A new Area contesting dominance may be emerging in Stevenage, after Friary Guildford commandingly retained the Championship Section title to return to the Royal Albert Hall for a fourth consecutive year.
Off the number 1 draw, it was another major success for Chris King's impressive outfit — a result which left no one in any doubt as to the credentials of the standard bearer of the region's elite level aspirations.
Respect and fear
The band will now shift their focus to potential British Open qualification at the Grand Shield in Blackpool. On this form, Friary Guildford will be a band rivals will both respect and fear.
Victory came in a contest where the 12 contenders had their own top flight credentials tested to the limit on 'Cambridge Variations', but which in the process also brought praise for the overall standard of playing from judges Ewan Easton and Stephen Roberts.
Heading back
Also heading back to Kensington for the second time in three years will be Wantage Silver as the 2013 winner secured their return under Craig Patterson to beat off the challenge of Redbridge Brass — pipped into third place for the second year in a row: The awards for 'Best Trombones' and 'Best Euphonium' (Lisa Brill) were minor consolations for Alan Duguid's band.
The remaining top-six places in a contest compared favourably by adjudicator Stephen Roberts to the top section in the North West, went to East London Brass, Thundersley Brass and Zone One Brass.
Each gave accounts of substance, with their final placings perhaps more a reflection of the differing interpretations by their MDs rather than any major technical deficiencies — despite Zone One only able to field one brilliant 'Inspector Gadget' percussionist. On another day, Redbridge and East London Brass could have found themselves making the trip to Kensington Gore.
Fell away
However, behind them the standard did fall away somewhat, although each band produced passages of solidity and fine solo interventions — although none better than David Geoghagen of Zone One who claimed a deserved 'Best Cornet' prize.
Prior to the results Ewan Easton revealed that a number of performances had caused the judges 'a real headache', because 'they had so many good attributes'. He went on to say the key to success lay in finding the underpinning 'rhythm' of the score, although intonation problems were evident in every account.
Meanwhile, Stephen Roberts also complimented the bands — later telling 4BR that Friary Guildford had been a 'clear winner', although the duo had to give much more thought deciding the destination of the second qualification place.
No troubles
No troubles with a second successive victory for Friary Guildford though, with a delighted MD Chris King taking great satisfaction in another imposing success.
"We continue to make progress and despite a couple of clips, the performance was arguably the best we've delivered for a couple of years. The players work so hard and play with such passion and their commitment in the run-up to the contest was superb. We now know what it takes to succeed at the highest level — and we don't want to stop here."
Good choice
He added: "Cambridge Variations was a good choice. The more you dug into it, the more the detail became visible. I'm delighted with the result — especially off the number 1 draw. We delivered our performance and the rest was down to the judges. To hear them say how clear cut and how well we played gives us a huge boost ahead of Blackpool."
Friary Guildford will now take some time off over the Easter holiday to recharge the batteries before focussing on the Grand Shield, whilst Wantage will look further ahead to the Albert Hall after producing a persuasive account that beat off the strong challenge of determined rivals.
First Section:
The closest contest of the weekend saw 16 rivals submit a series of inconsistent 'Essay' performances for Paul Norley and Mark Wilkinson to adjudicate.
As has been the case around the country — a stern test produced a rather disappointing outcome, although that won't have worried the successful qualifiers, Aveley & Newham and Northfleet Brass.
Straight forward
The judges later told 4BR that the decision itself was 'straight forward' — the top two marking themselves out thanks to the carefully considered direction from MDs Robert Nunnery and Melvin White, and the security of the main solo lines and ensemble cohesion.
Behind them Hitchin, aided by 'Best Cornet' Dinah Birch finished third, edging out Jersey Premier Brass who narrowly missed out for a second successive year. Ware Brass and a delighted Colchester, promoted to the First Section this year, filled the remaining top-six places.
Clear assessment
Before the announcement of the results the judges gave clear assessments about what they had heard — leaving no one in doubt about the standard on show, and to why bands came where they did.
"All got through relatively unscathed,"Paul told the bands at the results ceremony, although quickly adding. "The conductors needed to be more careful though in understanding the Italian stylistic terms and tempos."
Paul also highlighted the amount of poor intonation that marred performances — a surprise he felt given that these were bands just one step away from Championship status.
Meanwhile, Mark Wilkinson added that given his written remarks, his first judging assignment to Stevenage may well be his last. Those who appreciated his candour hope it will not be though.
