With a performance of ‘Harmony Music’ that according to the adjudicator Mike Kilroy contained ‘real drive and sense of direction’ Oldham (Lees) Band took the engraved glass trophy and £400 first prize to be crowned 2013 Brass at the Guild champions in Preston on Sunday.

Cheered

Mike Kilroy also felt it was, ’a performance with real enjoyment’, as it gave the North West band the honours over the strong challenge of Yorkshire rivals Skelmanthorpe conducted by John Roberts.

You could sense the feeling of real enjoyment too as MD John Collins took the stage to shake hands with the adjudicator whilst his band cheered to the rafters in the auditorium.

Although disappointed to have been beaten Skelmanthorpe will have taken home with them plenty of encouragement ahead of their Area challenge in Bradford, as they delivered a solid account of Philip Sparke’s masterful work that featured some excellent solo playing – especially from their principal cornet who won the ‘Best Soloist’ prize.

Brass Triumphant

In the First Section, there was a victory for Yorkshire as Knottingley Silver conducted by Dr Owen Wedgewood were certainly ‘Brass Triumphant’ in a performance that sought out the ‘structural strength in the dynamic and tonal colours’ according to adjudicator Derek Broadbent.

It proved good enough to repel the strong challenge of second placed Morecombe who produced a fine account of the Butlins set work, ‘Ad Undas – to the waves’ with Flixton’s ‘Brass Triumphant’ in third.

Memorable Pemberton

In the Second Section a fine account of the Butlins set work, ‘In Memoriam’ gave Pemberton Old Wigan DW conducted by Pete Ashley the honours ahead of a brace of fine renditions of ‘The Plantagenets’ from second placed Eccleston with Tyldesley in third.

Stand Out

Coppull & Standish continued their winning start to the 2013 contesting season with a stand out performance of the Butlins set work ‘A Saddleworth Festival Overture’ to claim the £400 first prize and set the band up with plenty of confidence ahead of the North West Regional Championships in a few weeks time.

MD Matt Stringer led his band with real verve and energy, with their principal cornet on prize winning form to repel the strong challenge of Ifton Colliery, playing the regional work ‘Devon Fantasy’ and Greenfield who chose the Butlins piece to finish third.

Good standard

Once again Brass at the Guild proved to be contest that provided a fine day out and plenty of excellent playing.

As Frank Hodges told 4BR: "I would like to congratulate all those bands who took part and to thank hugely, all my team of volunteers involved in the organisation of the day. Furthermore I would also like to thank those people who helped with sponsorship in these difficult financial times."

It was a point reiterated from the platform at the announcement of the results before Oldham (Lees) began to party in their seats.

John James

You could sense the feeling of real enjoyment too as MD John Collins took the stage to shake hands with the adjudicator whilst his band cheered to the rafters in the auditorium4BR

Results:

Championship Section:
Test Pieces: Harmony Music (Philip Sparke) or A Tale as Yet Untold (Philip Sparke)
Adjudicator: Mike Kilroy

1. Oldham (Lees) (John Collins)
2. Skelmanthorpe (John Roberts)
Withdrawn: Hammonds Saltaire (Morgan Griffiths)

Solo Prize: Solo Cornet — Skelmanthorpe

First Section:
Test Pieces: Brass Triumphant (Gareth Wood) or 'Ad Undas' — 'to the waves' (Gareth Churcher)
Adjudicator: Derek. M. Broadbent

1. Knottingley Silver (Dr Owen Wedgwood)
2. Morecambe (Andrew Warriner)
3. Flixton (Stephen Curtis)
4. Longridge (Mark Peacock)
5. Harrogate (Craig Ratcliffe)
6. Haydock (Mark Quinn)
7. Barnsley Chronicle (Grenville Moore)
8. Haslingden & Helmshore (David Holland)
9. Hebden Bridge (Alan Hobbins)
10. Hade Edge (Simon Wood)

Solo Prize: Euphonium — Knottingley Silver

Second Section:

Test Pieces: The Plantagenets (Edward Gregson) or In Memorium (Neville Buxton)
Adjudicator: Gordon Higginbottom

1. Pemberton Old Wigan DW ‘B' (Peter Ashley)
2. Eccleston Brass (Daniel Brooks)
3. Tyldesley (Rob Taylor)
4. Farnworth & Walkden (Peter Ashley)
5. Hoover Bolton (Trevor Halliwell)
6. Besses Boys (James Holt)
7. Royal Buckley Town (Scott Lloyd)

Soloist: Farnworth & Walkden

Third Section:

Test Pieces: Hollywood! (Goff Richards) or A Gallimaufry Suite (Philip Harper)
Adjudicator: Mark Wilkinson

1. Trinity Girls (Stuart Barton)
2. Skelmersdale (David Chapman)
3. Eagley (Matthew Ryan)
4. Littleborough (Adrian Woodhead)
5. Skelmanthorpe B (Phil Garlick)
6. Old Hall Brass (John North)
7. Golborne Brass (Paul Andrews)
8. Lostock Hall Memorial (Graham Martin)

Fourth Section:

Test Pieces: Devon Fantasy (Eric Ball) or A Saddleworth Festival Overture (Goff Richards)
Adjudicator: Mike Kilroy

1. Coppull & Standish (Matt Stringer)
2. Ifton Colliery (Stephen Curtis)
3. Greenfield (Tom Haslam)
4. Blackley (Dan Price)
5. Lees (John Collins)
6. Sale Brass (John Dickinson)
7. Tarleton Brass (Gillian Bould)

Solo Prize: Solo Cornet — Coppull & Standish