Redbridge Brass continued its 21st century dominance of the London & Southern Counties Regional Championship with a commanding victory at the Stevenage Arts & Leisure Centre on Sunday evening.

Highly effective

Directed by Jeremy Wise, they produced a highly effective performance of 'English Heritage' to take the title for the eighth time in the last nine years.

To add to the celebrations, the victory also saw principal cornet Matt Baker and solo horn Chloe Mallett pick up individual awards to go with the news that the band has been invited to compete at this year’s Brass in Concert Championship.

Polished

MD, Jeremy Wise told 4BR: "I was very pleased by the way we played today. It was a very professional, polished performance of a great work."

I was very pleased by the way we played today. It was a very professional, polished performance of a great workMD, Jeremy Wise

Close contest

If there was a close contest on the day, it was for the chase to claim the second qualification place of offer, which saw a clutch of bands produce ragged performances that never remotely threatened the reigning champions, but gave Derek Broadbent in the box something of a headache – in more ways than one.

In the end it was Aveley & Newham conducted by Nigel Taken, who managed to push their way ahead of Wantage Silver ‘A’ and Zone One Brass, with euphonium award winner Rory Cartmell in their ranks, to claim a return to the Albert Hall.

First Section

In what was a disappointing standard in the First Section, Friary Guildford conducted by Chris King also stamped their dominance on the contest from an early draw to comfortably beat off the attentions of the rest of the 17 band field.

Their well shaped performance of 'A Moorside Suite' was only challenged at the end of the contest for adjudicator C Brian Buckley by the last two bands of the day, Regent Brass and Egham – both of whom will now join Guildford at Harrogate.

Elsewhere though Gustav Holst’s 80 year old work proved to be a severe test of musicianship, a point clearly illuminated by Brian in his remarks before the announcement of the result.

Second Section

In contrast, an enjoyable Second Section saw a host of bands provide Simone Rebello with plenty to enjoy on 'The Kingdom of Dragons', in the contest that preceded the main championship event.

And just as later in the day, a commanding performance from the excellent East London Brass conducted by Jayne Murrill, saw the reigning champion retain their title in dominating style.

Simone remarked that although each of the bands had brought something out of the music, the winners were outstanding.

Joining them in Harrogate will be Becontree Brass and Alder Valley, who with the winners gave Simone a trio of prize winning performances from draws 7-9 in a entertaining contest.

Third Section

On Saturday it was the turn of the well supported Third and Fourth Sections to fill the main Concert Hall.

The Third Section saw 14 bands battle with Percy Fletcher’s 'Labour & Love'.

Adjudicator Derek Broadbent found much to enjoy in the playing of all the competing bands, before picking Fulham Brass conducted by Simon Jones as the 2010 champion.

Speaking to 4BR on the Sunday, Simon was still in celebratory mood. "It’s a fantastic achievement by the band, and one they have worked so hard for. I think its been coming a while as we have played really well of late, but I still can’t believe it."

Joining them in Harrogate will be Betteshanger Welfare Brass conducted by Dave Cutting, who followed Fulham on stage and will now follow them to the International Conference too.

Fourth Section

In the Fourth Section there was a fine defence of their title by Battle Town conducted by J. Penton, who produced a real French fancy of a performance off the lucky number 13 draw to tickle the adjudicating fancy of Brian Buckley in the tent.

They will head to Harrogate full of confidence after a performance of real merit, and will be joined there by LCB Brass and Amersham.

Championship Section:
Sunday 21st March

Gordon Craig Theatre
Draw: 2.30pm
Commences: at the end of Section 2
Adjudicator: Derek Broadbent

Result:
1. Redbridge Brass (J. Wise), 6*
2. Aveley and Newham (N. Taken), 11*
3. Wantage Silver A (P. Bailey), 8
4. Zone One Brass (R. Ward), 1
5. Norfolk Brass (D. Stowell), 9
6. KM Medway (M. White), 7
7. Kidlington Concert Brass (C. Underwood), 2
8. City of Cambridge (S. Phillips), 5
9. Clacton-on-Sea Co-operative (L. Morgan), 12
10. Sandhurst Silver (I. McElligott), 10
11. Bedford Town (P. Mayes), 4
12. Milton Keynes Brass (P. Fensom), 3

Best Cornet: Matt Baker (Redbridge)
Best Horn: Chloe Mallett (Redbridge)
Best Euphonium: Rory Cartmell (Zone One Brass)