Step forward
The result was another major step forward for a resurgent Aveley & Newham, with Band Manager, Bex Ransom telling 4BR that they are really looking forward to Cheltenham.
"We have some important planning to do for September,"she said. "Everyone was delighted with our performance and we knew we'd given our best account of it when we came off stage."
Bex also said that the band felt that 'Essay' was an excellent choice. "Yes, we won, but it was good to work on a piece that you had to give a great deal of thought to when playing — especially the unison sections which modern test-pieces seem to lack."
With the tuba section still celebrating their award winning efforts, Bex added that their attention will now focus on the Senior Cup in Blackpool as well as starting the fund raising necessary to head to Cheltenham in September.
Second Section:
The weekend opened with 16 bands tackling Philip Harper's 'The Mermaid of Zennor'.
It was an enjoyable, if somewhat variable contest in terms of overall quality, although the major prize winners and top-six finishers certainly produced musical narratives rich in colour, texture, excitement and style.
Favourable
They were also renditions that compared favourably with other regions according to David Lancaster, who was in the box in Blackpool. He complimented the competitors, who in his opinion gave a 'wider spread' of consistency than their Winter Garden counterparts.
The winners also gave him and fellow judge Stephen Roberts an 'easy decision' to make, with Cawton's 'detailed and balanced' account under David Stowell bringing out the essential elements in each of the three movements.
"It was the slow music in the middle that caught people out,"David reflected. "Not the winners. But I have to ask — how many have been to church here? There were clear indications from the composer on the score for what he was looking for and we just didn't get it. The hymn playing wasn't very good."
No problems
As David said though — no such problems for Cawston, whose measured account saw them claim their first ever Regional title.
Making the journey to Cheltenham with them will be a delighted St Sebastian Wokingham, who produced the type of considered performance under MD Lee Woodward that ticked just the right boxes to edge pre-results favourites Soham Comrades, into third place.
The remaining top-six finishers featured hard working accounts from Grimsdyke, Littleport Brass and the remarkable 19 players of Chiltern Hills Brass — including the unfatigable Regional Secretary, Kevin Williams.
Missed opportunities
Behind them it was the usual tale of missed opportunities, errant entries and contesting nerves, although there was also a hint of frustration too. The seemingly innocuous central 'Church' section took a surprising toll, with the age old problems of slow, exposed playing once again sorting bands out.
Not so Cawston, with MD, David Stowell shaking off a nasty cold when 4BR finally caught up with him — although he admitted the celebrations after the results may have given him a bad head rather than a runny nose.
"I was delighted with how everything went on stage,"he said. "The players were brilliant and I must thank them for their efforts in the run-up to the contest. It was a very enjoyable night after becoming Area Champion for the first time. There was well over 100 years of contesting history to rewrite."
New chapter
With the band also picking up the award for 'Best Trombones', David is now hoping to write another chapter in the long history of a wonderful band. "Cawston is a delight to work with because you know week in, week out, be it concert or contest, that it's the same friendly committed people who want to enjoy their music making."
Third Section:
The Championship Section taster on Sunday morning saw 16 bands tackle 'A Cambrian Suite', with the best showing their quality to gain top-six, podium and qualification places.
They were topped by Chinnor Silver under their experienced MD David Pegram, whilst Tendring Brass (previously known as Harwich RBL), conducted by Antony Sanders will join them at Cheltenham.
Andrew Kershaw rounded off a busy weekend (he conducted three bands) leading a fine account from Waterbeach Brass in third, with Hangleton the other to be named from the stage in fourth. Well-led accounts from East Coast Brass and Fairlop Brass filled the remaining top-six places.
Summing up
Adjudicators Mark Wilkinson and David Lancaster once again gave clear summing-ups of what they had been asked to compare in the box, with Mark reassuring bands that the same positives and negatives he'd heard in Durham the previous weekend were just as prevalent in Stevenage — especially in the outer movements.
Meanwhile, David added that, "...it hadn't been an easy contest to adjudicate as inconsistency was the order of the day at times."
Do well
However, whilst the judges thought the overall standard was a little variable they later told 4BR that given what they had also heard on their travels, the qualifiers should do well at Cheltenham, with both Chinnor and Tendring Brass producing performances that sought out and revealed the forensic detail of the score.
