The 11th Brighouse Festival of Brass, organised by the Brighouse Lions provided a weekend of great brass playing in aid of many local charities last weekend.
Youth Solos
Saturday morning saw the Brighouse Youth Solo Championships take place in Bailiff Bridge where a friendly atmosphere helped to encourage the youngsters to show their talents.
The adjudicators, Thijs Oud and Derek Renshaw praised all the competitors for their efforts, which were rewarded with Certificates of Merit.
Results:
11 and Under:
1. Gemma Riley (Wigan Youth Band)
2. Bethany Moore (Bare Trees Youth/Elland Youth)
3. Sarah Whaites (Gawthorpe Brass ’85)
Youngest player: Nadia Long
14 and Under:
1. Alex Crisp (Clifton & Lightcliffe)
2. Emma Sutcliffe (Gawthorpe Brass ’85)
3. Bethany Moore (Bare Trees Youth/Elland Youth)
17 and Under:
1. Lewis Bettles (Stannington)
2. Alex Crisp (Clifton & Lightcliffe)
3. Jessica Whaites (Gawthorpe Brass ’85)
Adjudicators: Thijs Oud (Holland) and Derek Renshaw (Sheffield)
Gala Concert
The Evening Gala Concert in the Central Methodist Church featured the Dutch First Section champions Spijkerpakkenband under the leadership of Thijs Oud, which featured with a programme of popular music which delighted a full house.
One of the highlights of the evening was the premiere of 'Fanfare & Anthem', a special arrangement for the band by Professor Philip Wilby, based around a Friesland folk tune.
The guest soloist was William Rushworth, who showed his virtuosity, whilst the concert was rated by many listeners as the best so far in the eleven year history of the Festival andt the Brighouse people took the Dutch band to their hearts.
Orange
Brighouse was certainly painted orange from Friday until Monday, and when they return home to Friesland they will have made many new friends and supporters in West Yorkshire.
Contest
The band also featured in the Brass in the Park contest on Sunday morning in association with the Bailiff Bridge Community Association.
The 11th March and Hymn Tune spectacular has developed into a very popular event and a large crowd enjoyed non-stop brass band entertainment throughout the day.
The 11th March and Hymn Tune spectacular has developed into a very popular event and a large crowd enjoyed non-stop brass band entertainment throughout the day4BR
Winners
The eventual winner of the £600 first prize from a 25 band field of contenders was Skelmanthorpe, under John Roberts.
They also took the prizes for 'Best Soprano' and 'Best Contest March', and will now receive an invitation to take part in the EuroBrass competition in Drachten next year.
Hammonds Saltaire conducted by Morgan Griffiths was runner up and took home £300 in addition to the 'Best Hymn Tune' prize.
Drighlington under Jim Davies was third and won £150, whilst 2009 champion, Marsden had to be content with joint fourth place with Diggle, but did win the 'Best Deportment' prize.
Hebden Bridge Band principal cornetist Alex Gibson, a student at the RNCM in Manchester took the 'Best Principal Cornet' prize winning a Yamaha ‘Xeno’ cornet and the Stuart Broadbent Memorial Trophy.
The Elland Silver Band, under the direction of James Shepherd and reinforced by ex Hammonds and James Shepherd Versatile Brass players gave a short concert before the results in memory of Geoffrey Whitham and Stephen Thornton.
The adjudicators were Darrol Barry, Kevin Wadsworth and Peter Roberts.
Result:
1. Skelmanthorpe
2. Hammonds Saltaire
3. Drighllngton
4= Marsden Silver
4= Diggle
Best Principal Cornet: Alex Gibson (Hebden Bridge)
Best Contest March: Skelmanthorpe
Best Hymn Tune: Hammonds Saltaire
Best Soloist: Flugel Horn (Spjkerpakkenband)
Best Band Road March: Spijkerpakkenband
Best Trombone Section on Road March: Spijkerpakkenband
Best Soprano Cornet: Skelmanthorpe
Best Hymn Tune Section 4: The Friendly Band
Deportment: Marsden Silver
Best 1st Section Band: Hammonds Saltaire
Best 2nd Section Band: Diggle
Best 3rd Section Band: Elland Silver
Best 4th Section Band: Boarshurst
Best Youth Band: Elland Silver Youth
Youth Deportment: Dobcross Youth
Youngest Player: Aaron Kerwin (8 years) Sellers International Youth
Best Youth Soloist: Philip Varley (Elland Youth)
