The Leicestershire Brass Band Association Spring Festival Solo, Duet & Quartet Competition has taken place at Groby Community College in Leicestershire, where competitors performed to judges Dave Lea, Brian Clarke and Mark Smith across 15 sections.

Leading the way

Leading the way in both open sections was Thoresby Colliery’s principal euphonium Ian McCormick, winning both the Open Slow Melody and Air Varie titles.

Meanwhile, brother and sister, Richard and Siobhan Bates from Gresley Colliery also picked up a clutch of silverware between them; each winning their respective slow melody age group, and together picking up first prize in the under 18 duet section.

Youngest winner

The top prize in the youngest section of the day (10 years and under), went to baritone player Edward Culpin from Leicestershire Co-operative, who adjudicator Brian Clarke described as a giving a ‘super’ performance.

The top prize in the youngest section of the day went to baritone player Edward Culpin, described as a giving a ‘super’ performance4BR

Results:

Section A: Junior Slow Melody 10 and under
1. Edward Culpin (Leicestershire Co-op)
2. Emily Capstack (Leicestershire Co-op)
3. Eve Wan (Wigston Enterprise)

Section B: Junior Slow Melody 11 & 12 years
1. Luke Newborough (Shirland WT)
2. Josh Watson (Kibworth)
3. Freddie Buchanan (Hathern Youth)

Section C: Junior Slow Melody 13, 14 & 15 years
1. Siobhan Bates (Gresley Colliery)
2. Jack Newborough (Shirland WT)
3. Will Thirkell (Shirland WT)

Section D: Junior Slow Melody 16, 17 & 18 years
1. Richard Bates (Gresley Colliery)
2. Alex Barker (City of Coventry)

Section E: Junior Air Varie 14 years and under
1. Harry Lear (Leicester Co-op)
2. Bethan Brown (Foresters Brass 2000)
3. Jack Newborough (Shirland WT)

Section F: Junior Air Varie 15, 16, 17 & 18 years
1. Alex Barker (City of Coventry)
2. Will Thirkell (Shirland WT)
3. Richard Bates (Gresley Colliery)

Section G: Junior Duets 18 years and under
1. Richard Bates & Siobhan Bates (Gresley Colliery)
2. Luke Newborough & Gabrielle Moakes (Shirland WT)
3. Jack Newborough & Heather Moakes (Shirland WT)

Section H: Junior Quartet 18 years and under
1. Shirland Welfare Training ‘A’
2. Shirland Welfare Training ‘B’
3. Hathern Youth

Section I: Junior Quartet Hymn Tune 14 years and under
1. Shirland Welfare Training ‘A’
2. Shirland Welfare Training ‘B’
3. Leicestershire Co-op Training

Section J: Open Slow Melody
1. Ian McCormick (Thoresby Colliery)
2. Patricia Woodings (Newhall)
3. Chris Lock (Derwent)

Section K: Open Air Varie
1. Ian McCormick (Thoresby Colliery)
2. Nick Lear (Leicester Co-op)
3. Rhona Baker (City of Coventry)

Section L: Open Duets
1. Patricia Woodings & Sheila Dixon (Newhall & Melton)
2. Alex Baker & Rhona Baker (City of Coventry)
3. Siobhan Bates & Richard Bates (Gresley Colliery)

Section M: Open Quartets
1. Leicestershire Co-op ‘A’
2. City of Coventry
3. Leicestershire Co-op ‘B’

Section N: Open Percussion
1. Julia Bromiley (Ecclestone Brass)
2. Edward Hefferman (Hathern Youth)