The Yorkshire Regional Championship certainly lived up to its reputation for producing some of the most dramatic contesting theatre in the world, as Carlton Main Frickley finally emerged from the wings to claim its first Area title for 14 years at St George’s Hall late on Sunday night.
Shock climax
They produced the shock climax to an engrossing weekend in Bradford, as Phillip McCann led them to their first Area success since 1999 – and only their fifth since their first in 1957: It was little wonder a young band was loathe to vacate the famous St George’s Hall stage, even when the house staff were preparing to shut off the lights to the auditorium.
Gasp
In contrast, the Albert Hall lights were certainly shut off for Black Dyke, as the announcement of the European champions sixth place finish was greeted with an appropriate theatrical gasp of disbelief from the packed audience.
Their powerful performance off the number 4 draw was pockmarked with minor errors, with judges Nigel Boddice MBE and Rob Wiffen placing it immediately behind a bold account from a confident Hepworth, who drew before them, and Rothwell Temperance, who closed the contest with a persuasive rendition as the last of the 13 contenders.
Drama
With the main solo prizes going to Roger Webster as ‘Best Principal Cornet’, Andrew Bannister of Brighouse & Rastrick as ‘Best Soprano’ and Carlton Main’s euphonium player Toni Howden as ‘Best Instrumentalist’, the top three dramatically fell into place.
Grimethorpe’s return to contest form (and the Albert Hall) saw an elegant rendition under Belgian conductor rewarded with third, with an emotively controlled reading from Professor David King seeing Brighouse & Rastrick claim the runner up spot for the second year running.
Enduring spirit
Then came the announcement of the winners; with Ray Sykes – the very embodiment of Carlton Main’s enduring spirit, joyously grasping the People Challenge Trophy as the players raced onto the stage to start their celebrations.
A few moments later, Phillip McCann joined them for what promised to be a memorable night, telling 4BR that he found inspiration in producing a winning performance of ‘Harmony Music’ from his great Black Dyke mentor, the late Major Peter Parkes.
Helping hand
“I felt I had a helping hand,” he said. “I learnt so much from him: I felt he was with me today, as I tried to replicate what he told me about the piece – especially the ethereal, undefined edges of the Ravel, which he once said were like looking at music through a nylon curtain.”
It was certainly an approach that resonated in the box, as Nigel Boddice later revealed. “It was an incredible standard today, so we were more interested in the drama and theatre of the music making – especially the ethereal quality of the middle section.
The best bands – and the winners in particular did this, whilst others were less consistent.”
Maslow
It was a point enhanced by Rob Wiffen with his contesting analogy of Maslow’s pyramid of hierarchical needs.
“At the base we considered all the basics, whilst at the top we had the interpretations. Some bands didn’t get all the basics in place and as a result the interpretations suffered somewhat.”
Those errors came thick and fast in places as ‘Harmony Music’ bared its teeth with a number of bands barely coming within striking distance of mastering its fearsome challenges.
Hard graft
There was however further encouragement for Skelmanthorpe as they led home a hard grafting top ten of Marsden, Yorkshire Imps and Hammonds.
Behind then came a trio of performances from Unite, Wakefield and Meltham that certainly found Philip Sparke’s set work an immense challenge.
First Section:
There may have been slightly less intense drama filling the contesting atmosphere in the First Section as the 12 contenders produced performances of note on Gareth Wood’s ‘Brass Triumphant’.
In the end the in-form duo of Hebden Bridge and Drighlington booked their place at Cheltenham after delivering quality accounts that caught the ears of Dr Robert Childs and Chris Wormald in the box.
A clear margin
Both told that audience that they were in complete agreement about all 12 places on the day – with Hebden Bridge producing a performance that in their opinion was ‘a clear margin’ ahead of the rest of the field.
Bob Childs told 4BR that the winners were outstanding. “They were able to produce the detail, control and contrast we were looking for,” he said. “They really captured the character of the music – it was outstanding.”
Chris Wormald agreed, adding that second placed Drighlington also impressed too.
