The Virtuosi GUS Band started their 80th year celebrations by living up to the proud 1933 boast of founder Fred Felton that he was going to form a brass band ‘...and we are going to aim high’, after winning the Butlins Mineworkers Championship in commanding fashion in Skegness on the weekend.

First placed finishes

Two first placed finishes on the set work and entertainment disciplines saw players celebrate long into a cold, snow swept night at the Skyline Resort, with the solid silver Warwick Vase Trophy filled with a few drinks purchased from the proceeds of the massive £10,000 first prize that was burning a hole in their Band Manager’s pocket.

It was the band’s first national title success since the British Open in 1988, and a victory that will have shown rivals that they continue to build on the consistent form of late 2012 that saw a second consecutive eighth place finish at the British Open and an encouraging return to the Brass in Concert Championship.

Adjudication highlights

Both aspects were certainly highlighted in the remarks of the adjudicators, with David Read MBE, writing in his critique of the set work, ‘A Tale as yet Untold’; ‘Nothing overdone. A mature and musical performance throughout with good soloists.’

Fellow judge Bob Childs also found the control and precision to his liking, adding; ‘What a well graded build to a majestic close. Bravo! I’m enjoying every bar.’

On the Sunday, well chosen additions to their Gateshead repertoire saw adjudicator Michael Fowles impressed by the reprised package: ‘A well constructed programme, which I thoroughly enjoyed. So much to admire in the execution,’ he wrote in his remarks.

Meanwhile, David Read also waxed lyrical in his appreciation too: ‘I sat back enthralled. Top quality playing.... A tour de force to close.’

Flowers denied

The high class renditions over the two days enabled Virtuosi GUS to deny defending champion Flowers the opportunity to create their own piece of banding history of a hat-trick of Butlins wins.

Although disappointed, they will have left for the long journey home confident of a productive defence of their forthcoming Yeovil and Area titles, as they secured a clear cut second place courtesy of a brace of polished performances under Paul Holland.

Entertainment winners

They will also return £6,000 better off too, as they claimed the imposing Butlins, ‘Most Entertaining Performance’ Trophy thanks to an inventive set on the Sunday that featured everything from Philip Wilby to the Rolling Stones and even Neil Armstrong’s first step on the moon.

It was a programme that certainly impressed entertainment judge Chad Shoopman. "It had so much quality and contrast," he told 4BR.

"There was so much to admire with all the bands today, and plenty for me to take back to my band in America. The solo playing was sensational, but the winners had the complete package for me."

Clear cut Carlton

There was also a clear cut podium finish for Carlton Main Frickley Colliery, as Leigh Baker led the Yorkshire band to third place thanks to a brace of consistent performances.

In addition to picking up £2,500 and the ‘Highest Placed Mining Band’ Trophy, their superb principal cornet Kirsty Abbotts won the Geoff Dove Soloist Shield and £300 for her sublime rendition of ‘Send in the Clowns’, which Chad Shoopman described as, ‘...simply awesome’.

Inconsistent

A frustratingly inconsistent Desford could only end in fourth overall, despite Russell Gray’s determined efforts at the helm. They left themselves too much to do with a classy entertainment set after a disappointing rendition of the test piece on the Saturday.

In contrast, two solid days of work saw Thoresby under Brian Grant claim a third consecutive top six finish at the contest, as they pipped a purposeful Marsden directed by Glyn Williams to end fifth and sixth respectively.

Didn't appeal

Outside the top six, Woodfalls high energy concert approach certainly won a host of admirers under Paul Lovatt-Cooper, but despite finding reward for a bold interpretation of the set work, their frothy audience friendly entertainment set didn’t appeal to the contest judges.

There also appeared to be little adjudication favour to be found for the likes of Redbridge, EYMS, Wingates, East London Brass and Yorkshire Imperial either, although debutants East London will have been delighted their inventive ‘London Calling’ themed set beat a quintet of rivals on the Sunday.

First Section:

The only sinking feeling the members of the Drighlington Band felt on Saturday evening was that of celebratory drink going down happy throats, after the Yorkshire band claimed the First Section title and £2,000 first prize thanks to a high quality rendition of the Titanic inspired set work, ‘Ad Undas – To the Waves’.

