The East Yorkshire Motor Services Band continued their impressive run of contesting form under the direction of Allan Morrison, by winning the Bolsover Festival of Brass title at the Heritage High School in Clowne on the weekend.

Inventive

An inventive programme that contained diverse items from Spike Jones to ‘The Old Rugged Cross’ gave the North of England band the Wilson Bowden Developments Trophy and £750 first prize by a clear two point margin over second placed Jackfield (Elcock Reisen) with Skelmanthorpe in third.

Adjudicator Ian Porthouse told 4BR that EYMS has struck an impressive balance between technical execution and musical entertainment in their winning set.

“That’s what stood out for me,” he said. “Right from the word go they delivered each piece with such a polished approach and delivery. It was inventive and fresh, led by the MD who had everything under control. It was a deserved winner.”

Innovative approach

Alan Morrison was also delighted that innovation had paid off: “The band is keen to try something different, but with an emphasis on the quality of the music performed,” he said.

“I picked a programme that I felt tried to do that and I was delighted by the way the band delivered it.”

EYMS opened with the Disney fanfare parade ‘Fantasmic’, with immediate contrast offered by Neil Johnson’s lyrical warmth in the ‘Lament’ from the Karl Jenkins ‘Stabat Mater’.

Mark Unsworth expertly delivered ‘diminishing trombone’ act was backed by the anarchic comedy of the Spike Jones treatment of ‘12th Street Rag’, whilst a crackling ‘Armenian Fire Dance’ segued into a slickly choreographed finale of ‘The Old Rugged Cross’.

Alan now hopes EYMS will build on the victory. “The band is so keen to improve and make a lasting top section impression at major contests. They work hard, turn up for rehearsals and as was shown on the weekend, they have the appetite for success.”

Delight

There was delight for Jackfield (Elcock Reisen) in second place as Simon Platford led his band through a vibrant programme that started with Matt Hall’s ‘Activate’ and closed with ‘A Manchester Tale’, whilst Skelmanthorpe’s engaging set under John Roberts just faded on the final item of the ‘Fugue’ from ‘Graduation Day’ to end third.

In a contest where there were a number of outstanding solo contributions, it was Hade Edge’s young flugel star Aaron Wood who took the Bolsover Unison Trophy for what Ian Porthouse described as an ‘exceptional’ rendition of ‘What a Difference a Day Makes’.

Right from the word go they delivered each piece with such a polished approach and delivery. It was inventive and fresh, led by the MD who had everything under control. It was a deserved winnerIan Porthouse on EYMS

First Section:

There was an excellent victory for Blidworth Welfare in the First Section, as Martin Heartfield they claimed the £500 first prize and the trophy as the highest placed ex-mining band.

Very classy

Adjudicator Ian Porthouse described the winning programme as ‘very classy’, after a set that opened with ‘Home of Legends’ followed by ‘Blue Rondo a la Turk’ featuring xylophonist Aaron Curcher, ‘Such Love’ and ‘Glorifico Aeternum’ to close.

“It was exceptional — very classy from start to finish,” Ian told 4BR. “They got off to a great start and maintained the quality throughout their programme.”

Understatement

A band spokesperson added: “This was our first year in the First Section at this event, so to come away with victory and the prize as the best ex-mining band is amazing.

To say that we are happy is an understatement. This wouldn’t have been possible without the dedication and support of all the players, the belief in themselves and out great conductor, Martin Heartfield.”

Overshadowed

Unfortunately, the contest was overshadowed by the report of a potentially racially offensive item included in the programme of Hatfield Colliery Band conducted by Graham O’Connor.

The incident was referred to the contest organisers by adjudicator Ian Porthouse, and as reported on 4BR and subsequently in the national media, further action has been taken both by the local authority and the Association of Brass Band Adjudicators.

Hatfield’s euphonium player Andrew Kennedy won the Best Soloist award for his excellent rendition of ‘Bring Him Home’, whilst third place went to the inventive entertainment offered by South Yorkshire Police under Leigh Baker.

* see below (report at: http://www.4barsrest.com/news/detail.asp?id=16044#.UJkJPMUj7CY)

Second Section:

Strata Brass continued their remarkable run of entertainment success by claiming the Second Section title and £400 first prize directed by David Holling – their third win in five outings at the Bolsover event.

Wychavon reprise

The band reprised their recent Wychavon winning programme; opening with the choreographed version of Sousa’s famous march ‘Semper Fidelis’, before moving through the flugel solo ‘Doyle’s Lament’, ‘Trumpets Wild’ and Philip Sparke’s ‘Madrigalum’, before ending with the fun and games of ‘Bare Necessities’.

Flugel player Maria Beazer took the ‘Best Soloist’ prize for her excellent contribution whilst band secretary Paul Wilkinson revealed to 4BR that the adjudicator Philip Sparke was particularly delighted by their performance of his own work. “He was very complimentary about the programme and of the way we played his work. He felt we produced a high class performance.”

Especially pleased

Paul added: “The band has worked hard with David Holling over the past few months and we were especially pleased to win this year against a number of bands who will be promoted to the First Section in 2013.”

Second place went to one of those bands, as Shirebrook Miners Welfare, fresh from their recent appearance at the National Finals in Cheltenham under Mark Wilcockson, pushed the eventual winner close, despite being deducted a one point time penalty. Third place was claimed by Matlock conducted by Andrew Dennis.

Third Section:

Hucknall & Linby produced a ‘top quality’ performance to claim the Third Section title in a contest marked by a number of well planned and impressively delivered programmes according to adjudicator Ian Porthouse.

