The North London Brass Network recently hosted its inaugural entertainment contest in the heart of central London.

The successful evening took place at St Giles' Cripplegate Church near the Barbican Centre and was a wonderful success thanks to the excellent organisation of Martyn Stogden who ran the event, and the four excellent bands who performed so splendidly.

London network

Martyn has started up four bands across London in recent year — all of which are thriving. Enfield Chase was founded in 2010, Muswell Hill in 2011, Putney & Wandsworth in 2013 City of London in 2014. He also runs North London Brass, which draws on players from all four bands and which now competes at contests.

The event marked the first time all four had performed at the same venue and against each other in friendly and supportive rivalry.

March, hymn tune and own choice

In total 87 players took to the stage to perform a march, hymn tune and an own choice work to try and tickle the fancy of adjudicator Alan Duguid, with Putney & Wandsworth conducted by Sam Topp (above) eventually coming out on top so to speak!

They performed the march 'Putney Parade' written specially for the contest by their cornet player Jonathan Startup, the hymn tune 'Maryton' and 'The Golden Lady' by Goff Richards and took the individual prizes for each musical category in what was a comprehensive clean sweep.

Such was the success that the contest will be running again on Wednesday 18th October 2017, with the North London Brass network aiming to have a fifth newly founded band taking to the stage.

Such was the success that the contest will be running again on Wednesday 18th October 2017, with the North London Brass network aiming to have a fifth newly founded band taking to the stage4BR

Results:

Adjudicator: Alan Duguid

1. NLB Putney & Wandsworth (Sam Topp)
2. NLB Muswell Hill (Martin Lee Thomson)
3= NLB City of London (David Stoneham)
3= NLB Enfield Chase (Paul Hooper)

Best March:

1. NLB Putney & Wandsworth
2. NLB Muswell Hill

Best Hymn:

1. NLB Putney & Wandsworth
2. NLB City of London

Best Own Choice Piece:

1. NLB Putney & Wandsworth
2. NLB Enfield Chase