The 58th annual North East Derbyshire District Council Contest was held at Dronfield Leisure Centre on the weekend where there was plenty of excellent entertainment on show for the packed audience to enjoy.

Fourth time

A trio of invited bands produced slickly worked programmes to be compared by adjudicator Martin Heartfield, with victory and the £400 first prize eventually being claimed for a fourth consecutive year by Shirebrook Miners Welfare, conducted by David Dernley.

The Midlands First Section band once again took home the T. H. Hallsworth Trophy with a set that opened with Alan Fernie's 'Prismatic Light', followed by a cracking Cab Calloway inspired 'Minnie the Moocher' featuring 'Best Soloist' award winner Nick Stokes on bass trombone. He later received the Bernard Smith Trophy and a North East Derbyshire District Council Presentation Plate.

Contrast

Contrast was shown with an arrangement of the Bruckner sacred motet 'Os Justi', before a smooth rendition of 'Under the Boardwalk' featuring tuba player Robert Allen and flugel soloist Roy Briscoe.

The band finished off in appropriate fashion with a new work entitled, 'The Call of the Colliery'.

Delighted

Band spokesperson Kathy Brimble told 4BR: "We are delighted to have won the contest for a fourth consecutive year, and our thanks go to conductor Dave Dernley who led us so brilliantly. We opted to show as much contrast in styles as we could, and I think the audience heard that with music as diverse as Bruckner and Cab Calloway."

Kathy added: "It's a great contest with a wonderful supportive atmosphere, and the victory has given us a huge boost as we look towards the Area contest next March with a band that is building together."

Bolsover warm up

Second place went to Dronfield (Genquip) Band conducted by Simon Kerwin, winning £300 and the North East Derbyshire District Council Shield as they look forward to their appearance at the Bolsover Festival of Brass contest this weekend.

There was also a very encouraging performance from third placed Matlock Band under Geoff Hawley as they also look towards the Bolsover event boosted by winning £150 and the George Fearn Memorial Trophy.

In his remarks Martin commented on the high standard of the playing, the variety shown in the programmes and the quality of the three featured soloist with the bands.

It's a great contest with a wonderful supportive atmosphere, and the victory has given us a huge boost as we look towards the Area contest next March with a band that is building togetherKathy Brimble

Result:

Adjudicator: Martin Heartfield

1. Shirebrook Miners Welfare (Dave Dernley)
2. Dronfield Genquip (Simon Kerwin)
3. Matlock Band (Geoff Hawley)

Best Soloist: Nick Stokes (bass trombone) — Shirebrook Miners Welfare