Welsh banding may well have enjoyed a trio of stunning contest successes at Cheltenham on the weekend, but it was the victory of yet another band from the London & Southern Counties Area that was possibly the most significant.
Watford Gap
LGB Brass (standing for Lewes, Glynde & Beddingham) claimed the Third Section title with a display of musical endeavour every bit as impressive as any that traditionalists have long believed only existed in competitors north, east or even west of the Watford Gap.
Best of the rest
In doing so they not only claimed the Area’s third national title in two years, but also defeated the best that the rest of the country could line up against them, as in the process they repelled Yorkshire’s runner-up Skelmanthorpe B, with Hawk Green from the North West in third.
Behind them came Midland champion Hucknall & Linby, Eccles from the North West and the West of England representative Bodmin.
The Welsh on this occasion were nowhere.
Parallel
As the contest was held at Cheltenham racecourse it was easy to draw a parallel between LGB’s victory, as pre-contest favourites fell by the wayside on Simon Dobson’s evocative set work ‘Penlee’, to the famous 100/1 shot Norton’s Coin, who famously won the Gold Cup here in 1990.
However, in the opinion of the judges Simone Rebello and Steve Pritchard-Jones, there was no surprise about how LGB Brass eventually claimed the title off the number 15 draw – although it must be said, they didn’t exactly give much of an idea of how with their remarks before the announcement of the results.
More forthcoming
Speaking later to 4BR, Steve Pritchard-Jones was more forthcoming than his rather bland opinion that ‘each band had their moments on a piece that had a very clear meaning’, which he rather cautiously summed up things from the stage.
"There was a lot of good playing on show on today," he said.
"But the problems came with getting the basics right first, then trying to add the extra sense of emotion and atmosphere to the music.
Some MDs tried to do things the other way around and as a result poor intonation and rhythmic inaccuracies were pretty common."
He added: "It was close at the top, but the winners had the basics in place and were able to bring those extra elements into play. It was a very good performance that told the story with atmosphere and emotion."
Facets
Simone Rebello was more forthcoming, emphasising that there ‘were so many facets to consider’ on the work.
She later told 4BR: "We were looking for expressive playing, but playing that was rhythmically accurate, had balance between solo and ensemble lines and was dynamically coherent.
The percussion playing was generally very good and added a great deal of texture and colour to performances, but it was the best bands, and the winners in particular, who were able to blend all these things together to bring the storyline to life."
Joyous celebration
Despite the tragic ‘Penlee’ tale, there was a true feeling of joyous celebration as the LGB players (accompanied by their tiny Barbie Doll mascot, curiously called Gilbert Vinter) lined up to have their picture taken with the National Trophy.
MD Ian Stewart summed up collective feelings succinctly when asked what winning meant to the band.
"Just look at them," he replied, with a smile that looked as if it would never leave his face.
"All that hard work and commitment has paid off. It’s a great day in the band’s history. It’s been an honour to conduct them today."
He also added that he felt the band could have possibly played even better too.
"There were just a couple of little moments, but I’m sure all bands had those today. I don’t think you can ever complain if you end up winning a National title though."
Wonderful job
With him was well known conductor and composer Dennis Wilby, who had been persuaded to bring his cornet playing skills out of retirement after a 15 year break to play with the band.
"It’s fantastic," he said. "Ian does such a wonderful job, getting the basics in place and then being able to bring out the music from the score. I’ve had a great time playing again and it’s been down to playing with some wonderful people here at LGB Brass."
Early markers
The contest itself took a little while to find favour in the box, although a number of early performances certainly made a mark in the hall.
However, the likes of Marple, Pontypool Brass, Dronfield and in particular, St Ronan’s from Scotland were left to ponder just what they had done so wrong as to find themselves out of the prizes, and in some cases, down towards the bottom of the eventual results table.
Connection
Instead, Bodmin’s close geographical and emotional connection to the work certainly showed as they produced a fine account under John Maines to end in sixth off the early number 4 draw.
Soon after Hawk Green also produced a dramatic rendition under Neil Hewson to eventually finish third, whilst Eccles Borough left their challenge too late under Marieka Gray as they claimed fifth.
An untidy first half of the piece gave way to perhaps the best second section and ending of the whole day.
Atmospheric
With runner-up Skelmanthorpe B producing an atmospheric account under Philip Garlick that was only beaten by the eventual winners a couple of bands later, and a strong last band performance by Hucknall & Linby under Paul Whyley to end fourth, the destination of the National title was certainly no forgone conclusion until the announcement of the winners by compere Dave Hayward.
Hucknall's principal cornet player Emma Walton took the 'Best Instrumentalist' award for her outstanding playing.
Heart beat
Even in the seconds before the winners were announced, more than a few bands found their heart beats rising in expectation of possible glory.
However, it was the name of the London & Southern Counties band that came from his lips, and the celebrations began for LGB Brass as they started to immediately enjoy the feeling of being crowned National Champion.
As one player told 4BR: "It doesn’t get better than this."
Iwan Fox
A full retrospective will appear on 4BR
Video: The Third Section results are announced
4BR editor Iwan Fox talks with winning MD Ian Stewart of LGB Brass following the announcement of the results
All that hard work and commitment has paid off. It’s a great day in the band’s history. It’s been an honour to conduct them todayWinning MD, Ian Stewart
Results:
Sunday 23rd September
Test Piece: 'Penlee' — Simon Dobson
Adjudicators: Simone Rebello & Steve Pritchard-Jones
1. LGB Brass (Ian Stewart), 15
2. Skelmanthorpe B (Philip Garlick), 13
3. Hawk Green (Neil Hewson), 6
4. Hucknall & Lingby MC Brass (Paul Whyley), 17
5. Eccles Borough (Mareika Gray), 11
6. Bodmin Town (John Maines), 4
7. East Riding of Yorkshire (Ian Scott), 3
8. Shipston Town (Howard Gibbs), 16
9. St Ronan's Silver (Chris Bradley), 5
10. Wotton & District Silver (Ian Dickenson), 1
11. Ireland Colliery Chesterfield (Ian Knapton), 12
12. Amersham (Paul Fisher), 14
13. Severn Tunnel (Christopher Bond), 7
14. Marple (Les Webb), 2
15. Pontypool Brass (Owen Farr), 9
16. Dronfield Genquip (John Davis), 8
17. NASUWT Concert (Bryan Tait), 10
Best Instrumentalist: Emma Walton (cornet) — Hucknall & Lindby
