Redbridge’s Championship Section dominance of the London & Southern Counties Regional contest continued for a fifth year at Stevenage on the weekend.

Had it all

Directed by Jeremy Wise, the reigning champion retained its title with a performance that, ‘had it all’ according to adjudicator Dennis Wilby. He further qualified his written remarks with a closing confirmation of; ’I enjoyed every variation – great show’.

Very strong

The win was the band’s ninth in the last ten years, and enabled them to fend off the high class challenge of Zone One Brass conducted by Richard Ward – one of the two ‘very strong performances’ that caught the adjudicator’s ear on the day. They head back to the Albert Hall for the first time since 2009.

For a second successive year Wantage Brass took the final podium place to confirm the impressive progress they have made in recent seasons under the direction of MD, Phil Bailey.

Personal hat trick

Redbridge’s latest success also gave Jeremy Wise a personal hat trick of victories – something he was proud of when speaking to 4BR.

"It was a very good performance – and one recognised by the adjudicator. We played very well as a band and the soloists were outstanding.

Matt Baker and Chloe Mallett took their individual awards, but there was a fantastic contribution by Martin Britt on soprano too. It was a great team effort, and I’m very proud to have led them."

It was a very good performance – and one recognised by the adjudicator. We played very well as a band and the soloists were outstandingRedbridge MD, Jeremy Wise

Four times

That soprano contribution was noted in the adjudicator’s remarks four times, whilst the win gave the Londoners a boost ahead of the stringent challenge of ‘Titan’s Progess’ at the Grand Shield, as Jeremy Wise noted.

"That’s going to be another serious test, but after coming 4th last year I think we are in good shape to tackle it well."

Better than he thought

With the top two performances standing out for the adjudicator, Dennis also informed the audience at the Gordon Craig Theatre that the overall standard on the day had ‘been better than he thought it was going to be’.

That gave him something to think about with a raft of varied performances to compare and contrast below the qualifiers.

Immediate impression

With Wantage celebrating their podium finish, the remaining top six places went to Clacton on Sea, with 2010 First Section National champions Friary Guildford making an immediate impression at the highest level by coming 5th, ahead of Medway in sixth.

Last year’s runner up, Aveley &Newham had to be content with a lowly 9th place – their worst result at the contest since 1996.

First Section:

As was expected, the 16 First Section contenders encountered the same raft of taxing technical and musical issues that have proved exceptionally difficult to overcome on ‘Le Carnival Romain’ all over the country.

Tough challenge

Adjudicator Duncan Beckley noted that the piece had been ‘a tough challenge’, and whilst there were ‘a number of good performances’, there was no outstanding rendition that made the task of picking a winner easy.

Honest

That was something even the eventual champion Haverhill, admitted to when speaking to 4BR. Band Secretary Richard Pannell honestly noted:

"We really enjoyed working on the piece, but we knew we hadn’t produced a faultless performance when we left the stage. However, it was the same for all the bands, so we are absolutely delighted to have won."

Benefit

Richard added though that the band had benefitted from the test.

"Mark Ager did a wonderful job as always, and the win gives us a huge boost of confidence. Even though it was a hard test, it has really made us a better band. Kevin Jones on euphonium was excellent and I think it now sets us up for the rest of the year."

Haverhill’s win was their first at the contest since 2006, and after two solid years of progress since their relegation 2008, Richard believes it sets them up nicely for the Finals.

"Coming from the Suffolk border between Colchester and Cambridge, it’s difficult to contest regularly, but now we have a full team thanks to Mark’s best friend Paul Filby coming to help us out on trombone, and a real target to aim at in Cheltenham in September."

Rapidly rising

Joining them there will be the rapidly rising contesting force of East London Brass, who missed out on what, would have been their third successive Area title following their brace of success in the Second Section in 2009 & 2010.

Conducted by Jayne Murrill, they produced a colourful rendition of the Berlioz overture to push Haverhill all the way to the tape, whilst just doing enough to pip Bedford Town into third.

Any disappointment for Bedford however was short lived as they also confirmed their Cheltenham place under Andrew Kershaw, as they made an immediate impression following their 2010 relegation from the top flight.