*Top 2 bands qualify for the Finals

First Section:
Sunday 21st March

Main Concert Hall
Draw: 10.00am
Commences: 11.00am
Adjudicator: C. Brian Buckley

Result:
1. Friary Guildford (C. King), 3*
2. Regent Brass (A. Duguid),16*
3. Egham (G. Green), 17*
4. Staines Brass (M. White), 6
5. Ipswich and Norwich Co-op (G. Chambers), 7
6. Haverhill Silver Band (M. Ager), 5
7. Soham Comrades (K. Schroeter), 8
8. Yiewsley and West Drayton (C. Cole), 4
9. Horsham Borough (L. Cole), 11
10. Cawston (L. Sharpe), 9
11. Jersey Premier Brass (T. Pritchard), 2
12. Welwyn Garden City (D. Daws), 1
13. St. Albans City (P. Littlemore), 14
14. Denham Hendon Brass (G. Davies), 15
15. Epsom and Ewell Silver (T. Howard), 12
16. Grimsdyke Brass (S. Broughall), 10
17. Fairlop Brass (K. Jordan), 13

Best Cornet: Richard Straker (Friary Guildford)

*Top 3 bands qualify for Harrogate

Second Section:
Sunday 21st March

Gordon Craig Theatre
Sunday 21st March
Draw: 9.00am
Commences: 10.00am
Adjudicator: Simone Rebello

Result:
1. East London Brass (J. Murrill), 9*
2. Becontree Brass (A. Cooke), 7*
3. Alder Valley Brass (R. Burke), 8*
4. Littleport Brass (N. Bramley), 17
5. Waterbeach Brass (J. Utting), 15
6. Chichester City (M. Grace), 5
7. Tilbury (A. Duguid), 14
8= Colchester Brass (P. Ivey), 12
8= Stantonbury Brass (A. Jenkin), 13
10. Ware Brass (P. Littlemore), 3
11. Thundersley (R. Morris), 2
12. St. Sebastian Wokingham (J. Kelloway), 10
13. Northfleet Brass (tba), 1
14. Chinnor Silver (D. Pegram), 6
15. Epping Forest (D. Desmond), 16
16. Brighton and Hove City Brass (M. Hackett), 11
17. Crystal Palace (M. Gray), 4

*Top 3 bands qualify for Harrogate

Third Section:
Saturday 20th March

Main Concert Hall
Draw: 9.00am
Commences: 10.00am
Adjudicator: Derek Broadbent

Result:
1. Fulham Brass (S. Jones), 6*
2. Betteshanger Welfare Brass (D. Cutting), 7*
3. Hungerford Town (T. Crouter), 14
4. Chalgrove (T. Brotherhood), 9
5. BAE Systems Brass (K. Woodger), 1
6. Hitchin Band (C. Patterson), 13
7. Wantage Silver B (D. Dullforce), 10
8. Jubilee Brass (Oxford) (C. Sadler), 5
9. Hangleton Band (R. Baker), 4
10. Hemel Hempstead (D. Klein), 12
11. Watford (R. Graves), 2
12. Woodbridge Excelsior (C. Lewis), 8
13. Norfolk Wherry Brass (K. Hegarty), 3
14. Tadley Concert Brass (P. Chapman), 11

*Top 2 bands qualify for Harrogate

Fourth Section:
Saturday 20th March

Main Concert Hall
Draw: 1.30pm
Commences: at the end of Section 3
Adjudicator: C. Brian Buckley

Result:
1. Battle Town (J. Penton), 13*
2. L.G.B. Brass (I. Stewart), 12*
3. Amersham Band (P. Fisher), 4*
4. Harwich R.B.L. Brass (A. Sanders), 10
5. Bradwell Silver (B. Keech), 8
6. Bletchington Silver (N. Hall), 5
7. E.P.B. Brass (M. Turner), 11
8. Cold Ash Brass (S. Sizeland), 16
9. Snowdown Colliery (K. Spencer), 15
10. Royston Town Band (S. Earley), 9
11. Great Yarmouth Brass (S. Philpot), 2
12. Cobham Band (D. Ruel), 14
13. King's Lynn Town (S. Ingham), 7
14. M.K. Development Band (D. Johnston), 6
15. Charles Church Camberley (R. Cherry), 1
16. Letchworth Garden City (T. Welch), 3

*Top 3 bands qualify for Harrogate

Newmarket Town Band (L. Ager), Withdrawn