Hepworth made an immediate return to the British Open in the most emphatic musical fashion in Blackpool by winning the Grand Shield for the second time in their history.
Directed by Russell Gray, the Yorkshire band bounced straight back to Symphony Hall following last year’s relegation with the celebrating players taking it in turns to raise the famous trophy high into the air on the Winter Garden’s stage amid the rousing strains of their signature tune ‘Pratty Flowers’.
Clear cut
After the disappointing result at the Area contest in Bradford, a scintillating rendition of ‘On the Shoulders of Giants’ gave them one of the most clear cut victories seen at the contest for many years.
“A super performance full of drama and detail – so musically shaped,” wrote adjudicator Dr Robert Childs, whilst fellow judge, Malcolm Brownbill was equally effusive. “A very strong, very well presented performance. So musical and authoritative as required.”
Outstanding
Bob later told 4BR: “It was a very good standard today with the top six worthy of the British Open. Hepworth was were outstanding though. They didn’t just play the music; they played it with such understanding. They were clear winners for us.”
The decision was greeted with almost universal approval from neutral listeners and rivals alike, as Hepworth sealed their place off the number 11 draw with a commanding sense of musical authority.
Well integrated runner up
Joining them at Symphony Hall will be Seindorf Beaumaris. They added an Open appearance to their CV following pre-qualification to the National Finals later this year, with ‘a performance of musical merit – so well integrated,’ according to the judges off the number 1 draw.
The band’s principal trombonist Jos Harris took the ‘Best Instrumentalist’ award for his fine individual contribution.
Unfortunately, MD Gwyn Hughes missed the celebrations as he headed home to play in a concert on Saturday evening, but revealed that he managed to keep in touch with the results thanks to 4BR.
“I kept checking on my phone, so I did get to enjoy the moment despite being miles away,” he chuckled, “Even though we knew we made a few little errors I thought we would be in with a real chance if the judges liked our musical approach – especially in the ‘Elegy’.
“That was certainly the case,” he added. “The players really responded to what I wanted to bring out of the score, and result shows once again shows the progress we are making as a young band.”
Team effort
Meanwhile, the winning MD Russell Gray headed to Scotland for a well earned break with his wife Marieka ahead of the arrival of their first child in July. He did however take the time to congratulate the whole Hepworth organisation for what he called, ‘a great team effort’.
“They made it easy for me,” he laughed. “The ground work had been done so well by the likes of Sean Conway and Steve Malcolm. This really was a great team effort. The players have put in a great deal of hard work and the organisation has been first rate. All I had to do was come in and hopefully put on the final layer of contest polish.”
English Nationals
The Scotsman certainly did that and more, leading the band back to the Open – and revealing that he will also be taking them to the English Nationals in June too.
“I was due to go to New Zealand, but with the baby due, I’ve swapped with Mike Fowles, and can now look forward to taking the band at Preston. I’m very grateful to Mike for this. I’m sure he’ll enjoy the trip and it means that even with my busy schedule, I can be close to home.”
He added: “Hepworth showed its quality on the weekend, and I can’t wait to return to start rehearsals ahead of Preston. This was a performance to be very proud off – and to build on further.”
Missing out
With just the two priceless qualification places up for grabs for Symphony Hall, it was pre-contest favourites Flowers who missed out in third.
They faced the long trip home knowing they could very little more to have made it four wins in a row in 2012 after delivering a powerful rendition off the number 3 draw that many people thought had done just enough to earn a Birmingham slot.
On what overall was a disappointing day of contesting fortunes for Scottish representatives, Exchange Communications Whitburn’s persuasive musical patina was just chipped enough to consign them to fourth.
Redbridge once again showed their consistency by claiming fifth place – their third consecutive top six finish at the contest, whilst Scottish Open champion Tongwynlais was sixth under Philip Harper.
Losing their Grand Shield status this year was the quartet of Staffordshire, Skelmanthorpe, Freckleton and Aveley & Newham.
For further coverage and interviews:
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Hepworth was were outstanding though. They didn’t just play the music; they played it with such understanding. They were clear winners for usDr Robert Childs
Senior Cup:
There was further North Wales delight in the Senior Cup, where Northop claimed their first ever Spring Festival title under the baton of Thomas Wyss.
Their performance of Martin Ellerby’s ‘Elgar Variations’ was described by David Read MBE, who was adjudicating with Paul Andrews, as, ‘full of musical colour and subtle shadings’.
