42 years after they were formed, Wantage Silver ‘A’ Band will make its first appearance in the Championship Section National Finals at the Royal Albert Hall, after claiming the London & Southern Counties title in Stevenage.
Emphatic fashion
And directed by Phil Bailey, they achieved the most significant result in their history in the most emphatic fashion.
After just missing out on qualification in the past two years, adjudicators Graham Jones and Stephen Roberts told the audience packed into the Gordon Craig Theatre that they had been in their opinion, ‘a clear winner’.
After a decade or more of Redbridge/Aveley & Newham domination, Wantage will now be the third new name in row to be engraved on the Championship Trophy.
Excellent
Adjudicator Graham Jones described their rendition of ‘St Magnus’ in his written remarks as, ‘...an excellent performance from a musically mature band’, whilst fellow judge Stephen Roberts added, ‘Bravo — an outstanding performance’.
The band’s recently appointed principal cornet Sara-Jane Humphrey claimed the ‘Best Cornet’ prize.
New era
A new era of high quality competitiveness was certainly on show throughout an engaging contest, with Friary Guildford setting a bold marker from the number 1 draw under Chris King to retain its place in the judge’s mind and claim a second successive Kensington qualification berth.
With former champion Redbridge missing out for the third successive year and pre-contest favourites Aveley & Newham ending a disappointing seventh, there was to be no successful title defence for Regent Brass either, as they slumped to eleventh place.
Friary’s Nigel Stevens took the ‘Best Horn’ award with John Storey of Staines Brass claiming the ‘Best Euphonium’ prize, whilst the remaining top six places went to solidly portrayed accounts from Zone One Brass, Kidlington Concert and Staines Brass.
Champagne
Wantage Band Secretary Eileen Sykes was still on cloud nine when 4BR finally managed to catch up with her preparing to spend the £200 first prize on champagne to help celebrate the historic achievement.
“We’re organising a bit of party for all Wantage members and supporters on Saturday, so the prize money will come in handy!” she laughed. “It’s been an amazing achievement for the band and the organisation as a whole.
We support over 150 members in six different bands. This has been the crowning glory for founder Doug Brand, who played with our Academy Band in the Fourth Section on the weekend.
His vision when he founded Wantage in 1972 has achieved its greatest reward. I don’t think there was a happier man in Stevenage.”
Build
She added: “We now have a wonderful climax to our year to look forward to, and hopefully the result will also lead to an invitation back to the Spring Festival in 2015.
Phil Bailey has done a wonderful job in developing the band over the last few years and now we want to build on this result — starting at the Albert Hall.”
Happy Friary
Meanwhile, there was an equally happy Band Secretary to be found at Friary Guildford as Lauren Straker told 4BR that their second successive qualification confirmed the substantial top flight progress they had made under Chris King.
“We are very pleased — especially as we found out that we were the only band in the country to qualify for London off the number 1 draw.
We have continued to develop as a band and we are now looking to build on this result at the Spring Festival in Blackpool as well working hard towards the release of a new CD later this year.”
First Section:
There were a number of quality performances to enjoy in the First Section, where one of the region’s rapidly improving bands, Thundersley Brass claimed their third Area title in four years.
Victory not only sent them Cheltenham, but also put them on the brink of the Championship status just eight years after they played in the Fourth Section in Stevenage.
No doubt
Directed by the experienced Nigel Taken, and after claiming Second Section success in both 2011 and 2012, they showed the stamp of quality and security adjudicators Mike Kilroy and Stephen Roberts were looking for (their remarks left the audience in no doubt either) on ‘Cry of the Mountain’, to secure their finals place alongside fellow qualifiers Sandhurst Silver.
It was a contest were the growing strength of quality in the region was shown to good effect, with finely structured performances from the likes of Ipswich & Norwich Co-operative, Bedford Town, Haverhill and Horsham Borough having to be content with top six finishers.
Both judges congratulated the competitors for the way in which they had approached a work that could in their estimation, ‘have been under dangerously under estimated’.
Very musical
Not so the winners, who they described as giving a rendition that, ‘was very musical and secure’ and which certainly benefitted from Nigel Taken’s careful appreciation of dynamic and tempo contrasts, as well as the excellent playing of their prize winning solo cornet player.