Not surprisingly, Chinnor MD, David Pegram was a happy man when 4BR caught up with him, although he apologised for his voice, which was still rather hoarse from the celebrations following his band's first National Final qualification since 2004.
"I'm still over the moon to be honest,"he said. "We took our rehearsal form onto the stage and I couldn't have asked for anything more, regardless of the result."
Fine choice
Perhaps not surprisingly, David thought Michael Ball's piece had proved to be a fine choice, with lots of hidden traps — enabling the best bands 'to build a performance'.
The popular MD also added how proud he was of his own band's achievement, as they are very much an ensemble that has to adapt to the modern day work/life/rehearsal balance.
"We only rehearse once a week so we have to have a realistic outlook when it comes to concerts, let alone contesting.
We put in extra rehearsals, but crucially, everybody enjoys what they do. I'd much rather have one rehearsal a week with a full band than two with empty chairs. These days makes it all worthwhile — so now it's Cheltenham but our name hasn't appeared on this trophy since 1960.
I think my voice will be totally gone if we win there!"
Fourth Section:
Whilst the battles for Third and Championship honours were taking place in the Gordon Craig Theatre, there was a cracking contest unfolding in the main hall, which despite its rather lively acoustic saw a host of excellent performances on 'The Journal of Phileas Fogg'.
Judges Paul Norley and Philip Littlemore heaped deserved praise on all 18 competitors, but it was Castleton Brass, Crystal Palace (who hope their footy team can emulate them in the FA Cup) and Witney Town who made it through to Cheltenham — although they were hard pushed a number of rivals.
Better than First Section
Paul later told 4BR: "I have to congratulate the bands as the overall standard was very high. It was an enjoyable contest as they addressed the basics well. The general intonation and tuning at times was more impressive than we heard in the First Section."
Although he added that he felt that the piece didn't pose the most technical of challenges, musically it proved ideal — especially in terms of style and the hurdles such as the tricky Viennese waltz. There was also praise for the 'brilliant' cornet soloists.
Clear top four
Meanwhile, Philip revealed the duo had a 'clear top four', although Brighton & Hove City, City of Norwich and Snowdon Colliery gave them, 'plenty to think about'.
"The top four were close together — but it was so encouraging to hear not just an excellent overall standard, but bands relishing music they clearly enjoyed."
It was well known banding administrator Christine Wade (who was also on duty all weekend) who spoke to 4BR about Castleton Brass's delight at reaching Cheltenham for the second year in a row.
"We're a band with plenty of young players who will head for pastures new in September — so we hope to give them a great send off at Cheltenham,"she said, before revealing that no less than three of their front row cornets, principal trombone, percussionist and solo euphonium were either just the right or wrong side of the legal age to enjoy an alcoholic drink in celebration after their win!
"We are very lucky that we have a great teacher in the band who has developed so many of them — so we may just turn a blind eye on this occasion!"
Cheers all round
Cheers all round then for a deserved champion and a trio of qualifiers who on this form will certainly fancy their chances at Cheltenham after a contest that revealed the growing strength in depth of the foundation level of banding in the area.
Once again the Stevenage weekend came under the excellent stewardship of Kevin Williams and his fantastic army of volunteers — including Friary Guildford's Alex Stevens who was helping out just 24 hours before she played her part in their top flight victory.
It is that commitment and dedication that makes the London & Southern Counties Regional Championship one of the best run and most engaging Area events in the banding calendar.