Every bit as good

MD Jim Davies described the win as every bit as good, if not better than the numerous titles he won as a celebrated principal cornet with Cory and Brighouse & Rastrick, as his precise direction gave adjudicators Paul Cosh and Mike Fowles just what they were looking for from the competitors in the massive 26 band field.

The judges later revealed that they were a little disappointed overall with the standard of playing on show, with some puzzlement over the way many MDs either failed to observe, or chose not to implement many basic score markings.

Intelligence

Not so the victors, as Michael Fowles told 4BR: "They were excellent. It was a performance constructed with intelligence and good musical common sense. There was a quality about everything they did on the day. It was a clear winner for us."

After coming runner-up in 2012, Drighlington’s precise adherence to the detail of Gareth Churcher’s descriptive work enabled them to repel the strong challenge of North West rivals Morecambe under Andrew Warriner.

Steaming past

The Butlins debutants produced a purposeful rendition off the early number 6 draw that led the field until Drighlington steamed past on what was a long, but engaging contest.

Reigning champion Becontree Brass produced a fine defence of their title under Adam Cooke off the late number 23 draw to claim the final podium place, whilst Hebden Bridge gave the judges something to think about as the penultimate contender to end fourth conducted by Alan Hobbins.

Varied

The final top six places in a contest that the judges described as ‘varied’ in standard, saw the Londoners of Sandhurst Sliver come fifth with Uppermill in sixth. The highest placed Mining Band Award went to tenth placed GT Peterlee directed by Joe Cook.

Behind the prize winners the problems became as increasingly terminal for some band’s chances as the great ship’s collision with the fateful North Atlantic iceberg.

Ignored markings

As Michael Fowles and Paul Cosh later confirmed to 4BR, the disappointment came not with the actual playing at times, but with the interpretations by MDs.

"Too many ignored the markings on the score," Paul said. "Clear interpretative instructions were all too often missed or perhaps ignored – markings that would have helped shape the performances so much better."

Second Section:

Mossley MD Duncan Byers revealed that despite the severe weather conditions forcing three rivals to withdraw from the Second Section contest, not even the Arctic conditions that saw brass monkeys seeking warmth and shelter in Skegness would have stopped his band from claiming a hat-trick of Butlins titles.

Nothing to deny

"Nothing was going to deny us this year – not even the weather," he told 4BR as he was helped to carry off the Butlins Trophy with the assistance of his delighted young sons.

The North West bands determination to claim the £2,000 top prize paid off in superb fashion, as according to adjudicators Dr Nicholas Childs and Paul Norley they produced an ‘outstanding’ rendition to lift the Second Section Trophy for a third consecutive year.

Outstanding

"It was an outstanding winning performance," the Black Dyke Director of Music confirmed.

"All the banding basics were firmly in place. They produced a good balanced sound, the soloists were excellent and the music had flow and clarity. The MD did a great job with a very impressive band."

Criticism

Although Neville Buxton’s arrangement of Arthur Sullivan’s ‘In Memoriam’ had come in for a great deal of criticism from competitors due to the huge list of errata that had to be published almost up to the contest day, all 15 bands gave the judges plenty of solid musical performances to enjoy.

"The piece certainly did its job," Dr Childs added. "We were able to clearly define the best bands from the rest, although each gave performances of merit."

Early marker

The early contest marker was provided by North West rivals Whitworth Vale & Healey under John Binns as they claimed their third consecutive top six finish at the contest, whilst the final podium place and the ‘Highest Placed Mining Band’ award went to the rejuvenated Yorkshire contender Old Silkstone conducted by Simon Kerwin.

Behind them, the final top six places were claimed by Middleton, Cornerstone Brass, who captured a second successive top six finish, and 2010 winners Northfleet Brass.

Third Section:

Although the severe weather claimed two competitors before a note was blown in the Third Section, the remaining 11 bands certainly gave adjudicators Kevin Wadsworth and Chad Shoopman plenty to ponder and enjoy on Philip Harper’s ‘A Gallimaufry Suite’ – none more so than winners Boarshurst Silver conducted by David Ashworth.

