Exchange Communications Whitburn rounded off a profitable weekend’s contesting work with victory at the Doctor Martin Charitable Trust competition in Middlesborough on Sunday.
Winning margin
Under the direction of Ian Porthouse, performances of ‘Music for Battle Creek’, combined with the march ‘Knight Templar’ and the horn solo, ’Lark in the Clear Air’ played by Iain Fleming, gave the Scottish champion a two point winning margin over local favourites Reg Vardy, with Friary Guildford in third.
Coffers boosted
The victory boosted the Scots coffers by over £5,000, with the first prize of £4,000 topped up by a further £250 for providing adjudicator Kevin Wadsworth with the ‘Best March’ to go with their £350 appearance fee. The previous day the band picked up £600 by winning the ‘Brass in the Park’ contest in Newtongrange.
Excellent
The winning MD was understandably delighted, as he told 4BR: "It’s been good quality contesting work by the band," Ian Porthouse said.
"Brass in the Park was a solid run out, but this was excellent playing. They have worked hard for me during the past week and I think they are in good shape on this form ahead of London."
Outstanding
The adjudicator was also impressed by the overall standard from the 10 bands on the day, singling out the winners and two ‘outstanding’ solo performances in particular.
"This was a superb contest – and a great format," Kevin told 4BR. "The winners produced real consistency, with excellent renditions of the test piece, solo and march. The overall standard was terrific too, with a wide range of musical choices in all the disciplines. I really enjoyed the day."
The winners produced real consistency, with excellent renditions of the test piece, solo and march. The overall standard was terrific too, with a wide range of musical choices in all the disciplines. I really enjoyed the dayKevin Wadsworth
Astonishing
Kevin also singled out the quality of the soloists on show and reserved special praise for Tina Mortimer’s ‘astonishing’ performance of ‘Slavische Fantasy’ with Reg Vardy to take the ‘Best Soloist’ Award, as well as Friary Guildford’s Chris Straker who produced a ‘fabulous’ rendition of the final movement of the Karl Jenkins ‘Euphonium Concerto’.
"All the soloists were excellent, but these two were something else. Both produced quite outstanding individual performances," Kevin added.
Not enough
However, despite the principal cornet’s efforts, reigning champion Reg Vardy under the baton of Ray Farr could not hold onto their title, with their performances of British Open test piece ‘Red Priest’ and the march ‘The President’, not quite good enough to help them hold onto the Wainstones Cup.
Delighted Friary
Meanwhile, Friary Guildford under the baton of Chris King returned home down the M1 motorway delighted at claming third place after producing a trio of quality performances on the march ‘Mephistopheles’, the ‘Troika’ from the Karl Jenkins ‘Euphonium Concerto’ and their own choice test piece, ‘Contest Music’.
Podium finish
With the withdrawal of Rothwell Temperance there was a keen battle for the podium places, with First Section Butlins champion City of Sheffield directed by Derek Renshaw claiming a number of championship scalps by coming fourth thanks to quality performance of ‘Contest Music’ backed by flugel star John Lee’s ‘Children of Sanchez’ and the march ‘Mephistopheles’.
Local favourites Fishburn ended in seventh, whilst Albert Hall finalists Pemberton Old Wigan DW ended in a disappointing eighth, beaten by Cheltenham bound Yorkshire Imperial Urquhart Travel and Felling.
Results:
March/Solo/Test piece
1. Exchange Communications Whitburn (Ian Porthouse) – 47/44/195 = 286
2. Reg Vardy (Ray Farr) – 43/49/192 = 284
3. Friary Guildford (Chris King) – 41/48/191 = 280
4. City of Sheffield (Derek Renshaw) – 46/44/189 = 279
5. Yorkshire Imperial Urquhart Travel – 42/41/193 = 276
6. Felling – 45/40/190 = 275
7. Fishburn – 44/42/188 = 274
8. Pemberton Old Wigan DW – 41/40/185 = 266
9. Drighlington – 39/37/172 = 248
10. Milton Keynes (MK) Brass – 37/39/166 = 242
Adjudicator: Kevin Wadsworth
Prize Money:
1. £4,000
2. £2,000
3. £1,000
4. £500
Best Solo and Best March items received an additional £250.
