Talented young players from Manx Youth Band and Manx Concert Brass came out on top at the 116th Manx Music Festival on the Isle of Man last weekend.

Young talent

The week-long festival, based at the island’s Villa Marina Royal Hall, got underway on Friday afternoon with the ‘Up to Year 6’ solo class, won by Emma Smith, with Georgia Foxton taking the honours in ‘Years 7 & 8’ category.

Eb Bass player, Tim Payne, took the ‘Years 9 & 10’ solo title, with Manx Youth Band B winning the ‘Up to Year 10’ ensemble class with their counterparts, Manx Youth Band C, a very creditable runner-up in the Quartet class. Manx Concert Brass won the ‘Open’ ensemble and quartet class.

Full bands

The full bands also shone in the ‘own choice’ test piece sections, with Manx Concert Brass taking the honours playing Eric Ball’s ‘Sunset Rhapsody’, with a performance that adjudicator, Derek Southcott praised for ‘sending shivers down his spine!’

Amazingly, this was the 30th consecutive year that the prestigious Nelson Cup had been won by either the Manx Youth Band or Manx Concert Brass, or a combined group of players from both bands, with all performances having being led by MD, Ian Clague MBE.

Manx Youth Band was a well deserved runner-up with their rendition of Edward Gregson’s ‘Variations on Laudate Dominum’.

Entertainment

The evening events were combined, with the bands playing their own choice march and hymn tune, as well as 20 minute entertainment programme.

Rushen Silver Band claimed the prize for the best hymn tune with their MD, John Kinley's own arrangement of 'Eventide' with Manx Concert Brass claiming second place with ‘Ravenswood’ as well as gaining the hymn tune prize for their rendition of ‘St Clements’.

Manx Youth Band eventually finished a very creditable fourth in the entertainment category thanks to some wonderful ensemble and solo playing, whilst Manx Concert Brass claimed the overall title with a magnificent set that was rounded off with the rousing ‘Pines of Rome’

Adjudicator, Derek Southcott congratulated all the competing bands on the quality of their playing and praised all the competitors4BR

Quality

Adjudicator, Derek Southcott congratulated all the competing bands on the quality of their playing and praised all the competitors.

The amazingly successful contribution of popular conductor Ian Clague MBE to the history of the Manx Music Festival was also recognised with the presentation of the Crosbie Trophy for a record 30th consecutive year.