Sunday 17, 18:20:36

2024 Champions: Wardle Academy Youth

Wardle are presented with the honours

The Winner: Wardle Academy Youth

Runner-up: Lancashire Youth

Third Place: Youth Brass 2000

Best Soloist: Elise Hale of Youth Brass 2000

Youngest Player: Ash Paton (aged 7)

Result:

Adjudicators:
Anne Crookston (Performance)
Andrea Price (Entertainment & Presentation)
Performance/Presentation (points equate to placing in each category) = Total

1. Wardle Academy Youth (Brad McCulloch): 120/80 = 200
2. Lancashire Youth (Helen Minshall): 117/72 = 189
3. Youth Brass 2000 (Chris Jeans): 114/74 = 188
4. Lions Youth (Ian Raisbeck): 111/76 = 187
5. Houghton Area Youth (Brian Adams): 105/78 = 183
6. Elland Silver Youth (Samantha Harrison): 108/68 = 176
7. Seindorf Beaumaris Youth (Peter Cowlishaw): 102/70 = 172
8. Macclesfield Youth (Louise Renshaw): 99/66 = 165

Best Soloist: Elise Hale (flugel) — Youth Brass 2000
Youngest Player: Benjamin Smith (aged 7) — Houghton Area Youth

Sunday 17, 17:37:53

Results:

It's been a very enjoyable day of youth inspired music making and each of the bands brought something of huge interest and playing of excellence to the.

Only one will be crowned the 2024 champion though and that is up to the judges Andrea Price and Anne Crookston.

We will publish the results as soon as we are given them by the organisers.

Sunday 17, 16:57:17

Band No. 8: Wardle Academy Youth Brass
Conductor: Brad McCulloch

Flashback: Reflections on themes of Covid

Flashback (Peter Graham)
I Want to Break Free (John Deacon arr. Jan Van Kraeydonck)
Over the Rainbow (Harold Arlen arr. Ryan Broad)
The Great Little Army (Kenneth J. Alford)
In Memoriam from Royal Parks (George Lloyd)
Music (John Miles arr. John Glenesk Mortimer)

It is a serious theme performed with serious intent — with reflections in different ways on Covid 19 and how we all coped — especially youngsters.

It's an inventive take (linked by a narrator/newsreader) but also uplifting as it shows how the school's own youngsters coped with on-line lessons.

At that time that included a performance of Queen's 'Break Free' hit by 'at-home' pupils, with the stage playing today accompanying the actual performance of the time.

The sextet setting of 'Over the Rainbow' and hopes of better days ahead is played with a fine feel of understated pathos linked to the battles faced by the NHS at the time, before memories of the sacrifice of a different kind.

This reflects on the thanks given to those lost in conflict with the Alford classic march, splendidly choreographed with military precision. The central 'In Memoriam' section offers reflection of loved ones lost, before we close with the uplifting feel of the power of 'Music' and how throughout it all, it gave so much hope of community and connection.

It's a super way to close a programme that managed the seriousness of its message so well.

Iwan Fox

Sunday 17, 16:15:16

Band No. 7: Elland Silver Youth Band
Conductor: Samantha Harrison

Into the Wild West

Wild West (arr. Sandy Smith)
Deadwood Stage from Calamity Jane (Sammy Fain and Paul Francis Webster arr. Derek Ashmore)
Joplin on Wood (arr. Sandy Smith)
Xylophone soloist: Toby Stott
The Magnificent Seven (Elmer Bernstein arr. Alan Fernie)
Shenandoah (trad. arr. Alan Fernie)
Soloists: Thomas Partington (cornet), Rhys Stokes (flugel),
Skye Stokes (baritone), Seth Barber (euphonium)
Texas Hold 'Em (Brian Bates, Nathan Ferraro and Raphael Saadiq arr. Jock McKenzie)

Elland heads far from these shores to the badlands of the Wild West — complete with red sequined cowboy hats that you get for Blackpool hen nights along the way. Even compere David Thornton has to wear one!

It leads into a great start with Sandy Smith's clever western greatest hits medley played with pioneering vibrancy and a sense of adventure.

It's followed by a 'whip crack away' stagecoach ride in best Doris Day fashion — complete with vocals and clip-clop accompaniment to drive things along. Great fun — all bandannas and brio.

A trip to the saloon next and a bit of expert Scott Joplin ragtime on the xylophone, played with great panache by the soloist and so neatly backed by the ensemble.

It's a call out for the Magnificent Seven next — although its not Philip Harper and his Cory cowboys that come to the rescue, but the Yorkshire version of Yul Brynner and Steve McQueen with an eloquent gun slinging swagger and dramatic excitement.