Thundersley were pushed by Butlins champion Sandhurst, who returned to the finals for the first time since 2009, thanks to a colourful but slightly more error prone rendition directed by Ian McElligot that still clearly showed their confident contesting credentials.
Second Section:
Conductor John Ward will certainly be looking forward to his next ‘break’ after leading Fulham Brass to the Second Section title on ‘Chaucer’s Tunes’.
In a contest full of well directed performances, adjudicators Linda Cole and Lyn Morgan clearly informed the audience of the exact requirements they felt bands had to meet to gain success on what they termed ‘a conductors piece’.
Fulham’s ‘very musical’ and ‘well delivered’ account gained victory over excellent qualifiers Wantage Silver ‘B’ and Soham Comrades, whilst the remaining top six places were taken by well crafted accounts from Epsom & Ewell, Chiltern Hills Brass and Hitchin.
Musical recovery
John is now set to enjoy a couple of weeks holiday as he recovers from breaking both his elbows and wrist in a cycling accident a few weeks ago.
After leading Mount Charles to fourth place in the top section in Torquay and now Fulham to success here, he also told 4BR that he has benefited from some wonderful musical recuperation too.
“I had a lovely time down in Cornwall and an equally brilliant time here with Fulham,” he said.
Expensive round
“They may be miles apart geographically, but the way in which they enjoy their banding in a relaxed and sociable atmosphere is great. I could get off the tube, walk past Chelsea Football Club and enjoy making music with a great bunch of people.
We have an Australian trombonist on short term work experience in London, who was delighted to help the band GET to the finals in Cheltenham!”
He added: “I’m delighted at the success for everyone involved in the band — although the celebration drinks in the nearby pub must have been the most expensive I have ever had buy!”
Amazing result
For Wantage ‘B’, conducted by Danny Dullforce, the qualification also provided a fantastic boost for their senior counterparts to emulate in the Championship Section.
“It was an amazing result,” Eileen Sykes added when she spoke to 4BR.
“With our Academy Brass giving a great performance in the Fourth Section, the band added to a memorable weekend by claiming their place at Cheltenham. No wonder we have so much to celebrate at Wantage.”
There was also a wonderful contest debut for Jayne Murrill with Soham Comrades, as she used all her top flight experience to lead the band to the finals for the first time since 1995.
Third Section:
The London area will certainly be sending two highly competitive bands to the Cheltenham if the quality of the Third Section was anything to go by.
Stately
Grimsdyke Brass, formed in 1979, and which takes its name from a wonderful stately home near Harrow, produced an evocative rendition of Philip Wilby’s ‘Partita’ under Sharon Broughall’s precise direction, that certainly evoked memories of the austere surroundings of 1950s Yorkshire to claim a first ever Area victory.
The band will now make their Cheltenham debuts, where they will be joined by fellow qualifier Norfolk Wherry Brass.
The 2012 Fourth Section National champion also evoked an atmospheric sense of nostalgia under MD Andy Craze (who was spotted by 4BR doing a bit of preparation work in Torquay the week before) to return to the finals once again.
It also proved good enough to pip a well worked account from Olney Brass that very nearly held its own off the early number three draw.
Hearty celebration
Grimsdyke MD Sharon Broughall, who has been with the band for over 22 years as player and now conductor, told 4BR that despite the hush that greeted the announcement of the band’s first ever win at a contest, they had since made up for it by hearty celebrations.
"We knew we had played well and really went for it, but as we only really compete at the Area contest and are really more a community concert band, we didn’t expect to be announced as winners."
Social band
Sharon added: "As you can imagine we are delighted. It was a piece that seemed to suit our way of playing from start to finish, and the judges certainly complimented us on the way we took the key ‘Pastorale’ movement.
It may have been a bit quite when we were announced as the winner, but I can assure you as a renowned social band it hasn’t been ever since — starting in the nearest bar!"
Now comes the prospect of a second year contest – and at the National Finals at that: "That will certainly a new experience for us all," Sharon added, "... but we are thoroughly looking forward to it."
Clarity and humour
Adjudicators John Doyle and Graham Jones set out their decision making reasoning with clarity and humour, spelling out the need to gain ‘character and musicality’ from the complex score in addition to ‘getting the basics right’.
