The Black Dyke Band conducted by Dr Nicholas Childs won the English National Championship in Preston on Saturday, to send the Queensbury band to the European Championships in Linz in Austria in 2010.

One of the best

Their performance of Paul Lovatt-Cooper’s ‘Within Blue Empires’ was described by one adjudicator as '…one of the best I have heard for many years', and saw the band claim the £4,000 first prize as well as bag the additional £1,000 to help with the projected £18,000 costs of representing England at the contest next year.

Delighted

The MD was delighted by the victory, after working continously for well over a month since receiving the test piece, telling 4BR: "We really produced a performance to be proud of. I couldn’t have asked for anything more from the players. We have had to put in a great deal of hard work on this one, and that effort has paid off."

We really produced a performance to be proud of. I couldn’t have asked for anything more from the players. We have had to put in a great deal of hard work on this one, and that effort has paid offDr Nicholas Childs

lear cut

Although no points were given, 4BR understands that the victory was a clear cut one in the opinion of the adjudication team of Steve Sykes, David Horsfield and William Relton – one that off the number 6 draw could not be matched by a high class field of rivals.

Something special

David Horsfield confirmed that the trio felt that the overall standard had been 'excellent', with the winners 'something special'.

Black Dyke will now head for Linz as one of the favourites for success after claiming the one domestic title to elude the band under Nicholas Childs.

Form band

Closest to Dyke on the day came an almost equally delighted Hepworth (Cookson Homes) directed by Ian Porthouse, who for the second year in a row bagged the runner up spot with a performance that confirmed their current status as one of the form bands of the season.

Their polished account was enough to push the current Masters Champions Foden’s into third under Garry Cutt, after their exciting rendition just contained a few too many little clips and unforced errors.

Exciting

Many people’s tip for a top podium finish, Brighouse & Rastrick, had to be content with fourth place after delivering one of the most exciting performances of the day under the baton of Allan Withington, whilst fifth place went to Leyland’s highly descriptive account under Jason Katsikaris.

Return to form

There was a return to form for Carlton Main under Russell Gray who finished sixth, with principal cornet Kirsty Abbotts winning the ‘Best Instrumentalist’ prize and 14 year old Jonathan Bates picking up the ‘Youngest Player’ Award.

Popular

There was a great deal of debate about the suitability of Paul Lovatt-Cooper’s test piece before the contest began, but all the rumours and conspiracy theories were put to rest as ‘Within Blue Empires’ proved to be a very popular (if immensely difficult) work both with players and listeners alike.

The composer, whose is expecting the birth of his first child today (Sunday) was delighted with the response of the bands to his testing work. "I must thank them all for the effort they put in. It was such a thrill to listen to all the bands deliver such brilliant performances."

Empty seats

Unfortunately the prospect of listening to 14 bands at Preston Guild’s Hall once again didn’t appeal greatly to the banding public, with the sight of a row upon row of empty seats greeting the bands as they took to the stage.

Straw poll

Although numbers seemed slightly up on last year, a straw poll of players, conductors and listeners on the day undertaken by 4BR for an article next week, suggested that many feel that the English National is currently one contest too many for bands at present.

Retrospectives and articles on the contest, as well as a full gallery of images taken by Rob Fletcher of Goldy Solutions will appear on Monday night.

English National Championship
Saturday 27th June 2009
Guild Hall, Preston

Test Piece: Within Blue Empires — Paul Lovatt-Cooper
Adjudicators: David Horsfield, Steve Sykes & William Relton

Results

1. Black Dyke (Dr Nicholas Childs), 6
2. Hepworth (Cookson Homes) (Ian Porthouse), 11
3. Fodens (Garry Cutt), 12
4. Brighouse & Rastrick (Allan Withington), 10
5. Leyland (Jason Katsikaris), 14
6. Carlton Main Frickley Colliery (Russell Gray), 2
7. Fairey (Philip Chalk), 8
8. Flowers (Paul Holland), 9
9. Wingates (Alan Morrison), 13
10. Reg Vardy (Ray Farr), 1
11. Hammonds Saltaire (Morgan Griffiths), 7
12. Redbridge (Jeremy Wise), 3
13. Yorkshire Imperial Urquhart Travel (David Evans), 5
14. Mount Charles (Andrew Duncan), 4

Best Instrumentalist: Kirsty Abbotts: Carlton Main Frickley Colliery (Principal Cornet)
Youngest player: Jonathan Bates: Carlton Main Frickley Colliery (aged 14)