For the third time in the contest’s five year history, the Reg Vardy Band claimed the lucrative first prize at the Doctor Martin Wainstone’s Cup contest to leave Middlesbrough’s Town Hall £4,000 better off.

Boost

With their appearance at the National Finals to look forward to in a few weeks time, it was a timely boost to the North of England Area champion, as under the direction of a doubly-bespectacled MD John Roberts, they just had enough in the collective tank to repel the confident challenge of runner-up Thoresby Colliery and third placed Marsden Silver.

In fact, it was Reg Vardy’s thrilling performance of their own choice test piece, Philip Sparke’s ‘Music of the Spheres’ that proved crucial — topping the marks for the discipline by a single point from their Midland rivals, which in turn took precedent when their overall totals were tied.

Sparke choice

And despite the band having their sights firmly set on Kensington, the MD told 4BR that he thought his decision to choose the Sparke blockbuster was one that brought the best out of his hard working players.

“They have been playing so well all year that I felt that they would relish the challenge of preparing such a major work in a short space of time. That was certainly the case — with the main soloists and the ensemble producing performances in each discipline I was delighted with.”

He added: “Now they can get eagerly to work with Russell Gray on the London test piece and start looking ahead to the Scottish Open.”

Multiple glasses

Talking of sights though — what about John’s new look with multiple glasses?

“Necessity I’m afraid,” he laughed. “My eyes are getting worse with age, so I’m trying to come up with a solution without having to use an extra big score. I think I need to visit the opticians again though!”

Ample scope

The three-legged event (march/solo item/test piece) certainly gave ample scope for each of the eight bands to showcase their qualities, with a number of fine soloists, well paced marches and bold test pieces choices on show for the enjoyment of a small but appreciative audience.

Although it was Reg Vardy that eventually claimed the imposing top prize, Thoresby Colliery returned home with a hefty payout package of £2,250, as they also picked up the David Willson Cup for the ‘Best March’ of George Allen’s ‘Senator’. (Every band was also paid an additional £350 appearance fee)

Marsden returned to Yorkshire with £1,250 of prize money to their name, as their fine young euphonium star Daniel Morgan produced a wonderful ‘Brillante’ to catch the ear of adjudicator David Thornton and win the Len Usher ‘Best Soloist’ Cup.

Super charged

Reg Vardy opened their programme set with the march ‘The President’ before featuring a super charged euphonium solo ‘Grandfathers Clock’, ably played by Paul Robinson.

However, it was the boldly delivered test piece choice of ‘Music of the Spheres’ which took them to top spot; a powerhouse rendition that contained a host of polished individual contributions — notably that from new signing Philip Tait from Tredegar, debuting on soprano in the temporary absence of Tom Glendinning.

Confidence

Although there will have been some degree of disappointment for the supporters and players of Thoresby Colliery, they will also have taken great confidence from the overall quality of their performance under the baton of MD Brian Grant.

Their swaggering prize winning rendition of the march ‘Senator’ was contrasted by a sublime rendition from Claire Taylor of Leonard Ballantine’s ‘Don’t Doubt Him Now’ before they launched into the forthcoming National Finals set work, ‘The Legend of King Arthur’ by Peter Meechan with verve and excitement.

No birthday treat

Although there was to be no four-grand birthday treat for Marsden’s Glyn Williams, the Welshman would also have been pleased with his band’s efforts as they pushed the top two rivals close.

A beautifully tempered, ‘On Alderley Edge’ was just marred by a couple of clips, although their Whit Friday favourite ‘Knight Templar’ was played with purpose and detail.

Unite the Union (City of Sheffield) took fourth place and the £500 on offer after a blistering march, ‘The Wizard’ set the band up nicely under the direction of the experienced David Hirst.

Mellissa Maddison then stepped up to dance fleet-footed through ‘The Piper of Dundee’ before they produced a well controlled performance of ‘Contest Music’, which featured Glen Birks on principal cornet holding the famous high C# for a breathtaking age.

Overall quality

Speaking to 4BR, adjudicator David Thornton said that he was impressed by the overall quality of the playing he hard on the day — especially the test piece choices.

“It really was an excellent contest — and the overall quality from all the bands was very good.

The top two just had that extra touch of quality and consistency about them over the three different disciplines, but the third placed band wasn’t that far behind.

We are talking about small margins here — especially with the test pieces which were so well played.”

He added: “The winning march was excellent by anyone’s standard and so was the winning soloist who was the pick of some outstanding performers. The test pieces choices were delivered with confidence too – especially the winners who produced a thrilling account of such a difficult work. I was left with a very difficult job separating out some fine performances.”

Hard working

With performances of real merit from Dalmellington, Fishburn, Yorkshire Imps and Felling, the only disappointment for the hard working organisers from the Cockerton Band was that the initial line up of bands had been reduced by a trio of withdrawals, whilst the contest still hasn’t quite captured the imagination of the usually very supportive North East brass band community.

With £8,000 in prize money on offer and great entertainment to listen to, perhaps more bands and listeners can be persuaded to attend in 2015.

Steve Jack

They have been playing so well all year that I felt that they would relish the challenge of preparing such a major work in a short space of timeMD, John Roberts

Results:
Adjudicator: David Thornton

March/Solo/Test Piece = Total

1. Reg Vardy (John Roberts): 23/23/192 = 238*
2. Thoresby Colliery (Brian Grant): 25/22/191 = 238
3. Marsden Silver (Glyn Williams): 22/24/190 = 236
4. Unite the Union (City of Sheffield) (David Hirst): 24/20/189 = 233
5. Dalmellington (Richard Evans): 20/21/188 = 229
6. Fishburn (Joseph Cook): 21/17/187 = 225
7. Yorkshire Imperal Urquhart Travel (Stig Maersk):19/19/186 = 224
8. Felling (Stephen Malcolm): 18/18/185 = 221

*test piece points takes precedence in event of tie

Best March: Thoresby Colliery — Senator
Best Soloist: Daniel Morgan (euphonium) — Marsden Silver