There were three contrasting real life dramas at the Regional Championships during the weekend, which not only put banding contesting into perspective but also all thankfully had a happy ending.

Serious

The most serious happened at Blackpool during Old Hall Brass's performance of 'The Kingdom of Dragons' in the Second Section on Sunday.

The band's 2nd baritone player Sarah Neal suffered a seizure on stage, but thanks to the quick action of the Opera House staff and St Johns Ambulance, Sarah was expertly attended to and eventually taken to hospital.

Sarah and her family would like to thank the members of Old Hall Brass for their support, and to thank the many people who have asked about her conditionOld Hall Brass

Thoughts

After discussing the situation, and being given to option to return with a borrowed player if required, Old Hall understandably decided not to return to the contesting stage. They felt they couldn't go back to perform without Sarah, with the thoughts of the band very much with her and her two brothers, who play in the band, still worried about her condition.

The latest news is that initial CT scans have shown nothing out of the ordinary, but that she will remain in Wigan Infirmary to have an MRI scan as a precaution.

Thanks

An Old Hall spokesperson told 4BR: "Sarah and her family would like to thank the members of Old Hall Brass for their support, and to thank the many people who have asked about her condition. Sarah was complaining yesterday that she was too well to be in hospital, so she is getting back to her normal self!"

Midlands drama

Meanwhile there was another serious drama at the Midlands Area contest in Bedworth involving local band Bedworth Brass.

On the day of the contest on the band’s solo horn player Alistair McKenzie’s two-week-old son was rushed into hospital. Contest secretary Steve Holmes was informed of what was happening and understandably told the family that the health of their child far outweighed any brass band contest.

All well

In the event, and with the Regional Committee agreeing to help with a later draw if required, the band rallied to the cause and with the two remaining horn players, Derek Winterbottom and Jud Hurleston practicing the solo horn parts the band took to the stage to produce a performance that gave them 10th place.

Thankfully all was well with the youngster and the band was delighted to hear the most important contest day news of all.

Xeno drama

And finally, Matt Woolliscroft, assistant Principal Cornet of Trentham Brass, dropped his Yamaha Xeno cornet during registration for the Fourth Section Midlands Regional Contest in such a way that it was unplayable just minutes before he was due to take to the stage.

MD Mike Caveney rushed it to the Trevada Music trade stand where a replacement was offered for the performance. It did the trick and Trentham secured the fourth place qualifying spot for an invitation to Harrogate in September for the first time.