Report & Results: 2016 North of England Regional Championships

Reg Vardy, Lockwood Brass, Dunston Silver, J36 Brass, Jayess Newbiggin lead the way at Durham, as the North East sends a strong line-up of qualifiers to the National Finals.

As the final notes rang out from their performance of 'Cambridge Variations', a sense of inevitability started to permeate the air at the Gala Theatre auditorium that they were also heralding the announcement of Reg Vardy as North of England Regional Champion for a 36th time.

Worthy winners

Despite another four bands having to play, it was obvious they were in no mood to relinquish the FA Cup lookalike Regional Trophy, as they produced a classy rendition full of precise detail and lyrical musicality under Russell Gray to ensure that adjudicator Mark Wilkinson would have little difficulty declaring them worthy winners for a third consecutive year.

The band also left for home with the individual awards for 'Best Cornet', claimed by the excellent Philip Tait and 'Best Bass Section'.

Victory came following a contest that was full of pre-performance anticipation had turned into a severe test of Albert Hall qualification credentials as Philip Sparke's work stretched the eight competitors towards their various limits.

Confident EYMS

One such was a confident EYMS, who delivered a purposeful, hard-working account under Stig Maersk that comfortably claimed the all-important second qualification spot as well as a brace of individual awards for 'Best Soprano' and 'Best Euphonium'.

Meanwhile, NASUWT Riverside under John Berryman couldn't quite repeat the form that saw them qualify for Kensington a year ago as they ended third, whilst a controlled reading from Joseph Cook's Fishburn saw them comfortably finish fourth, with the rest of the field some way behind.

Happy Gray

Winning MD, Russell Gray was a very happy man as he relaxed in the spring sunshine on Monday morning — reflecting on the performance and a piece he holds close to his contesting heart.

"I'm delighted that the band once again delivered such a fine performance on stage and continues to build on the good form shown at Brass in Concert and Butlins. It shows that we are building in top level confidence — and that hard work pays off."

It rounded off a fine fortnight for the Scotsman, after he led Carlton Main Frickley to London in Bradford the week before.

"I played and won with Leyland at the Masters in 1992 when it was first used, so it has happy memories for me. I've also used it as an own-choice work in Norway. It's possibly one of the most underrated works in the top flight repertoire — and a much stiffer test than many may realise until they really start working on it."

Detailed address

Adjudicator, Mark Wilkinson (who replaced the indisposed Dr Roger Webster) also had more immediate happy memories of the piece, having played it with Foden's in Blackpool, and in a detailed address, he informed the audience he'd enjoyed listening with an open mind to the various interpretations on offer.

Acknowledging its inherent difficulties, Mark talked about the struggles some had with its rhythmic challenges, before congratulating the flugels and baritones for their efforts. He also pinpointed some of the struggles with technical difficulties where detail was lost, and the need for greater dynamic contrast.

Nod of appreciation

There was also a respectful nod of appreciation to his fellow principal cornet players, although he encouraged the MDs to think hard about tempo choices, especially at the end of such a demanding work.

He later told 4BR: "I found it quite easy to pick the top two bands who stood out with their quality. After them the standard was more variable, but each performance had its positives and good solo playing from everyone involved."

For Reg Vardy that meant standing out as Regional Champion for the 36th time.

First Section:

Six bands took to the stage on Saturday afternoon, with Alan Morrison invigilating their answers to Edward Gregson's imposing' Essay' question.

As has been the case so far around the country, it proved to be a demanding examination of contesting credentials — although Lockwood Brass under MD John Roberts took the honours with an impressive title winning performance.

Hat-trick

It was also a hat-trick victory following a brace in the Second Section, and with a trio of 'Best Basses' providing a fine foundation, John was able to mould a detailed, transparent reading of the score featuring excellent soloists as well as ensemble security, that also secured prizes for 'Best Trombone' and 'Best Percussion'.

Speaking to 4BR, John was naturally delighted by the hat-trick success. "Edward Gregson's work is a really tough test at this level,"he admitted. "That's been shown already around the Areas — but that's a good thing. It has given everyone a reminder of the respect it deserves."