“There were two very good performances – with the winners, very clear. We could hear every note in the box, and it was the clarity and balance of the top two, and the winners in particular, that stood out.”
Worked hard
An understandably delighted Alan Hobbins heaped praise on his band.
“We’ve worked so hard this year – from Butlins onwards in fact. The players really the music and bought into what I wanted to portray. Everyone is saying we have a really good band here now – and I think the players showed that today. I’m proud of them.”
Aided by the prize winning ‘Best Soloist’ contribution of euphonium Amy Smith, Hebden Bridge claimed their first Area title since 2005 to head to Cheltenham for the second time in four years.
Confident
They will be joined there by Drighlington, after the Butlins champion produced a confident rendition under the baton of Jim Davies to deny a third consecutive finals appearance for Lee Skipsey as he led a typically vivid account by City of Bradford.
Behind them came a clutch of well worked renditions, with South Yorkshire Police fourth, ahead of a delighted duo of Hatfield in fifth and Clifton & Lightcliffe in sixth.
Second Section:
Not surprisingly, Edward Gregson’s ‘The Plantagenets’ took its toll of the contenders in the Second Section – although a bold and colourful rendition from Cornerstone Brass, and a display of Yorkshire grit and determination from Elland Silver saw the duo claim their places at Cheltenham.
“It’s back to the drawing board for the less successful bands today,” Nigel Boddice remarked kindly before the announcement of the results, as one of the most experienced adjudicators in world banding openly acknowledged that this had been a most severe test of the 11 competitors.
PDSC
His acronym based analysis – PDSC – standing for Phrasing, Dynamics, Sound and Clarity, certainly shone a stark light onto the immense challenges faced — one that fellow judge Barry Thompson said he found tough even conducted by Elgar Howarth with Grimethorpe when it was used in the top section here in 1973.
“It has lost none of its immense difficulties,” he said.
Unique
That perhaps made Cornerstone’s maiden Yorkshire Area victory all the more remarkable, as MD Damien Wileman revealed that his rather unique ensemble only had six rehearsals on the piece.
“We are a band that cannot get together all that often due to our other commitments,” he said.
“So we work differently – doing a lot of individual preparation and using e-mail communication to help before we finally get rehearse together for the contest. It seems to work though!”
That was certainly the case as his confident band claimed the honours helped by an outstanding individual contribution from ‘Best Soloist’ Jim Ely on euphonium.
Deny
It proved enough to deny last year’s Third Section winner Elland Silver under David Essex, from making it a memorable ‘double’ – although there was no mistaking their delight at a second successive finals appearance.
A well constructed performance off the number 1 draw from Chapletown claimed the final podium slot, with determined renditions from Lindley, Strata and Old Silkstone completing the top six.
Behind them came a host of committed bands who certainly showed that the Gregson work will provide the sternest test of technique and contesting character around the country in the coming fortnight.
Third Section:
Sunday afternoon saw a commanding performance from Dronfield CMW under the direction of John Davis claim the ‘Hollywood’ inspired awards in the Third Section.
Clear winners
They were the clear winners on Goff Richards’s enjoyable set work in a contest that saw judges Steve Pritchard-Jones and Kevin Wadsworth deliver a surprise or two with their podium nominations.
A delighted Skelmanthorpe claimed their first finals appearance since 2008, whilst last year’s Fourth Section champion, Linthwaite was third.
“This is descriptive, rather unique music,” Kevin told the audience.
“I’m sure everyone enjoyed working on it, but it was difficult to get the balances right, to bring out the exceptional detail, to really secure the tuning and dynamics. Bands and soloists had to shed their inhibitions. Some performance were like ‘Death by Blockbuster’ at times.”
Style and control
Steve Pritchard Jones was in agreement. “It’s a very different, but very difficult test piece to play,” he added. “It’s all about style, control and relevant dynamics. The best bands certainly had that today, but others didn’t.”
John Davis was understandably as happy as any ‘Best Director’ Oscar winner when he spoke to 4BR: “It’s a great band to be involved with – they really are such wonderful people.
