Grand Shield:
Spring Festival video blogs at:
http://www.vimeo.com/brass/videos
Video interview with Tredegar’s Ian Porthouse:
http://www.vimeo.com/11771262
Spring Festival prize presentations:
http://www.4barsrest.com/articles/2010/1140f.asp
Spring Festival Gallery:
http://www.4barsrest.com/articles/2010/1140e.asp
The bars and boarding houses of the Golden Mile were filled with the sounds of a very particular Welsh form of celebration on Saturday night, as the Principality enjoyed a day of unparalleled success at the 90th Spring Festival at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens.
Form band
For the first time since 2004, Wales will have three bands playing at the British Open in Birmingham, after Tredegar confirmed their status as one of the form bands of the season by winning the Grand Shield under the direction of Ian Porthouse.
Joining them at Symphony Hall in September will be Tongwynlais Temperance.
Further success
Meanwhile, in the Senior Trophy, there was success for Beaumaris from North Wales, as they clinched the title under the direction of Gwyn Evans.
The final part of the Welsh 'Triple Crown' saw conductor Gareth Pritchard, who hails from the heart of the Rhondda Valley’s, direct Woodfalls to success in the Senior Cup.
Good news
There was further good news for Welsh banding with top six finishes for BTM in the Grand Shield and Wrexham and Northop in the Senior Trophy.
Detail and musicality
After a five year stay in the Grand Shield, Tredegar returns to the British Open after delivering a performance of Edward Gregson’s 'Rococo Variations', that although slightly disappointing their own MD, was described by the adjudicator’s William Relton and Stephen Roberts as, '…outstanding...full of detail and musicality'’.
Ian told 4BR that he felt that Tredegar’s winning performance was perhaps the least impressive for him of the last three they have delivered at the contest.
"You need a little bit of luck here," he said. "This was perhaps the weakest of the performances we have played in the past three years, and we came off a little disappointed – but perhaps we were being a bit hard on ourselves given how well the band is playing at the moment."
Fourth straight win
The victory was the band’s second at the contest (their first was back in 1974) and was their fourth straight win of the 2010 season – following victories at Yeovil, Porthcawl and Swansea.
Tredegar’s principal cornet player, Dewi Griffiths also enjoyed something of an unique achievement too, winning the 'Best Instrumentalist' award at the contest for the second year in a row.
The band now head to Kettering in a fortnight’s time as one of the short priced favourites to take the All England International Master’s title.
...we came off a little disappointed – but perhaps we were being a bit hard on ourselves given how well the band is playing at the momentTredegar MD, Ian Porthouse
Classy
Playing at the midway point of the contest, Tredegar’s classy, if not error free performance, saw them take the honours from fellow Welsh rivals Tongwynlais Temperance.
They also confirmed their status as one of the most improved bands in the country since Philip Harper took over the reins last year, booking a debut appearance at the 'Open' after producing a performance of style and character from the early number 3 draw.
Less than a year ago the band was contemplating taking part in the First Section National Finals at Harrogate.
As one of their players told 4BR as they celebrated on stage at the Opera House: "We can’t quite believe it. The band has come an unbelievable way in such a short space of time – and now we are playing at the Open."
In what turned out to be an enjoyable, if somewhat uneven quality contest, it was Pemberton Old JJB Wigan DW who just missed out on the trip to Birmingham, after Mark Bentham steered the rising band through a powerful performance into third place off the late number 16 draw.
Disappointment
There was disappointment however for many people’s personal favourites.
Flowers, directed by Garry Cutt, was tipped by many for victory after their cultured performance, only to come sixth, whilst Reg Vardy’s popular rendition saw them end in 10th.
In the end it was Redbridge, directed by Jeremy Wise, who produced an intriguing interpretation to come fourth, whilst BTM’s more robust rendition gained them fifth place.
Cardiff City
In the end though, there was no denying the twin Welsh dragons. No wonder Blackpool was awash with the sound of beer induced close harmony singing, and demands for landlord’s to find tickets for Cardiff City’s odds on win over Blackpool in the Premier League playoffs next week.
