Viewers from all corners of the banding world tuned in on the weekend to join the hundreds of players and supporters at the Heritage High School in Clowne in Derbyshire in enjoying the entertainment provided by the 37 competitors at the Bolsover Festival of Brass.

34 countries

Brass band lovers from 34 different countries — from Australia to the USA, Nigeria to Oman were able to watch over 10 hours of live internet broadcasting, with East Yorkshire Motor Services rounding off the highly enjoyable event by taking the Wilson Bowden Developments Trophy and £750 Championship Section first prize under the direction of Alan Morrison.

Their slickly delivered 'Americana' 20 minute set was described by adjudicator Philip Sparke in his written remarks as a 'superb... quality programme and arrangements, delivered with confidence and panache' — something that certainly pleased their MD as he received the Major Peter Parkes Trophy as winning conductor.

EYMS wase also the first recipients of the Margaret Allsop Memorial Trophy, presented by her daughter's Frankie and Karen as the 'Most Entertaining Band'.

Delighted

"We are delighted with the way we played and that Philip and the audience enjoyed what we did so much,"Alan told 4BR.

"We work very hard on producing entertainment programmes that are inventive and full of quality, and it's something we thoroughly enjoy — as I think people all over the world could see today.

We will now build on this as we work towards our debut appearance at the Brass in Concert Championship in Gateshead in November — but we hope to be back next year to defend our title, especially with this great broadcast idea taking off so well."

EYMS opened with 'I'm a Brass Band' from 'Sweet Charity', before Neil Day produced an excellent rendition of 'Deborah's Theme' from 'One Upon a Time in America'.

The cleverly choreographed Spike Jones inspired '12th Street Rag (complete with the brilliant 'diminishing trombone' of Mark Unsworth) led into 'American Civil War Fantasy' with the set rounded off with thumping 'Sir Duke' closer.

Well thought out

Close on their heels in a contest that Philip Sparke stated was full of well thought out programmes, came Unite the Union, who made it a highly successful, as well as profitable weekend's work by adding £400 as runner-up, to the £500 they picked up earlier in the day in winning the First Section.

Third place went to Jaguar Land Rover with their well delivered 'Heroes' set, whilst the pick of a host of excellent soloists was 14 year old xylophonist Morgan Gallimore of Blidworth Welfare, who gave a cracking rendition of 'Helter Skelter' to win the 'Best Solo Performer' prize.

One programme that certainly got tongues wagging came from Poulton le Fylde (played in both the First and Championship Sections) — with their specially commissioned contemporary set, 'Theogeny: Creation & Destruction' — complete with narration, five new premiere compositions, art work and a Greek mythology story line that certainly caught the imagination!

Unite clear in First

Just a few hours earlier Unite had claimed the First Section honours with a polished set (later repeated but with a new solo feature) that opened with a new ensemble take of 'Children of Sanchez', followed by 'Phoenix' from 'War of the Worlds', the flugel solo 'Maghseola', 'Salsa Tres Prado' and the 'Finale' from 'Turris Fortissima'.

According to adjudicator John Roberts, it gave the Yorkshire band the title by a clear-cut two point margin from rivals Longridge with Elland Silver in third.

Longridge took the 'Most Entertaining ' prize under Mark Peacock with their polished set that included a great take on 'Money Makes the World go Round' with the 'Best Solo Performer' award won by Richard Dowling of Stannington Colliery who gave a wonderful rendition of 'Mattheson's Air'.

Successful Silk Brass

In the Second Section there was a successful title defence by Silk Brass under Tony Wyatt, as they caught the ear of adjudicator Simone Rebello to once again take the £400 first prize ahead of rivals Ibstock Brick Brass, with Long Eaton Silver Prize in third. Vocalist James Dennis took the 'Best Solo Performer' award.

Fine Towcester

Simone also enjoyed some fine playing in the Third Section, as Towcester Studio, directed by Neil Brownless claimed the £300 first prize ahead of Newhall Brass and Matlock. Towcester's star euphonium player Andy Rigby took the 'Best Solo Performer' Award.

Cadishead end 35 year wait

Earlier in the day in the televised main hall, it was a delighted Cadishead Public Band that claimed their first winner's trophy for 35 years, under the baton of Craig McFarland.

Little wonder the North West band's representatives were eager to fill it up with celebratory drinks, as their set of 'Samba', Caravan', 'Moon River', the trombone solo 'Stardust' played by Tony Whittingham and 'Sing, Sing, Sing' secured the long awaited honours.

Second place in a highly entertaining contest went to Swinton & District Excelsior, with Kirkby Colliery in third. The 'Best Solo Performer' award went to soprano player Tom Mercer of Loxley Silver Band.

Uni Brass Section

The emerging Uni Brass contesting section attracted competitors from Nottingham University and Sheffield University — both producing cracking early morning performances for Philip Sparke to enjoy.

