The culmination of years of outstanding brass band experience saw Grimethorpe Colliery Band claim the 163rd British Open title at Symphony Hall on the weekend.

Sensational

Led by Dr Robert Childs they produced a winning rendition of 'Reflections on Swan Lake' which composer Stephen Roberts stated in his written adjudication was; 'Brilliantly shaped and spectacularly executed — sensational. I had hoped for a performance like this and you gave it!'

It also gave the Yorkshire band their fifth Open success, but only their first since their famous 1991 victory at Manchester's Free Trade Hall, whilst their inspirational MD can now add a sixth Mortimer Trophy to his personal collection at his home in South Wales.

Shared success

He was keen though to ensure that the latest success was shared with his players — a number of who have now also notched up as many wins at the most prestigious contest in the banding world.

"Working with Grimethorpe over the last 18 months or so has been a real honour and being able to call on the experience of the likes of Kevin (Crockford), Roger (Webster), Shaun (Crowther) and Michael (Dodd) around the stand gives a conductor huge confidence,"he said.

"We didn't have to reinvent the wheel with this piece. I just let the music speak for itself — so having that experience to fall back on, along with the quality of all the other players made things much easier. This is a band full of fantastic performers."

Quality experience

The quality of that experience (with 15 Open successes between them) was also recognised in the Symphony Hall box, with Roger Webster claiming the Stanley Wainwright Memorial Trophy as 'Best Soloist' and Kevin Crockford taking the Brian Evans Memorial Trophy as 'Best Soprano' for a second time.

The composer was not alone in his appreciation of the MD's approach, with fellow adjudicator Derek Broadbent describing it as 'a performance of great musicality, style, drama and passion' and Adrian Morris simply highlighting their 'well cultured band sound.'

Fluctuating fortunes

On a day of fluctuating fortunes and contrasting interpretations, Grimethorpe's late draw rendition of a work that tested MDs and players to the full, ended a 24 year Open drought as they overtook early draw leaders Cory and repelled the immediate challenge from Brighouse & Rastrick.

The Welsh band's marker was described in the written remarks as 'full of character, virtuosity and musicality' — with Glyn Williams splendidly marking his Open debut with them by taking the 'Geoffrey Whitham Memorial Trophy' as the 'Best Euphonium'.

Philip Harper's band very nearly held their lead to the end of what became a long contest, until Grimethorpe and Brighouse & Rastrick eventually overtook them in the home straight.

Energetic King

Under an energetic Prof David King, Brighouse posted their best Open result since 1998 with a rendition full of balletic character; described by the composer in his remarks as, 'a splendid performance' containing 'so many fine things'.

Behind them, there was delight for Leyland, as the north-west contender produced 'a commanding performance brimming with refined musicality' for the judges to come fourth (and having had to wait almost 25 minutes before they could take to the stage after a replacement timpani had to sought), with Foden's 'very fine performance' account in fifth.

There was to be no repeat triumph for defending champion Black Dyke though, despite a 'terrific' rendition under Prof Nicholas Childs, as they ended in sixth place.

Judge's hint

Prior to the announcement of the results, Stephen Roberts gave a hint about the judge's feelings on what they had heard — and especially the approach to the interpretation of the score, which he stated had 'varied tremendously'.

Although the general standard was, 'excellent', and 'fairly close', he also pointed out that the bands did however fall into 'tiers'.

Some MDs 'took too much liberty' he said, and 'had to be given a slap', whilst some performances were 'a bit gauche' — referring to the surprising number of clumsy, tactless errors that blighted some efforts.

No such problems with Grimethorpe though as Stephen later told 4BR. "It stood out. It was scintillating and had that bit of magic. They did what was on the score and did everything that I wanted."

Dr Robert Childs was equally delighted when he heard that. "That's great,"he beamed with broad smile. "I really did think the piece and the music spoke for itself — and didn't need to be over analysed. To read the remarks gives us all a huge confidence boost ahead of London.

I've only won there once and I would love to be able to add to that with Grimethorpe."

Divided opinion

With the 'sold-out' signs meaning any return tickets were eagerly snapped up before a note was blown, the audience was certainly keen to hear a piece that had somewhat divided opinion of conductors, players and listeners alike.

The early draw action which saw the first half of the contest packed with fancied runners certainly whetted the appetite although it was a slightly misfiring Fairey who gave the premiere performance to eventually end eleventh.

They will perhaps rue the fate of the draw, although when the final result list was published there would have been few who disagreed with the placings as Tredegar, Burgermusik Luzern, Co-operative Funeralcare and Flowers filled the top 10.

Grand Shield champion Rothwell Temperance delivered a solid account to end twelfth just ahead of Milnrow, who once again showed remarkable character in comfortably securing their Open status (and coming to the rescue by racing in with a replacement timpani from their coach after the skin was broken during the performance of Woodfalls).

Relegation

Behind them came hit and miss accounts from Desford, Hammonds Saltaire and Woodfalls, whilst the dreaded relegation drop to the Spring Festival could not be avoided by the fancied Carlton Main Frickley and Kirkintilloch (who ended in the same places as they did in 2014).

At the end of the contest there were presentations of the Iles Medal to Sue Richards, widow of composer Goff Richards, and the Mortimer Medal to Lee Rigg, whilst Harry Mortimer Trust Awards went to Charles Beresford, Robert Nicholson, Sarah Lenton and Rebecca Childs.

What price a double?

The one presentation above all others though went to Grimethorpe Colliery Band as they ended a 24 year wait to add their name on the most famous Gold Trophy in the banding world.

What price will the bookies now give Dr Robert Childs and his vastly experienced band as they head to London to try and make it a first ever Grimethorpe 'Double' in a few weeks time?

I just let the music speak for itself — so having that experience to fall back on, along with the quality of all the other players made things much easier. This is a band full of fantastic performersDr Robert Childs

Result

Saturday 5th September
Test Piece: 'Reflections on Swan Lake' — Stephen Roberts
Adjudicators: Derek Broadbent, Adrian Morris, Stephen Roberts

1. Grimethorpe Colliery (Dr Robert Childs)
2. Brighouse & Rastrick (Prof. David King)
3. Cory (Philip Harper)
4. Leyland (Thomas Wyss)
5. Fodens (Allan Withington)
6. Black Dyke (Prof. Nicholas Childs)
7. Tredegar (Ian Porthouse)
8. Brass Band Burgermusik Luzern (Michael Bach)
9. Co-operative Funeralcare (Allan Ramsay)
10. Flowers (Paul Holland)
11. Fairey (Garry Cutt)
12. Rothwell Temperance (David Roberts)
13. Milnrow (Mark Bentham)
14. Desford Colliery (Tom Davoren)
15. Hammonds Saltaire (Morgan Griffiths)
16. Woodfalls (Erik Janssen)
17. Carlton Main Frickley Colliery (Phillip McCann)*
18. Kirkintilloch (Russell Gray)*

*Relegated to Grand Shield

Stanley Wainwright Memorial Trophy: Dr Roger Webster (cornet) — Grimethorpe Colliery
Brian Evans Memorial Trophy: Kevin Crockford, (soprano) — Grimethorpe Colliery
The Geoffrey Whitham Memorial Trophy: Glyn Williams (euphonium) — Cory