Normal contesting rules applied at the Bolsover Festival of Bass on Sunday as bands battled it out for the generous prize pots in six sections at Mount St Mary’s College in Spinkhill.

Keener edge

24 hour earlier there had been a much more relaxed atmosphere as re-union bands dusted off old lips, but throughout the Sunday there was a keener edge to proceedings as rivals looked to gain the entertainment bragging rights.

High quality

In the end it was Jaguar Land Rover conducted by Dave Lea that took the honours in a high quality Championship Section event, toppling reigning champion Newstead Brass, with Jackfield (Elcock Reisen) in third.

Intelligently constructed

Dave Lea’s intelligently constructed programme certainly pleased both the audience and the adjudicator Alan Morrison, with a poignant atmosphere created with the opening item, ‘The Heroic Fanfare’ – a tribute to all those connected with the terrible outcome in America of the 9/11 tragedy – and played on the 10th anniversary of the event.

An eclectic change of genres followed with the theme tune to the 1960s children’s television series ‘Stingray’ balanced by what would have been a 65th birthday anniversary for rock icon Freddie Mercury, with ‘Who Wants to Live Forever’.

Euphonium player Ian Wright was featured in fizzing rendition of ‘Carnival Cocktail, before the band rounded off their set with the Dan Price arrangement of ‘An American Tale’.

I’m very happy with our victory as we produced some high class playing from start to finish. It sets us up nicely for the rest of the year and provides a real platform to work from for 2012Dave Lea

First recipient

It was a programme more than good enough to claim the £750 first prize and give the winning MD the honour of being the first recipient of the Major Peter Parkers Memorial Trophy.

Dave Lea told 4BR: "It really is an honour to receive a trophy in memory of such a great conductor. I’m very happy with our victory as we produced some high class playing from start to finish. It sets us up nicely for the rest of the year and provides a real platform to work from for 2012."

Although Newstead could not hold onto their title, they left with the trophy as the highest placed ex-colliery band, whilst Denis Todd of RMT Easington Colliery picked up the ‘Best Soloist’ Award.

Quality not quantity in First

There was disappointment that only two bands took part in the First Section, where Jackfield (Elcock Reisen) delivered a quality programme under the baton of Simon Platford to take the £500 first prize ahead of Carlton Brass.

‘Best Soloist’ winner, xylophonist Ollie James delivered a high paced account of ‘Xylophonia’ to follow the opening ‘Phoenix Rising’. A change of style in ‘Scarborough Fair’, which featured Eb Bass player Bryan Adams was the prelude to the finale of the last movement of ‘Variations on Maccabeus’.

Clear winner

With Alan Morrison stating that the band had been a clear winner, there was little time to celebrate as they reprised their programme come third in the Championship Section.

Band spokesperson Darrin Smith told 4BR that the invitation to compete in both sections had given the band an extra incentive to succeed.

"With the Wychavon contest coming up it was an ideal opportunity to test ourselves against rival bands as well as competing against bands we will be up against in the Championship Section next year."

He added: "The win was a huge boost, but also showed us just where we stand at present at the higher level. It was a very encouraging contesting weekend for the band."

Carlton Brass took the Tesco Clowne Trophy for providing the most entertaining performance.

Compare and contrast in Second Section

Six bands took to the stage in the Second Section, where Alan Morrison found plenty of quality to compare and contrast.

In the end it was Blidworth Welfare conducted by Martin Heartfield that took the £400 first prize courtesy of a well balanced programme to fend off the challenge of entertainment specialists and reigning champion Strata Brass in second and Middleton in third.

With the terrible tragedy of 9/11 being remembered throughout the world, the band paid their own personal tribute to those who lost their lives.

High tempo

They opened with the high tempo march, ‘Midwest’ followed by ‘Georgia on My Mind’ played by the experienced David Hirst on cornet – a somewhat crafty solo selection, described by the MD as a ‘fabulous arrangement’ – written of course by the adjudicator himself.

Alan returned the tongue in cheek compliment by describing David Hirst’s fine rendition as coming from a soloist ‘showing promise!’

The perky, ‘Gee Officer Krupkee’ from ‘West Side Story’ was followed by the atmospheric ‘Mid all the Traffic’ before the band delivered a thumping rendition of ‘An American Tale’ to close.

Delighted

Band spokesperson Karen Cretney told 4BR: "We are all delighted by the win, as it provides us with another title show off at our forthcoming 30th anniversary concert later this month.

It’s been a good season and we have plenty to look forward to as we compete at the Leicester Contest and then make our debut in the First Section at Butlins early next year."

The victory saw Blidworth also pick up the trophy as the highest placed ex-colliery band, whilst cornet player Charlotte Heaven of Dobcross Silver won the ‘Best Soloist’ Award.

Musical trio in Third

Although there were only three bands competing in the Third Section, adjudicator Colin Hardy would have enjoyed the trio of musical contributions, with Rolls Royce Derby under the direction of Graham Cardwell producing a fine account of themselves to take the £300 first prize. Hucknall & Linby came second with Croft Silver in third.

