There was an enjoyable day of contesting at Dukinfield Town Hall on Sunday as bands locked horns in post Areas battle, at the 15th Tameside Open.

Rivalries

With £4,600 of prize money up for grabs there was a keen edge to the competition, with some cross border rivalries and domestic bragging rights up for grabs.

Sparkling essence

In the end it was Oldham Band (Lees) conducted by John Collins who took the main honours and the £550 first prize in the Championship Section, thanks to their sparkling performance of ‘Essence of Time’, which caught the ear of adjudicator Paul Andrews in the box.

Top section contenders Ashton under Lyne directed by Martyn Evans was second, with local rivals Poulton Le Fylde led by Gareth Westwood in third. Pre contest favourites and recently crowned Yorkshire First Section champion, Hammonds Saltaire had to be content with fourth place.

Great deal of musicality,

Speaking before the announcement of the results the adjudicator gave a detailed critique of his thoughts on what he described as an ‘enjoyable’ own choice contest.

"One band stood out", he said. "Although there had to be more consideration given by the MDs to some of the choices made, the winner’s played with a great deal of musicality."

Difficulties

That band was the First Section Oldham Band (Lees) who produced a fine performance of the 1990 European Championship set work.

There was also little doubt that Paul was also acknowledging the difficulties their rivals found on choices as diverse as the recent Area test pieces, ‘Paganini Variations’ (Ashton), ‘ Le Carnival Romain’ (Poulton) and ‘Between the Moon and Mexico’ (Hammonds).

Delighted

The winning MD was delighted that his decision to perform the demanding Peter Graham work just a few weeks after Blackpool, had paid dividends.

"Although we were disappointed at coming 6th at the Winter Gardens, I wanted to look forward and not back," John said.

"We have really worked hard on the piece in the last few weeks and that paid off today. I think it has done the band a great deal of good."

We have really worked hard on the piece in the last few weeks and that paid off today. I think it has done the band a great deal of goodOldham Band (Lees) MD, John Collins

Bank balance

However there is not so good news for John’s bank balance, as it took a hefty blow on two fronts – for a vet’s bill and a band curry.

He had to miss the announcement of the results due to an expecting heifer and then stump up for a full band celebration night out. "It’s well worth it," he chuckled. "The vet did a great job and so did my band – so everyone was a winner!"

Second Section:

In the Second Section, eight bands battled for the £550 first prize, which eventually went to Tyldesley conducted by Rob Taylor. Their performance of ‘Variations on Maccabeus’ saw them claim a narrow one-point victory over Mossley conducted by Duncan Byers with Uppermill under Alan Widdop in third.

Stood out

Paul Andrews was once again very clear in what he was looking for from the eight competing bands. In a concise address he said: "The choice of music was very important. There were two bands that stood out, but one that had that extra bit of musical quality."

That extra bit of musical quality came from Tyldesley, who like Oldham Band (Lees) took the opportunity to look forward by choosing to work on a new own choice selection in ‘Variations on Maccabeus’ by Kevin Norbury.

Deliberate choice

MD Rob Taylor told 4BR that it was a deliberate choice to play a piece that was not that well known.

"We wanted to try and bring something a bit different to the contest, and we have been working on it for a little while now. We just missed out at Blackpool (the band came 4th in the Second Section), so this was a good way to give us a contesting boost. The more we played it, the more we enjoyed it!"

Third Section:

There was a welcome as well as successful return to the contesting scene for Trinity Girls under Stuart Barton as they took the honours in the Third Section.

It was ‘Here come the Girls’ in fact, after missing the Area contest due in no small part to at least two of his band being on maternity leave, they returned to take the £550 first prize with a fine performance of ‘Three Part Variation’ by Kenneth Downie.

It was a performance that also saw them defeat recently crowned North of England Third Section champions, York Railway Institute conducted by Gordon Eddison and Darwen directed by Steve Hartley.

Good standard

Adjudicator Mike Kilroy told the audience that he was delighted at both the own choice selections made and the standard of the playing on the day.

"It’s been great," he said. "It was good to hear a nice mix of pieces and to hear them played so well."

Very consistent

Mike referred to the winner’s rendition as ‘a very consistent performance’ – and it was one MD Stuart Barton was very please with too.

"Understandably we couldn’t really make it to the Areas," he said with a smile, before adding, "…but it gave us the opportunity to work really hard on the piece and end the early part of our season with a win."

Fourth Section:

In the Fourth Section it was Parr (Richardson Ltd) St Helens conducted by John Ludden who beat off the challenge of Cheltenham qualifiers Boarshurst Silver under Dave Ashworth and Golborne directed by Jason Smith, to take the £550 first prize thanks to their performance of ‘Three Saints’ by Goff Richards.

Fantastic contest

Mike Kilroy was equally delighted with what he heard from the seven competing bands.

"It was a fantastic contest," he said. "And there was some fantastic playing from the bands too. All the MDs really understood the music they choose to play and the winner’s today were excellent."

Traditional

For the winning MD, the victory was a result of those traditional banding contest virtues – hard work and consistency on stage.

"We really put in the work on the piece after the Areas and I couldn’t have asked for anything more from the players, young and old who all played so well on stage. We had an 8 hour workshop last weekend and that seemed to do the trick!"

Results:
Championship Section:
Adjudicator: Paul Andrews

1. Oldham (Lees) (John Collins) — 191
2. Ashton Under Lyne (Martyn Evans) — 189
3. Poulton Le Fylde (Gareth Westwood) — 188
4. Hammonds Saltaire (Morgan Griffiths) — 187

Wardle Anderson Brass (Sean Conway) — withdrew

Second Section:
Adjudicator: Paul Andrews

1. Tyldesley (Robert Taylor) — 192
2. Mossley (Duncan Byers) — 191
3. Uppermill (Alan Widdop) — 189
4. Dobcross Silver (Grenville Moore) — 188
5. Middleton (Matt Stringer) — 186
6. Old Hall (John North) — 185
7. Greenalls (Karl Stott) — 184
8. Hoover (Bolton) (Trevor Halliwell) — 183

Third Section:
Adjudicator: Mike Kilroy

1. Trinity Girls (Stuart Barton) — 182
2. Yorks Railway Institute (Gordon Eddison) — 181
3. Darwen Brass (Steve Hartley) — 179
4. Coppull & Standish (Graham Martin) — 178
5. Eagley (Neil Parkinson) — 177
6. Farnworth & Walkden (Peter Ashley) — 176

Fourth Section:
Adjudicator: Mike Kilroy

1. Parr (Richardson Ltd) St Helens (John Ludden) — 176
2. Boarshurst Silver (David Ashworth) — 175
3. Golborne (Jason Smith) — 174
4. St Johns (Mossley) (Stephen Corbett) — 172
5. Nelson (Steve Brodie) — 171
6. Deeside Silver (Christopher Barnes) — 170
7. Denton Brass (Colin Myers) — 169

Prizes all sections:
1st: £550
2nd: £350
3rd: £250