Malcolm Wood and Mike Brown
The players work so hard and play with such passion and their commitment in the run-up to the contest was superb. We now know what it takes to succeed at the highest level — and we don't want to stop hereMD, Chris King
Results:
Championship Section:
Test Piece: Cambridge Variations (Philip Sparke)
Adjudicators: Stephen Roberts and Ewan Easton
1. Friary Guildford (Chris King)*
2. Wantage Silver (Craig Patterson)*
3. Redbridge Brass (Alan Duguid)
4. East London Brass (Jayne Murrill)
5. Thundersley Brass (Nigel Taken)
6. Zone One Brass (Richard Ward)
7. Regent Brass (Paul Archibald)
8. Haverhill Silver (Mark Ager)
9. Medway (Melvin White)
10. Staines Brass (Jonathan Pippen)
11. Ipswich & Norwich Co-op (Nigel Cooper)
12. Sandhurst Silver (Andrew Porter)
*Top two bands qualify bands for National Final
Best Cornet: David Geoghegan (Zone One Brass)
Best Tenor Horn: East London Brass
Best Trombone Section: Redbridge
Best Euphonium: Lisa Brill (Redbridge)
First Section:
Test Piece: Essay (Edward Gregson)
Adjudicators: Mark Wilkinson and Paul Norley
1. Aveley & Newham (Robert Nunnery)*
2. Northfleet Brass (Melvin White)*
3. Hitchin (Graham Chambers)
4. Jersey Premier Brass (Tim Pritchard)
5. Ware Brass (Philip Littlemore)
6. Colchester (David Maddocks)
7. Kidlington Concert Brass (Paul Cosh)
8. Becontree Brass (Nigel Taken)
9. Horsham Borough (Andrew Kershaw)
10. City of Cambridge (Andrew Kershaw)
11. Bedford Town (Steve Phillips)
12. Egham (Gareth Green)
13. Fulham (John Ward)
14. Milton Keynes Brass (Craig Patterson)
15. Epsom & Ewell Silver (Paul Graham)
16. Wantage Silver 'B' (Danny Dullforce)
Best Cornet: Dinah Birch (Hitchin)
Best Basses: Aveley & Newham
*Top two bands qualify bands for National Final
Second Section:
Test Piece: Mermaid of Zennor (Philip Harper)
Adjudicators: Stephen Roberts and David Lancaster
1. Cawston (David Stowell)*
2. St. Sebastian Wokingham (Lee Woodward)*
3. Soham Comrades (Jayne Murrill)
4. Grimsdyke (Sharon Broughall)
5. Littleport Brass (Nigel Bramley)
6. Chiltern Hills Brass (Gordon Davies)
7. Amersham (Paul Fisher)
8. Hungerford Town (Tim Crouter)
9. Yiewsley & West Drayton (Chris Cole)
10. Welwyn Garden City (Graham Chambers)
11. LGB Brass (Ian Stewart)
12. Tilbury (Andrew Austin)
13. Epping Forest (Keith Schroeter)
14. BAE Systems (Jonathan Crowhurst)
15. Chichester City (Tim Cooper)
16. Norfolk Wherry Brass (Kevin Mann)
Best Bass Section: St. Sebastian Wokingham
Best Trombones: Cawston
*Top two bands qualify bands for National Final
Third Section:
Test Piece: A Cambrian Suite (Michael Ball)
Adjudicators: Mark Wilkinson and David Lancaster
1. Chinnor Silver (David Pegram)*
2. Tendring Brass (Antony Sanders)*
3. Waterbeach Brass (Andrew Kershaw)
4. Hangleton (Richard Baker)
5. East Coast Brass (Paul Speed)
6. Fairlop Brass (Kevin Jordan)
7. Olney Brass (Guy Bennett)
8. Oxford Cherwell Brass (Terry Brotherhood)
9. Cold Ash Brass (Jemma Evans)
10. Tadley Concert Brass (Paul Chapman)
11. Jubilee Brass (Oxford) (Clifford Sadler)
12. Hemel Hempstead (David Edmonds)
13. Regent Community Brass (Chris Bearman)
14. Simon Langton Brass (David Cutting)
15. Great Yarmouth Brass (Colin Swaep)
16. City of Oxford Silver (Nigel Hall)
*Top two bands qualify bands for National Final
Fourth Section:
Test Piece: The Journal of Phileas Fogg (Peter Graham)
Adjudicators: Paul Norley and Philip Littlemore
1. Castleton Brass (Peter Ryan)*
2. Crystal Palace (Michael Gray)*
3. Witney Town (Rhys Owens)*
4. Brighton & Hove City Brass (Matthew Hackett)
5. City of Norwich Brass (Andrew Craze)
6. Snowdown Colliery (Keith Twynham)
7. Letchworth Garden City (Tim Welch)
8. Bradwell Silver (Brian Keech)
9. Bletchington Silver (Sheldon Barwick)
10. Royston Town (Steve Earley)
11. Woodbridge Excelsior (Chris Lewis-Garnham)
12. Pangbourne & District Silver (John Watts)
13. North London Brass (Patrick Dodds)
14. Cottenham Brass (Peter Mackley)
15. Hadstock Silver (Di Pannell)
16. Watford (Ian Graves)
17. Abbey Brass (Rob Tompkins)
18. Wantage Academy (Nikki Jones)
*Top three bands qualify bands for National Final
