The cry of 'Yorkshire! Yorkshire!' was heard ringing around The Great Hall of Lancaster University on the weekend as Huddersfield University Band conducted by Jonathan Beatty started to celebrate being crowned 2013 UniBrass National Champions.

Appropriate

It proved to be an appropriate champion chant too, as the talented students enjoyed the opportunity to gain the all important bragging rights to take into what was likely to be a long night of partying.

9 hours

Earlier, a record entry of 14 bands provided over nine hours of entertainment for an enthusiastic audience as well as adjudicators David Horsfield (Music), David Childs (Entertainment) and David Ashworth, who was present as part of the ABBA professional development training scheme.

Both David Horsfield and David Childs spoke with appreciation about the competitor’s efforts, with the music judge reminding them how lucky they were to be at educational establishments that gave them the opportunity to compete at an event such as this.

Usual boring stuff

From a contesting aspect, he also reminded them that he was looking for all the 'usual boring stuff', such as tuning, intonation and good ensemble playing, adding that in his opinion ‘there had been a wide-spectrum of playing'.

A thoroughly ‘entertained’ David Childs added that the criteria given to him by the organisers included aspects such as 'staging and presentation', 'originality', 'entertainment value' and 'programme content', but reminded the players and MDs that progamme balance as still of vital importance.

Cracking Terriers

Huddersfield took to the stage immediately after the lunch break, and the ‘Terriers’ (the nickname of their local football team – not lost on David Horsfield) delivered a cracking programme that left everyone in no doubt that they were the band to beat.

A sparkling account of Paul Lovatt-Cooper's 'Enter the Galaxies' was followed by a delightfully controlled performance of the Miner's hymn, 'Gresford', which featured a quartet at the side of the side and a cornet player perched on the balcony of the fine hall.

Superb

A well-paced march, 'Mephistopheles', was followed by xylophonists Joseph Whelan & Taneli Clarke communicating superbly with the audience (and judges) in Sandy Smith's 'Lizteria' to give them the ‘Best Solo/Feature’ award.

The winning programme was topped off with an impressive performance of the ‘Finale’ of Saint-Saens 'Organ Symphony'.

Preparation and thought

MD, Jonathan Beatty was naturally delighted when he spoke to 4BR amid those first celebratory cries of championship winning delight.

"I'm absolutely thrilled for the band," he said. "They are a great bunch and have worked so hard in preparing for today – as the programme hasn't come together overnight."

He added: "Having come second last year, we were determined to go one better this time around. The programme really challenged the band – but that was good as it was a very much a two-way thing that benefitted everyone involved. I’m so pleased for them."

Jonathan also acknowledged the hard work that Phillip McCann had undertaken in preparing the band in recent weeks, adding: "Everyone owes Phillip a huge debt of thanks for his outstanding contribution."

Impressive debut

Contest debutants The University of Manchester had plenty to be pleased with as they claimed the runners up spot with a compact three item programme under the baton of Jonathan Evans.

Their delivery of Wilfred Heaton's quirky 'Praise' took the ‘Best March’ award, whilst they concluded their challenge with a well-judged account of Eric Ball's 'Resurgam'.

In third spot, came York University, who produced a colourful programme of musical contrasts that included the choreographed 'Just A Closer Walk with Thee', and a splendid cornet solo from Charlotte Heaven.

Student Award

Narrowly missing out on a top three spot was Cardiff University whose MD Martin Humphries was awarded the new 'Student Conductor' prize after he directed his band’s 'Postcards from Wales' programme.

Throughout the day, the event was streamed live over the internet by Lancaster University's in-house technical team of volunteers, and whilst the exact numbers are still to be confirmed, they believe they broke a new record for the audience viewing figures.

New records were broken on programme sales too, whilst once editing is completed, highlights of the event will appear on the UniBrass YouTube channel.

Masterclasses

After the very late night social that undoubtedly saw a few bleary eyes come Sunday morning, Bangor, Cardiff, Durham, Lancaster, Southampton and York Univerity Band’s shook off any lingering hangovers as they enjoyed a series of masterclasses from Leigh Baker, Richard Evans, Owen Farr and Lucy Pankhurst to round off a weekend which saw the bands sleep in the lecture theatres on Saturday night!

Off to Warwick

With this year’s event superbly organised and run with real efficiency and professionalism Chairperson, Rhian Davies announced that after three years the administrative baton would see the contest organised and held at the University of Warwick.

From a discussion down the pub in 2010, Rhian said she couldn't believe how the event had grown over the years and acknowledged the support now given by BBE (Brass Bands England) and The Arts Council.

The date for 2014 will be announced in due course.

Although exhausted after little sleep in preparation for the contest, Rhian, who is also completing a Phd in Maths at Lancaster couldn't really put into words to 4BR what the past three years had meant to her.

"We’ve all made so many friends. I can only thank everyone who has contributed in making UniBrass the event it now is."

Malcolm Wood

A retrospective of the contest will appear on 4BR later this week.

They are a great bunch and have worked so hard in preparing for today – as the programme hasn't come together overnightHuddersfield Uni MD, Jonathan Beatty

Results:

1. University of Huddersfield (Jonathan Beatty) — 144pts
2. University of Manchester (Jonathan Evans) — 141pts
3. University of York (Leo Conroy) — 140pts
4. University of Cardiff (Martin Humphries) — 139pts
5. University of Southampton (Daniel Laverick & Nicholas Bromilow) — 135pts
6. University of Warwick (Simon Hogg) — 130pts*
7. University of Lancaster (Christopher Osborn) — 130pts
8. University of Keele (John Watson) — 125pts
9. University of Hull (Ian Walshaw) — 121pts
10. University of Birmingham (Edward Mylechreest) — 120pts
11. University of Bangor (Meurig Jones) — 116pts
12. University of Oxford (Gareth Coulson) — 113pts
13. University of Cambridge (Tristan Harkcom) — 109pts
14. University of Durham (Dave Collins) — 108pts

*Music points take precedence

Best March: 'Praise' — Manchester University
Best Solo/Feature: 'Lizteria' — Huddersfield University
Most Entertaining Performance: Huddersfield University
Best Student Conductor: Martin Humphries — Cardiff University