That was certainly the case with the winners John added, whilst congratulating the other qualifiers and the top six finishers of Oxford Cherwell Brass, Simon Langton Brass and Amersham, all of who he said had produced ‘excellent’ performances.
Fourth Section:
Summing up the twenty performances of an enjoyable Fourth Section contest, adjudicators John Doyle and Mike Kilroy emphasised the importance of capturing the right sense of style in their detailed assessments of ‘Three Spanish Impressions’.
And with a host of solidly worked renditions to choose from, as MDs sought to make dynamic contrast, add colour and texture, and give malleability to the musical flow, they also left the audience in little doubt to why it was Jubilee Brass (Oxford), City of Oxford Silver and Brighton & Hove City Brass that would head to Cheltenham as a trio of confident, well led qualifiers.
Eyebrows
A few eyebrows were raised by their assertion that they were ‘not over concerned by missing parts’ — although that was more specifically referring to percussion, but there was a general murmur of acceptance over their observations on tempos and dynamics — especially in the lively acoustic of the main hall.
John Doyle also highlighted some annoying habits, such as tapping feet and noisy mutes, as well as coarseness on long notes and the occasional over-enthusiastic solo cornet player — ‘Mr Blasty’, in his words.
And although a number of performances were marred by intonation issues, the generous adjudicators made no reference to this in their remarks.
Delighted
A delighted Jubilee Brass (Oxford) claimed their first Area title under Cliff Sadler, with a performance certainly rich in colour and character to head to the finals for the first time since 2002, where they will be joined by City of Oxford Silver under Steve Sizeland.
They ran their rivals close with a lovely rendition full of rich sounds, particularly in the lower brass, and some nicely controlled quiet playing.
Nicely judged
Brighton & Hove City filled the third slot, with a nicely judged reading under Matthew Hackett, and featuring with a real star in their young percussionist, whilst with so many young performers on show throughout the day it was great to see a cracking youthful effort from Regent Community Brass in fourth.
The remaining top six places also went to well directed accounts from East Coast Brass (who set a fine marker off the number 1 draw) and Letchworth Garden City, who quickly followed them a couple of bands later to end sixth.
Fine send off
With yet regional event run with remarkable efficiency by the regional organisational team, there was a lovely presentation made on behalf of the area’s banding community to recognise the outstanding contribution and work of David Hobbs, who retired from his role as Regional Secretary after a combined total of 26 years in executive committee jobs.
The warmth of the reception he received as he humbly accepted the gift of an engraved vase spoke volumes of both the affection and the respect he has been held in by the banding movement as a whole.
He later told 4BR with his usual good humour: “The contest is in good hands, our bands are getting better and better and I can now sit back and enjoy the music making on Area contest day.
I can’t thank all the people who have helped me so much over the years. It’s been a real honour and privilege to have served the bands here.”
Thanks to Adam Whittle, Peter Bale and David Ruel
This has been the crowning glory for founder Doug Brand, who played with our Academy Band in the Fourth Section on the weekend. His vision when he founded Wantage in 1972 has achieved its greatest rewardWantage Band
Result:
As it happened:
www.4barsrest.com/live/2014regionalchampionships/
Championship Section:
Test Piece: 'St Magnus' — Kenneth Downie
Adjudicators: Graham Jones & Stephen Roberts
