vernon Building Society Poynton (Neil Samuel)
3. Aveley & Newham (Robert Nunnery)
4. Blidworth Welfare (Martin Heartfield)
5. Ebbw Valley (Gareth Ritter)
6. Jackfield Elcock Reisen (Simon Platford)
7. Bedworth (David Maplestone)
8. Brunel (John Winterflood)
9. Rainford (Gareth Brindle)
10. Lockwood Brass (John Roberts)
11. City of Cardiff (Mellingriffith) (Nigel Seaman)
12. Hatfield (Stan Lippeatt)
13. Bo'ness & Carriden (Charlie Farren)
14. Chapeltown Silver (Andrew Davies)
15. Tullis Russell Mills (Paul Kiernan)
16. Ripon City (Martin Hall)
17. Northfleet Brass (Melvin White)

Best Instrumentalist: Anne Britt Hermanen (Principal Cornet) — Vernon Building Society Poynton

---

Section 1

Sunday 18, 21:10:52

Chris Thomas's Final Thoughts and Prediction

It's been a frustrating First Section final in Cheltenham. So few bands were able to find the essential style and character of Joseph Horowitz's engaging and charming music. And that came down in no small measure to the MD's as much as the players.

It's not an easy piece for sure but we should bear in mind that a good number of these bands will be contesting in the Championship Section next year.

There is one clear winner for us (which if it comes to pass will not be without controversy) although the lower podium places could be interesting come the announcement of the results very shortly.

Chris Thomas goes for a top six of:

1. Vernon Building Society Poynton
2. Rainford
3. St. Dennis
4. Lockwood Brass
5. Ebbw Valley
6. Brunel

Dark Horses: Blidworth Welfare and City of Cardiff

---

Section 1

Sunday 18, 20:40:34

17. Bedworth Brass

Conductor: David Maplestone
Region: Midlands

Performance:

A solid opening and the fanfare has a good style about it.

There are clips along the way but there is also an engaging enthusiasm about the playing. Flugel does well to open the Lento tranquillo and soprano also makes a quality contribution. Tuning is poor in the cornets in 'Slower but flowing' but again, the style is musical and the MD tries to bring the dynamic level down.

Opening of the Moderato is cleaner than many today and proceeds well through the Con gusto even though it does get scrappier in the latter stages.

The Allegro motors along and it's certainly an exciting ending even if not the cleanest. [Chris Thomas]

Overall:
An enthusiastic final performance from Bedworth Brass. A little uneven in places but should hold its own reasonably well.

Star Player:
Solo Euphonium — Rhona Baker

---

Section 1

Sunday 18, 20:22:15

16. Vernon Building Society Poynton

Conductor: Neil Samuel
Region: North West

Performance:

A big bold opening that grabs the attention. Good basses and fine solo cornet — although it does just happen to be the principal cornet player of Manger.

There is a musicality about this that continues to hold our attention and the opening of the Lento tranquillo is so well shaped. Well done flugel! Soprano also does well and this is growing in stature all the time. Fine passage through the 'Slower but flowing' section and at last we hear genuine sensitivity.

The Moderato dovetails as well as any performance we have heard so far and the confidence is growing. The waltz is just that and the Allegro builds so well.

And now it's in overdrive. By far the most exciting playing of the day and it's a great build up to the final fanfare and flourish. [Chris Thomas]

Overall
At last! With a little help from Norway, Poynton have really turned on the style. Clearly ahead of the field for us.

Star Player
Solo cornet, Anne Britt Hermanen

---

Section 1

Sunday 18, 20:06:17

15. Ebbw Valley

Conductor: Gareth Ritter
Region: Wales

Performance:

The opening has real presence about it and we can hear the inner detail. Good dynamics too and this is a promising start.

Good opening to the Meno mosso but it then gets scrappy in the Grazioso. What a shame as what follow is immediately better again.

Lento tranquillo opens well and both Flugel and soprano deliver. The 'slower but flowing' is affectionate and has feeling. It's not perfect and tuning wavers at the close but the style is there.

Moderato opens well bar one slightly wayward entry but this does have poise and again the style of the playing gets to the heart of the music. Allegro opens at a good tempo and the reprise of the opening fanfare is effective.

The build to the close is paced so well and it's an exciting conclusion. [Chris Thomas]

Overall
Such a good approach to the score on a musical level. There were slips but this was a reading of character.

Star Player
Flugel horn, Jef Thomas

---

Section 1

Sunday 18, 19:50:16

14. Northfleet Brass

Conductor: Melvin White
Region: London & Southern Counties

Performance:

Safely negotiated opening and it's generally neat and tidy playing if not the most elegant we have heard today.

