A unique piece of history was created at Symphony Hall in Birmingham on Saturday, as Tredegar, conducted by Ian Porthouse, became the first band to win both the Grand Shield and British Open contests in the same year.

History books

The Welsh band’s inspired performance of Peter Graham’s set work, 'On the Shoulders of Giants', gave them their place in the history books, pipping the other form band of the 2010 season, Fairey (Geneva), into second place, with many people’s fancied tip for victory, Black Dyke, in third.

Emotional return

Howard Snell’s emotional return to Foden’s saw him direct a performance that also enjoyed considerable audience appreciation, but could only manage fourth, whilst Cory’s defence of their title saw them come fifth, to extend Munn & Felton’s record as being the last band to win off the number 1 draw to a remarkable 56 years.

Any lingering doubts that Rothwell Temperance could face the possibility of relegation were firmly dispelled when the London finalist’s produced a fine account immediately after Tredegar, to come sixth.

Scots relegation

Unfortunately it wasn’t a great day for Scottish banding, as both Whitburn and Kirkintilloch were relegated back to the Grand Shield – although there were many rival bands casting an anxious eye over the full results when they were announced on 4BR.

Kirkintilloch’s drop was confirmed over the two year aggregate. Even though they tied on 26 points with Virtuosi GUS, it was this year’s 17th place that condemned them to the long trip to the Winter Gardens next May.

In the adjudications, Wiliam Relton summed up the performance as, Great music making', whilst Nigel Boddice called it, 'Music making of the highest order, little to criticise, but much to commend especially the direction'4BR

Key to success

Tredegar’s triumph may have surprised some in the hall at the announcement of the results, but for the three men in the box it was a performance that set an unbeatable marker off the number 8 draw, with the playing in the middle ‘Elegy’ movement perhaps the key to their success.

The band’s solo trombone player Stephen Sykes picked up the prestigious Stanley Wainwright Memorial Trophy as the 'Best Instrumentalist' – Nigel Boddice referring to the trombone playing Stephen Sykes as ‘sublime’ in his written remarks, whilst the flugel playing of Zoe Hancock and tenor horn performance of Chris Davies brought a host of plaudits.

Highest order

In the adjudications, Wiliam Relton summed up the performance as, 'Great music making', whilst Nigel Boddice called it, 'Music making of the highest order, little to criticise, but much to commend especially the direction'. Ronald Holz simply wrote, 'A great moment today – BRAVO – AGAIN!'

Achievement

Tredegar’s conductor, and Mortimer Maestro trophy winner Ian Porthouse was almost speechless with emotion when he spoke to 4BR: "It’s amazing," he said. "The work the band has put in, the quality of the playing and that little bit of contesting luck has given us the title. It’s a fantastic achievement for the band."

It was also the band’s sixth win in seven contests this year and takes their prize money they have won to nearly £10,000 with the added bonus of the £3,000 first prize.

For stalwart Band Treasurer, Alwyn Powell, it was the culmination of over 70 years association with the band. "I’ve dreamed of this all my banding life. To finally win a major contest such as the British Open is so special."

Rivals

As Tredegar celebrated, two rival conductors who also happen to have a close family association with them joined them on stage. Nicholas and Robert Childs both put aside any disappointments they felt with their own results to congratulate the band their late father John helped so much to put on the banding map.

Wonderful peformance

Although there was disappointment that Fairey (Geneva) couldn’t enjoy their own 2010 ‘double ‘ of adding the Open title to their English National success, their second place under Russell Gray again showed that the Stockport band is now back to its very best, with their rendition described by Ronald Holz as, 'a wonderful performance'.

The band’s euphonium player Gary Curtain was the winner of the Geoff Whitham Trophy.

National

Black Dyke meanwhile will now concentrate all their efforts to making it a National 'hat trick' next month, after their performance could only gain third place under Nicholas Childs.

Paul Duffy picked up the Brian Evans Memorial Trophy as the ‘Best Soprano’, for his contribution to a performance that was described by Nigel Boddice in his written remarks as ‘Musicianship of the highest order’.

Disappointment

Further down the prize list there was disappointment for supporters of Grimethorpe and Brighouse & Rastrick who many thought may have featured in the prizes, whilst there was a highly encouraging Open debut for Martin Winter who led Desford to their second successive seventh place and a solid showing from Carlton Main under Philip McCann.

Boost

Elsewhere there was further boost to Welsh banding confidence with Tongwynlais producing a spirited performance to come 14th, whilst the likes of Co-operative Funeralcare, Leyland, Virtuosi GUS, and Hepworth left knowing they will have to up their form in twelve months time if they are not to join the Scottish duo of Whitburn and Kirkintilloch at the Grand Shield.

Result:

Saturday 4th September
Test Piece: 'On the Shoulders of Giants' — Professor Peter Graham
Adjudicators: Nigel Boddice MBE, William Relton, Ronald Holz

1. Tredegar (Ian Porthouse), 8
2. Fairey (Geneva) (Russell Gray), 12
3. Black Dyke (Dr Nicholas Childs), 13
4. Fodens (Howard Snell), 17
5. Cory (Dr Robert Childs), 1
6. Rothwell Temperance (David Roberts), 9
7. Desford Colliery (Martin Winter), 7
8. Carlton Main Frickley Colliery (Philip McCann), 11
9. Grimethorpe Colliery (Allan Withington), 15
10. Brighouse and Rastrick (Professor David King), 2
11. Co-operative Funeralcare (Michael Fowles), 16
12. Leyland (Philip Harper), 6
13. Virtuosi GUS (John Berryman), 14
14. Tongwynlais Temperance (Nigel Seaman), 4
15. Hepworth (Cookson Homes) (Brian Grant), 5
16. Whitburn (Frank Renton), 3
17. Kirkintilloch (Garry Cutt), 10

Stanley Wainwright Memorial Trophy: Stephen Sykes (Tredegar; Trombone)
Brian Evans Memorial Trophy: Paul Duffy (Black Dyke; Soprano)
Geoff Whitham Trophy: Gary Curtin (Fairey (Geneva); Euphonium)