The Bolsover Festival of Brass certainly lived up to the expectations of all those who attended this year at the Heritage High School in Clowne, with a host of highly entertaining programmes delivered by bands in all sections.

Championship value for money

The Championship event in particular gave full value for the price of the entry ticket, with a number of excellent ensemble and solo performances to enjoy — especially from some gifted soloists.

In the end though it was Derwent Brass who claimed the honours with a programme that not only tickled the taste buds of adjudicator Stephen Roberts, but sent a murmur of appreciation, intrigue and even puzzlement through the audience from first note till last.

In a contest of contrasting ideas and approaches, it also proved good enough to repel the strong challenge of rivals Jaguar Land Rover with Unite the Union (City of Sheffield) in third.

Progressive repertoire

Highly choreographed (with added lighting effects), confidently portrayed and expertly directed by Keith Leonard, Derwent’s intoxicating mix and match approach of styles and genres certainly lived up to their growing reputation for exploring the outer margins of progressive repertoire — from the opening ‘Los Hermanos de Bop’ to the closing ‘Nobody can’t do me like Jesus’.

However, it was Nordic inspired ‘The Return of the Samba Cows’, flugel solo ‘Domen (featuring the excellent Pam Davis) and ‘Tortuquero 6’ that set it apart — and made such a lasting impression on those present.

“We enjoy a bit of musical exploration,” Derwent spokesperson Rob Stew told 4BR. “We’ve been very fortunate to work with the likes of composer Paul McGhee in the past and it was Paul who told us to look at Idar Torskangerpoll’s work, ‘Five Riddles for Brass Band’.

The ‘Return of the Samba Cows’ is a bit of a fusion between dance, contemporary Nordic folk and American marching bands — so it was certainly a bit of riddle to solve!”

Something different

The victory now sets the band up for a busy forthcoming concert programme as well as an enhanced appetite to keep on trying something a little different.

“We always try to put something ‘left field’ into each of our concert performances — which is really appreciated by our growing concert audiences,” Rob added. “So if you come to one of our concerts in the next few months you may get to hear those Samba Cows again.”

Jaguar Land Rover certainly pushed Derwent all the way to the finishing line with a cracking ‘Bat out of Hell’ opener, a superb ‘Best Soloist’ contribution from Ian Wright on ‘Carnival of Venice’, and commanding ‘Visions of Kolkhis’ to close, whilst Unite the Union showed that they will be a strong contender for First Section honours next year after producing a fine all round set to end third.

First Section:

In the First Section there were a number of excellent performances for Brett Baker to ponder over, with an emphasis on lighter, comedy routines a real feature — from bass playing bears from Bedworth Brass to baritone players turned typewriters from Shirebrook Miners Welfare.

However, it was a well constructed set from Blidworth Welfare under Martin Heartfield that took the honours ahead of equally well put together programmes from the Yorkshire duo of Hatfield and South Yorkshire Police.

With three movements from the Karl Jenkins ‘Stabat Mater’ bookended by ‘Prismatic Light’ by Alan Fernie and Dean Jones’s ‘Glorifico Aeternum’ it gave the Midlanders a fine victory in what has been a highly encouraging 2014 season.

“We have been playing well of late, so this is reward for the hard work everyone has put in,” band spokesperson Karen Cretney told 4BR. “We just missed out on a top six finish at the National Finals, but overall it has been a great season and we are now looking forward to life in the top section in 2015.”

Second Section:

In the Second Section there was a fine victory for Silk Brass under their new MD Anthony Wyatt, as they beat off the challenge of Dronfield Genquip and Ibstock Brass to take the title, thanks to a programme that combined everything from The Rolling Stones to Sir Arthur Bliss.

The band opened with ‘Paint it Black’ in a new arrangement by their cornet player Adrian Horn, before segueing into ‘The Witch of the Westmoreland’, the soprano solo ‘Oh My Beloved Father;’ played by John Worth, ‘All Night Long’ and the finale from the ballet ‘Checkmate’.

“It’s a great start to our new partnership,” band spokesperson Bob Goodwin told 4BR. “Tony joined us a couple of months ago and we have been enjoying his musical approach. The victory gives us a real boost as we look to push back towards the First Section.”

In a sign of the innovative approach taken by all the competing bands, the ‘Best Soloist’ prize went to vocalist James Dennis of Long Eaton Silver Prize.

Third Section:

There was plenty of high quality playing to enjoy in the Third Section, where Golborne’s ‘Americana’ themed programme claimed the title ahead of Yorkshire rivals Dinnington Colliery and Hucknall & Linby Mining Community.

