Darwen Brass has been celebrating a hat trick of successes at the recent Northern Open Contest in St Helens.

Hat trick

The band won the Third Section event to claim the Northern Open Trophy and £400 first prize with a outstanding performance of ‘Portrait of a City’ by Philip Sparke, with soprano player Mandy Pickles winning the ‘Best Soloist’ award and MD Steve Hartley picking up the ‘Winning Conductor’ trophy.

Delighted

Steve told 4BR: "We are all delighted with the result, which follows on from our second place at Fleetwood on the same piece. It also sets us up nicely as we prepare for Butlins and the Area contest next year."

He added: "The band played an exciting, confident performance, and all our soloists were complimented by the adjudicator in his remarks.

Special mention should go to Mandy. She is a class act, and I’m so pleased that this was reflected with this award."

The band played an exciting, confident performance, and all our soloists were complimented by the adjudicator in his remarksMD, Steve Hartley

18th time

The victory was the eighteenth time the band formed in 2007 has claimed a podium prize and came after they had to overcome smoke damage to their bandroom following a recent accident.