Second success

The North West outfit claimed their second successive Butlins title and the £2,000 first prize with a rendition that certainly captured the varied musical styles of the work to a tee.

Kevin Wadsworth told 4BR: "As usual, the top two or three bands sorted themselves out easily, and the winners were excellent. The rest though surprisingly found great difficulty in handling beats 3 & 4 in the 10/8 section without rushing, and the same in beat 3 of the 8/8 bars."

Red Books

He also added that more work on good brass banding basics could have helped a few band’s chances. "The slow quiet quartet marked at the piano dynamic in the third movement was too much of a challenge to most.

A lot of bands need to return to the famous ‘Red Books’, as generally they no longer strive to play slowly and quietly. Too many seemed to have a mezzo forte default mode."

Supportive

Despite the reservations Kevin revealed that the overall standard certainly impressed his American colleague in the box.

"We had a great time, and Chad was also very supportive of all the bands efforts. He’s a great guy – informed, knowledgeable and blessed with an understanding of Yorkshire humour too!"

The success for the champions also seemed to be based on just what the judges were looking for, as Dave Ashworth later told 4BR: "There’s no real secret – just commitment, hard work, and reading about the type of criteria ABBA places on their judge’s to look out for."

Runners up

Adherence to good banding basic saw Hucknall & Linby claim the runner up spot for the second time in three years under the baton of Paul Whyley, whilst Eccles Borough also claimed their second podium finish in three years under Marieka Gray.

Behind them, the rhythmic and dynamic problems started to mar performances, but in the end the judges found plenty to enjoy with the top six finishers of 2012 runner-up Stamford Brass, Houghton Brass and Dronfield MW.

Fourth Section:

It was a question of who could beat the number 1 band — both before and after in the Fourth Section — as reigning champion Coppull & Standish produced a cracking account of, ‘A Saddleworth Festival Overture’ to retain their Butlins title under the baton of Matt Stringer.

Tremendous performance

"It was a tremendous performance,” said adjudicator David Thornton, who was in the box with composer Alan Fernie.

David also revealed that the duo found they referred back to the number 1 band time and again throughout the contest, as rivals came close but not close enough to deny the North West outfit a second successive victory.

Really impressed

"The overall standard was a bit mixed as you would expect at this level," David added. "However, the best bands really did provide us with very good performances – although none could quite touch the winners, who really impressed us."

Relaxed

He went on: "They sounded so relaxed and in control – so congratulations to the MD. The prize winners all produced good shows, although further down the results some did try to drag out the excitement with misplaced volume and pace.

The bands needed to have kept a check on the acoustic of the hall as it was lively and bright."

National

For the winners success came from the usual adherence to the basics: Band spokesperson Debbie Seddon told 4BR: "We work hard and enjoy ourselves, but the commitment the players show is second to none. Now we’re aiming to qualify for the National Finals and hopefully return here next year to make it a hat-trick."

Closest

The band that did eventually come closest to denying Coppull & Standish the £2,000 first prize was Pleasley Colliery Welfare off the number 12 draw.

The Midlanders claimed their second top three finish in three years under the direction of Keith Buxton, whilst a second successive third placed finish was gained by Whitwell Brass conducted by David Fretwell.

In what David Thornton described as a ‘good test of banding basics’ the set work managed to clearly separate the rest of the contenders out, with the final top six places going to the delighted Yorkshire challengers Markham Main, with Banovallum in fifth and debutants Great Yarmouth Brass in sixth.

Youth & Ensemble:

Whilst the top section bands provided their entertainment on Sunday, in the adjoining Reds Theatre, there was plenty to sit back and enjoy in the Youth and Ensemble contests.

In the Youth Section, the £1,000 first prize once again headed back to the home of Youth Brass 2000 under the direction of Chris Jeans, as they produced a sparkling set to retain their title ahead of St Helen’s Youth and Wardle High School.

