If any pre-contest sceptics needed confirmation of the strength in depth to the Welsh challenge in each of the four sections at Cheltenham on the weekend, it came courtesy of a startling winning performance from Goodwick Brass.
Imposing
Packed with young players and on their fourth consecutive National Finals appearance under the baton of Matthew Jenkins, they finally completed their podium collection of honours with an imposing Second Section victory on the test piece, ‘Purcell Variations’.
After coming second and third in the Third Section in 2010 and 2011, and tenth last year at this level, the rapidly maturing West Wales band delivered a title clinching performance that according to the judges, ‘stood apart’ from seventeen rivals.
Only an outstanding performance from Bilton Silver (Rugby) pushed them close, as in local betting parlance the top two runners ended a few lengths clear of third placed Swindon Pegasus Brass and the top six finishers of Middleton, City of Cardiff (Melingriffth) 2 and Epsom & Ewell.
Speechless
The winning MD was almost speechless as he led his players out onto the main grandstand at Cheltenham racecourse to have his picture taken with the National Trophy finally in his grasp.
"It’s hard to put into words," he eventually said.
"I knew we could play this piece well, but the feeling on stage was amazing. At the end I think we all knew we couldn’t have played any better."
His young players, nearly all of whom have come under this inspirational teaching and direction in the last few years, certainly weren’t as choked by emotion as their high pitched celebratory cheers rang out.
"It’s brilliant," their talented soprano player Ffion Williams said. "Matthew is a great conductor and we all wanted to win this for him."
Tears
There were however more than a few tears in the eyes of older members and supporters, with bass player Tony Evans summing up their feelings.
"We have been close to winning before, but this tops everything. Matthew is a wonderful conductor and has rejuvenated our band, bringing on so many talented young players.
It’s wonderful just to be a part of it and seeing so much enjoyment they have in playing in a brass band."
Fourth time lucky
The players and supporters of Bilton Silver (Rugby) will now hope that it will be fourth time lucky for them in 2014, as they left Cheltenham as runner-up for the second consecutive year.
A high class performance under David Stowell’s experienced direction off the number 5 draw set a demanding marker to beat, with solo horn player Paul Bennett also winning the ‘Best Instrumentalist’ award for the second year running.
However, it wasn’t to be as Goodwick surged past them as band number 11 to snatch the title from their grasp.
Spare
The judges confirmed that the top two bands ended ahead of the rest of the field with a little something to spare.
"Lots of the bands today played two or three of the variations very well, but lacked overall consistency," David Hirst revealed.
"The top two delivered very fine performances and there was some wonderful horn playing on show, especially from the best soloist award winner. But it was the ensemble playing from the other bands that gave us more cause for concern."
He added: "Some of the slower sections needed more flow, whilst in contrast some of the quicker sections went too fast. This was music that had to be played in a graceful manner, and the winners certainly stood apart in that."
Refinement
Glyn Williams agreed, and felt that many MDs failed to capture the grazioso feel of much of the music.
"There was plenty of solid playing, but only the best played with the refinement required – especially with the grazioso marking."
He added: "The bottom six or so bands really struggled and the midfield finishers were inconsistent. The top two bands were excellent and there were some good performances behind them, but it was the style of the winners that really stood out."
Early marker
The early contest marker was set by the Scots of Unison Kinneil, who eventually finished seventh, with Bilton’s performance leading the way until Goodwick’s combination of ensemble excellence, solid soloists and the MDs musical refinement saw them take what proved to be an unassailable lead.
A delighted Swindon Pegasus Brass under Graeme Lewis claimed the final podium place as the last band of the contest thanks to their well worked rendition which pipped the bold North West challenge of Middleton directed by Martyn Evans.
Confirmation
Collective Welsh excellence was reinforced by a purposeful City of Cardiff (Melingriffith) ending fifth under Gareth Ritter, whilst there was further confirmation of the London Area’s own growing strength in depth with an impressive Epsom & Ewell directed by Jack Smith in sixth.
A confident Hitchin showed that they had also made the move up in class after winning the Third Section National title last year with a confident performance to come eighth, with Elland Silver and York Railway Institute completing the top ten finishers.
Further challenges now lie ahead for Goodwick as they contemplate playing the First Section in 2014, although it seems a young band is eager to add more titles to their remarkable CV.
"We have the Welsh League contest in Burry Port in a few weeks," Matthew Jenkins added. "And after that we will start work on getting back here for fifth time."
Iwan Fox
4BR editor Iwan Fox talks with winning MD Matthew Jenkins of Goodwick Brass following the announcement of the results
A full retrospective will appear on 4BR
I knew we could play this piece well, but the feeling on stage was amazing. At the end I think we all knew we couldn’t have played any betterMD, Matthew Jenkins
Results:
Saturday 21st September
Test Piece: 'Purcell Variations' — Kenneth Downie
Adjudicators: David Hirst & Glyn Williams
1. Goodwick Brass (Matthew Jenkins), 11
2. Bilton Silver (Rugby) (David Stowell), 5
3. Swindon Pegasus Brass (Graeme Lewis), 18
4. Middleton (Martyn Evans), 12
5. City of Cardiff (Mellingriffith) 2 (Gareth Ritter), 9
6. Epsom & Ewell Silver (Jack Smith), 10
7. Unison Kinneil (Craig Anderson), 2
8. Hitchin (Craig Patterson), 16
9. Elland Silver (Daniel Brooks), 13
10. York Railway Institute (Gordon Eddison), 4
11. Whitworth Vale & Healey (John Binns), 17
12. Pendennis Brass Falmouth (Steve Thomas), 15
13. Cornerstone Brass (Damien Wileman), 8
14. Ware (Philip Littlemore), 1
15. Wigston (Garry Sleath), 7
16. Bathgate (Andy Shaw), 14
17. Ripon City (Malcolm Dibb), 3
18. Hoover (Bolton) (Trevor Halliwell), 6
Best Instrumentalist: Paul Bennett (tenor horn) — Bilton Silver (Rugby)