The Grand Shield:
Saturday 15th May
Test Piece: 'Rococo Variations' — Professor Edward Gregson
Draw: 9.00am
Commence: 10.00am
The Opera House
Adjudicators: Stephen Roberts and William Relton
Results
1. Tredegar (Ian Porthouse), 9*
2. Tongwynlais Temperance (Philip Harper), 3*
3. Pemberton Old Wigan DW (Mark Bentham), 16
4. Redbridge (Jeremy Wise), 15
5. BTM (Tom Davoren), 6
6. Flowers (Garry Cutt), 11
7. Bactiguard Wire Brass (Paul Andrews), 8
8. Wingates (Alan Morrison), 10
9. Newstead Brass (Duncan Beckley), 7
10. Reg Vardy (Dr Nicholas Childs), 5
11. Hammonds Saltaire (Morgan Griffiths), 14
12. Jaguar (Coventry) (Dave Lea), 17
13. Thoresby Colliery (Melvin White), 4
14. Freckleton (Paul Dalton), 18
15. Kingdom Brass (Andrew Duncan), 12
16. Mount Charles (Phillip McCann), 13
17. Skelmanthorpe (John Roberts), 19
18. Sovereign Brass (Stephen Cooper), 2
19. Marsden Silver (Glyn Williams), 1
Withdrawn: Burry Port Town (Craig Roberts)
Best Instrumentalist: Dewi Griffiths (Cornet) — Tredegar
*Top 2 bands qualify for British Open
Additional comments and thoughts on our twitter site:
http://twitter.com/4barsrest
Senior Cup:
Video interview with winning conductors Gareth Pritchard and Gwyn Evans: http://www.vimeo.com/11771576
After a twelve month period or more when Woodfalls hasn’t enjoyed a great deal of contesting luck, few would have begrudged their players the opportunity of yelling in celebration down the Golden Mile on Saturday night after they won the Senior Cup under the direction of Gareth Pritchard.
Sleeping giant
The Welshman led the band, who he described as, 'a sleeping giant', to a well deserved victory on 'The Year of the Dragon', which one of the adjudicator’s David Read MBE, described to 4BR as, "….a very musical performance and a clear winner."
Gareth was understandably delighted for the band. "They have worked so hard since the Area contest in Torquay," he said. "They put in a wonderful performance today and showed that they are something of a sleeping giant. I’m so happy for them."
Pressure leg
The pressure was on Woodfalls somewhat, with a late draw and a trombonist who just a couple of weeks ago was unable to play due to an accident on his knee.
Thankfully Scott Stewart recovered in time, and with him taking the opportunity to stand on one and a half legs for the wonderful blues inspired solo in the middle section, Woodfalls took a step towards the British Open by claiming their first Spring Festival title since their Grand Shield win of 1985.
Promotion
Joining them in the Grand Shield in 2011 will be Staffordshire, directed by Huw Thomas, as well as Dalmellington conducted by Richard Evans and Co-operative Milnrow led by Andrew White.
Staffordshire’s trombonist Reuben Aldridge helped his band take a step closer to Birmingham by claiming the 'Best Instrumentalist' Award.