I know the piece very well and have worked on it before, so I knew what I wanted the band to portray. They did me proud today – and the future is very exciting for us.”
Outstanding
With both judges describing Dronfield’s performance as ‘outstanding’ and Skelmanthorpe B, as ‘very good’ – helped in no small part to a fine ‘Best Soloist’ contribution by trombonist Hannah Stell, there was a Roger Moore arched eyebrow or two on show in the hall with the announcement of Linthwaite in third.
On a piece that required a great deal of percussion detail and effect (one band took the stage with six players, with most contenders having at last three), they had just the one – although he did deliver a personal performance worthy of an Oscar nomination to help secure a second successive podium finish.
The remaining top six places on what was a contest of engaging musicality went to Wetherby in fourth, followed by Garforth and Dinnington.
Fourth Section:
There was plenty of high quality music making on display in the Fourth Section, where Eric Ball’s delicate musical portrait of 1950s West Country life was very well interpreted by the 11 contenders on Saturday morning.
Rich musicality
In the end, a fine rendition full of rich musicality and character from Barnsley Metropolitan conducted by Alex Francis claimed a long overdue finals appearance, where they will be joined by the equally impressive Gawthorpe Brass 85 conducted by John Edward.
Such was the standard that the judges revealed that they had taken their time over their decision with Steve Pritchard-Jones saying that that he and Mark Wilkinson had ‘big discussions’ over first and second places.
Very good standard
Aided by their prize winning percussion section, Barnsley certainly caught the ears in the box in a contest they felt was of a very good overall standard.
“It may be isn’t the most technically difficult piece,” Mark said, “But it is musically very difficult to play in the right style – and that’s what we really looked for. All the bands and their MDs brought something out of the score, and the winner and runner up were very good.”
Basics
Steve agreed: “This is a piece about the basics – and just about all the bands had those today. Perhaps that’s why we felt we wanted a bit more: Some bands were a little too safe, although the top two were excellent.”
With Thurcroft Welfare delivering a fine marker off the number 1 draw to come third under Garry Hallas, the remaining top six places went to Maltby Miners, Oughtibridge and Armthorpe Elmfield, whose principal cornet Alex Gibson took the ‘Best Soloist’ prize.
With another excellent bumper audience enjoying a contest weekend once again expertly run by Peggy Tomlinson and her team, there was little doubt the 2013 Regional Championships had got off to the most dramatic of starts.
I felt he was with me today, as I tried to replicate what he told me about the piece – especially the ethereal, undefined edges of the Ravel, which he once said were like looking at music through a nylon curtainPhillip McCann
Full Results:
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Championship Section:
Sunday 3rd March
Test Piece: 'Harmony Music' — Philip Sparke
Adjudicators: Nigel Boddice MBE & Rob Wiffin
1. Carlton Main Frickley (Phillip McCann), 9*
2. Brighouse & Rastrick (Prof. David King), 5**
3. Grimethorpe Colliery (Luc Vertommen), 11*
4. Rothwell Temperance (David Roberts), 13
5. Hepworth (Michael Fowles), 3
6. Black Dyke (Dr Nicholas Childs), 4
7. Skelmanthorpe (John Roberts), 10
