The seventh annual Skelmanthorpe Brass Band Community Slow Melody & Ensemble Contest took place on the weekend with a magnificent turn out of over 60 entries representing no less than 22 different bands.

Dyke connection

The event had a Black Dyke connection this year, with cornet virtuoso Richard Marshall thoroughly enjoying his day as adjudicator, with horn star Jonny Bates keeping everything under control as compere.

The main Open Solo award was won by Glenn Birks of Shirebrook Unison Welfare, with his fabulous rendition of ‘Rusalka’s Song to the Moon’. Glenn was making his debut at the competition, and made it a ‘double’ by also winning the Veterans Section.

Doubles

There were other ‘double’ winners too, with local trombonist Hannah Stell of Skelmanthorpe B, taking the honours in the 14 & Under and 16 & Under categories, with Georgia Stones of Jayess Newbiggin claiming the honours in the 11 & Under section before joining her sister, Michelle to win the Junior Ensemble.

The standard of playing throughout the day was excellent, no more so than in the Senior Ensemble, where well known specialists Stephen Lomas and Daniel Brooks of the Leyland Band successfully defended their title with a breathtaking performance of Schnyder’s ‘Duo Concertante’.

Random fun and games

The famous and fun ‘Random’ event concluded the day with Richard Marshall playing the National Anthem on a piece of adapted hose pipe!

4BR was reliably informed this will appear on his next solo C.D.

However, Skelmanthorpe percussionist Neil Keer was drafted in to cover a late withdrawal in this section and played badly enough on the non-functional clarinet to take the final award of the day.

Final appearance

Prior to the results, it was announced that this was to be the final Slow Melody appearance of Eb Bass player, Jim Tew. J

im, now aged 70, began playing slow melodies at the age of 12 and has supported them ever since, being a source of support, advice and encouragement for all the young players who have entered these competitions.

Special presentation

Contest organiser, Graham Bates, told 4BR: "We only found out about Jim’s retirement during the afternoon but were able to organise a special presentation for him by the end of the day. Jim has not only been a source of support and encouragement for the current generation, but Richard’s as well!"

A new award was also presented this year for the ‘Outstanding Musical Performance of the Day’.

Outstanding winner

Richard said he felt that there were four performances which could have taken this award, although it fell to the performance which he said, ‘came from the musical heart’ — and the Eb Bass in the Open Section playing ‘The Iceberg’ from none other than Jim Tew.

It proved to be a fitting finale for one of the finest gentlemen you will meet in the banding movement.

We only found out about Jim’s retirement during the afternoon but were able to organise a special presentation for him by the end of the dayGraham Bates

Results:

11 & Under:
1. Georgia Stones (Jayess Newbiggin)
2. Eva Warren (Rochdale Junior)
3. Ellie Warren (Rochdale Junior)

14 & Under:
1. Hannah Stell (Skelmanthorpe B)
2. Ben Jarvis (Eccleston)
3. Joseph Wellman (Astley Youth)

16 & Under:
1. Hannah Stell (Skelmanthorpe B)
2. Bethan Brown (Foresters 2000)
3. Joseph Wellman (Astley Youth)

Junior Ensemble:
1. Georgia & Michelle Stones

Open:
1. Glenn Birks (Shirebrook Unison Welfare)
2. Jim Tew (VBS Poynton)
3. Daniel Brooks (Leyland)

Veterans:
1. Glenn Birks (Shirebrook Unison Welfare)
2. Jim Tew (VBS Poynton)
3. Brent Warren (Ashton-under-Lyne)

Open Ensemble:
1. Daniel Brooks & Stephen Lomas
2. Louise Edgar & Stephen Lomas
3. Brassaholics Anonymous

Random:
1. Neil Keer (Skelmanthorpe)

Outstanding Musical Performance:
Jim Tew (VBS Poynton)