The brass classes of the 120th Manx Music Festival recently attracted its biggest entry, with six bands competing for the various prizes on offer at the Villa Marina Royal Hall on the Isle of Man.

Test win

In the test piece category, leading island band Manx Concert Brass retained their title with a refined performance of Leighton Lucas’s ‘Symphonic Suite’.

Ramsey Town Band gave a polished performance of ‘Henry the Fifth’ by Ralph Vaughan Williams to come runner up with newcomers Rushen Silver Band in third after delivering a very respectable performance of Alan Fernie’s ‘Anglian Dances’.

Nippers delight

There was delight for the youngsters of Neptune Street Nippers with their premiere of Robert Quane’s composition ‘10000000 BC’, which saw them entertain the packed hall.

March and hymns

In the march & hymn tune category there was plenty of fine music making to enjoy too, including four new hymn settings by Ramsey Town’s Robert Quane of ‘Haslemere’ (Neptune Street Nippers) and ‘Wiltshire’ (Ramsey Town Band), along with two arrangements of W.H Monk’s ‘Eventide’ by both Manx Concert Brass conductor Ian Clague and Rushen Silver’s John Kinley.

Rushen’s fine performance of ‘Eventide’ earned them the Sir Laurence and Lady New Trophy for the ‘Best Hymn’ with adjudicator David Horsfield describing it as one of his personal highlights of the class.

Meanwhile, Manx Concert Brass took the S. Quayle Cup in the March category with their well worked rendition of ‘Knight Templar’.

Entertainment

Manx Concert Brass also took the overall honours in the 20 minute entertainment programme section closely followed by Ramsey and Douglas Town in third. There was a special treat for the audience too as Brass Band Obernuntern from Austria provided their own brand of brass entertainment.

Thanks to Juan Wright

There was delight for the youngsters of Neptune Street Nippers with their premiere of Robert Quane’s composition ‘10000000 BC’, which saw them entertain the packed hall4BR

Results:

Test Piece:
Adjudicator: David Horsfield

1. Manx Concert Brass — 90
2. Ramsey Town – 88
3. Rushen Silver – 86
4. Douglas Town – 85
5. Manx Youth – 82
6. Neptune Street Nippers – 81

March & Hymn Tune:
Adjudicator: David Horsfield

1= Manx Concert Brass – 178*
1= Rushen Silver – 178**
3. Ramsey Town – 175
4. Douglas Town – 173
5. Manx Youth – 167
6. Neptune Street Nippers – 163

*Best March
** Best Hymn Tune

Entertainment:
Adjudicator: David Horsfield

1. Manx Concert Brass – 91
2. Ramsay Town – 89
3. Douglas Town – 88
4. Rusheb Silver – 87
5. Manx Youth – 84
6. Neptune Street Nippers

Best Soloist: Theo Leach

Did not compete but performed: Brass Band Obernuntern of Austria.