Bounce and effervescence
Paul told the audience in his pre-results remarks that, “...the music required bounce and effervescence. The MDs needed to both feel as well as understanding this. The best certainly managed to bring out the musical elements of the songs and dances, with some very good solo playing on show.”
Northop’s MD Thomas Wyss was certainly happy that his deliberately controlled approach had found a resonance in the box. “It’s such a lovely work that I felt we had to bring out the lyrical qualities of the music – not just the technical ones.
All players really captured just what I wanted bring from the score, so when I heard what the judges were looking for I knew we were in with a good chance.”
Stress
The result was not achieved without some stress however, as Tom revealed. “Our solo euphonium Aled Williams was only discharged from hospital on Saturday morning and we had to make two fairly late changes on horn and flugel too, so for the band to perform so well shows that we are growing in confidence. It was also good to get a fairly late draw at a contest too, as we haven’t had much luck with that lately.”
The future looks bright then for Tom and his band. “We have been building towards a result like this for some time,” he added. “Now we have shown what we can do I think we can move to another level – hopefully by gaining entry to the Scottish Open later in the year.”
Excellent contest form
In a contest that fluctuated in standard amid the compact surroundings of the Pavilion Theatre, Aldbourne continued to show that their year long run of excellent contest form shows no sign of ending by coming runner under the baton of David Johnson.
Last year’s Senior Trophy winner booked promotion to the Grand Shield thanks in no small part to the individual contribution of ‘Best Instrumentalist’ award winner, principal cornet, Richard Hughes.
Promotion and relegation
Joining them just one step away from a Symphony Hall appearance in 2014 will be Hammonds Saltaire and Co-operative Funeralcare North West, both of whim gave solidly constructed performances under Morgan Griffiths and Jef Sparkes respectively.
At the other end of the results table, Unison Kinneil, Friary Guildford, Laganvale (Metal Technology) and Dalmellington will compete in the Senior Trophy in 2013 following relegation.
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Senior Trophy:
There can’t have been too many more delight MDs in the whole of Blackpool on the weekend than Michael Howley of Wakefield Metropolitan, after the young conductor led his band to victory in the Senior Trophy.
In a contest where numerous MDs failed to take account of the booming acoustic the vast Empress Ballroom created (despite only half the huge floor area being utilised), his intelligent musical approach on Martin Ellerby’s ‘Chivalry’, that placed an emphasis on coherent dynamics certainly found favour with John Doyle and Ian Brownbill in the box.
Nailed
“We didn’t want to be nailed to the wall today,” John stated categorically in his humorous, yet sharply observed pre-results analysis. “Some of the shed builders came armed with hammers and nails. In such a huge hall, it was obvious there was a need to hear the detail. That’s what we certainly wanted today.”
He added: “There was a lack of concentration on show at times – from players and MDs. There were a number of not very musical performances. The top two bands really stood out and the winners were excellent, but so many others were not very wary of what they were sounding like.”
No problems
No such problems though for the winners, as the MD, still on a high after his band’s first major victory for many years, and his first since taking the baton in January this year, told 4BR.
“I don’t think it’s really a piece that lends itself to heavy blowing,” Michael told 4BR. “It’s colourful and cinematic and the dynamics are so subtly graded. We have also been working on making a much more balanced ensemble sound, so that’s what I told the band I wanted to bring out – a controlled sounding musical picture.”
That was certainly what came across in the box, with the judges calling it, ‘very well managed’ and ‘a performance of quality’.
Praise
The MD was full of praise for his young band – one that has endured some rough times of late.
“Quite a few people had written us off a little while ago, but with a real influx of young players and some older heads I think we have now got the balance just right. We are growing together, ambitious and hard working. Everyone put 100% into this win.”
Although the win was certainly a team effort, principal euphonium Myron Thomas took the ‘Best Instrumentalist’ award for his excellent contribution.
Life
Despite the judges reservations about some of dynamic misdemeanours on the day, both adjudicators felt the top four qualifiers really did bring the piece to life.
In what was a good day overall for Welsh banding, Burry Port Town and Tylorstown showed that the run out they gave the piece at the recent Ebbw Vale contest was certainly beneficial as they once again couldn’t be separated by a crow bar in second and third, with Lochgelly salvaging dented Scottish pride by securing the last qualification place on offer.
A the other end of the table, the bottom six bands of Bon Accord, Drighlington, Hade Edge, Barton Town, Johnstone and Wrexham Brass (Glyndwr) will have to see if they are invited back in 12 months time.