Meanwhile, in the Junior Ensemble Section, it was Wardle High School, conducted by Lee Rigg that took the honours ahead of defending champion Youth Brass 1000 and third placed Shirland Training.

Retrospectives

Due to the severe weather, 4BR was unable to provide our usual comprehensive coverage of each section at the Butlins Festival this year. As a result we will only be able to produce full retrospectives of the Championship and Youth events later this week.

Iwan Fox

I sat back enthralled. Top quality playing.... A tour de force to closeEntertainment remarks of David Read MBE on Virtuosi GUS

Championship Section:

Set Work & Entertainment
Test Piece: 'A Tale as Yet Untold' (Philip Sparke)
Adjudicators: David Read MBE (Set & Ent), Dr Robert Childs (Set), Michael Fowles (Ent)

(Set Test/Entertainment) = Total

1. Virtuosi GUS (John Berryman) 1st/1st = 2
2. Flowers (Paul Holland) 2nd/2nd = 4
3. Carlton Main Frickley Colliery (Leigh Baker) 4th/4th = 8
4. Desford Colliery (Russell Gray) 6th/3rd = 9
5. Thoresby Colliery (Brian Grant) 5th/6th = 11
6. Marsden Silver Prize (Glyn Williams) 7th/5th = 12
7. Woodfalls (Paul Lovatt-Cooper) 3rd/11th = 14
8. Redbridge Brass (Jeremy Wise) 8th/7th = 15
9. East Yorkshire Motor Services (Alan Morrison) 10th/9th = 19
10. Unite the Union (Derek Renshaw) 9th*/ 12th = 21
11. Wingates (Andrew Berryman) 11th*/10th = 21
12. East London Brass (Jayne Murrill) 13th*/8th = 21
13. Yorkshire Imperial Urquhart Travel (David Nesbitt) 12th/13th = 25

Withdrew: Jackfield (Elcock Reisen) (Simon Platford)

* Position on set work takes precedent

William Lippeatt Memorial Trophy for Highest Placed Mining Band:
Carlton Main Frickley Colliery
Most Entertaining Band: Flowers
Geoff Dove Soloist Award: Kirsty Abbotts (Cornet) Carlton Main Frickley Colliery

First Section:

Saturday 19th January
Venue: Reds

Test Piece: 'Ad Undas'(To the Waves) — Gareth Churcher
Adjudicators: Paul Cosh & Michael Fowles

1. Drighlington (Jim Davies)
2. Morecambe (Andrew Warriner)
3. Becontree Brass (Adam Cooke)
4. Hebden Bridge (Alan Hobbins)
5. Sandhurst Silver (Ian McElligott)
6. Uppermill (Paul Andrews)
7. Thundersley Brass (John Ward)
8. Haslingden & Helmshore (David Holland)
9. Longridge (Mark Peacock)
10. GT Group Peterlee (Joe Cook)
11. Haverhill Silver (Mark Ager)
12. Stannington Brass (Geoff Hawley)
13. Shirebrook Miner's Welfare (Mark Wilcockson)
14= Kippax (David Lancaster)
14= Soham Comrades (Keith Schroter)
16. Kidlington Concert Brass (Duncan Wilson)
17= Bedworth Brass (Jason Glyn)
17= Vernon Building Society Poynton (Colin Short)
19. Broxburn & Livingston (Charlie Farren)
20 Foresters Brass 2000 (Peter Collins)
21 Ipswich & Norwich Coop (Ian Johnson)
22 Cawston (Leigh Sharpe)
23= Blidworth Welfare, (Martin Heartfield)
23= Haydock, (Mark Quinn),
25= Carlton Brass, (Simon Gresswell)
25= Leicester Coop SMW, (Graham Jacklin)

Withdrew: Harborough (Chris Groom)

Highest Placed Mining Band: GT Group Peterlee (Joe Cook)

Second Section:

Saturday 19th January
Venue: Lakeside

Test Piece: 'In Memoriam' — arr. Neville Buxton
Adjudicators: Dr Nicholas Childs and Paul Norley