New generation

The victory also saw a new generation of a famous banding family enjoy a debut appearance success, as Ben Clough — the grandson of the legendary Black Dyke euphonium star John Clough played his part in the victory.

"I'm chuffed to bits for everyone in the band,"John added. "The Clough household will enjoy celebrating this. We'll now prepare for the French Open and see what the Final brings us in September — but every credit to the band for their work ethic and delivery on stage — they were all superb."

Sympathy

Joining them south in the autumn will be Ripon City, after Martin Hall's well-crafted reading saw the North Yorkshire contender head to Cheltenham for the third time in four years. Just missing out in a contest that was a stern ask of all the performers was Harrogate conducted by Dave Smith.

Adjudicator Alan Morrison gave a text book analysis of what he heard in his pre-results speech; one that pulled no punches in its clarity, detail and purpose, as he highlighted the problems encountered with the angular, rhythmic structures of the work, contrasting with its demanding lyrical solo lines.

Whilst Lockwood Brass were a clear winner for the top man at ABBA, he did admit to having sympathy for Harrogate for just missing out on what had been 'a very close' battle for the second qualification place.

Second Section:

The Sunday morning Championship Section aperitif was provided by Philip Harper's engaging 'The Mermaid of Zennor', in what was a rather disappointing contest, which never quite managed to find any of the eight contenders on the very best of form.

Qualification honours went to the duo that conquered all before them in the Third Section here last year, as Dunston Silver and the eventual National Champion Houghton Brass once again showed their well- led competitive qualities.

Marital dilemma

However, Dunston Silver's victory under Aidan Hodgson not only came as a shock to the band — it also gave them a bit of a marital dilemma — as the Cheltenham weekend coincides with their principal euphonium player's wedding day!

The triumph for the band which rehearses within a confetti throw of the Gala Theatre in Durham was still sinking in when 4BR caught up with Band Chairman Dave Jakeman.

"We honestly can't believe it,"he said, as he explained that this will now be their third trip to Cheltenham in five years. "Having been promoted we didn't think we would be in with much of a chance of victory, but we played so well that it turned out that way.

The wedding is on the same weekend, and all the band are going to be playing at it, so we will we will sit down with Louise and fiancÃ©e Mike first of all to get their thoughts. It's some wedding present though."

Fallen short

Alan Morrison was tasked with picking out the winning bands, and once again gave
an engaging, thoughtful assessment that informed players and the audience alike where he felt performances had fallen short.

The final podium place went to Ashington Colliery aided by their 'Best Soprano' player's fine contribution, with the remaining top-six places claimed by West Riding of Yorkshire, Durham Miners Association and NASUWT Concert.

Gem of a piece

In congratulating the Kapitol Music Panel on what he called 'a gem of a piece', Alan picked through the various musical traps within the score, section by section. It was an excellent analysis, with Alan admitting that there had been 'no clear winner' and that, 'a disappointing lack of consistency' had been the root cause.

If any band had felt hard done by, it was his final statement that left them in no doubt at all. "Some bands may say that the qualifiers didn't deliver everything required. You're absolutely right — but yours wasn't as good."

It was an answer that perhaps nobody wanted to hear — but as everyone knew, was perfectly correct.

Third Section:

The start of a nine-hour contesting day on Sunday started with 11 bands tackling Michael Ball's detailed, 'A Cambrian Suite'.

And whilst Wales may be some distance away down the motorway, it was a debutant band from around junction 36 of the M6 that will be heading even further south towards Cheltenham as a potential National champion in September.

High quality

Drawn last under the experienced Andrew Warriner, J36 Brass delivered a high-quality performance that signalled their title winning aspirations for both events from the very start.

In a confident rendition full of requisite detail, balance and contrast, topped by the excellent personal contribution of 'Best Cornet' John Squires-Evans, they showcased contesting attributes that will surely hold them in good stead for the short and long-term future.

