Wingates continued its fine 2016 form by retaining the Brighouse Festival of Brass March & Hymn Tune contest title on the weekend.
Organised by the Brighouse & District Lions, 26 bands gave the packed audience in the Town Hall Square plenty of high class playing to enjoy, but it was Wingates, led by Paul Andrews (above), who once again came out on top — taking the 'Best March' and 'Best Hymn Tune' prizes in the process from judges, Stan Lippeatt and Brian Rostron.
Four point margin
Although pushed hard by Yorkshire rivals Hammonds Saltaire and Hepworth, outstanding renditions of their march, 'The Wizard' and hymn tune, 'Love Unknown', saw them claim the overall winner's prize package of £720 by a substantive four point margin.
In addition, individual awards went to Chris Robertson ('Best Euphonium') and Melanie McFarland ('Best Soloist') whilst the trombone trio took the 'Best Trombones' accolade. The band also gained the opportunity to have a Sterling Instruments Artist as a featured soloist at a future concert.
Section awards
Section awards were claimed by Elland Silver, Flixton and Gawthorpe '85 with Elland Silver Youth Band deservedly claiming the Youth title.
David Hoyle of BBC Radio Leeds 'Yorkshire Brass' was there to record the event, whilst Hade Edge Band gave a short concert before the announcement of the results. Graham Ward was the excellent compere, and made sure that the long list of competition sponsors was thanked in full.
The evening before the contest there was an excellent concert given by Hebden Bridge conducted by Rob Savage with a programme of light music at the Central Methodist Church.
outstanding renditions of their march, 'The Wizard' and hymn tune, 'Love Unknown', saw them claim the overall winner's prize package of £720 by a substantive four point margin4BR
Results:
1. Wingates: (98/98) = 196
2. Hammonds Saltaire: (97/95) = 192*
3. Hepworth: (96/96) = 192
4. Marsden: (95/94) = 189
5. Northop: (92/93) = 185
6. Elland: (89/91) = 180
7. City of Bradford: (86/92) = 178
8. Ashton-under-Lyne: (85/90) = 175
9. Skelmanthorpe: (88/82) = 170
10. Elland Youth: (80/89) = 169
11. Rainford: (87/81) = 168
12. Drighlington: (77/87) = 164*
13. Hebden Bridge: (76/88) = 164
14. Hade Edge: (75/86) = 161
15. Flixton: (76/84) = 160
16. Diggle: (79/79) = 158*
17. Skelmanthorpe Prospect: (78/80) = 158
18. Knottingley: (71/85) = 156
19. Slaithwaite: (69/83) = 152
20. Barnsley Brass: (73/78) = 151
21. Bradford Youth: (74/76) = 150
22. Gawthorpe '85: (71/77) = 148
23. Thurlstone: (72/73) = 145*
24. Shirland Youth: (70/75) = 145
25. Huddersfield & Ripponden: (64/74) — 138
26. Tewit Intermediate Youth: (60/72) = 132
*march result takes precedence
Best March: Wingates
Best Hymn: Wingates
Principal Cornet: Northop Silver
Best Euphonium: Wingates
Best Soprano Cornet: Ashton-under-Lyne
Best Soloist: Tenor Horn Wingates
Best Basses: Hammonds Saltaire
Best Trombones: Wingates
Best Road March: Ashton-under-Lyne
Deportment: Ashton-under-Lyne
Best First Section: Elland Silver
Best Second Section: Flixton
Best Fourth Section: Gawthorpe '85
Best unregistered: Thurlstone
Best Hymn Tune (Section 4): Gawthorpe '85
Best Youth Band: Elland Silver Youth
Youth Deportment: Tewit Youth
Youngest Player: Claudia Bowen (Thurlstone)
