The 29th Northern Open Brass Band Championships were once again held at the Theatre Royal, St. Helens last weekend.

The rather dry acoustic of the theatre gives a defined listening arena and the adjudicators David Horsfield and Paul Andrews therefore had little aural distraction in reaching their judgements that were both considered and clearly explained.

Last banner

These were the last championships to be held under the Wilkinson banner and the organising committee, who all deliver an exemplary contest platform, now search for the necessary sponsorship to reach the landmark 30th anniversary next year.

The contest did suffer a little this year with late withdrawals and as such the A & B Section contained just the five bands – although the audience were treated to rewarding performances.

Overall champion

Prize of £400, £200 and £100 were awarded across all sections and the overall champions for 2009 were Hammonds Saltaire directed by Morgan Griffith playing ‘Music of the Spheres’. Their dramatic opening led to playing with atmosphere and resolve and the forthright solo work led to a convincing performance which bagged a clutch of individual awards to go with the encouraging first prize.

Their (Hammonds) dramatic opening led to playing with atmosphere and resolve and the forthright solo work led to a convincing performance which bagged a clutch of individual awards to go with the encouraging first prize4BR

Controlled

Runners-Up Yorkshire Imperial Urquart Travel were controlled and assured, and their full resources were used in ‘Paganini Variations’. There may have been the odd crackle in the solo lines but this was overall a very good show.

Taking third prize were Wrexham Brass directed by Wayne Ruston, playing ‘Isaiah 40’ by Robert Redhead. They were a touch insecure to open but things quickly settled and all the notes began to fall into place. Overall it was performance of extremes — brittle at times but contrasting with good tone and style in others.

Lost points

‘Salute to Youth’ was the choice of Stannington Brass conducted by Derek Renshaw, and the band delivered a ‘punchy’ interpretation with many of the inner voices clearly heard. It was probably some rather loose solo lines that lost points.

Another Vinter test piece, ‘Symphony of Marches’ concluded the section with Old Silkstone. Their bright sound and clean direct performance didn’t have quite the tonality of the winner, but nonetheless they didn’t disappoint with a rhythmic and well described performance.

Section B:

There were five bands in Section B judged by David Horsfield and it proved to be a real mix of skills as well as choices.

Greenalls directed by Karl Scott took the first prize playing ‘Kaleidoscope’ by Philip Sparke, with a rich sound picture with warm tonality and secure technical passages.

Morecambe, directed by Andrew Warriner in chose ‘Triptych’ by Philip Sparke and packed plenty of punch, pushing the winners very close and incorporating good direction with driven articulation.

‘Symphony of Marches’gave Haydock conducted by M. Quinn third prize, with a solid no nonsense approach. This too was a well directed performance that was direct and assured.

Skelmersdale conducted by John Ludden had bold sounds, but tuning in the upper band and some loose playing early into the performance of ‘Music of Thanksgiving’ would have been costly. This contrasted with the warm sound and settled playing that ensued as the piece unfolded.

Finally, ‘Sinfonnieta ‘The Wayfarer’ proved too stern a challenge on the day for Newtown Silver conducted by Steve Edwards. Their solid ensemble sounds were too overshadowed by a few too many untidy phases as the performance progressed.

Sections C:

Wire Brass MD, Paul Andrews was in the box for Sections C & D
Hoover Bolton looked to the Pontins test piece ’Danceries’ by Kenneth Hesketh and their controlled approach and clean sounds contrasted well softer moments that were well placed. It deservedly earned them the £400 first prize.

Meanwhile, ‘Oceans’ by Goff Richards received a positive approach from Crofton Silver conducted by T.Sidewell. Their dynamically solid account with a true sense of purpose captured the runner up prize.

Boarshurst Silver directed by Dave Ashworth also looked to the Pontins music of ‘A Gallimaufry Suite’ by Philip Harper, and their spirited well accented style with good lyrical support deserved its place in the frame. A slightly brittle hymn perhaps just costing them the higher placing.

Peter Ashley led Farnworth and Walkden in ‘Triptych’ (Philip Sparke) and whilst the driven and rhythmic highlighted the greater part, intonation proved the undoing and a place just outside the prizes.

‘Dimensions’ (Peter Graham) had vitality and bright sounds from Trinity Girls conducted by A. Tyson, but a few over-driven sounds and a wildly errant last timpani note must have taken points away.

Rivington & Adlington directed by Malcolm Wilson approached ‘A Celtic Suite’ and in the main delivered a solid mid-table performance. The music was quite solidly portrayed but this rigidity meant a loss in flow and may have been the undoing of what they hoped would have been a higher place.

‘The Saga of Haakon the Good (Philip Sparke) was delivered with a broad style by Blackley. Unfortunately, tuning issues in the middle band and some of the troubled solo lines contrasted too much against the dynamically satisfying picture that was encouraged by the MD.

Section D:

Section D was comfortably won by Darwen Brass conducted by Steve Hartley. Their confident approach to ‘Music for a Festival’ (Philip Sparke) was stylish and well illuminated and was a class apart.

‘Dark Side of the Moon’ (Paul Lovatt-Cooper) received a concentrated and spirited performance from Besses Boys (James Holt) who took the runners-up prize whilst Tarleton Brass (Barry Taylor) with a confident and lyrical approach to ‘Pennine Moors’ (Darroll Barry) captured third place.

Just outside the cash awards came Golborne (Dave Houghton) playing ‘A Bournemouth Suite’ (Benjamin Tubb). Whilst bold dynamics and a strong sense of direction were noted, the music did have a few loose moments that obviously proved costly.

Littleborough Public Brass (Adrian Woodhead) chose to play ‘A Malvern Suite’ (Philip Sparke) and whilst strong rhythmically a quite recessed sound picture exposed some tuning and balance issues.

Not lacking for purpose or drive ‘Dimensions’ (Peter Graham) from Brindle (John Smith), it was again tuning problems that must have cost important points.

Finally, Parr (St. Helens) approached ‘Labour and Love’ (Percy Fletcher) in a positive manner but the ensemble balance was exposed despite holding a bold approach. A mention for the solo euphonium would not go amiss in the band room for his sterling extended solo passage though.

John James

Section A:

1. Hammonds Saltaire (M. Griffiths) — 192
2. Yorkshire Imperial Uquart Travel — 190
3. Wrexham Brass — 186
4. Stannington Brass — 185
5. Old Silkstone — 184

Section B:

1. Greenalls — 185
2. Morecambe — 184
3. Haydock — 182
4. Skelmersdale — 179
5. Newtown Silver — 178

Section C:

1. Hoover Bolton — 191
2. Crofton Silver — 190
3. Boarshurst Silver — 189
4. Farnworth & Walkden — 188
5. Trinity Girls — 186
6. Stalybridge Old — 185
7. Rivington & Adlington — 184
8. Blackley — 183

Section D:

1. Darwen Brass — 189
2. Besses Boys — 188
3. Tarleton Brass — 186
4. Golborne — 185
5. Littleborough Public Brass — 184
6. Brindle — 183
7. Parr (St.Helens) — 182