Tuning wavers a touch in Flugel solo and one or two uncomfortable moments for soprano but otherwise this flows along nicely. Clips at the opening of the Moderato once again (are we going to hear a clean attempt at this today??) and the waltz has a rather lumpy feel about it.

The Allegro opens well but becomes increasingly scrappy as the tempo gathers pace and it's an untidy ending. [Chris Thomas]

Overall
A mixed account from Northfleet. Had its moments but so inconsistent at times.

Star Player
Solo cornet, Andrew Tovey

---

Section 1

Sunday 18, 19:34:17

13. Brunel Brass

Conductor: John Winterflood
Region: West of England

Performance:

A solid opening with a good fanfare style and excellent dynamic control. Good basses in the Meno mosso and again there is a sense of style about this that finds the character of the music.

Well done Flugel. The Lento tranquillo flows so well and soprano also makes a fine contribution. There is grace and elegance in the playing and the MD's interpretation.

Lovely closing chord before the Moderato but the Moderato itself opens in scrappy fashion. Frustrating to say the least!

The Allegro opens well however and this is so much better again. Good tempo, neat and tidy playing and with a good sense of style and a finely paced approach to the close.

Overall
So much to commend from Brunel. Stylish playing that was only let down by a precarious opening to the Moderato.

Star Player
Flugel horn, Imogen Read

---

Section 1

Sunday 18, 19:18:00

12. Blidworth Welfare

Conductor: Martin Heartfield
Region: Midlands

Performance:

A good tempo to open and controlled forte dynamic is effective. This is a promising opening.

Meno mosso works well and there is a sense of style about this. Good solo cornet and although there are little slips there is a feeling of the dance about this that comes as a relief after some performances today.

Good transition into the Lento tranquillo and flugel does well. Soprano slips but recovers and the 'Slower but flowing' passage does just that. This is musical playing.

Opening of the Moderato doesn't dovetail effectively and suddenly it all feels a little insecure. Good stringendo do to the Piu Vivo though and it gets back on track.

The Sllegro is well paced and it's an effective ending.

Overall
A musical and stylistically aware performance from Blidworth. Threatened to lose its way in the middle but there was plenty to enjoy here.

Star Player
Flugel horn, Sara Baldwin

---

Section 1

Sunday 18, 19:01:57

11. Hatfield

Conductor: Stan Lippeatt
Region: Yorkshire

Performance:

weak opening note and this is one of the quicker opening fanfares we have heard today. Basses miss the character of the Meno mosso but the Grazioso is better. The tempo is again quick as we approach the Piu Mosso and there is a danger that this is running away.

Good flugel to open the Lento tranquillo and this has a nice flowing cantabile style although a few cracks appear in the bars prior to the Moderato.

The opening of the Moderato just about gets by but it lacks the grace of the waltz and the ensuing Allegro has a somewhat manic feel about as the band appears to be keen to bring the performance to an end. [Chris Thomas]

Overall
A performance that failed to find the essential dance like nature of the score.

Star Player
Solo euphonium, Simon Willis

---

Section 1

Sunday 18, 18:59:50

10. Bo'ness & Carriden

Conductor: Charlie Farren
Region: Scotland

Performance:

10. Bo'ness and Carriden (Charlie Farren)

Performance Opening is effective with sensible dynamic level and a good fanfare style. Solid basses and just the slightest of clips approaching the Grazioso.

Flugel does well in the Lento tranquillo although there are one or two uncomfortable moments with occasional nervous sounds and wavering intonation. And now the nerves seem to have taken hold as voices are lost in the bars approaching the Moderato.

The Moderato opens in scrappy fashion and suddenly that early promise is fading away.

The Allegro is better but becomes increasingly untidy as it progresses. A shame as this was a performance that opened so well. [Chris Thomas]

(Overall)
A performance of early promise that came to grief in the exposed Lento tranquillo.

Star Player
Flugel horn, Hayley Edmund

---

Section 1

Sunday 18, 18:35:30

Chris Thomas's half way thoughts:

Nine bands down in the First Section and Ballet for Band is proving to be a tough test with very few bands indeed finding the grace and elegance needed to capture the balletic elements of the score.

Rainford and St. Dennis have come the closest although there is still the opportunity to take this contest to another level during the second half of the draw.

Chris Thomas goes for a half way top three of

1. Rainford
2. St Dennis
3. Lockwood

---

Section 1

Sunday 18, 18:09:41

9. St Dennis

Conductor: Darren Hawken
Region: West of England

Performance:

Good opening with an excellent tempo and a genuine forte dynamic. This has real promise about it.