What a lovely contrast with 'Shenandoah' played with lyrical feeling before we go all Beyonce to close things with a fantastic all playing all dancing finish.

A real rooting tooting fun packed delight — great direction, a super narrator and saddle bags packed with fine playing.

Iwan Fox

Sunday 17, 15:32:08

Band No. 6: Houghton Area Youth
Conductor: Brian Adams

Tribute to the RNLI

Essence of Tyne (Trad. arr. Lee Morris)
The Story of Grace Darling (Lee Morris)
(Forfarshire & Soliloquy at St. Aiden's)
Soloist: Jak Camp
Eastern Shores (Lee Morris)
For Lives Lost (Lee Morris)
Featuring: Michael MacDonald, Daisy Burlison, Darcie Lawson, Emily Young and Sally Lockey (cornets)
When the Boat Comes In (Trad. arr. Lee Morris)

What a great idea and what a great start as the band come to the stage and set up without chairs for their set.

There is a real flavour of the area with the opening, aided by the choreography and the fine playing from the ensemble who produce a lovely balanced sound.

Jak Camp is a performer of real maturity as the featured soloist — again displaying a fine technique built on a wonderful euphonium sound, rich and secure. Super playing that from a player to watch out for.

What a clever set up and idea with 'Eastern Shores' played with a energised march swagger and a low brass end that could power the Ark Royal. That had a thump and presence with a hint of travels on eastern seas.

Lovely contrast shown with 'For Lives Lost' — touching but never over sentimental, and played as such. So well written and so well played.

Back to the famous 1970s television series and the 'Fishy on a Dishy' finale that brings a super programme, full of invention in the playing, direction and execution to such an upbeat close. Such a clever piece. Really enjoyed that.

Iwan Fox

Sunday 17, 14:51:40

Band No. 5: Macclesfield Youth Brass
Conductor: Louise Renshaw

Caribbean Party

Banana Island (Etienne Crausaz)
Featuring: Luke Broadrick (cornet) and Edith Munro (trombone)
Blue (Thomas Gansch arr. John Doyle)
Soloist: Luke Broadrick (cornet)
Mr Blue Sky (Jeff Lynne arr. Chris Wormald)
Jump in the Line (Harry Belafonte et al arr. Adrian Horn)
Soloists: Louisa Griffin and Jasmine Cosgrove
Kraken (Hans Zimmer arr. Sandy Smith)

The perfect getaway trip for us all in what is a slightly chilly Gateshead, with the sun, sea and bags of upbeat fun of a Caribbean awayday weekend via Macclesfield.

Our 'hostess with the mostest' is the inspirational Louise Renshaw with her plane-load of musical passengers and star turn pilot turned narrator — and they are in party mode from the off with the colourful opener of 'Banana Island'.

It's followed by the suave jazzy swagger of 'Blue' played in a laid-back manner by the soloists.

An all time banger in ELO's 'Mr Blue Sky' is next up — all drive, smiley happiness and feel good vibes, before we head right into the heart of Jamaica with the steel drum lead and a great bit of classic Harry Belafonte. The steel drummers are the stars but the rest of the band are just as upbeat and full of rhythmic verve.

It's Jack Sparrow on the passenger list to close with the 'Kraken' from one of Johnny Depp's many outings on the high seas. Packed with drama and excitement it rounds off a programme full of colour, fun and joyful music making.

Iwan Fox

Sunday 17, 13:56:46

Half time break

That's a great first half of entertainment done and dusted and there has been so much to enjoy in each performance.

More to come after the break when we start back at 2.40pm.

See you then

Sunday 17, 13:21:43

Band No. 4: Youth Brass 2000
Conductor: Chris Jeans

Life as it happens...

Earthwalk from Windows of the World (Peter Graham)
Featuring Katie Skey (trumpet) and Oliver Jackson (drums)
Crimond (Jessie Seymour Irvin arr. Goff Richards)
Moon River Cha Cha (Henry Mancini arr. Philip Harper)
A Little Star Went Out (Philip Harper)
Soloist: Elise Hale (flugel)
Caravan (Duke Ellington/Juan Tizol arr. Steve Sykes)

The exotic Americas sound of 'Windows of the World' opens things up with trademark Youth Brass 2000 polish and pizazz — led by a fab kit player giving things such a feral drive and energy, topped by an excellent trumpet lead.

Contrasts to follow with the tender quartet led version of 'Crimond' and some inventive colourings with a muted cornet sextet and the passing of the narrative from section to section. So nicely done with the last verse played with a passion that would surely enliven 'Songs of Praise'.

