Welsh banding continued its domination of UK contesting with Seindorf Beaumaris Youth crowned 2014 Action Medical Research Youth Entertainment Champions in Blackpool.
Celtic brilliance
Their Celtic inspired programme arranged by MD, Gwyn M Evans, was one of enormous maturity and musicianship, so much so that it left audience members shaking their heads in disbelief at the quality of the performance that unfolded before them.
Sing when you win
In addition to winning the prize for having the 'Best Euphonium Section', 16 year old cornet player, Pippa Scourse, also won the 'Best Soloist' award for her superb rendition of 'Carnival of Venice'.
With the Opera House stage echoing to the sound of Welsh celebratory singing, the MD was so lost for words that it was only on Monday that he told 4BR what the win meant to the band.
“It's an unbelievable achievement. I'm so proud of each and every one of them. The average age of the 47 players on stage was just 14 and 85% of them had never set foot on a contesting stage before Sunday, so I can't believe how well they performed. They were just fabulous."
Celtic theme
Gwyn also revealed how his 'Celtic' themed programme had come together.
"We were due to compete a year ago, but I'd had a period of ill-health so we could not make it.
I had the basis for the idea some time ago and have always been inspired by Norwegian music and the styles of Robin Dewhurst and Philip Sparke (the band's finale 'The Giant’s Wake' took its inspiration from 'Dundonnell' from 'Hymn of the Highlands').
I'm just delighted the programme came off and the audience loved it."
Carnival de Beaumaris
Making a real impression throughout was Beaumaris principal cornet, Pippa Scourse, who brought people to their feet followingr her flawless rendition of 'Carnival of Venice'.
Gwyn paid tribute to the 16 year old, who attends the Junior RNCM in Manchester, as well as being principal cornet of the National Youth Brass Band of Wales and a member of the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain.
"I'm lucky to have such a lovely, talented individual who works so hard at her playing and who never accepts second best", Gwyn said.
"I'm still stunned at the reception the band got at the end. Thank you so much to everyone for your ovation."
What's BiC?
Seindorf Beaumaris will now receive an invitation to perform at the Brass in Concert Championship in Gateshead in November, although that was something the players were still trying to get their heads around on the journey home as Gwyn recalled.
"They kept asking, what's Brass in Concert? They will soon find out, and it will be a very special weekend for the band."
Adjudicators Mike Fowles (music) and Colin Hardy (entertainment) were also deeply impressed by the North Wales band's performance in taking the title.
Praise
Both addressed a packed auditorium and praised everybody involved, with Mike fulsome in his praise for the programme choices that didn't over-stretch the bands.
In addition, he also told the bands not to be down-hearted at their placing, as he was very much aware of the cyclical process that they can go through at this level.
Party, party
Runners up, Elland Silver Youth under Samantha Harrison, opted for a party theme, with the majority of the musical hits dating back to an era before her band members were even born – although that wasn’t too long ago!
The Yorkshire challenger's choreographed programme saw them finish fourth in the music element, but first in entertainment, pushing their Welsh rivals close for the overall title.
Samantha later told 4BR how proud she was of her band and also offered her warmest congratulations from to the winners.
Not three in four
The result also meant that the all conquering Youth Brass 2000 could not make it a sixth win at the event — although the 2014 Butlins and British Open champion delivered a terrific Irish themed programme under MD Chris Jeans, who took to the stage in a bright green shirt and blond wig.
He later told 4BR: “I'm so proud of them as they have given me so much over the last month and gave everything here in trying to defend their title."
28 years
Chris also took the opportunity of listening to Seindorf Beaumaris and he admitted that he thought them worthy champions.
"I haven't heard playing like that in over twenty eight years of youth banding. Their soloist was magnificent and I'm sure she is going to be the next Richard Marshall!"
Walsh inspires Rochdale
Fourth place went to Rochdale Borough Youth under Steve Walsh, whilst Houghton Area Youth's well thought programme of nostalgic holidays from yesteryear included 'Whitley Bay', which was awarded the most entertaining item. Macclesfield Youth gained the prize for the band with the 'Most Potential'.
Once again the contest was recorded and bands will be able to buy copies of their performance that will also include other highlights of the day.
Costing just £5 per DVD, further details are available at www.action.org.uk/youth_brass_band
Acknowledgement
Speaking on behalf of the organisers, Gary Walczak (who received an award for his sterling work at the event over the past thirty years), paid tribute to everybody involved on the event’s 30th anniversary.
Next year's contest will take place on Sunday 8th February.
A retrospective of the contest will appear on 4BR later this week
I'm still stunned at the reception the band got at the end. Thank you so much to everyone for your ovationMD, Gwyn M Evans
Results:
Music/Entertainment = Total
1. Seindorf Beaumaris Youth (Gwyn M Evans): 1 + 3 = 4
2. Elland Silver Youth (Samantha Harrison): 4+ 1 = 5
3. Youth Brass 2000 (Chris Jeans): 2 + 4 = 6
4. Rochdale Borough Youth (Steve Walsh): 3 + 5 = 8
5. Houghton Area Youth (Brian Adams): 7 + 2 = 9
6. Enderby Youth (Trevor Hounsome): 5 + 7 = 12
7. Poynton Youth Brass (Mike Eccles): 6 + 8 = 14
8. Macclesfield Youth Brass (Louise Renshaw): 8 + 6 = 14
9. Egglescliffe School Brass (Matthew Haworth): 9 + 10= 19
10. Wardle Academy Junior (Gwen Smith): 10 + 9 = 19
11. Hammonds Youth Brass (Jamie Smith): 11 + 11 = 22
Outstanding Soloist: Pippa Scourse (Cornet) — Seindorf Beaumaris
Most Entertaining Item: Whitley Bay (Houghton Area Youth)
Best March: Bally Castle Bay (Youth Brass 2000)
Best Soprano: Youth Brass 2000
Best Horn: Elland Silver
Best Euphonium Section: Seindorf Beaumaris
Best Basses: Wardle Academy
Best Stage Deportment: Elland Silver Youth
Band with Most Potential: Macclesfield Youth
Winning Conductor: Gwyn M Evans