The students were also left with plenty of time to enjoy their other favourite 'socialising' past-time in the bar after Nottingham took the honours under the joint batons of Keiron Williams and Matthew Husbands, with their chemistry post-graduate cornet star Chris Blunt taking the 'Best Solo Performer' award for his rendition of 'Concert Etude'.

Unregistered success for Newark

The contest day kicked off at 10.00am with two excellent performances from the unregistered duo of Newark Town Band and Carlton Brass Training Band — with Newark eventually taking the £200 first prize under MD Rupert Trippett.

Their high energy programme opened with the march 'Punchinello' before they neatly played 'Doyen', 'Share My Yoke' featuring cornet player David Pearce and rounded things off with the Madness pop hit 'Baggy Trousers.

A special mention though to 'Best Solo Performer' award winner Sarah Harper of Carlton Brass Training who took the award for a fine rendition of 'Sugar Blues' — all played despite having a broken foot!

Innovative partnership

It proved to be a highly encouraging day for the contest organisers — with Bolsover's newly appointed Chief Executive Officer on hand with a host of special guests to enjoy the day's action.

The Bolsover Festival (which included a special live broadcast of the William Davis Re-Union Band concert n the Saturday night) was organised through an innovative partnership between Bolsover District Council and the First Arts organisation, who were able to bring together a variety of multi-media providers to beam the action from the Unregistered, First and Championship Sections all over the world.

Bolsover Council Arts Development Officer Carole Hirst told 4BR: "Everyone was delighted with the day — especially with the take up on-line and the atmosphere created that allowed people to enjoy the playing of the bands either in the contest halls, in the special bar area, in the comfort of their own home or even on their mobile phones.

We have also received great feedback from those who attended and those who followed the action on line."

4BR understands that it is hoped that the success of the event will enable the organisers to expand the live coverage in future to include the action from each competitive section.

Brass band lovers from 34 different countries — from Australia to the USA, Nigeria to Oman were able to watch over 10 hours of live internet broadcasting4BR

Results:

Championship Section:
Adjudicator: Philip Sparke

1. East Yorkshire Motor Services (Alan Morrison) — 96
2. Unite the Union (David Hirst) — 95
3. Jaguar Land Rover (Dave Lea ) — 94
4. Thoresby Colliery (Lee Skipsey) — 93
5. South Yorkshire Police (Leigh Baker) — 92
6. Blidworth Welfare (Martin Heartfield) — 90
7. Poulton le Flyde (Dave Collins) — 88
8. Shepherd Group (Richard Wilton) — 87

Best Soloist: Morgan Gallimore (xylophone) — Blidworth Welfare Band
Most Entertaining: East Yorkshire Motor Services

First Section:
Adjudicator: John Roberts

1. Unite the Union (David Hirst) — 90
2. Longridge (Mark Peacock) — 88
3. Elland Silver (Daniel Brookes) — 85
4. Stannington Band (Garry Hallas)
5. Shirebrook MWU (Mark Wilcockson)
6. Kibworth (Dave Holling)
7. Bedworth Brass (David Maplestone)
8. Poulton le Flyde (Dave Collins)
9. Ireland Colliery (Chesterfield) (Ian Knapton)
10. Leicester Co-operative (Graham Jacklin)

Best Soloist: Richard Dowling (cornet) — Stannington Band
Most Entertaining: Longridge

Second Section:
Adjudicator: Simone Rebello

1. Silk Brass (Tony Wyatt)
2. Ibstock Brick Brass (Simon Willis)
3. Long Eaton Silver (Sharon Stansfield)
4 = East Riding of Yorkshire (Ian Scott)
4 = Dronfield Genquip (Simon Kerwin)
6. Carlton Brass (Paul Watson)

Best Soloist: James Dennis (vocalist) — Long Eaton

Third Section:
Adjudicator: Simone Rebello

1. Towcester Studio (Neil Brownless)
2. Newhall Brass (Kevin Holdgate)
3. Matlock Band (Geoff Hawley)
4. Rolls Royce (Derby) (Graham Cardwell

Best Soloist: Andy Rigby (euphonium) — Towcester Studio

Fourth Section:
Adjudicator: Philip Sparke

1. Cadishead Public (Craig McFarland)
2. Swinton & District Excelsior (Robin Rutter)
3. Kirkby Colliery (Neville Buxton)
4. Deepcar Band (Lindon Bolt)
5. Loxley Silver Band (Lee Dunkley)

Best Soloist: Tom Mercer (soprano) — Loxley Silver

Uni-Brass Section:
Adjudicator: Philip Sparke

1. Nottingham University (Kieran Williams & Matthew Husbands) — 92
2. Sheffield University (Lewis Squires) — 90

Best Soloist: Chris Blunt (cornet) — Nottingham University

Unregistered Section:
Adjudicator: John Roberts

1. Newark Town (Rupert Trippett) — 80
2. Carlton Training Band (Geoff Hawley) — 78

Soloist: Sarah Harper (cornet) — Carlton Training Band