2o24 Champions: Zone One Brass

Result:

Championship Section:

Adjudicators: Alan Fernie & Steve Pritchard-Jones
Test piece: Variations on an Enigma (Philip Sparke)

1. Zone One Brass (Richard Ward)*
2. Friary Brass (Nigel Taken)*
3. Redbridge Brass (Chris Bearman)
4. Wantage (Chris King)
5. East London Brass (Jayne Murrill)
6. Amersham (Paul Fisher)
7. Fulham (Sam Hairsine)
8. Sandhurst Silver (Joshua Geddes)
9. East of England Coop (Nigel Cooper)
10. Haverhill Silver (Paul Filby)
11. Medway (Graham Wilson)
12. Egham (Gareth Green)

Outstanding Trombone Section: Zone One Brass
Outstanding Tenor Horn: Wantage
Outstanding Euphonium: Friary Brass
Outstanding Cornet: Friary Brass

*Qualify for invitation to National Final

Round up and prediction

A contest that was a bit of a slow burner and where Sparke's 'Enigma' never really came to life as brightly as some had perhaps hoped.

Those at the top end shone but but there were also accounts that never made the most of early potential and others that simply didn't come off and found out not just how hard the piece. It offered no hiding place.

Not a clear cut victory or qualification at the top end with Friary, Zone One and Wantage the three of which only two can go to London in October.

Behind them for us its East London Brass, Amersham with Redbridge potentially knocking on the door of the top-six.

Before finishing, just a massive thanks to Philip Doe, Kevin Williams and the L&SC committee and hall staff for their help this weekend.

Prediction:

1. Zone One
2. Friary
3. Wantage
4. East London Brass
5. Amersham
6. Redbridge

Championship Section:

12. Medway (Graham Wilson)

The final performance of not just the L&SC region but the UK regional series came from Medway.

And in many ways it typified the month hearing the piece: Some really good playing and some hit and miss from a band knowing it's had a severe test of its musical credentials.

Frustrating too as the promise was there, but the command of the technique and musical style music wasn't consistent enough.

Each variation was given plenty of thought, but was executed with inconsistencies in contributions to really make an impression.

Respect to the band for digging deep here after a four hour wait to play and they have been tested to their limits at times. The young man on principal cornet gave it everything and was a beacon of class.

Needed more cutting edge and clarity but that just never came to the fore. The tuba and percussion didn't really sync together and the fugue was a touched rush at times to make a clear impact.

The close tested them too but the MD kept the tempos within limits to successfully get to the end.

Malcolm Wood

Championship Section:

11. East of England Coop (Nigel Cooper)

The penultimate band of the contest was East of England Coop who produced a hard grafting account.

The piece stretched them at times and as with others today, a great deal of credit goes to the MD for the way he coerced his players to bring together a compact performance.

The opening was untidy but settled down although the good playing was overshadowed at times by unease and caution in delivery.

Euph did so well in the funeral March that was reflective in nature. The tubas and percussion didn't quite gel together.

The focus was lost somewhat towards the close as tiredness crept in, but again great credit for digging deep to make the hard work pay off.

Malcolm Wood

Championship Section:

10. Sandhurst Silver (Joshua Geddes)

A mixed bag from Sandhurst. There was quality on display but it was undermined at times with inconsistencies and unease that impacted upon the musical picture portrayed.

Full marks though to the MD as he worked his socks off to ensure everything went as smoothly as it could, and although some of the variations were hit and miss the solo contributions were marked in quality.

The fugue had ambition and intent, but never quite bubbles to fulfilment whilst the close displayed tiredness.

One of those days for Sandhurst where they will have known they didn't quite meet their well planned intentions.

Malcolm Wood

Championship Section:

9. Redbridge Brass (Chris Bearman)

An account that bubbled along nicely from Redbridge but perhaps didn't quite reach its full potential.

The quality was there, but it perhaps just needed more of a razor sharpness in the ensemble at times to give that clarity to its cutting edge.

The variations are well thought out but not everything gelled into place and not all of the soloists were quite at the apex of their powers. Small clips, blips and blemishes crept in and the glaze of consistency heard from others today was perhaps missing.

More frustration in the fugue as it needed clarity and sharpness to make an impact whilst the close displayed some unease and tiredness too

Malcolm Wood

Championship Section:

8. Zone One Brass (Richard Ward)

A reading rich in musical intent from Richard Ward as he led Zone One's title defence. So much confidence on display from the off, and whilst the tempos were not as quick as some they allowed the clarity to come through.

Each variation linked well, although there was the odd suspect moment for the soloists. The trombones, cornet, horn and euph all made a fine impression whilst never being over bearing or over wrought.

The dynamic contrasts were nicely tailored and were noted as a result. Tubas and percussion buzzed along nicely whilst the fugue gained momentum and purpose.

The close was full of intent and a grandstand finish which saw the local support go wild.

One for the judges to ponder. No doubting the quality on display but whether it gets a first place qualification honours award at the results remains to be seen. In the mix though for sure though.

Malcolm Wood

2024 Champion: Easington Colliery

The winning MD: Allan Withington

A winner's smile for Easington

Winners: Easington Colliery

Runner up: NASUWT Riverside

Third place: City of Hull

Result:

Championship Section:

1. Easington Colliery (Alan Withington)*
2. NASUWT Riverside (Prof Nicholas Childs)*
3. City of Hull (Dean Jones)
4. Ever Ready (Russell Gray)
5. Shepherd Group Brass (Richard Wilton)
6. Fishburn (Duncan Beckley)
7. Kirkbymoorside (Sarah Woodward)
8. York Railway Institute (Dr David Lancaster)
9. Ripon City (Malcolm Sidwell)

Best Soprano: Easington Colliery
Best Principal Cornet: Easington Colliery
Best Baritone: City of Hull
Best Euphonium: NASUWT Riverside
Best Trombone: City of Hull
Best Basses: Easington Colliery
Best Percussion: Easington Colliery

*Qualify for invitation to National Final

Championship Section round up and opinion

An enthralling contest brought to life by an superb account from NASUWT Riverside that could well see them retain the title.

Second place is more of a fight for us, with Easington, EverReady, City of Hull and York Railway Institute vying for the second qualification place. We think Easington has got it from EverReady with City of Hull fourth, but we will see.

1. NASUWT Riverside
2. Easington
3. EverReady
4. City of Hull

Dark Horse: York Railway Institute

Championship Section:

7. Amersham (Paul Fisher)

Amersham recommenced the contest with a typical Paul Fisher musical interpretation — one that searched for the detail in the score but still allowed his players to shine in a confident manner.

There was some compact, efficient playing and each variation was well thought out and linked, despite the odd wobble.

Soloists performed well but it perhaps yearned for a touch more from some at times. Again, credit to the MD who manoeuvred everything effectively.

Tubas and percussion made their presence felt and there was a nice restraint to the fugue — the MD doing everything to ensure the energy levels were maintained.

A well structured close that didn't push the dynamics or tempos beyond their limits closed things off.

Malcolm Wood