The reigning champion opened with ‘Strike up the Band’, which was followed by the Tom Jones inspired trombone trio ‘It’s not Unusual’, ‘Swedish Folk Song’ and the finale of ‘Stage Centre’ by Goff Richards.

Highlight

However, the undoubted entertainment highlight was the ‘Best Soloist’ award winning performance of percussionist Jeff Shaw, who laid down his drum kit sticks to pick up an accordion to wow the audience with his version of ‘Tico, Tico’.

Winning MD, Graham Cardwell later told 4BR that the win, gave the band a huge confidence boost ahead of up coming contests.

"It’s always good to secure a quality win,” he said. “It also gives us a real confidence boost ahead of the Leicester Contest in a few weeks time and for Butlins early next year. The player’s were magnificent today and the solo item went down a real treat. We are all very pleased especially as it meant that we retained the title for another year."

Repeat success in Fourth Section

There was also a successful title defence in the Fourth Section, as Ireland Colliery Chesterfield, secured the £250 first prize and a huge confidence boost ahead of their appearance in the Fourth Section National Finals in Cheltenham in a weeks time.

Melton Brass pushed the winners all the way to tape to end on second, with Littleborough Brass in third.

Sparkling set

Conducted by Ian Knapton they set the entertainment bar just a little too high for their rivals off the number 1 draw thanks to a sparkling set that included the opening ‘Kongolela’ followed by the euphonium duet ‘Softly As I Leave You’ featuring the father and son combination of Martin and Lewis Squires.

A complete contrast came with ‘Be A Clown’ before a rousing ‘Blaze Away’ march led in to the finale of the last movement, Magga’ from Philip Sparke’s suite ‘The Four Noble Truths’.

Fantastic result

The winning MD was understandably delighted with the victory. "It’s a fantastic result," Ian said. "With our appearance at Cheltenham in just a week or so this has given us a huge confidence boost. We have been working very hard for the Finals so to change musical tack and claim victory here was something special.

We have been working with Michael Fowles and I think his input has given us real self belief."

Fine performance

Glen Birks of Pleasley Colliery Band took the ‘Best Soloist’ honours for his fine performance of the classic cornet solo ‘From the Shores of the Mighty Pacific’, whilst Ireland Colliery also won the award as the highest placed ex-colliery band.

The long contesting day started with Creswell Community Brass delivering a well constructed short programme in the fledgling Unregistered Section’, which drew rich praise from adjudicator Colin Hardy.

Results:

Championship Section:
Adjudicator: Alan Morrison

1. Jaguar Land Rover (Dave Lea)
2. Newstead Brass (Duncan Beckley)
3. Jackfield (Elcock Reisen) (Simon Platford)
4. RMT Easington Colliery (David Hirst)
5. Silk Brass (David Holling)
6. Old Silkstone (Simon Kerwin)
7. VBS Poynton (N/K)

Best Soloist: Dennis Todd (RMT Easington Colliery)
Highest placed Ex Colliery Band: Newstead Brass
Major Peter Parkes Memorial Trophy winner: Dave Lea

First Section:
Adjudicator: Alan Morrison

1. Jackfield (Elcock Reisen) (Simon Platford)
2. Carlton Brass (Geoff Hawley)

Best Soloist: Ollie James (Jackfield Elcock Reisen)
Most Entertaining Performance: Carlton Brass

Second Section:
Adjudicator: Alan Morrison

1. Blidworth Welfare (Martin Heartfield)
2. Strata Brass (David Holling)
3. Middleton (Carl Whiteoak)
4. Mossley (Duncan Byers)
5. Crewe Brass (Jamie Meredith)
6. Dobcross Silver (Kenny Pain)

Best Soloist: Charlotte Heaven (Dobcross Silver)
Highest placed Ex Colliery Band: Blidworth Welfare

Third Section:
Adjudicator: Colin Hardy

1. Rolls Royce Derby (Graham Cardwell)
2. Hucknall & Linby (Paul Whyley)
3. Croft Silver (Ian Needham)

Best Soloist: Jeff Shaw (Rolls Royce Derby)

Fourth Section:
Adjudicator: Colin Hardy

1. Ireland Colliery (Chesterfield) (Ian Knapton)
2. Melton Brass (Graham Sutton)
3. Littleborough Brass (Adrian Woodhead)
4. Pleasley Colliery Welfare (Keith Buxton)
5. Kikby Colliery Welfare (Stephen Berrill)
6. Coleshill Town (Stephen Fagg)
7. Deepcar Brass (Lindon Bolt)
8. Trentham Brass (Mike Caveney)
9. Stone Town (Graham Randle)

Best Soloist: Glen Birks (Pleasley Colliery Welfare)
Highest placed Ex Colliery Band: Ireland Colliery Chesterfield

Unregistered Section:

1. Creswell Community Brass (Andrew Sharpe)