The Leicestershire Brass Band Association once again opened its doors for its own annual Open Spring Festival in Groby, Leicestershire.

200 entries

With nearly 200 entries this year, there was a significant increase in numbers performing to adjudicators John Berryman, Ian Bartram and Michael Fowles.

LBBA Solo Contest Secretary Lynne Plant told 4BR: "It was wonderful to see so many entries this year, especially the number of young players competing in their first contest. The youngest newcomer this year was only 7 years old."

Winners

Chelsea Hopkins of Gresley Colliery took the crown in the 10 years and under category, with George Marshall (Hathern) and Emily Watson (Amington) winning their respective age sections.

Sarah Lenton from Virtuosi GUS took first prize in the Open Slow Melody, with Claire Taylor from Thoresby Colliery walking away with the trophy in the Air Varie event. The Junior Air Varie prize was awarded to Adam Whittle from Shirland.

Thoresby also enjoyed success in the Open Quartet, beating Newhall and City of Coventry respectively.

It was wonderful to see so many entries this year, especially the number of young players competing in their first contest. The youngest newcomer this year was only 7 years oldLynne Plant

Interesting

There were some interesting music choices in the junior quartets, some featuring songs of some of the more outrageous pop artists in the charts today.

However, it was Shirland who gained success whilst Hathern Youth A led the way in the Hymn Tune Quartet Junior Competition.

Biggest sections

One of the biggest sections was the Open Duets, which saw Sheila Dixon and Jo Priestly from Newhall take first place. There was a special award presented to Rosie Glossop and Franek Scalbania from Shirland Welfare band for the best duet in that section where both participants were under the age of 15.

Their performance of ‘Jungle Wannabees’ received a worthy cheer from the crowd and certainly got the feet tapping in the hall.

Last but certainly not least, Emily Hall, also of Shirland, took home the prize for Open Percussion.

Next event

The next event will be the LBBA Autumn Slow Melody which will be held on Sunday October 9th , and is open to association member bands.

For further details, go to: www.lbba.org.uk

Results:

Section A: Junior Slow Melody (Ages 10 and under):
1. Chelsea Hopkins – Gresley Colliery
2. Freddie Buchanan – Hathern Youth
3. Josh Watson — Harborough

Section B: Junior Slow Melody (Ages 11 — 14):
1. George Marshall – Hathern Youth
2. William Thirkell – Shirland Welfare
3. Bethan Brown – Leicestershire Co-op

Section C: Junior Slow Melody (Ages 15 — 18):
1. Emily Watson — Amington
2. Rebecca Simms — Hathern
3. Adam Whittle — Shirland

Section D: Junior Air Varie 18 and under:
1. Adam Whittle — Shirland
2. Charlotte Groves — Amington
3. Harry Lear – Leicestershire Co-op

Section E: Open Slow Melody:
1. Sarah Lenton – Virtuosi GUS
2. Chris Lock – Derwent Brass
3. Steve Barham – Leicestershire Co-op

Section F: Open Air Varie:
1. Claire Taylor – Thoresby Colliery
2. Sarah Lenton – Virtuosi GUS
3. Steve Barham – Leicestershire Co-op

Section G: Open Duets:
1. Sheila Dixon & Jo Priestly — Newhall
2. Peter Groves & Rebecca Stonehouse — Amington
3. Rhona Baker and Lesley Howarth – City of Coventry

Best Duet under 15 years: Rosie Glossop & Franek Scalbania — Shirland

Section H: Junior Hymn Tune Quartet, 14 and under:
1. Hathern Youth ‘A’
2. Shirland ‘A’
3. Croft Silver ‘B’

Section I: Junior Quartet 18 years and under:
1. Shirland
2. Wigston Enterprise ‘B’
3. Croft Silver

Section J: Open Quartet:
1. Thoresby Colliery
2. Newhall
3. City of Coventry

Section K: Open Percussion:
1. Emily Hall