Video Interviews:
4BR interview with the Masters adjudicators:
http://www.vimeo.com/12158315
4BR interview with MD Michael Fowles:
http://www.vimeo.com/12158930
For the second time since the Masters contest opened its doors to bands from outside the realms of English borders in 2005, the Co-operative Funeralcare has taken the title and the £4,000 first prize back to Scotland.
English help
They were helped however in no small measure by the contribution of two proud Englishmen, with Michael Fowles directing the winning performance of Percy Fletcher’s 'An Epic Symphony'.
Extreme class
That performance from the early number 6 draw was later described by the adjudicator’s as containing, '…an extreme amount of class', which was highlighted by what they felt was the way in which they delivered the central 'Elegy' section, '…better than anyone else on the day'.
David Read, Derek Broadbent and Dennis Wilby also acknowledged the outstanding playing of Principal Cornet, Jimmy Hayes, as they highlighted his classy contribution with the '4BR Best Instrumentalist' award.
That performance from the early number 6 draw was later described by the adjudicator’s as containing, '…an extreme amount of class'4BR
Winning tribute
The winning conductor was understandably delighted when he spoke to 4BR, paying tribute to his hard working band – although one that will have little time to rest on the laurels of their victory.
"Massive, massive compliments to the players," Michael Fowles said. "They worked like Trojans on the piece and deserved all that they got. It sets us up for the big tests to come at the Open and London, but there is no real break as we have the West Lothian challenge next weekend – and we won’t be taking anything for granted."
Missing out
In a contest that eventually threw up a few surprises at the announcement of the results, it was the in form Tredegar, who just failed to make it five consecutive contest wins in 2010.
They appeared to be the neutral’s choice for victory after delivering a highly polished performance under the direction of Ian Porthouse. It wasn’t to be though for the Grand Shield champion, who returned to Wales as runner up for the second time in three years.
Gasp
There was an audible gasp of surprise when Brass Band Schoonhoven headed the overseas challenge in 3rd place, after producing a performance late in the day (20 out of 22) that caught the ears of the three men in the box.
Impressive
The Dutch band had followed many people’s fancied contender Brass Band Willebroek onto the stage, but the former triple European champion could only manage 6th place under Frans Violet, despite producing an impressive account that featured an outstanding contribution from the conductor’s son Lode aged just 15 on principal cornet.
Top English band
The honour of being the top English band went to Virtuosi GUS, directed by John Berryman, who produced a finely wrought account off the early number 3 draw that just contained a few too many unforced errors to gain a podium finish in 4th.
There was great encouragement however for Zone One Brass, after Richard Ward and his band produced a performance of real merit to claim 5th place, courtesy of a refined approach to the score and some classy individual contributions from his leading soloists.
Few grumbles
With 22 bands being expertly organised on and off stage, the contest, which started at 10.00am, saw the last of the contenders take to the stage just after 5.00pm (the judges sat in deliberation without a comfort break)
Whilst the dry acoustic in the Lighthouse Theatre auditorium did see a few bands grumble, few had complaints about the amenities at the Kettering Conference Centre venue – or the glorious weather.
Quizzical looks
There were however a few quizzical looks on some faces when the full results became known through 4BR and the organisers.
Carlton Main’s purposeful account under Philip McCann could only see the London finalists claim 7th place, whilst there was some degree of disbelief from the neutrals in the audience when it was revealed that London Area champion Redbridge found themselves in a surprising 18th.
The final top ten places were taken by Sovereign Brass led by Peter Parkes, who could quite roll back the years to reclaim a third major success on this test piece to come 8th, whilst the impressive Danes of Lyngby Taarbaek came 9th and Metropole Brass who delivered the first performance of the day ended in 10th.
Light and robust
The rather lighter, compact ensemble sound of Brass Band Aeolus from France impressed many, but could only end in 20th place, whilst the more robust approaches of Reg Vardy and Kirkintilloch were consigned to 19th and 21st places respectively.
On a day when the 1926 test piece still showed it had plenty of bite left in its teeth, there were a host of very average performances dotted up and down the prize list, not helped many conductor’s trying to bring a modern brashness to the ensemble sound that totally missed the need for poignancy and retrospection.
Dedicated service
With an encouraging increase in audience numbers, a wonderful presentation to Ray Sykes MBE of the Masters Dedicated Service Award, and with the contest finishing at an early hour, all that was left was for the new Masters Champion, Co-operative Funeralcare, to enjoy themselves, sharing the stage with the Stavanger Band from Norway in the Masters Gala Concert later the same night.
Full retrospectives, postcard and Masters gallery of photo images will appear in the next few days.
Full Results:
Additional comments and thoughts on our twitter site:
http://twitter.com/4barsrest
Sunday 30th May
Test Piece: 'Epic Symphony' — Percy Fletcher
Draw: 8.45am
Commence: 10.00am
Adjudicators: Derek Broadbent, David Read MBE, Dennis Wilby
Results
1. Co-operative Funeralcare (Michael Fowles), 6
2. Tredegar (Ian Porthouse), 12
3. Brass Band Schoonhoven (Erik Janssen), 20
4. Virtuosi GUS (John Berryman), 3
5. Zone One (Richard Ward), 18
6. Brass Band Willebroek (Frans Violet), 21
7. Carlton Main Frickley Colliery (Philip McCann), 4
8. Sovereign Brass (Major Peter Parkes), 2
9. Lyngby-Taarbaek (Christian Schmiedescamp), 7
10. Metropole Brass Band (Guy Audenaert), 1
11. Pemberton Old Wigan DW (Mark Bentham), 16
12. Stavanger (Allan Withington), 17
13. Marsden Silver (Glyn Williams), 5
14. 1st Old Boys Association Silver (Stephen Cairns), 13
15. Wingates (Alan Morrison), 15
16. Aveley & Newham (Nigel Taken), 19
17. Newstead Brass (Duncan Beckley), 8
18. Redbridge (Jeremy Wise), 10
19. Reg Vardy (Ray Farr), 11
20. Brass Band Aeolus (Bastien Stil), 14
21. Kirkintilloch (Allan Ramsay), 9
22. Jaguar (Coventry) (Dave Lea), 22
4barsrest Soloist Award: Jim Hayes (cornet) — Co-operative Funeralcare
