Tredegar put behind them their recent disappointing result at the British Open in Birmingham to claim the £1,500 first prize on offer at the Wychavon Entertainment Contest in Droitwitch.

Heavy lean

Directed by Ian Porthouse, the Welsh band secured their third title in four years by impressing adjudicator Philip Harper with a programme that leant heavily on repertoire from their recent successful entertainment sets.

Described in his written remarks as, ‘All done with such style, purpose and flamboyance!” the Welsh band opened with ‘Blackbird Special’ before segueing into ‘Folk Festival’ and ‘Letter from Home’.

Best Soloist

Principal euphonium Buzz Newton took the ‘Best Soloist’ Award for his sparkling rendition of the ‘Greek Dance’ from the Wilby ‘Euphonium Concerto’, before rounding off their 20 minute set with Matthew Hall’s ‘Nightingale Dances’.

The winning MD told 4BR: “It’s always a good way to bounce back with a victory. We put in the hard work for this after Birmingham as we were determined to show off our true contest qualities.”

Thoresby delight

That rehearsal graft gave the band a two point winning margin over a delighted Thoresby Colliery, conducted by Dave Purkiss, with Derwent Brass under Keith Leonard in third.

Thoresby also ended with Matt Hall’s Brass in Concert prize winning composition, after delivering a contrasting programme that featured a fine solo contribution from Claire Harris on the ‘Harry James Trumpet Concerto’, the PLC opener ‘Home of Legends’ and ‘O Magnum Mysterium’.

Claire later told 4BR: “It’s a great result for the band ahead of the Bolsover contest in a few weeks time. We were very happy with the way we played and the result, in what was our first contest under Dave Purkiss.”

Innovative Derwent

There was also delight for Derwent Brass, who provided the audience with an intriguing performance of Paul McGhee’s, ‘Episodes, Occurrences and Interludes’, a six movement work which was specially written for the band.

It certainly captured the imagination, with adjudicator Philip Harper stating that ‘it stood the hairs on the back of my neck’. The band also claimed the entertainment and ‘Best Percussion’ prizes.

Band spokesperson, Rob Stew told 4BR: “We’re delighted that our innovative approach was appreciated. It’s a very special work from a very special composer.”

Disappointment

There was disappointment for reigning champion BTM conducted by David Maplestone after they ended fourth, whilst there was some surprise with Woodfalls fifth place, conducted by former Cory MD Dr Robert Childs and having euphonium star David Childs in their ranks.

the Welsh band secured their third title in four years by impressing adjudicator Philip Harper with a programme that leant heavily on repertoire from their recent successful entertainment sets4BR

First Section:

In the First Section, the £1,000 first prize was claimed by Filton Concert Brass conducted by Tom Davoren, who ended two points clear of second placed Phoenix West Midlands Brass. Kidlington Concert was third.

The Bristol based band opened with funky ‘The Heat is On’ before euphonium player Anthony Smith delivered a cracking rendition of ‘Hot Canary’ to win the ‘Best Soloist’ prize. The band offered contrast with ‘The Witch of Westmorland’ before closing with the music to the film ‘Backdraft’.

MD Tom Davoren was a happy conductor after his successful contesting debut with the band. “I’ve really enjoyed teaming up with Filton. Their hard work in rehearsals would put many a top section band to shame – and I think the result was thoroughly deserved.”

Second Section:

The Second Section honours and £750 first prize went to entertainment specialists Strata Brass directed by David Holling, who also took the prizes for entertainment and percussion in a clear cut victory.

Cinderford claimed second place with principal cornet Matt Kimble taking the ‘Best Soloist’ award. Crewe Brass was third.

Strata opened with the choreographed version of Sousa’s famous march ‘Semper Fidelis’, before moving through ‘Doyle’s Lament’, ‘Trumpets Wild’ and ‘Madrigalum’ before ended with the fun and games of ‘Bare Necessities’.

“We really enjoy entertainment contests,” Strata’s Paul Williams told 4BR. “We are a bit of a specialist entertainment band – this was out fourth win here in the last five years. It sets us up nicely as we look to repeat this success at the forthcoming Bolsover Contest.”

Third Section:

Marieka Gray led Eccles Borough to a hat-trick of the Wychavon titles in the Third Section, bagging the £600 first prize in the process.

The North West band opened with ‘Vitae Lux’, before the upbeat ‘Bring back that Leroy Brown’ led into a top class solo contribution by principal cornet and 21st birthday girl, Deborah Fry, on ‘Glorious Ventures’. ‘Holiday for Strings’ provided a breezy contrast before they closed with the Queen rock hit, ‘Innuendo’.