At times it was hard to believe that the audience was hearing Third Section bands, as the various MDs brought the best out of their players with well chosen programmes that enhanced strengths and minimised weaknesses.

Under the inspired direction of Matt Whitfield, Golborne delivered their set with all the brash brilliance sadly lacking by the recent American Ryder Cup team — from the opening ‘Star Spangled Banner’ to pulsating ’Sing, Sing, Sing’ — all topped off with ‘Old Glory’ flag and matching bow ties and scarves for the players.

Fourth Section:

The only disappointment of the whole weekend was that only three bands made it to the starting line in the Fourth Section, where the organisers had done a sterling job in minimising the usually boomy acoustic.

All three bands produced striking performances, with Blackley’s ‘train themed’ set under Dan Price played with a touch of steam inspired brio to take the title back to North Manchester ahead of Deepcar Brass and Thurcroft Welfare.

Deepcar certainly pushed the winners all the way featuring a cracking ‘Best Soloist’ rendition of ‘Cry Me a River’ by Russell Cavanagh, whilst Thurcroft also produced some neat elements in their well set out programme.

With City of Lincoln taking the Unregistered title ahead of rivals Dronfield & Lowedges Community Brass, the 2014 Bolsover Festival of Brass was a real credit to all involved.
The contest organisers must take a great deal of credit for the amount of hard work and expert organisation, whilst the council itself should accept the same plaudits as the bands on this occasion for its continued support of such a vital contesting event.

Adam Whittle

The ‘Return of the Samba Cows’ is a bit of a fusion between dance, contemporary Nordic folk and American marching bands — so it was certainly a bit of riddle to solve!Derwent Brass

Championship Section:
Adjudicator: Stephen Roberts

1. Derwent Brass (Keith Leonard)
2. Jaguar Land Rover (Dave Lea)
3. Unite the Union (City of Sheffield) (David Hirst)
4. Skelmanthorpe (Martin Hall)
5. Thoresby Colliery (Martin Heartfield)
6. Newstead Brass (Duncan Beckley)
7. Jackfield (Elcock Reisen) (Simon
8. Kidlington Concert Brass (Duncan Wilson)

Best Soloist: Ian Wright (euphonium) Jaguar Land Rover

First Section:
Adjudicator: Brett Baker

1. Blidworth Welfare (Martin Heartfield)
2. Hatfield (Stan Lippeatt)
3. South Yorkshire Police (Leigh Baker)
4. Gresley Colliery (Simon Jones)
5. Stannington Brass (Kevin Wadsworth)
6. Carlton Brass (Paul Watson)
7. Leicestershire Co-op (Graham Jacklin)
8. Bedworth Brass (Alwyn Green)
9. Wigston Band (Garry Sleath)
10. Shirebrook Miners Welfare Unison Brass (Mark Wilcockson)

Best Soloist: Adrian Green (horn) — South Yorkshire Police

Second Section:
Adjudicator: Mike Kilroy

1. Silk Brass (Anthony Wyatt)
2. Dronfield Genquip (David Holling)
3. Ibstock Brick Brass (Simon Willis)
4. Old Silkstone (Simon Kerwin)
5. Long Eaton Silver Prize (Sharon Stansfield)
6. Ireland Colliery (Chesterfield) (Ian Knapton)
7. Matlock (Geoff Hawley)

Best Soloist: James Dennis (vocalist) — Long Eaton Silver Prize

Third Section:
Adjudicator: Mike Kilroy

1. Golborne (Matt Whitfield)
2. Dinnington Colliery (Jonathan Beatty)
3. Hucknall & Linby Mining Community (Paul Whyley)
4. Market Rasen (Resdev) (David Dernley)
5. Rolls Royce (Derby) (Graham Cardwell)
6. Littleborough Brass (Adrian Woodhead)

Best Soloist: Emma Walton (cornet) — Hucknall & Linby Mining Community

Fourth Section:
Adjudicator: Stephen Roberts

1. Blackley (Daniel Price)
2. Deepcar Brass (Jonathan Beatty)
3. Thurcroft Welfare (Mathew Wright)

Best Soloist: Russell Cavanagh (cornet) — Deepcar Brass

Unregistered Section:

1. City of Lincoln (Robert Wilson)
2. Dronfield & Lowedges Community Brass (Nigel Fletcher)

Best Soloist: (trombone) — Dronfield & Lowedges Community Brass