Conducted by Paul Whyley, Hucknall opened with a rousing rendition of ‘Simoraine’, which led into a warmly balanced ‘Little Prayer’ and a cracking ‘Best Soloist’ award winning rendition of ‘Carnival of Venice’ featuring principal cornet Ben Armstrong.

Fizzing

A fizzing whip through ‘Sparkling Diamonds’ led into the finale from ‘Laudate Dominum’ as the band claimed the £400 first prize and the Redcliffe International (Shipping) Trophy.

“The winners produced real quality,” Ian Porthouse told 4BR. “It had plenty of musical contrast, excellent technical security and a high class soloist. They were up against some strong opposition on the day, but the extra bit of top quality just shone through.”

Prima to Rimmer

Second place went to Dronfield under the baton of Graham O’Connor, with an innovative programme that featured everything from Neil Diamond and Louis Prima to a William Rimmer march and a Seal Lullaby to claim the £200 runner up prize and take home the highest placed ex-mining band award.

Third place in a highly entertaining contest went to Rolls Royce (Derby) directed by Graham Cardwell.

Fourth Section:

Alan Needham led Market Rasen (Resdev) to a clear cut victory in the Fourth Section, despite losing half a point due to a time penalty. Their vibrant programme certainly set out its stall from the first note with the expertly delivered PLC opener ‘Home of Legends’.

Talented

The band’s talented young cornet player Smai Mokrane delivered a wonderfully composed rendition of ,’My Love is Like a Red, Red Rose’, before contrast came with ‘The Old Rugged Cross’.

Alan Fernie’s clever arrangement of ‘MacArthur Park’ segued into the finale of the march, ‘The Old Colonial’ to ensure that the band left for home with the Graham Thomas Memorial Trophy and the £250 first prize.

Ireland Colliery Chesterfield under Ian Knapton delivered a solid performance to come second with a set that also included the old RB Hall march as well as a bit of Mahler to close in claiming the highest placed ex-mining band award.

Wonderful mix

Third place went to Deepcar under Lindon Bolt, who led a band that was a wonderful mix of young and old enjoying themselves to the full with their set that featured a fine soprano solo from Geraint Hale with ‘Demelza’.

Meanwhile, the solo award went to the Ash Hewson of the Melton Band for his excellent performance of ‘Grandfather’s Clock’.

Overshadowed

Despite the event being overshadowed by the later furore caused by the inclusion of a potential racially offensive item by Hatfield Band, Bolsover Council will surely have been encouraged by the response from competitors and supporters alike to the excellent facilities and slick organisation led by Carole Crompton and her team of volunteers.

It can only be hoped that following the necessary investigations and action, the council decides that their substantial investment in time and money into the event will continue in the future.

Results:
Championship Section:
Adjudicator: Ian Porthouse

1. EYMS (Alan Morrison) — 97pts
2. Jackfield (Elcock Reisen) (Simon Platford) — 95pts
3. Skelmanthorpe Brass (John Roberts) — 94pts
4. Thoresby Colliery (David Purkiss) — 93pts
5. Hade Edge (Simon Wood) — 92pts
6. City of Coventry (Alwyn Green) — 91pts

Highest Placed Ex-Colliery Band: Thoresby Colliery
Best Soloist: Aaron Wood (flugel) — Hade Edge
Winning Conductor Trophy: Alan Morrison — EYMS Band

First Section:
Adjudicator: Ian Porthouse

1. Blidworth Welfare (Martin Heartfield) — 94pts
2. South Yorkshire Police (Leigh Baker) — 91pts
3. Stannington Brass (N/K) — 90pts

* Hatfield Brass (Graham O’Connor) disqualified from the contest following decision by contest organisers.

Highest Placed Ex-Mining Band: Blidworth Welfare
Best Soloist: Aaron Curcher (xylophone) — Blidworth Colliery
Most Entertaining Performance: Blidworth Welfare

Second Section:
Adjudicator: Philip Sparke

1. Strata Brass (David Holling) — 94pts
2. Shirebrook Miners Welfare Unison (Mark Wilcockson) — 92pts*
3. Matlock (Andrew Dennis) — 91pts
4. Durham Miners Association (David Hirst) — 90pts
5. Barnsley Chronicle (Grenville Moore) — 88pts
6. Waterbeach Brass (David Minchin) – 87pts

*1 point time deduction

Highest Placed Ex-Mining Band: Strata Brass
Best Soloist: Maria Beazer (flugel) – Strata Brass

Third Section:
Adjudicator: Ian Porthouse

1. Hucknall & Linby MC (Paul Whyley) — 88pts
2. Dronfield CMW (Graham O'Connor) — 87pts
3. Rolls Royce Derby (Graham Cardwell) — 86pts
4. Thurcroft Welfare (Garry Hallas) — 84pts
5. Croft Silver (Ian Needham) -– 82pts

Highest Placed Ex-Mining Band: Dronfield CMW
Best Soloist: Ben Armstrong (cornet) — Hucknall & Linby MC

Fourth Section:
Adjudicator: Philip Sparke

1. Market Rasen (Resdev) (Alan Needham) — 93.5pts*
2. Ireland Colliery (Chesterfield) (Ian Knapton) – 92pts
3. Deepcar Brass (Lindon Bolt) – 90pts
4. Kirkby Colliery Welfare (Steve Berrill) – 88pts**
5. Littleborough (Adrian Woodhead) – 87pts
6. Melton Brass (Graham Sutton) – 86pts
7. Ilkeston Brass (David Jones) – 85pts
8. Newhall (Kevin Holdgate) — 83.5pts*

*0.5 point time deduction
**1 point time deduction

Highest Placed Ex-Mining Band: Ireland Colliery (Chesterfield)
Best Soloist: Ash Hewson (euphonium) – Melton Band