Report & Results: 2015 North of England Regional Championship

Reg Vardy top the prizes with sectional awards to Kirkbymoorside, Lockwood, Houghton and Knaresborough Silver at Durham's Gala Theatre.

A new era of regional contesting started with old domination in the North of England as Reg Vardy claimed their 35th Area title with a thrilling performance of 'The Torchbearer' at Durham’s Gala Theatre.

It rounded off a highly successful, well supported contest weekend run by the regional committee, which saw section titles head to Kirkbymoorside, Lockwood Brass, Houghton Brass and Knaresborough Silver.

Championship anticipation

There was a great sense of anticipation prior to the Championship Section event, with a number of contenders heading to Durham in confident contesting form.

However, Reg Vardy was in no mood not to become the first recipient of the new winner’s trophy, producing a high class account, full of detail and musicality under Russell Gray to ensure Paul Cosh would have little difficulty declaring them worthy champions — taking four of the six individual awards on offer in the process.

Extensive problems

In a contest that saw Peter Graham’s set work cause extensive problems for many of their rivals, it was NASUWT Riverside's high quality account under David Roberts that claimed the second qualification place, picking up two additional individual awards along the way.

Fishburn's controlled rendition eventually ended third, edging out a committed EYMS, who earlier set an impressive marker off the number 1 draw.

Bouyed by news

The winning MD, Russell Gray was already heading back to his North West home buoyed by news of the victory when 4BR caught up with him.

“I’m delighted for the band and conductor John Roberts who has done a terrific job in preparation for my arrival,” he said. “There have been a few personnel changes since last year’s success, but his work with a settled band with a tremendous work ethic has paid dividends this weekend.”

Outstanding contributions

Russell was also full of praise for his stable of talented soloists — led by principal cornet, Philip Tait, who took the ‘Best Cornet’ award: “I thought Philip came of age today. He was tremendous and I offer my thanks to him and the rest of the players for their hard work and super performance.”

The band's MD, John Roberts also praised the band for producing such a dominant display; acknowledging the outstanding contribution of prize winning euphonium player, Paul Robinson, as well as section award winners on tuba and percussion.

Surprised

Adjudicator Paul Cosh admitted that reports from other areas about how bands had found difficulties with ‘Torchbearer’ left him rather daunted, but in the end he was pleasantly surprised by the overall standard.

“Obviously there were bands who struggled more than others,” he said. “But it’s a very daunting piece in many respects with lots of fine music to look for linked to clear metronome marks. If you veer to far from them it can cause problems with the musical shape.”

Veer brilliantly

He added: “There were one or two performances that did veer from them, but played absolutely brilliantly, and I had to weigh that up in coming to my judgement.”

The contest was decided with contrasting accounts from NASUWT Riverside, followed by the eventual winners.

Having led Rothwell Temperance to third place in Bradford, MD David Roberts inspired Riverside with a wonderfully compact interpretation that benefitted from luscious cornet work from Tina Mortimer and award winning contributions from soprano and trombone.

Admirers

Meanwhile, Joseph Cook’s controlled reading with Fishburn won many admirers to end third and edge out EYMS's confident but not error free account.

Behind them came band’s that found the set work a difficult ask, with Easington Colliery and Felling taking the remaining top six places ahead of York Railway Institute and Harrogate.

However, a new era and new trophy (reminiscent of the FA Cup in design) still found a welcome old home as Reg Vardy continued their Area dominance in fine style.

First Section:

Kirkbymoorside Town's confident rendition of 'A London Overture' proved good enough for John Woodward’s band to take the first silverware on offer of the weekend and book, not just a Cheltenham final place, but also see them return to the Championship Section in 2016.

The band also picked up a clean sweep of the individual awards on offer with section prizes for trombones, tubas and percussion.

Demanding work

However, even with only being six contenders, it was not a contest of great overall quality, as Philip Sparke’s demanding work caused extensive problems, both in its fearsome cadenzas and ensemble writing.