A little untidy in the Grazioso but the style has both character and shape and the Lento tranquillo is so well done to open. Fine Flugel and at last we hear a genuine cantabile style here with thoughtful phrasing and sensitivity. This has poise and elegance. Proceeds with control and the sound blossoms in the crescendos. And what a lovely close as we enter the Moderato.

A little wild in the cornet entries but again the style is effective. This is playing of character even if it is not always totally precise.

The Allegro flies along but never recklessly and caps an intelligently constructed account. [Chris Thomas]

Overall
So much to admire musically from St Dennis. A few niggling slips but this really found the balletic style and grace of the score.

Star Player
Flugel horn: Ellie Joy

---

Section 1

Sunday 18, 17:52:23

8. Lockwood Brass

Conductor: John Roberts
Region: North of England

Performance:

A bold opening and this has a presence about it. Individual work is consistent and basses are fine as we reach the Meno mosso.

Good poise about the Piu tranquillo and although there are slips, there is nothing that disrupts the musical picture.

Lovely sounds in the slow music and the playing of the final Allegro is well handled with dynamics controlled but effective.

A driving approach to the conclusion, perhaps a little too much so but this was far more consistent than some accounts so far today. [Chris Thomas]

Overall
A solid account but perhaps not enough to challenge for the top places today.

Star Player
Solo cornet Graeme Laird

---

Section 1

Sunday 18, 17:38:39

7. Ripon City

Conductor: Martin Hall
Region: North of England

Performance:

A bright, lively opening and it's a brisk, bold fanfare. Good lightness of touch and basses do well. Piu tranquillo flows nicely and dynamics are well controlled. Lento tranquillo opens with a nicely shaped Flugel solo and good soprano with just the slightest of clips.

Opening of the Moderato is untidy — a shame as there is so much good work that has gone on before. It settles though and the style is effective as are the tempi.

It's a well measured Allegro and really trips along although the detail is not always entirely clear. Exciting ending that really builds up a head of steam but untidiness will cost.[Chris Thomas]

Overall
Moments of quality but inconsistencies undermined musical qualities.

Star Player
Flugel horn

---

Section 1

Sunday 18, 17:23:37

6. Tullis Russell Mills

Conductor: Paul Kiernan
Region: Scotland

Performance:

Tullis Russell have a star on fourth man down in the shape of John Wallace, a former member of the band in his youth.

Opens well with the fanfare a touch bolder than some but the style fits well. Good basses and the playing has character with just the odd minor slip detracting.

Flugel a little nervous sounding in the Lento tranquillo and soprano just clips a couple of notes. Good flowing style although there are one or two moments of discomfort heading towards the opening of the Moderato.

Opening of the Moderato doesn't dovetail effectively and suddenly it all sounds a little tentative. Trombone not clearly audible and the Allegro becomes increasingly untidy as it progresses.[Chris Thomas]

Overall
A performance that offered much initial promise but lost its way as it progressed.

Star Player
Solo euphonium Tom Smith

---

Section 1

Sunday 18, 17:06:31

5. Rainford

Conductor: Gareth Brindle
Region: North West

A dynamically controlled opening and this has an immediate sense of style about it. Good basses at the Meno mosso and again this is so well controlled. Grazioso is neat and soloists acquit themselves well.

How well shaped this is. As it progresses there is the appropriate balletic style to the playing. Well done flugel as the Lento tranquillo flows well with soprano and solo cornet also playing their part. Dynamics are nicely restrained and the opening of the Moderato is beautifully done. Elegant and light in its touch.

Allegro build so well and again the dynamics are well controlled — a key feature of this performance.

It's an exciting conclusion and caps an intelligently constructed account with so much style. [Chris Thomas]

Overall:
A performance that got to the heart of the music in its balletic style, dynamic control and elegance.

Star Player
Flugel horn. Laura Lea

---

Section 1

Sunday 18, 16:56:10

4. Aveley & Newham

Conductor: Robert Nunnery
Region: London & Southern Counties

Performance:

A solid opening, perhaps a little too much so at times as it pushes ff rather than f. Clips get in the way at times and it needs a touch more space.

Nice transition into the Lento tranquillo. Flugel needs to 'sing' a little more but soprano effective and solo cornet also does well. Tuning wavers shortly before the Moderato.

Moderato opens well but as it progresses it is not always rhythmically incisive. Gathers momentum well towards the conclusion and this is well paced. [Chris Thomas]

Overall:
Some moments of quality from the Londoners but inconsistent in execution at times.