Second Section:

The impressive musical partnership struck up by the experienced Stephen Tighe and Thundersley was shown to fine effect in the Second Section, with a rendition of ‘Resurgam’ described by Dennis Wilby in his written remarks as, ‘...a most enjoyable performance. Well shaped – balanced with fine soloists throughout. MD had the required style’.

Ball experience

Stephen himself was particularly happy that after growing up on a diet of Eric Ball music in his youth in Cumbria, that experience was recognised on the day.

"I love Eric Ball’s music, but strangely I’ve never conducted ‘Resurgam’ at a contest before in over 30 years.

It’s a piece that requires warmth and understanding, nuance and subtlety, and I really enjoyed working on it to produce what I believe are the real strengths of good quality brass band music making."

Potential

The win also underlies Stephen’s belief that Thundersley has the potential to enjoy further success – as shown by the fact that they have moved up from 25th place in the Fourth Section to this win in just a decade.

"There's a fine set up at the band and a great bandroom facility," he added. "...and the potential is there to make a mark at the Finals."

Another Ball experience

Joining them there will be another man of considerable Eric Ball experience: After a period of contesting decline at Stevenage Melvin White directed Northfleet Brass to their best result and their first finals appearance since 2004, whilst the third qualification place was claimed 2010 runner up Becontree Brass conducted by Alan Cooke.

Third Section:

Major Paul Norley had plenty to ponder in the Third Section as Philip Wilby’s ‘A Little Light Music’ proved to be a stern test of the 12 competitors.

Congratulations

However, he congratulated all the bands on their efforts, and praised the MDs for implementing a sensible approach to both the dynamics and the tempos – especially in the tricky ice cream ‘tarantella’.

In the end he plumbed for the colourful rendition of BAE Systems under Keith Woodger as his winner – to give the Rochester based band their first area title since 1999.

Long time coming

It was a result to celebrate then as their spokesperson later told 4BR: "It’s been a long time coming, but we have been improving now for a couple of years under Keith, so we’re all delighted to qualify for the finals."

The win also comes at a busy time as they record a CD at the beginning of May and look forward to the next Folkestone contest.

"The win gives us a great boost and with the CD coming up we have plenty to look forward to," they added.

Hard working

Joining BAE Systems at Cheltenham for the first time 2008 will be Hangelton conducted by Rob Baker, after they produced a hard working performance to pip Chalgrove under Terry Brotherhood into third.

Fourth Section:

Ian Stewart celebrated a decade in charge of LGB Brass by leading them to the Fourth Section title on Sunday in a contest that gave adjudicator Duncan Beckley plenty of food for thought.

He informed the audience that he was impressed by the overall standard heard from all 16 bands, before adding that he was also ‘encouraged by the number of bands that competed on the day’, especially as in his opinion, ‘lower section banding in the north is dying’.

Thriving

LGB Brass however is thriving, despite only coming back to the contesting environment after a four decade gap in 2006.

"The band hadn’t contested for over 40 years," Ian said, "...and so didn’t know what to expect. We had some immediate success but then found things more difficult.

Plenty of hard work and commitment though has paid off and we can look forward to another trip to the finals after the great experience last year."

Focus

In the meanwhile they have plenty to focus on, as Ian explained.

"It’s a great time at the moment, with a high profile concert hosted by the Mayor of Eastbourne followed by a series of concerts in the famous Eastbourne bandstand in the summer and the SCABA contest in May. We are going to be busy that’s for certain."

Harwich rise

Joining LGB Brass at Cheltenham will be the rapidly rising Harwich RBL, under Andrew Sanders, who posted their best result since their contest return in 2006.

Just missing out however was Bradwell Silver, who posted the early marker to beat off the number 2 draw to claim the final podium spot and confirm the recent good progress they have made under the direction of Brian Keech.