The Senior Cup:
Saturday 15th May
Test Piece: 'The Year of the Dragon' — Philip Sparke
Draw: 9.30am
Commence: 10.30am
The Pavilion Theatre
Adjudicators: David Read MBE and David Childs
Results
1. Woodfalls (Gareth Pritchard), 17*
2. Staffordshire (Huw Thomas), 9*
3. Dalmellington (Richard Evans), 6*
4. Co-operative Milnrow (Andrew White), 11*
5. Fishburn (Stephen Malcolm), 3
6. Yorkshire Imperial Urquart Travel (David Nesbitt), 8
7. Ashton-Under-Lyne (Martyn Evans), 18
8. East Yorkshire Motor Services (Stan Lippeatt), 2
9. Powerfuel Hatfield (Graham O’Connor), 13
10. Unison Kinnneil (Allan Ramsay), 20
11. NASUWT Riverside (Ian Robinson), 10
12. Laganvale (Metal Technology) (Ernest Ruddock), 7
13. United Co-op Crewe (Jef Sparkes), 1
14. Ratby Co-operative (Michael Fowles), 19
15. Derwent Brass (Keith Leonard), 16
16. Aveley & Newham (Nigel Taken), 12
17. Bo’ness & Carriden (Steve Sykes), 15
18. City of Sheffield (David Holling), 14
19. Cwmaman Institute Silver (Craig Roberts), 4
20. Kibworth (John Hudson), 5
Best Instrumentalist: Reuben Aldridge (Trombone) — Staffordshire
*Top 4 bands promoted
Additional comments and thoughts on our twitter site:
http://twitter.com/4barsrest
Senior Trophy
Video interview with winning conductors Gareth Pritchard and Gwyn Evans: http://www.vimeo.com/11771576
The good news for Welsh banding (and especially North Wales banding) continued in the Senior Trophy, where an inspired victory was claimed by Beaumaris, directed by Gwyn Evans.
Tears
There were tears in the eyes of many of the players as they left the Spanish Hall stage after a performance of 'Le Roi d’Y’s' that Gwyn told 4BR was perhaps the best he had ever directed by the band.
"I couldn’t have asked for anything more from them," he said. "This was a very special performance. We looked to bring the music out of the score, and I think we did that. I’m so proud of the band."
Honorary Welshman
Amid the celebrations Gwyn also took time to thank the contribution of honorary Welshman, and recently crowned European Solo Champion, Glen Van Looy.
The Belgian took the 'Best Instrumentalist' award for his wonderful lyrical playing in the famous euphonium solo. "What a player and what a lovely young man," Gwyn said. "His contribution was something else."
Accents
Glen joined up with band after Linz to help the cause and told 4BR that he thoroughly enjoyed the experience – even if he didn’t quite understand the accents of the players!
"I had a little break after Linz," he told 4BR. "I was asked to come and play with the band and wanted to do it. I’ve really enjoyed myself, although the accents are difficult to understand!"
Quartet
Joining Beaumaris at the Senior Cup in 2011 will be Zone One from London who produced a thrilling account under the direction of Richard Ward to claim the runner up spot.
Meanwhile, third place went to another Welsh inspired band, as South Walian Nick Sheppard led the in form Blackburn & Darwen to a podium finish, whilst Friary Guildford conducted by Chris King balanced the Welsh/London qualifying quartet by coming fourth.
Senior Trophy:
Saturday 15th May
Test Piece: 'Le Roi D'Ys' — Edouard Lalo
Draw: 10.00am
Commence: 11.00am
The Spanish Hall
Adjudicators: Dr Robert Childs and Richard Marshall
Results
1. Beaumaris (Gwyn Evans), 14*
2. Zone One (Richard Ward) 11*
3. Blackburn and Darwen (Nick Sheppard), 3*
4. Friary Guildford Brass (Chris King), 20*
5. Wrexham Brass (Wayne Ruston), 1
6. Northop (Thomas Wyss), 8
7. Aldbourne (David Williams), 13
8. Felling (Graeme Tindall), 10
9. Johnstone Band (Raymond Tennant), 2
10. Bournemouth Concert Brass (Captain Dave Barringer), 6
11. Point of Ayr (John Hinckley), 18
12. Wantage Silver A Band (Phillip Bailey), 7
13. Wakefield Metropolitan (Norman Law), 4
14. Lindley (Neil Jowett), 5
15. Easington Colliery Brass (Nigel Steadman), 16
16. Lydbrook (Nigel Seaman), 12
17. Hebden Bridge (Roy Curran), 15
18. Enderby (Jonathan Mott), 9
19. Yorkshire Co-op (Simon Kerwin), 17
20. Knottingley Silver (Dr Owen Wedgwood), 19
Best Instrumentalist: Glen Van Looy (Euphonium) — Beaumaris
*Top 4 bands promoted
Additional comments and thoughts on our twitter site:
http://twitter.com/4barsrest