In the end it was a battling performance from Westoe conducted by Huw Thomas that gained he nod from adjudicator Paul Cosh to pip a spirited Cockerton Prize Silver directed by Michael Hardman. The remaining places when to Ripon City, GT Group Peterlee and Ashington Colliery.

Told it straight

Paul Cosh's appraisal certainly told it as it was. “I think it would be fair to say that ‘A London Overture’ is not an easy test piece — I think we can all agree about that,” he said. “It presents certain challenges, some simple and some more complex.”

Paul went on to highlight precisely what he meant — from ‘not a single band actually managed to play the demi-semi quavers three bars before B at the correct speed’, to percussionists coming in before the rest of the bass ensemble.

He also highlighted the challenges faced in intonation, articulation and musical shaping, whilst he felt many chosen tempos had to ‘actually work’, not ‘destroy that musical elasticity.’

Bravery

However, he did praise the ‘bravery’ of the soloists in the cadenzas and picked out Ripon’s cornet player and GT Peterlee’s horn for specific commendation.

With such demanding tests to overcome, not surprisingly, Kirkbymoorside’s MD, John Woodward was a very happy man when he spoke with 4BR: “I’m delighted as the band had to put in a great deal of work on the piece. It was a difficult test, but it was also a very good test for bands at this level.”

Hat off

He added: “We enjoyed working on the piece, and I’m happy Paul liked how we played it. I take my hat off to my players and especially our award winning trombone, percussion and bass sections.”

The band now has a busy time with concerts before a trip to Germany awaits them before they head to Cheltenham, where John is looking forward to locking horns with other bands who have had to overcome such a stern qualifying test.

Second Section:

Sunday's Second Section contest saw seven bands faced with the imposing challenge of 'Variations on Maccabeus'.

However, the result was in little doubt after John Roberts led Lockwood Brass in a commanding performance that not only saw them retain their Area title and claim individual awards for euphonium and bass, but also installed them as one of the early favourites to go one better than last year and claim the National crown itself.

Making the long trip south in September with them will be NASUWT Concert Band, as they emulated their senior counterparts thanks to a neatly portrayed account under MD Andrew Hunter.

Variable quality

In a contest of variable quality, it was Durham Miners Association that eventually came third, thanks to the contribution of their ‘Best Soprano’ cornet, with the remaining places going to East Riding of Yorkshire, Billingham Silver, Ellington Colliery and Murton Colliery.

Once again, Paul Cosh gave a clear analysis of what he had heard in the box, emphasising that although he had enjoyed himself, it had been a contest of ‘mixed performances’.

“There was one outstanding performance I have to say, and the others proved a little more difficult to list in some respects,” he said.

Yoga classes

One of his main areas of concern was ‘lax intonation’ with Paul, who has an international reputation in brass pedagogy, stating that ‘three part yoga breath' could help.

There will be no yoga needed for Lockwood’s MD, John Roberts though, as he started off what would be a memorable Sunday by taking the title in flexible style. He did though admit that his band could do with a few more players to help their Cheltenham cause after taking to the stage with just three basses, and three cornets on the front row.

“We could do with a few more,” he chuckled. “However, the ones we have did a pretty decent job, and they certainly put in all the work required. We now have a great trip back to the French Open to look forward to before we start our Cheltenham preparations.”

Third Section:

Saturday afternoon's Third Section contest was a rather disappointing affair with many of the eight challengers struggling to get to grips with 'Evolution — Five States of Change'.

Houghton Brass under Tom Gibson eventually took the regional title with Dunston Silver joining them at Cheltenham.

Brave competitors

The brave competitors found difficulty meeting the technical and musical challenges posed by a work inspired by Wu Xing Chinese philosophy, with only third placed Ferryhill Town and North Skelton, who were promoted from the Fourth Section, making a serious impression in the box.

Adjudicator Mike Kilroy used a sympathetic, yet realistic project management ‘job description’ analogy to highlight the problems he felt the bands faced on the day.

