The National Youth Championships of Great Britain took place amid a controlled frenzy of youthful exuberance at Manchester’s Royal Northern College of Music on Sunday, where 39 youth ensembles battled it out for glory on a wonderful day of contesting.
Premier Section
The Blue Riband ‘Premier Section’ title was won by Gwynedd & Mon District County Youth conducted by Gwyn Evans, with a performance described by adjudicator Peter Parkes as one of the finest he had heard at any level of banding for many years.
Both he and fellow judge Sheona White had special praise for the conductor who Peter felt understood ‘every note of the test piece’, ‘Partita’ by Philip Wilby, to such an extent that he advised the band to lock him in a cupboard until next year to stop any other band trying to come and poach him way!
The winning MD told 4BR: "It was such a thrill to be part of this today. The band was incredible – simply incredible."
It was such a thrill to be part of this today. The band was incredible – simply incredibleGwyn Evans, MD, Gwynedd & Mon County Youth
High standard
In a high standard competition, where three of the four bands were deemed worthy of Gold awards the Welsh band beat Celtic rivals West Lothian Schools into second place, with Northampton County in third.
Gwynedd’s soprano player Graeme Bushell picked up the ‘Best Instrumentalist’ Award for his contribution to the band’s success.
Advanced Section
In the Advanced Section, Scotland was triumphant, as the all conquering Carnoustie & District took the honours with an outstanding Gold award performance under the baton of Michael Robertson.
The ever-modest MD put the success firmly down to his talented players, and told 4BR: "They are such a wonderful group that they make my job easy at times. Today they were magnificent."
Test
Edward Gregson’s ‘Laudate Dominum’ certainly tested the bands as the set work, but the Scots ability to play with precise ensemble clarity and supreme individual confidence was a feature of their victory, as was certainly shown by their principal cornet player, Eoin Tonner picking up the ‘Best Instrumentalist Award’.
Overall, four bands claimed Gold awards from adjudicators Derek Broadbent and Mark Wilkinson, with Youth Brass 2000 and Greater Gwent filling the podium places with Bolton Youth also attaining the highest award level.
Intermediate Section
There was plenty to enjoy in the Intermediate Section, where 15 bands battled it out from 9.15am to catch the ears of adjudicator’s Dr Peter Meechan and Malcolm Brownbill.
Dr Meechan praised the efforts of all the competing bands, in a contest that saw the judges give five Gold awards, but also saw him deliver a pointed appraisal of the conducting he had witnessed on the day, describing some direction from the middle as ‘distinctly average’.
Remarkable
In the end it was the remarkable Elland Silver conducted by Samantha Harrison who claimed the title, with the band’s principal cornet player Philip Varley in one of his final contest appearances with the band before he heads to university by winning the ‘Best Instrumentalist’ Award.
The winning MD was bubbling with delight when she spoke to 4BR after the announcement of the results: "It’s such an achievement for the players, and it’s all down to their hard work and commitment. I love doing this job because the response from them is always so brilliant."
Second place went to Rochdale Borough Youth conducted by Eric Landon, with Wardle High School directed by Lee Rigg in third. Gold awards were also claimed by Lions Youth Brass and Poynton Youth.
Junior Section
Earlier in the day the Junior Section title went to Gold award winners Astley Youth, conducted by Helen Minshall.
Although just three bands took part, the overall standard was encouraging, with adjudicator’s Simone Rebello and Mark Peacock both praising the players and conductor’s for their contributions to an enjoyable contest.
Brilliant
It was a busy day for Helen: As soon as she enjoyed a quick celebration with her young players she was off to conduct Bolton Youth in the Advanced Section contest in the adjoining hall. She told 4BR: "This is such a brilliant result for the band. They are such a great bunch who have put in so much hard work."
Second place and a Silver award went to Chalford Youth, directed by Steve Tubb. Their soprano cornet player Max Ireland took the ‘Best Instrumentalist’ award, whilst Stockport Schools Intermediate under James Holt was placed third with a Bronze award.
Training Section
The start of what was a long, but highly enjoyable day saw seven bands compete in the Training Section’, in a contest that has been specifically set up to encourage ‘first time’ ensembles to take their first steps on the competition ladder.
There was plenty for Simone and Mark to enjoy, and their enthusiastic appraisals of all the bands efforts were a reflection of a highly encouraging level of performance at this feeder level.
Band of the Day
In the end it was the very first performance of the day from Coleshill Youth directed by Stephen Fagg, whose nautically inspired 15 minute programme complete with choreography saw them take the single award as ‘Band of the Day’.
As his young players celebrated in fine style around him, Stephen wore the smile of a highly delighted MD. "I’m a bit gobsmacked,” he told 4BR. “The players work so hard and so this win is all down to them. My job is the easy bit as it’s so enjoyable."
Proud organisers
The British Federation of Brass Bands will also have been delighted with the contest this year, despite two late withdrawals from competitors.
Chairman Robert Morgan MBE, was understandably proud by the way in which the day panned out. "A great deal of hard work works goes into the championships, but its success is down to the bands, the conductors and their supporters, and especially the young players."