1. Mossley (Duncan Byers)
2. Whitworth Vale & Healey (John Binns)
3. Old Sikstone (Simon Kerwin)
4. Middleton (Martyn Evans)
5. Cornerstone Brass (Damian Wileman)
6. Northfleet Brass (Melvin White)
7. Fulham Brass (Rob Richardson)
8. Crofton Silver (Kevin Belcher)
9. Ibstock Brick Brass (Huw Thomas)
10. Dodworth MW (Eliot J Darwin)
11. Pemberton Old Wigan DW 'B' (Peter Ashley)
12. NW Ellington Colliery (Jonathon Fenwick)
13. Shirland Welfare (Marie Smith)
14. Chalgrove (Terry Brotherhood)
15. St Albans City (Phillip Littlemore)

Withdrawn: Amington (Wesley Kendrick); Murton Colliery (John Pearson); Towcester Studio (Kevin Steward)

Highest Placed Mining Band: Old Sikstone (Simon Kerwin)

Third Section:

Saturday 19th January
Venue: Royal Arthur Suite

Test Piece: 'A Gallimaufry Suite' — Philip Harper
Adjudicators: Chad Shoopman & Kevin Wadsworth

1. Boarshurst Silver (David Ashworth)
2. Hucknall & Linby Brass (Paul Whyley)
3. Eccles Borough (Marieka Gray)
4. Stamford Brass (Robert Prew)
5. Houghton Brass (Ian Langthorn)
6. Dronfield CMW (John Davis)
7. Kingsway Printers Cleethorpes (Steve Askew)
8. Foss Dyke (Ewan Robson)
9. Dinnington Colliery (Jonathon Beatty)
10. Brighton & Hove City (Matthew Hackett)
11. Heyl Town (Stuart Chappell)

Withdrawn: Hemel Hempstead (Philip Fisher); Tewkesbury Town (Nigel Morgan)

Highest Placed Mining Band: Hucknall & Linby Brass (Paul Whyley)

Fourth Section:

Saturday 19 January
Venue: Crazy Horse Theatre

Test Piece: 'A Saddleworth Festival Overture' — Dr Goff Richards
Adjudicators: Alan Fernie and David Thornton

1. Coppull & Standish (Matt Stringer)
2. Pleasley Colliery Welfare (Keith Buxton)
3. Whitwell Brass (David Fretwell)
4. Markham Main Colliery (Robert Woofinden)
5. Banovallum Brass (Steve Ingham)
6. Great Yarmouth Brass (Colin SWaep)
7. Maltby Miners Welfare (Terry Clifford)
8. Greenfield (Tom Haslam)
9. Market Rasen RPC (Alan Needham)
10. Thoresby Colliery Youth (Christine Lippeatt)
11. Melton (Graham Sutton)
12. Deepcar Brass (Lindon Bolt)
13. Jayess Newbiggin Brass (Andrew Griffiths)
14. Woodbridge Excelsior (Chris Lewis-Garnham)
15. Thurcroft Welfare (Garry Hallas)
16. Royston Town (Steve Earley)
17. Burbage Silver (Edwin Stinton)

Withdrawn: Ellenbrook & Boothstown (Craig Mann)

Highest Placed Mining Band: Coppull & Standish (Matt Stringer)

Youth Section:

Sunday 20th January 2012
Venue: Reds

Programme of music not to exceed 20 minutes but must include a march and hymn tune.

Adjudicator: Gordon Higginbottom

1. Youth Brass 2000 (Chris Jeans)
2. St Helen's Youth (Anna Hughes Williams)
3. Wardle High School (Lee Rigg)
4. Enderby Youth (Trevor Hounsome)
5. Gresley Colliery Youth (Sam Wyne)
6. Shirland Training Youth (Dave Harvey)
7. Croft Mid Band (Ian Bromley)

Junior Ensemble:

Sunday 20th January 2012
Venue: Reds

Own Choice programme

Adjudicator: Gordon Higginbottom

1. Wardle High School (Lee Rigg)
2. Youth Brass 1000 (Adele Hudson)
3. Shirland Training (Dave Harvey)
4. Silver Sounds (Roy Duncan)
5. Thurcroft Welfare Training Band (Ken Vernon)