Although there is likely to be a late finish to the competitive proceedings on Sunday evening, the day starts at 9.00am with the first of the 18 Fourth Section contenders taking to the Centaur stage.
That’s not quite the crack of dawn for a quick pre-contest rehearsal gallop over the misty green fields of the old racecourse, but early enough for bleary-eyed players to be queuing up for a breakfast bacon sandwich at a time when really only stable-hands and horses should be roused for action.
Smoke Sketches
Once fed they will be faced by a cracking test in the form of the Daniel Hall’s ‘Smoke Sketches’, originally commissioned by Brass Bands England for the 2017 National Youth Brass Band Championships.
The composer has gained a fine reputation as a writer of innovative, engaging works, many of which come from eclectic and sometimes surreal inspirations.
Pinocchio to AI
For instance, he has written a ‘Pinocchio’ euphonium concerto, a ‘Black Dahlia’ quartet based on an infamous Los Angeles murder, a test-piece inspired by the Hunchback of Notre Dame and another by Transmogrified Souls (which won the 7th European Composer Competition). He even used Artificial Intelligence to compose part of his 2023 Siddis set for Stavanger Band.
he has written a ‘Pinocchio’ euphonium concerto, a ‘Black Dahlia’ quartet based on an infamous Los Angeles murder, a test-piece inspired by the Hunchback of Notre Dame and another by Transmogrified Souls
‘Smoke Sketches’ also draws on the other-worldly in a compact three movement development of styles and musical imagery.
Teasingly inventive
It’s a teasingly inventive composition; rather like being sat in front of a coal fire just staring into the flaming embers, drawn by the fascination of its beauty as well as danger, its spiritual as well as very real properties to destroy as well as renew.
The composer says it is a bit like walking barefoot over ground already sizzling hot from wayward sparks.
There is a lot packed into its 8 minutes or so – right from the ‘with menace’ opening that evokes the rapidly emerging dangers of a sudden conflagration. ‘Into the Blaze’ is colourful and spikey, lightweight in style but heavy with emphasis. The composer says it is a bit like walking barefoot over ground already sizzling hot from wayward sparks.
Lonesome ember
The second movement touches on reflection – a ‘lonesome’ ember caught on the breeze, for a moment an energised glow fed by the oxygen around it, before falling gently, exhausted as cold ash to the ground.
Finally, danger in the form crackling heat and a ‘spark of light’ that could, if not contained within its dynamic and tempo boundaries, see a band lose control and destroy the potential contest winning structure that they have taken care to build.
It’s a salutary ‘con fuoco’ warning not to go too close to the flames, although those who measure their distance to perfection could well find themselves warming up for a long day of celebration in the bar.
It’s a salutary ‘con fuoco’ warning not to go too close to the flames, although those who measure their distance to perfection could well find themselves warming up for a long day of celebration in the bar.
Lots for the bands to enjoy in impressing the adjudication trio of Stephanie Binns, Paul Holland (who led an ‘on-fire’ Flowers at the British Open last weekend) and David Hirst.
The contenders:
Over the last few years the title has been shared around the regions, with Wales winning in 2014, 2015 and 2016, followed by Scotland, the Midlands, North of England, West of England, North West and last year back to the Midlands with Newhall.
In addition, the London & Southern Counties won in 2012, although you have to go back to 2006 for the last time Yorkshire’s White Rose was waved in triumph.
2023 Champion: Newhall
Fancied bands
That could well change as they send two strong, but long overdue debutant contenders in Area champion Loxley Silver for their first finals appearance in their 135 year history, as well Friendly Band (Sowerby Bridge) with their first in 156 years.
Two fancied bands from the North West also, with a rejuvenated historic name in Stalybridge Old being joined by Littleborough who make a Cheltenham return for the first time since 2015.
Meanwhile, it will be up to the trio of Whitwell, Syston and Coventry Festival to ensure that the Champion Band trophy returns to the Midlands this year, all led by talented MDs.
Meanwhile, it will be up to the trio of Whitwell, Syston and Coventry Festival to ensure that the Champion Band trophy returns to the Midlands this year, all led by talented MDs.
There were just three competitors at the Welsh Area this year, so champion Holywell from Flintshire and Severn Tunnel shouldn’t be too fazed by an early draw, whilst the Scots of champion Bon Accord B (467 miles one way) and Buckhaven & Methil (380 miles) will be making even longer trips south, so may fancy a little bit of a lie in on the contest day.
the Scots of champion Bon Accord B (467 miles one way) and Buckhaven & Methil (380 miles) will be making even longer trips south, so may fancy a little bit of a lie in on the contest day.
Closer to home
A little closer to home are the West of England representatives Bugle Silver (returning for the first time since 2018) and Illogan Sparnon Silver (making their debut), although the roads up from Cornwall take about as long.
Other long haul travellers come from the North of England, with Craghead Colliery making their first appearance since 1991 (then called Sacriston Colliery) and debutants Penrith Town.
The line-up is competed by those heading across the M4 from London & the Southern Counties. Regional champion Betteshanger Colliery (who won the Area title after nearly a decade away) is joined by Reading Spring Garden (making their first Cheltenham appearance since 1959) and Watford, who make a second successive appearance at the contest.
Iwan Fox
Section 4:
Sunday 15th September
Test piece: Smoke Sketches (Daniel Hall)
Start: 9.00am
Betteshanger Colliery Welfare (Mike West)
Bon Accord Silver B (Harry Marshall)
Buckhaven & Methil Miners (Steven Craig)
Bugle Silver (Mark Arnold)
Coventry Festival (Allan Wheelhouse)
Craghead Colliery (Stephen Goddard)
Friendly (Sowerby Bridge) (Mick Silson)
Holywell Silver (Jamie Duncan)
Illogan Sparnon Silver (Shaun Marsden)
Littleborough (Ashley Higgins)
Loxley Silver (Lindon Bolt)
Penrith Town (Ian Butterworth)
Reading Spring Gardens (Matthew Ruel)
Severn Tunnel (David Ferris)
Stalybridge Old (Nigel Lawless)
Syston (Alex Bland)
Watford (Ian Graves)
Whitwell (Rob Deakin)
