Music lovers who defied the weekend’s pouring rain were treated to a highly enjoyable day of contesting at the magnificent Buxton Pavilion, as 34 bands took the stage at the popular festival.

High class

It may have been pretty miserable outside, but inside there was a warm and friendly atmosphere as the competitors produced numerous high class renditions of an eclectic selection of test pieces.

Music from the pens of Vinter, Howells and Sparke were up against Horowitz, Broughton, Lloyd and Moren in the top section, with a host of well chosen works picked by the conductors in the lower section too.

The quality as well as the variety of the music performed was commented on by both adjudicators John Berryman and Steve Pritchard-Jones.

Exciting Championship

In an exciting Championship Section, John Berryman awarded the title to Bollington Brass conducted by Peter Christian. Their appropriately colourful interpretation of Gilbert Vinter’s, ‘Spectrum’, featured an excellent individual contribution from euphonium player Simon Bastock, who claimed the ‘Best Instrumentalist’ Award.

It proved to be just enough to repel the strong challenge of Jackfield (Elcock Reisen)conducted by Simon Platford with their powerful account of ‘Trittico’, with Vernon Building Society under the baton of Colin Short in third, after they delivered an exciting rendition of ‘Year of the Dragon’.

There was also a fine performance from Tintwistle conducted by Sarah Groarke-Booth, who claimed fourth and the prize as the highest placed First Section band, for their performance of ‘Mountain Views’.

Competitive Second Section

There was an equally keen competitive atmosphere in the Second Section, where eight bands battled it out to try and catch the ear of Steve Pritchard-Jones in the box.

Eventually, a well crafted reprise of the regional test piece, ‘Cross Patonce’ from Cheltenham bound Shirebrook Miners Welfare under Mark Wilcockson saw the Midlanders claim the honours.

Another Cheltenham finalist in Haslingden & Helmshore took second place thanks to their purposeful account of the colourful ‘Saga of Haakon the Good’ under David Holland, with third place claimed by Greenall’s conducted by Karl Stott with their performance of ‘Music for Thanksgiving’, which also saw their strong cornet team take the ‘Best Section’ award.

Excellent Third Section

Earlier in the day John Berryman revealed that he had heard one of the best Third Section contests for a very long time.

National finalists Whitworth Vale & Healey Band carried on their excellent 2012 contesting form by taking the title under John Binns with a cracking performance of ‘Episodes for Brass’, and which featured a wonderful contribution by their prize winning euphonium section.

It proved to be enough to just pip the very strong challenge of a revitalised Butlins champion Boarshurst Silver conducted by David Ashworth, who delivered a fine account of ‘Three Miniatures’, whilst third place went to Hazel Grove, led by Nigel Beasley, who played ‘Tam O' Shanter's Ride'.

Enjoyable Fourth Section

In a highly enjoyable Fourth Section, it was yet another Cheltenham finalist, Parr (St Helens) Band led by John Ludden who continued their rich vein of form by taking the title thanks to a well constructed account of ‘Three Saints’ by Goff Richards.

It proved good enough to beat of the vibrant challenge of the youthful Lees Band under the baton of John Collins, who played ‘Dimensions’, and Hawk Green (Marple), as former Fairey flugel star Neil Hewson led the Cheltenham finalists into third thanks to the sterling contribution of their prize winning bass section.

The quality as well as the variety of the music performed was commented on by both adjudicators John Berryman and Steve Pritchard-Jones4BR

Full Results:

Championship Section:
Adjudicator: John Berryman

1. Bollington (Peter Christian)
2. Jackfield (Elcock Reisen) (Simon Platford)
3. Vernon Building Society (Colin Short)
4. Tintwistle (Sarah Groarke-Booth)
5. Enderby (Jonathan Mott)
6. Kibworth (Ian Rayner)
7. Gresley Colliery (Gary Wyatt)

Best Instrumentalist: Simon Bastock (euphonium) — Bollington

Second Section:
Adjudicator Steve Pritchard-Jones

1. Shirebrook Miners’ Welfare (Mark Wilcockson)
2. Haslingden & Helmshore (David Holland)
3. Greenall’s (Karl Stott)
4. Wigston (Garry Sleath)
5. Uppermill (Alan Widdup)
6. Eccleston Brass (Danny Brooks)
7. Matlock (Andrew Dennis)
8. South Milford Brass (Martin Hall)

Best Section: Cornet Section — Greenalls

Third Section:
Adjudicator: John Berryman

1. Whitworth Vale & Healey (John Binns)
2. Boarshurst Silver Band (David Ashworth)
3. Hazel Grove (Nigel Beasley)
4. Farnworth & Walkden (Peter Ashley)
5. Old Hall Brass (John North)
6. Besses Boys (James Holt)
7. Ripon City (Malcolm Dibb)
8. Dronfield CMW John Davis)
9. Hucknall & Linby MC (Paul Whyley)

Best Section: Euphoniums — Whitworth Vale & Healey

Fourth Section:
Adjudicator Steve Pritchard-Jones

1. Parr (St Helens) John Ludden
2. Lees ((John Colins)
3. Hawk Green (Marple) (Neil Hewson)
4. Porthaethwy Menai Bridge (Chris Williams)
5. Greenfield (Tom Haslem)
6. Burbage (Buxton) (Steve Critchlow)
7. Golborne (Paul Andrews)
8. Ireland Colliery Chesterfield (Ian Knapton)
9. Rode Hall (Nigel Butler)
10. Denton Brass (Alistair Gibson)

Best Section: Basses — Hawk Green (Marple)

Thanks to Shirley Woodward