Strong challenge

It was also a performance that had to be at the top of it game to beat the strong challenge of rivals Bearpark & Esh directed by Peter Elcoat, who produced a composed and equally confident rendition to showcase their impressive future aspirations.

In a contest that showed that the Area is once again producing a host of highly competitive bands at this level, two well directed performances from North Skelton and Murton Colliery battled it out for the remaining podium slot, with the top six places going to accounts of considerable merit from Marske and Ferryhill Town.

Mark Wilkinson was also impressed by what he heard; giving a detailed analysis on a piece that he acknowledged was 'tough'. However, he was full of praise for the MDs in a contest where he felt the overall standard had been 'very good' and the winner, 'excellent'.

Enjoyed

It couldn't have been a better contesting start then for J36 Brass and their conductor, as he later told 4BR: "I couldn't be happier and we certainly enjoyed our performance,"Andrew Warriner said.

"It doesn't matter how things have gone in rehearsal, it's what you do on the stage that counts. The band has been working so hard for this appearance so I felt that if we maintained the level of consistency that we've shown in the practice room we could be in with a chance. The band really stepped things up a gear on the contest stage though."

He added: "It's given us the start we dreamed of — and now can look forward to the long trip to Cheltenham, although thankfully we have a shorter trip to the Buxton contest to enjoy first."

Section Four:

The opening contest of the weekend saw eight well-matched bands enjoy themselves on Peter Graham's 'The Journal of Phileas Fogg'. It also turned out to be a day to remember for Jayess Newbiggin and the family of a proud Regional Secretary, Tony Griffiths.

He temporarily abstained himself from his administrative duties to take to the stage as one of the band's two tuba players (who received a special commendation from adjudicator Alan Morrison for their efforts) along with sons Anthony on principal cornet and Andrew conducting in a rendition that sparkled with vibrancy, fun and style.

Delighted

Andrew later told 4BR: "We are all delighted with how the performance went and it just shows what hard work can do even when you're not at full strength. "It's great for the family to share something together and I'm chuffed to bits for dad because he works so hard in his role but still wants to play his part in a band with a great family atmosphere."

In fact there seemed to be plenty of family ties on show in many of the competitors on the day, with a fine mix of youngsters playing side by side with older performers (including a 86 year old player with Penrith).

Mini-break

Making the journey to Cheltenham for the second successive year will be Knaresborough Silver after they produced a colourful mini-break tour rich in character and confidence, whilst just missing out was a well-worked account from Swinton & District.

The remaining top-six places went to Penrith Town (conducted by a busy Mark Wilkinson), Beverely Brass and Spennymoor Town, whilst some fine individual playing saw awards go to the 'Best Soprano' of Craghead Colliery and the 'Best Euphonium' of Lanchester.

Enjoyed

Alan Morrison later admitted that he thoroughly enjoyed himself in the box and congratulated the players from all the bands on what had been another exhibition of the emerging quality of the foundation level of contesting in the region.

At the end of a tiring weekend, once again supported by Geneva Instruments and excellently ran by Tony Griffiths and his host of hard working volunteers (including compere Peter Bates, from the North West) the contesting weekend was one to enjoy as the North of England continues to make a musical punch well above its weight.

I'm delighted that the band once again delivered such a fine performance on stage and continues to build on the good form shown at Brass in Concert and ButlinsRussell Gray.

Results:

Championship Section:
Test Piece: Cambridge Variations (Philip Sparke)
Adjudicator: Mark Wilkinson

1. Reg Vardy (Russell Gray)*
2. EYMS (Stig Maersk)*
3. NASUWT Riverside (John Berryman)
4. Fishburn (Joe Cook)
5. Easington Colliery (Chris Bentham)
6. York Railway Institute (Chris Hirst)
7. Shepherd Building Group (Richard Wilton)
8. Kirkbymoorside (John Woodward)

Best Soprano: EYMS
Best Cornet: Philip Tait (Reg Vardy)
Best Euphonium: EYMS
Best Trombone: NASUWT Riverside
Best Bass Section: Reg Vardy
Best Percussion Section: Easington Colliery