It was clever way of revealing just what he had hoped would have come his way with a finished product in the box, especially if bands had ‘followed those instructions’ in the clearly marked score.
However, ‘a lack of control’ in terms of ‘balance, shape and dynamics’ had found bands out.

He did praise ensembles and MDs who he said ‘looked for musical restraint’, but he felt on this occasion, players had to ensure they mastered important basics.

Terrific effort

For Houghton Brass MD Tom Gibson though, the result on such a stern test was all that mattered for his ambitious band, praising them for what he said was ‘a terrific effort on a terrific piece’ — one which his players, ‘had worked so hard on prior to the contest and on the contest stage itself.’

He also revealed that whilst it is still to be confirmed, it is hoped the result will now see them promoted to the Second Section, whilst it will concentrate its efforts on a St George's Day fund raising event for the community centre, where they rehearse ahead of the trip to Cheltenham.

Fourth Section:

The most consistent contest of the weekend saw ten bands take on the challenge of 'An English Pastorale'.

Mike Kilroy’s encouraging remarks certainly made the point that getting the ‘basic musical fundamentals’ was important in gaining success as he encouraged them to think, 'is this the best sound I can make?’ before starting to play.

In a region with its rich history for top class cornet players, Mike also praised the excellent standard that was on show on the day.

No problems

Mike made it clear that he had no problem picking out Knaresborough Silver as the 2015 champion with Bearpark & Esh Colliery as runner up, as they had in his words, ‘addressed the music properly’, with ‘overarching performances that seemed to have coherent phrases from beginning to end’.

In a contest in which each of the ten contenders emerged with great credit, it was noticeable that there was a real sense of enjoyment about the contesting atmosphere as each took to the stage.

Third place went to a solid Backworth Colliery, with the remaining top six places going to excellent efforts from Craghead Colliery, Penrith Town and Swinton & District Excelsior.

All enjoy

Meanwhile, the winning Knaresborough MD Stephen Morland told 4BR what it meant to a band that didn’t start competing until ten years ago, whilst parents decided to join their children in a musical activity ‘they could all enjoy together’.

“Everybody is stunned,” he said. “We are a close knit band. I don't think the players anticipated winning, but I was confident that we could do well.

We set out to enjoy what we do and we have a wide range of ages within the ranks. Everyone is simply thrilled to bits.”

He added: “We don’t do that much contesting, but the Area is an opportunity for the players to show what they can do under pressure. We will compete at the Ripon contest and be present at the Durham Miner's Gala in July, but we aim to enjoy Cheltenham whatever the outcome.”

Tait tribute

The revamped weekend also saw a well supported Bryan Tait Memorial Concert sponsored by Geneva Instruments, featuring Brighouse & Rastrick, NASUWT Riverside & Reg Vardy under the Allan Ramsay, new awards, sponsorship and a renewed sense of optimism from competitors and supporters alike.

Great success

No wonder Regional Secretary, Tony Griffiths was delighted that the move had proved to be such a great success.

“I’m absolutely delighted at how this weekend has gone. I have to thank my committee for their support and hard work. They have been tremendous.

We will obviously sit down and look at how everything went, but constructive feedback through the appropriate channels is welcomed. I also thank the bands, for not just their understanding, but for embracing the new venue.”

I’m delighted for the band and conductor John Roberts who has done a terrific job in preparation for my arrival. His work with a settled band with a tremendous work ethic has paid dividends this weekendRussell Gray

Results:

Championship Section:
Test Piece: 'The Torchbearer' — Peter Graham
Sunday 15th March

Adjudicator: Paul Cosh

1. Reg Vardy (Russell Gray)*
2. NASUWT Riverside (David Roberts)*
3. Fishburn (Joseph Cook)
4. East Yorkshire Motor Services (Alan Morrison)
5. Easington Colliery (Chris Bentham)
6. Felling (Huw Thomas)
7. Shepherd Group (Richard Wilton)
8. York Railway Institute Band (Chris Hirst)
9. Harrogate (Craig Buchan)