“It was a great way to claim a hat-trick of wins,” Marieka told 4BR: “We’ve been working on this ambitious programme for a while now, and the hard work paid off. It gives us a huge boost of confidence for the Fleetwood contest in a few weeks time.”

A powerful performance from Ebbw Valley Brass claimed second place, whilst Arrow Valley Brass, whose flugel player Simon Bateman took the ‘Best Soloist’ award, was third.

Fourth Section:

The Fourth Section honours went to Trentham Brass conducted by Mike Caveney who claimed the first prize of £500 with a performance adjudicator Stephen Roberts described in his written remarks as, ’...an ambitious programme, so well delivered that it belies its 4th Section rating.’

The band opened under the baton of 23 year composer James Woolliscroft, who led his own prize winning work, ‘Fanfare for Birmingham’.

Regular MD Mike Caveney then took to the helm for his own march, ‘Golden Fern’ – named after the band’s logo, before principal cornet Paula Scattergood delivered a fine rendition of ‘Golden Slumbers’. They rounded their set off with another Woolliscroft composition with ‘Voyage to the Horizon of Time’.

Mike later told 4BR: “We opted for an ambitious programme of original music as we wanted to really push ourselves as we look towards the Third Section next year.”

Ebbw Valley picked up their third award of a profitable weekend both sides of the River Severn in second place.

Gareth Ritter’s band also claimed their second entertainment award of the contest, with their percussion section and euphonium soloist David Johnson also winning individual awards. Cheltenham Silver was third.

Full Results:

Championship Section:
Adjudicator: Philip Harper

1. Tredegar (Ian Porthouse) – 197
2. Thoresby Colliery (Dave Purkiss) – 195
3. Derwent Brass (Keith Leonard) – 194
4. BTM (David Maplestone) — 193
5. Woodfalls (Dr Robert Childs) — 192

Entertainment: Derwent Brass
Best Percussion: Derwent Brass
Best Soloist: Byron Newton (euphonium) — Tredegar

First Section:
Adjudicator: John Maines

1. Filton Concert Brass (Tom Davoren) — 193
2. Phoenix West Midlands Brass (Trevor Jones) — 191
3. Kidlington Concert (Duncan Wilson) — 189
4. Bedworth Brass (Jason Glynn) — 187
5. Tylorstown (Gary Davies) — 186
6. Shirley Band (David Bishop-Rowe) — 185
7. Enderby (John Fletcher) — 184
8. Rogerstone (Jamie Jones) — 183

Entertainment: Rogerstone
Best Percussion: Kidlington Concert
Best Soloist: Anthony Smith (euphonium) — Filton Concert Brass

Second Section:
Adjudicator: John Maines

1. Strata Brass (Dave Holling) — 188
2. Cinderford (Dave Lea) — 185
3. Crewe Brass (Jamie Meredith) — 183
4. City of Bristol (Ceri Thomas) — 181
5. Fulham Brass (Rob Richardson) — 180
6. Porthywaen Silver (Mark Parry) — 179
7. Tilbury (Andrew Austin) — 178

Entertainment: Strata Brass
Best Percussion: Strata Brass
Best Soloist: Matt Kimble (cornet) — Cinderford

Third Section:
Adjudicator: Philip Harper

1. Eccles Borough (Marika Grey) — 185
2. Ebbw Valley Brass (Gareth Ritter) — 182
3. Arrow Valley Brass (David Stanley) — 181
4. Corsham (Colin Hogg) — 179
5. Shipston Town (Howard Gibbs) — 177
6. Pillowell Silver (Ian Whitburn) — 176
7. Thurcroft Welfare (Garry Hallas) — 175

Entertainment: Ebbw Valley
Best Percussion: Arrow Valley Brass
Best Soloist: Simon Bateman (flugel) — Arrow Valley Brass

Fourth Section:
Adjudicator: Stephen Roberts

1. Trentham Brass (Mike Caveney) — 190
2. Ebbw Valley Brass (Gareth Ritter) — 189
3. Cheltenham Silver (Rob Folland) — 188
4. Market Rasen Resdev (Alan Needham) — 186
5. Thornbury Town (Darren Williams) — 185
6. Bratton Silver (Simon Carr) — 184

Best Entertainment: Ebbw Valley
Best Percussion: Ebbw Valley
Best Soloist: David Johnson (euphonium) — Ebbw Valley

Local Band Contest:
(Given to most successful local bands regardless of section)

1. Cheltenham Silver
2. Arrow Valley Brass