8. Marsden Silver Prize (Glyn Williams), 8
9. Yorkshire Imperial Urquhart Travel (David Nesbitt), 2
10. Hammonds Saltaire (Morgan Griffiths), 7
11. Unite the Union (City of Sheffield) (Derek Renshaw), 12
12. Wakefield Metroplitan (Michael Howley), 1
13. Meltham & Meltham Mills (Norman Law), 6
** pre-qualified for National Finals
* Qualify for place at National Finals
Best Principal Cornet: Roger Webster (Grimethorpe)
Best Instrulmentalist: Toni Howdon (Euphonium) — Carlton Main
Best Soprano: Andrew Bannister (Brighouse & Rastrick)
Youngest Player: James Howard (14) — Yorkshire Imperial Urquhart Travel
First Section:
Sunday 3rd March
Test Piece: 'Brass Triumphant' — Gareth Wood
Adjudicators: Dr Robert Childs & Chris Wormald
1. Hebden Bridge (Alan Hobbins), 5*
2. Drighlington (Jim Davies), 6*
3. City of Bradford (Lee Skipsey), 3
4. South Yorkshire Police (Leigh Baker), 7
5. Hatfield (Graham O'Connor), 1
6. Clifton & Lightcliffe (John Clay), 2
7. Frickley/South Elmsall (Brian Rostron), 4
8. Hade Edge (Simon Wood), 9
9. Stannington (Geoff Hawley), 12
10. Barnsley Chronicle (Grenville Moore), 10
11. Knottingley Silver (Dr Owen Wedgewood), 8
12. Kippax (David Lancaster), 11
*Top 2 bands qualify for National finals
Best Soloist: Amy Smith (Euphonium) — Hebden Bridge
Youngest Player: Bronte Wilkinson (12), Kippax
Second Section:
Saturday 2nd March
Test Piece: 'The Plantagenets' — Edward Gregson
Adjudicators: Nigel Boddice MBE & Barry Thompson
1. Cornerstone Brass (Damian Wileman), 7*
2. Elland Silver (David Essex), 2*
3. Chapeltown (Andrew Dennis), 1
4. Lindley (Chis Lewis), 10
5. Strata Brass (David Holling), 5
6. Old Silkstone (Simon Kerwin), 11
7. Dodworth Colliery M.W. (Eliot Darwin), 6
8. Horbury Victoria (Duncan Beckley), 4
9. Emley (Garry Hallas), 8
10. Crofton Silver (Kevin Belcher), 9
11. Slaithwaite (Tabby Clegg), 3
*Top 2 bands qualify for National finals
Best Soloist: Jim Ely (Euphonium) — Cornerstone Brass
Youngest Player: Harry Stobbart (12) — Elland Silver
Third Section:
Sunday 3rd March
Test Piece: 'Hollywood' — Goff Richards
Adjudicators: Steve Pritchard-Jones & Kevin Wadsworth
1. Dronfield CMW (John Davis), 6*
2. Skelmanthorpe 'B' (Philip Garlick), 4*
3. Linthwaite (Tony Jaegar-Fozzard), 9
4. Wetherby District Silver (Alan Seymour), 3
5. Garforth (Steven Bailey), 10
6. Dinnington Colliery (Jonathan Beatty), 7
7. Lofthouse 2000 (Andrew Whitaker), 5
8. Huddersfield & Ripponden (David Ashworth), 1
9. Worsbrough Brass (John K Hopkinson), 11
10. Friendly Band (Sowerby Bridge) (Alan Widdop), 8
11. Rockingham (Rob Straw), 2
*Top 2 qualify for National Finals
Best Soloist: Hannah Stell (Trombone) — Skelmanthorpe 'B'
Youngest Player: Adam Carpenter (10) Skelmanthorpe 'B'
Fourth Section:
Saturday 2nd March
Test Piece: 'A Devon Fantasy' — Eric Ball
Adjudicators: Steve Pritchard-Jones & Mark Wilkinson
1. Barnsley Metropolitan (Alex Francis), 3*
2. Gawthorpe Brass '85 (John Edward), 7*
3. Thurcroft Welfare (Garry Hallas), 1
4. Maltby Miners Welfare (Terry Clifford), 10
5. Oughtibridge (Gavin Somerset) 4
6. Armthorpe Elmfield (Haydn Griffiths MBE),6
7. Clifton & Lightcliffe 'B' (John Clay), 11
8. Deepcar (Lindon Bolt), 2
9. Wilsden (Stuart Derrick), 5
10. Markham Main Colliery (Robert Wiffenden), 8
11. Yorkshire Traction Honley (Adrian Lowes), 9
*Top 2 qualify for National Finals
Best Soloist: Alex Gibson (Principal Cornet) — Armthorpe Elmfield
Percussion Section: Barnsley Metroplitan
Youngest Player: Stephanie White (10) — Clifton & Lightcliffe B
