Christmas comes early to Sussex ..... well Sussex Brass (Hastings).
Having played off the dreaded number one spot at 9.00am, by a few hours later the skies were heaping silverware on them and Christmas had arrived early.
Not content
Not content with just the hymn tune prize in the Third Section, adjudicator Philip Harper awarded them first prize for their test piece too.
The band then went on to scoop up the special awards for 'Best Back Row Cornets' and the 'Best Percussion'.
Top section
In the top section Friary Guildford, under Chris King, did exactly the same at the end of the day as Sussex Brass had at the beginning.
They too nailed the hymn tune, and the test piece 'Burlesque'. Richard Straker on principal took the soloist prize, Andrew Porter took the euph award and the percussion and bass sections took the other two awards.
In the top section Friary Guildford, under Chris King, did exactly the same at the end of the day as Sussex Brass had at the beginning4BR
Youth
In the Youth section there was only one entry, Shanklin Town Youth and Robert Bartlett, euphonium, won the 'Best Instrumentalist' prize.
Second Section
There were four bands in the Second Section where the silverware was evenly divided.
Top prize went to Colchester conducted by Peter Ivey, playing Alan Fernie’s work, 'Spain'.
First Section
The First Section was the largest section of the day, with 13 entries and was won by Thundersley Brass playing Bruce Broughton’s, 'California Legend.'
Following some fantastic playing from the Championship Section, Philip remarked that there had been some '...brilliant music, and there was excellent playing, nothing short of astounding.'
Atmosphere
The audience certainly agreed when Brass Band Heist finished their performance of Paul Lovatt Cooper’s 'Equilibrium' and gave the band an excellent reception. They came third, with second spot going to Jersey Premier Brass and with Gregson’s 'Of Men & Mountains' who’s MD Tim Pritchard took the Conductor’s Prize.
By this time the atmosphere in the hall was fantastic even though it was late, but the scaba Band of the Year award still had to be announced, with Friary Guildford eventually winning by a good length.
Results:
Test Piece
1. Friary Guildford (Chris King) — 196
2. Jersey Premier Brass (Tim Pritchard) — 193
3. Brass Band Heist (Bert Van Thienen) — 191
4. Soham Comrades (Keith Schroeter) — 190
5. Regent Brass (Alan Duguid) — 189
Best Instrumentalist: Richard Straker (Friary Guildford)
Best Percussion: Friary Guildford
Best Euphonium: Andrew Porter (Friary Guildford)
Best Bass Section: Friary Guildford
Conductors Prize: Tim Pritchard (Jersey Premier Brass)
First Section:
1. Thundersley Brass (Roland Morris) — 193
2. Ocean Brass (Russ Young) — 191
3. Brass Band Gent (Lieven Dobbelaere) — 190
4. Fairlop Brass (Kevin Jordan) — 189
5. Epsom & Ewell (Ted Howard) — 188
6. Becontree Brass (Graham Chambers) — 187
7. Horsham Borough (Keith Maxwell) — 186
8. Tilbury (Alan Duguid) — 185
9. Betteshanger Welfare (David Cutting) — 183
10. Alder Valley Brass (Roger Burke) — 182
11. BAE Systems (Keith Woodger) — 181
12. Crystal Palace (Michael Gray) — 180
13. Brighton & Hove City (Matthew Hackett) — 178
Best Instrumentalist: Ian Lanceley (BAE Systems)
Best Euphonium: David Nason (Betteshanger Welfare)
Best Bass Section: Thundersley Brass
Conductors Prize: Ted Howard (Epsom & Ewell)
Second Section:
1. Colchester (Peter Ivey) — 186
2. Medway Concert Brass (Garrie Harvey) — 185
3. Solent Concert (Haydyn Garner) — 182
4. Shanklin Town (Malcolm Lewis) — 181
Best Instrumentalist: Anne Ruddock (Colchester)
Best Horn Section: Shanklin Town Band
Best Percussion Section: Medway Concert Brass
Conductors Prize: Peter Ivy (Colchester)
Third Section:
1. Sussex Brass (Hastings) (Steve Hollamby) — 187
2. Oxted (Martin Beaumont) — 186
3. Snowdown Colliery Welfare (Kevin Spencer) — 185
4. Amersham (Ian Hogan) — 182
5. The Cobham Band (David Ruel) — 181
6. Charles Church Camberley (Robert Cherry) — 180
7. Patcham Silver (James Benka-Coker) — 179
8. Boxted Methodist Silver (Christopher Lewis) — 177
9. Lingfield Silver (Roy Fuller) — 175
Best Instrumentalist: Kevin Adams (Oxted)
Best Back Row Cornets: Sussex Brass (Hastings)
Best Bass Section: Amersham
Best Percussion Section: Sussex Brass (Hastings)
Conductors Prize: Robert Cherry (Charles Church Camberley)
Highest Placed Member Band: Sussex Brass (Hastings)
Youth Section:
1. Shanklin Town Youth (Malcolm Lewis) — 188
Best Instrumentalist: Robert Bartlett (Shanklin Town Youth)
Conductors Prize: Malcolm Lewis (Shanklin Town Youth)
