There was a great day of competitive music making on at the annual Durham County Brass Band Association Festival of Brass event held at East Durham College in Peterlee.

Excellent

Adjudicator Stephen Tighe complimented bands on some high standard of playing, especially from Houghton Area Youth whose performance of 'Indian Summer' by Eric Ball was described in his remarks as 'Excellent!'

Stephen also added that he hoped his constructive remarks for the six bands that had chosen the respective Area test pieces as their own-choice assisted in their preparation for the contest in March.

Cloudcatcher

Despite being the only entry in the A Section, Easington Colliery (above) produced a fine performance of 'Cloudcatcher Fells' under MD Chris Bentham, whilst Durham Miners Association took the B Section honours with a bold rendition of 'The Saga of Haakon the Good'.

Jayess Newbiggin won a close battle with rivals Craghead Colliery in the C Section thanks to a well worked performance of 'Haydock Variations', with the young stars of Houghton Area Youth Band providing the audience with wonderful entertainment with their rendition of Eric Ball's classic.

Compliments

Hugh Stephenson on behalf of the Durham County Brass Band Association, who acted as compere on the day, told 4BR: "We have some lovely compliments about the day from players and the audience alike.

However, with only one entry in the Championship/First Section and Youth Section I encourage any bands in these sections to consider entering the contest in future years."

We have some lovely compliments about the day from players and the audience alikeHugh Stephenson

Section A:
1. Easington Colliery (Chris Bentham) — 193

Section B:
1. Durham Miners Association (Stuart Gray) — 183
2. Houghton Brass (Tom Gibson) — 182
3. North Skelton (George Nicklin) — 181
4. NASUWT Concert (Andrew Hunter) — 180
5. Backworth Colliery (Colin Harris) — 177
6. Wansbeck Ashington (Dave Kendall) — 175
7. Marske Brass (Alun Prest) — 174
8. Bearpark & Esh Colliery (Peter Elcoat) — 172
9. Billingham Silver (Vaughan Evans) — 171
10. Ferryhill Town (Andrew Hall) — 170

Best Principal Cornet: Neil Gibson (Houghton Brass)
Best Percussion Section: NASUWT Concert
Best Middle of Band: Houghton Brass
Best Third Section Band: North Skelton

Section C:
1. Jayess Newbiggin (Alan Fernie)
2. Craghead (Jack Dodds)

Best Euphonium: Andrew Griffiths (Jayess Newbiggin)
Best Cornet Player: Teresa Harker (soprano) — (Jayess Newbiggin)
Best Bass Section: Craghead

Youth Section:
1. Houghton Area Youth (Glenis Smith)