1. Wantage Silver 'A' (Philip Bailey)*
2. Friary Guildford (Chris King)*
3. Redbridge Brass (Alan Duguid)
4. Zone One Brass (Richard Ward)
5. Kidlington Concert Brass (Duncan Wilson)
6. Staines Brass (Jonathan Pippen)
7. Aveley & Newham (Melvin White)
8. East London Brass (Jayne Murrill)
9. Medway (Melvin White)
10. Alder Valley Brass (Roger Burke)
11. Regent Brass (Paul Archibald)
12. Egham (Gareth Green)
* Top two bands qualify for National Final
Withdrawn: Clacton-on-Sea Co-operative (Mark Ager)
Best Cornet: Sara-Jane Humphrey (Wantage Silver 'A')
Best Horn: Nigel Stevens (Friary Guildford)
Best Euphonium: John Storey (Staines)
First Section:
Test Piece: 'Cry of the Mountain' — Howard Lorriman
Adjudicators: Mike Kilroy and Stephen Roberts
1. Thundersley Brass (Nigel Taken), 10*
2. Sandhurst Silver (Ian McElligott), 13*
3. Ipswich & Norwich Co-op (Ian Johnson), 9
4. Bedford Town (Steve Phillips), 8
5. Haverhill (Mark Ager), 2
6. Horsham Borough (Andrew Kershaw), 1
7. Northfleet Brass (Melvin White), 15
8. Becontree Brass (Matthew Hardy), 6
9. Milton Keynes Brass (Craig Patterson), 12
10. City of Cambridge (Peter Bassano), 11
11. Jersey Premier Brass (Tim Pritchard), 3
12. Littleport Brass (Nigel Bramley), 5
13. Cawston (David Stowell), 14
14. Ware Brass (Philip Littlemore), 4
15. Yiewsley & West Drayton (Chris Cole), 7
* Top two bands qualify for National Final
Second Section:
Test Piece: 'Chaucer's Tunes' — Dr Michael Ball
Adjudicators: Linda Cole & Lyn Morgan
1. Fulham Brass (J.Ward) *
2. Wantage Silver 'B' (D.Dullforce)*
3. Soham Comrades (J.Murrill)*
4. Epsom & Ewell (J.Smith)
5. Chiltern Hills Brass (G.Davies)
6. Hitchin (C.Patterson)
7. Tilbury (A.Austin)
8. Colchester (D.Maddocks)
9. L.G.B. Brass (I.Stewart)
10. Epping Forest (K.Schroeter)
11. Welwyn Garden City (J.Campbell)
12. Hungerford Town (T.Crouter)
13. BAE Systems Brass (J.Crowhurst)
14. Battle Town (J.Penton)
15. St. Sebastian Wokingham (L.Woodward)
16. St. Albans City (P.Littlemore)
17. Chichester City (T.Howard)
18. Fairlop Brass (K.Jordan)
* Top two bands qualify for National Final
Third Section:
Test Piece: 'Partita for Band' (Postcards from Home) — Prof Philip Wilby
Adjudicators: John Doyle & Graham Jones
1. Grimsdyke Brass (Sharon Broughall), 12*
2. Norfolk Wherry Brass (Andy Craze), 14*
3. Olney Brass (R Milton), 3
4. Oxford Cherwell Brass (Terry Brotherhood), 6
5. Simon Langton Brass (David Cutting),
6. Amersham (Philip Fisher), 7
7. Great Yarmouth Brass (Colin Swaep), 5
8. Betteshanger Colliery Welfare (John Goold),
9. Waterbeach Brass (David Minchin)
10. Hemel Hempstead (Philip Fisher), 1
11. Chinnor Silver (David Pegram), 8
12. Harwich R.B.L. (Roger Jones), 10
13. Bradwell Silver (Brian Keech), 4
14. Hangleton (Richard Baker), 9
15. Cold Ash Brass (Jemma Evans), 15
16. Crystal Palace (Mike Gray), 16
* Top two bands qualify for National Final
Fourth Section:
'Three Spanish Impressions for Brass Band' — Alan Fernie
Adjudicators: John Doyle and Mike Kilroy
1. Jubilee Brass (Oxford) (Cliff Sadler), 20*
2. City of Oxford Silver (Steve Sizeland), 17*
3. Brighton and Hove City Brass (Matthew Hackett), 16*
4. Regent Community Brass (John Holland), 11
5. East Coast Brass (Paul Speed), 1
6. Letchworth Garden City (Tim Welch), 3
7. Bletchington Silver (Sheldon Barwick), 4
8. Tadley Concert Brass (Paul Chapman), 7
9. Hadstock Silver (Lisa Jardine-Wright), 8
10. Woodbridge Excelsior (Chris Lewis-Garnham), 9
11. Cottenham Brass (Peter Mackley), 14,
12. Wantage Academy Brass (Nikki Jones), 18
13. Royston Town (Steve Earley), 13
14. Ampthill Town (Chris Benger), 10
15. Abbey Brass (Abingdon) (Robert Tompkins), 5
16. Charles Church Camberley (Robert Cherry), 12
17. Watford (Ian Graves), 6
18. Witney Town (Rhys Owens), 2
19. North London Brass (Patrick Dodds), 19
20. Snowdown Colliery Welfare (Christer Åberg), 15
* Top three bands qualify for National Final