For further coverage and interviews:
http://www.4barsrest.com/live/2012SpringFestival/?p=gallery
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Full Results:
Grand Shield:
Test Piece: On the Shoulders of Giants (Peter Graham)
Draw: 9.30am
Commence: 10.30am
The Opera House
Adjudicators: Malcolm Brownbill & Dr Robert Childs
1. Hepworth (Russell Gray)*
2. Seindorf Beaumaris (Gwyn M. Evans)*
3. Flowers (Paul Holland)
4. Exchange Communications Whitburn (Ian Porthouse)
5. Redbridge (Jeremy Wise)
6. Tongwynlais Temperance (Philip Harper)
7. Marsden Silver Prize (Glyn Williams)
8. Co-operative Milnrow (Marieka Gray)
9. BTM (Phillip McCann)
10. Jaguar Land Rover (Dave Lea)
11. Pemberton Old Wigan DW (Mark Bentham)
12. Yorkshire Imperial Urquhart Travel (David Nesbitt)
13. Wingates (Andrew Berryman)
14. Mount Charles (Simon Dobson)
15. Thoresby Colliery (Garry Cutt)
16. Newstead Brass (Duncan Beckley)
17. Staffordshire (Nigel Seaman)**
18. Skelmanthorpe (John Roberts)**
19. Freckleton (Paul Dalton)**
20. Aveley & Newham (Nigel Taken)**
Best Instrumentalist: Jos Harris (Trombone) — Seindorf Beaumaris
*Top two bands qualify for the British Open
** Bottom four bands relegated to Senior Cup
Senior Cup:
Draw: 9.00am
Commence: 10.00am
The Empress Ballroom
Adjudicators: David Read MBE & Paul Andrews
1. Northop Silver (Thomas Wyss)*
2. Aldbourne (David Johnson)*
3. Hammonds Saltaire (Morgan Griffiths)*
4. Co-operative Funeralcare North West (Jef Sparkes)*
5. Ratby Co-operative (Michael Fowles)
6. Ashton Under Lyne (Simon Stonehouse)
7. Felling (Stephen Malcolm)
8. East Yorkshire Motor Services (Alan Morrison)
9. Derwent Brass (Keith Leonard)
10. Unite the Union (City of Sheffield) (Derek Renshaw)
11. Woodfalls (Dr Nicholas Childs)
12. Kingdom Brass (Andrew Duncan)
13. Blackburn & Darwen (Nick Sheppard)
14. NASUWT Riverside (David Roberts)
15. Fishburn (Huw Thomas)
16. Bo’ness & Carriden (Bryan Allan)
17. Unison Kinneil (Russ Young)**
18. Friary Guildford (Chris King)**
19. Laganvale (Metal Technology) (Ernest Ruddock)**
20. Dalmellington (Archie Hutchison)**
Best Instrumentalist: Richard Hughes (Principal Cornet) — Aldbourne
*Top four bands promoted to the Grand Shield
**Bottom four bands relegated to Senior Trophy
Senior Trophy:
Test Piece: Chivalry (Dr Martin Ellerby)
Draw: 10,00am
Commence: 11.00am
The Empress Ballroom
Adjudicators: Ian Brownbill & John Doyle
1. Wakefield Metropolitan (Michael Howley)*
2. Burry Port Town (Michael Thorne)*
3. Tylorstown (Gary Davies)*
4. Lochgelly (Allan Ramsey)*
5. Sovereign Brass (David Maplestone)
6. St Dennis (Darren Hawken)
7. Oldham Lees (John Collins)
8. Wantage Silver A (Phil Bailey)
9. Longridge (Mark Peacock)
10. City of Cardiff (Melingriffith) (Gareth Ritter)
11. Bournemouth Concert (Major David Barringer)
12. Easington Colliery Brass (Chris Bentham)
13. Newtongrange (Paul Drury)
14. Hatfield Colliery (Graham O’Connor)
15. Bon-Accord (Alan Duguid)
16. Drighlington (Jim Davies)
17. Hade Edge (Simon Wood)
18. Barton Town (Richard Evans)
19. Johnstone (Paul Kiernan)
20. Wrexham Brass Glyndwr (Stephen Curtis)
Best Instrumentalist: Myron Thomas (Euphonium) — Wakefield Metropolitan
*Top four bands promoted to the Senior Cup