Star Player
Bob Osbourne, Principal Cornet

---

Section 1

Sunday 18, 16:36:36

3. Jackfield Elcock Reisen

Conductor: Simon Platford
Region: Midlands

Performance:

A bold opening with beefier dynamics than we have heard at the opening so far. It's effective although not always totally together.

Grazioso is well done and there is a confidence about the playing that come across. One or two comfortable moments in the Lento tranquillo with tuning not always secure although the style is good as are the dynamics. Slower passage flows as marked although there are one or two nervy sounds as the dynamic levels falls.

A few slips as the Moderato gets underway. Con gusto moves along nicely and Allegro trips along also leading to a bright but not entirely precise close. [Chris Thomas]

Overall:
Plenty to enjoy from Jackfield but slips could prove costly

Star player:
Simon Holland, Trombone

---

Section 1

Sunday 18, 16:21:24

2. City of Cardiff

Conductor: Nigel Seaman
Region: Wales

Performance:

Performance: Opening has a fine fanfare style. Dynamically restrained yet incisive and very neat. Meno mosso is so well done and the Grazioso has both shape and elegance. One or two little clips but it's all so well shaped.

Flugel takes a little time to settle but the style remains musical despite a few solo nerves on soprano and solo cornet. There are a few nerves again to close but dynamics are very well controlled.

Moderate again captures the imaginary ballet so well — one or two mis-pitches along the way but the shape and lightness of touch are always evident. Fine approach to the conclusion is both exciting and controlled. [Chris Thomas]

Overall:
A highly musical approach from City of Cardiff. So well shaped and constructed although not without slips along the way.

Start Player:
Solo euphonium: Fran Wilson was brill and Lizzie Connell was great bumping up too!

---

Section 1

Sunday 18, 16:00:05

1. Chapletown Silver

Conductor: Andrew Dennis
Region: Yorkshire

Performance:

Performance: Good opening. Lacks a little sparkle perhaps but dynamics are kept under control. Gracioso needs a little more elegance and flugel a touch nervous sounding to open the Lento tranquillo. Sop just about but solo cornet slips and it's all somewhat tentative.

Moderato doesn't sit comfortably to begin. It settles but trombones lack clarity. Allegro becomes scrambled and it's an untidy close. [Chris Thomas]

Overall:
An untidy one to open from Chapeltown that simply didn't capture the imagination.

Star player:
Soprano cornet Alison Irvine

---

Section 1

Sunday 18, 14:34:30

Draw:

Test Piece: Ballet for Band (Joseph Horovitz)
Commence: Conclusion of Section 3
Adjudicators: John Maines and Alan Morrison

1. Chapeltown Silver (Andrew Davies)
2. City of Cardiff (Mellingriffith) (Nigel Seaman)
3. Jackfield Elcock Reisen (Simon Platford)
4. Aveley & Newham (Robert Nunnery)
5. Rainford (Gareth Brindle)
6. Tullis Russell Mills (Paul Kiernan)
7. Ripon City (Martin Hall)
8. Lockwood Brass (John Roberts)
9. St Dennis (Darren Hawken)
10. Bo'ness & Carriden (Charlie Farren)
11. Hatfield (Stan Lippeatt)
12. Blidworth Welfare (Martin Heartfield)
13. Brunel (John Winterflood)
14. Northfleet Brass (Melvin White)
15. Ebbw Valley (Gareth Ritter)
16. Vernon Building Society Poynton (Neil Samuel)
17. Bedworth (David Maplestone)

---

Section 1

Friday 16, 02:09:47

Contest details

Sunday 9th September

Draw: 2.00pm
Start: 4.00pm

Adjudicators: Alan Morrison and John Maines
Set Work: Ballet for Band (Joseph Horovitz)

Bands

Aveley & Newham (Robert Nunnery)
Bedworth Brass (David Maplestone)
Bo'ness & Carriden (Charlie Farren)
Blidworth Welfare (Martin Heartfield)
Brunel Brass (John Winterflood)
Chapeltown Silver (Andrew Dennis)
City of Cardiff (Melingriffith) (Nigel Seaman)
Ebbw Valley (Gareth Ritter)
Hatfield (Stan Lippeatt)
Jackfield (Elcock Reisen)
Lockwood Brass (John Roberts)
Northfleet Brass (Melvin White)
Rainford (Gareth Brindle)
Ripon City (Martin Hall)
St Dennis (Darren Hawken)
Tullis Russell Mills (Paul Kiernan)
VBS Poynton (Neil Samuel)

---