The Worshipful Company of Musicians was represented, presenting their wonderfully ornate silver John Henry Iles Cup, to Gwyn Evans of Gwynedd & Mon County Youth as well as the Iles Cup to Egglescliffe School Band as the ‘Band with Most Potential’ in the Intermediate Section.
The Brian Hicks Memorial Trophy was presented to Lynda Nicholson in her absence for her outstanding contribution to youth banding.
2011 date
The British Federation of Brass Bands also announced that next year's contest will take place on Sunday 10th April, once again at the RNCM in Manchester.
Retrospectives of the contest day will appear on 4BR later this week.
Full Results:
Training Section
RNCM Concert Hall
Start: 9.25am
15 minutes own choice playing time
Adjudicators: Simone Rebello and Mark Peacock
Competing Bands:
1. Coleshill Youth Brass (Stephen Fagg)
Coleshill were awarded the 'Band of the Day' Prize. No Gold, Silver or Bronze awards are made in this section.
Other competitors:
Warren Wood Primary School (Peter Christian)
Macclesfield Youth Training (Liz Hudson)
Stockport Schools Junior (Rachel Pavey)
Bolton Intermediate Brass (Toby Hobson)
Poynton Youth Junior (Joyce Hall)
Lions Junior/Beginners (Ian Raisbeck)
Withdrew: Enderby Junior Band (Sam McClumpha)
Junior Section
RNCM Concert Hall
Start: 12.30pm
Own Choice programme that must include one piece of music composed for brass band.
15 minutes playing time
Adjudicators: Simone Rebello and Mark Peacock
Competing Bands:
1. Astley Youth (Helen Minshall) — Gold Certificate
2. Chalford Youth (Steve Tubb) — Silver Certificate
3. Stockport Schools Intermediate (James Holt) — Bronze Certificate
Best Instrumentalist: Max Ireland — Soprano cornet (Chalford Youth)
Intermediate Section
RNCM Theatre
Start: 9.15am
'Adventures in Brass' and Own Choice programme
20 minutes playing time
Adjudicators: Malcolm Brownbill and Dr Peter Meechan
Competing Bands:
1. Elland Silver Youth (Samantha Harrison) — Gold Certificate
2. Rochdale Borough Youth (Eric Landon) — Gold Certificate
3. Wardle High School (Lee Rigg) — Gold Certificate
Band with Most Potential: Egglescliffe School
Other competitors
Lions Youth Brass (Nigel Birch) — Gold Certificate
Poynton Youth (Andy Hirst) — Gold Certificate
Enderby Youth (Trevor Hounsome) — Silver Certificate
Macclesfield Youth (Louise Renshaw) — Silver Certificate
Tewit Youth (Craig Ratcliffe) — Silver Certificate
Egglescliffe School (Matthew Haworth) — Bronze Certificate
Great Western Youth (Paul Collis-Smith) — Bronze Certificate
Lydbrook Youth (Robert Morgan) — Bronze Certificate
Worcestershire Youth Brass (Nicky Daw) — Bronze Certificate
Cumnock Academy Brass (Craig Anderson) — Merit Certificate
Fred Longworth High School (Helen Robinson) — Merit Certificate
M.K. Youth Brass (David Rose) — Merit Certificate
Best Instrumentalist: Philip Varley (cornet) — Elland Silver Youth
Advanced Section
RNCM Concert Hall
Start time: 1.55pm
Variations on 'Laudate Dominum' and Own Choice programme
20 minutes playing time
Adjudicators: Derek Broadbent and Mark Wilkinson
Competing Bands:
1. Carnoustie & District Youth (Michael Robertson) — Gold Certificate
2. Youth Brass 2000 (Chris Jeans) — Gold Certificate
3. Greater Gwent Schools (Sean O’Neill) — Gold Certificate
Other competitors
Bolton Youth Brass (Helen Minshall) — Gold Certificate
Bare Trees Community (John Collins) — Silver Certificate
Gloucestershire Youth (Ian Porthouse) — Silver Certificate
Hampshire County Youth (Jock McKenzie) — Silver Certificate
Tees Valley Youth (Stuart Gray) — Silver Certificate
Dawsons Berkshire Maestros Youth (John Watts) — Bronze Certificate
Stockport Schools Senior (Philip Pavey) — Bronze Certificate
Best Instrumentalist: Eoin Tonner (cornet) — Carnoustie & District Youth
Premier Section
RNCM Theatre
Start: 5.15pm
‘Partita’ and Own Choice programme
25 minutes playing time
Adjudicators: Major Peter Parkes and Sheona White
Competing Bands:
1. Gwynedd & Mon County Youth (Gwyn M Evans) — Gold Certificate
2. West Lothian Schools (Nigel Boddice MBE) — Gold Certificate
3. Northamptonshire County Youth (Brad Turnbull) — Gold Certificate
Other competitor
St Helens Youth Band (Mark Bousie) — Silver Certificate
Best Instrumentalist: Soprano — Gwynedd & Mon County Youth
Brian Hicks Memorial Trophy for Services to Youth banding: Lynda Nicholson