Results:

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Championship Section:
Sunday 20th March

Gordon Craig Theatre
Test Piece: Paganini Variations (Philip Wilby)
Adjudicator: Dennis Wilby

1. Redbridge Brass (J. Wise)*
2. Zone One Brass (R. Ward)*
3. Wantage Silver (P. Bailey)
4. Clacton-on-Sea Co-operative (P. Bassano)
5. Friary Guildford (C. King)
6. Medway (M. White)
7. Regent Brass (A. Duguid)
8. Sandhurst Silver (I. McElligott)
9. Aveley & Newham (N. Taken)
10. Norfolk Brass (D. Stowell)
11. City of Cambridge (S. Phillips)
12. Milton Keynes Brass (P. Fensom)

*Two bands qualify for the finals

Best Cornet: Matt Baker — Redbridge
Best Euphonium: Rory Cartmell- Zone One
Best Horn: Chloe Mallett — Redbridge

First Section:
Saturday 19th March

Main Hall
Test Piece: Le Carnival Romain (Hector Berlioz arr. Frank Wright)
Adjudicator: Duncan Beckley

1. Haverhill (Mark Ager)*
2. East London Brass (Jayne Murrill)*
3. Bedford Town (A. Kershaw)*
4. Jersey Premier Brass (Tim Pritchard)
5. Kidlington Concert Brass (Duncan Wilson)
6. Egham (Gareth Green)
7. Staines Brass (Melvin White)
8. Horsham Borough (Linda Cole)
9. Soham Comrades (Keith Schroeter)
10. Alder Valley Brass (Roger Burke)
11. Ipswich & Norwich Co-op (Graham Chambers)
12. Cawston (Leigh Sharpe)
13. Epsom & Ewell Silver (Ted Howard)
14. Fairlop Brass (Kevin Jordan)
15. St Alban's City (Philip Littlemore)
16. Yiewsley & West Drayton (Christopher Cole)

Soloist: Keith Hutchinson — cornet (Horsham)

*Three bands qualify for the finals

Second Section:
Saturday 19th March

Main Hall
Test Piece: Resurgam (Eric Ball)
Adjudicator: Denis Wilby

1. Thundersley (S. Tighe)*
2. Northfleet Brass (Melvin White)*
3. Becontree Brass (A. Cooke)*
4. Littleport Brass (N. Bramley)
5. Chichester City (Ross Hunt)
6. Hungerford Town (Tim Crouter)
7. Ware Brass (Philip Littlemore)
8. Betteshanger Colliery Brass (David Cutting)
9. Grimsdyke Brass (S. Broughall)
10. Denham Hendon Brass (Gordon Davies)
11. St Sebastian Wokingham (L. Woodward)
12. Tilbury (Alan Duguid)
13. Fulham (Simon Jones)
14. Colchester (Peter Ivey)
15. Chinnor Silver (D. Pegram)
16. Stantonbury Brass (E. Keeley)
17. Epping Forest (Denis Desmond)
18. Waterbeach Brass (James Utting)

*Three bands qualify for finals

Third Section:
Sunday 20th March

Main Hall
Test Piece: A Little Light Music (Philip Wilby)
Adjudicator: Major Paul Norley

1. BAE Systems (K. Woodger)*
2. Hangleton (R. Baker)*
3. Chalgrove (T. Brotherhood)
4. Battle Town (J. Penton)
5. Wantage Silver B (D. Dullforce)
6. Watford (R. Graves)
7. Crystal Palace (M. Gray)
8. Hemel Hempstead (D. Klein)
9. Cold Ash Brass (S. Sizeland)
10. Hitchin Town (C. Patterson)
11. Tadley Concert Brass (P. Chapman)
12. Woodbridge Excelsior (C. Lewis)
13. Jubilee Brass (Oxford) (C. Sadler)

*Two bands qualify for the finals

Fourth Section:
Sunday 20th March

Gordon Craig Theatre
Test Piece: Prelude, Song and Dance (John Golland)
Adjudicator: Duncan Beckley

1. L.G.B Brass (I. Stewart)*
2. Harwich R.B.L (A. Sanders)*
3. Bradwell Silver (B. Keech)
4. Amersham (P. Fisher)
5. M.K. Development (D. Johnston)
6. Bletchington Silver (N. Hall)
7. Great Yarmouth Brass (C. Swaep)
8. Letchworth Garden City (T. Welch)
9. Cottenham (P. Mackley)
10. E.P.B (M. Turner)
11. Snowdown Colliery (K. Twyman)
12. Royston Band (S. Earley)
13. City of Oxford Silver (R. Fleming)
14. Kings Lynn Town (S. Ingham)
15. Cobham (D. Ruel)
16. Charles Church Camberley (R. Cherry)

*Two bands qualify for the finals