The cha cha cha version of 'Moon River' gives a neat twist to the Mancini classic — neatly choreographed too and led by a great Holly Golightly on the guiro.

Bravo to the flugel soloist on 'A Little Star Went Out', displaying a darkly tender sound. The band offers a subtle accompaniment that also adds more to the melancholic feeling of loss. So well played.

A programme of defined contrasts, polished presentation and playing is drawn to a close with a classic of any era with Duke Ellington's 'Caravan' that has a boldness and sinewy verve of the exotic lands of the Sahara.

Great drive from the perc keeps the camel train going at a fair lick, with the MD conducting like a Bedouin prince with a baton. Classy that.

Iwan Fox

Sunday 17, 12:40:33

Band No. 3: Seindorf Beaumaris Youth
Conductor: Peter Cowlishaw

150 Years of Radio

At the Sign of the Swinging Cymbal (Fahey arr. Bruce Fraser)
Classical Brass (Gavin Somerset)
Barwick Green (Arthur Wood arr. R, Vallis)
Soloist: Iestyn Petts
Featuring: Ffur Edwards and Elin Gwilliam (flutes)
By the Sleepy Lagoon (Eric Coates arr. Sandy Smith)
Yma O Hyd (Dafydd Iwan and Ar Log arr. Owain Gruffudd Roberts)
Runaway Baby (Bruno Mars)

A really inventive take that brings us highlights of the tunes that have made radio listening such a joy over the past 150 years — starting with the sounds of pop and Fluff Freeman and his 'Pop Pickers'.

'At the Sign of the Swinging Cymbal' is still a stonker after all these years and was played with such vim too. Its 'Classic FM' next and a showreel of the type of hits they pack in each day — familiar and easy listening. Perfect for a Sunday lunchtime that.

A great little segue to Radio 4 next and the timeless classic of farming life in Ambridge and 'The Archers' — so neatly played with euphs and flutes. Makes you proud to be a British farmer not having to worry about inheritance tax…

More Radio 4 and a trip to the sleepy lagoon for 'Desert Island Discs' — and then it all goes brilliantly Welsh. Love the introduction and the humour to ensure the locals know what the presenter is just about talking about.

It's all Welsh football and the song 'Yma O Hyd' ('Still Here') that is belted out by supporters at every match — although maybe not in this great jazzed up version with saxophones, bucket hats and a ton of Welsh hwyl!

Radio 1 next and the Bruno Mars hit bubbly banger 'Runaway Baby' to close a super set that went from wireless and radio to app land, station to station and hit after hit after hit.

A super show that — inventive and packed with fun, pride, passion and wonderful Welsh confidence.

Iwan Fox

Sunday 17, 11:51:57

Band No. 2: Lions Youth Brass
Conductor: Ian Raisbeck

Wonka

Pure Imagination (Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley arr. Ian Raisbeck) Percussion trio: Timothy Sealey, George Cragg and Seren Bates
Hatful of Dreams (Neil Hannon arr. Ian Raisbeck)
You've Never Had Chocolate Like This (Neil Hannon arr. Ian Raisbeck)
For a Moment (Neil Hannon arr. Ian Raisbeck)
Featuring: Charlotte Shaw (horn) and Paddy Bloor (trombone)
Oompah Loompa (Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley arr. Ian Raisbeck) Featuring: Elizabeth Cox, Imogen Pinney, Doogie Higgins, Ryan Snelson, Harrison Lewis and Adam Howard (euphoniums and baritones)
A World of Your Own (Neil Hannon arr. Ian Raisbeck)

It's the prequel back story life of Willy Wonka that is brought to us by Lions Youth Band and the great arrangements of MD Ian Raisbeck.

The band is decked out in fancy dress and with the stage completed by giant lollipops as the young Wonka sets out on his journey to become 'King of the Chocolate World'.

The tip of the Chamalet hat to the original gives things a great opening that is followed by the quirky 'Hatful of Dreams' with a flugel playing priest leading us into the fun and super soloists of a great mix of fantastical choccie creations that really tickled the musical taste buds.

Bravo to the two young soloists on 'For a Moment' — playing with lyrical tenderness and maturity that complemented each other like rum and raisin with an added dance twirl to make it even more special.

An annoying orange man is his nemesis — although on this occasion it's not Donald Trump but those euphonium playing Oompah Loompas who perform with choreographed wit to lead us into the finale.

It's a World on Wonder to close with great tunes played with a cocoa classiness, swagger drive and deserved bows. What a great close to such an inventive set performed with real Wonka brio and brilliance.

Iwan Fox