A combination of an excellent set-work, intelligent direction and quality execution sent the musical temperate gauge rising in a thoroughly engaging First Section contest.

It was also a welcome reminder that when all three elements come together in this fashion, it also fulfills the original remit of the second tier of competitive banding in splendid fashion.

Bravo then to the Music Panel, MDs and players for a contest that produced a number of performances of 'Land of the Long White Cloud' rich in musical and technical merit, despite the difficulties of playing in a venue that more than lived up to its 'Winter Gardens' name.

Evocative score

The best according to the judges Paul Holland and David Roberts came from an impressive Pemberton Old Wigan DW Band directed by Ben Dixon — one that brought colour, texture, excitement and pathos to Philip Sparke's evocative score to claim their third North West First Section title and send them to Cheltenham as a strong contender to repeat their 2004 National triumph.

They will be joined there by a strong rival in Rainford, as only a single noticeable lapse in concentration from Gareth Brindle's band perhaps cost them their chance to repeat their 2012 Area triumph.

In fact, David confirmed to 4BR, that the top four bands 'did a very good job' on a demanding work, whilst Paul added that perhaps another eight may well have left thinking that they had 'missed their chance' to stake their Cheltenham claims.

Hard to disagree

The list of 'near miss' bands was headed by a confident pairing of Oldham (Lees) and Wardle Anderson Brass in third and fourth respectively, with Freckleton and Eccles Borough making up a top-six that most listeners packed into a chilly Arena venue both for warmth as well as musical enjoyment, would have found hard to disagree with.

"It's a great piece but also a very demanding one at First Section level,"Dave told 4BR. "We had quite an easy job picking out the first four, who did a very good job, and the top two in particular, who would have been a couple of points clear.

It was harder putting the others in order though — especially as many promised much but didn't quite deliver. Performances made up of too many small but noticeable errors cost a lot of bands."

Paul agreed: "It was a frustrating contest to adjudicate at times. The best bands produced fine accounts, but after the two qualifiers there was a gap and then again after the top-six.

There were some repeated questions that arose overall — especially poor tuning and sloppy time changes. This is a very transparent score — so it wasn't hard to hear even in this difficult acoustic."

Considered direction

That was certainly a point well made, as the meniscus on the temperature gauge took a considerable time to rise to a comfortable level, whilst the rather swirling acoustic also caught some bands out.

Not so for the winners, as Ben Dixon's considered direction and bold approach to tempos and dynamics brought the music to life in a rendition that balanced vibrant energy to lyrical reflection aided by excellent soloists and a warm ensemble timbre.

Great people

"The band has been working so hard for this,"Ben told 4BR. "The determination has been amazing as they've built themselves back up after losing so many players last year. All the credit goes to them — I've just enjoyed myself conducting such great people.

It was an odd place to play on the day — it was very cold and the hall sound bounced around so much, but nothing seems to faze this band. Now we've the Grand Shield to look forward to and a busy concert schedule that should put us in good stead for Cheltenham. It would be great to repeat our 2004 triumph."

Meanwhile Rainford also produced many of the same musical characteristics in a mature performance that continued to show that their rise to the cusp of top section promotion shows no sign of abating under the direction of Gareth Brindle.

Broad, majestic sounds

In the judge's opinion these two certainly set out their stall early on with their broad, majestic sounds, whilst they were able to balance it with fleet-footed nimbleness in the following vivace section. Subtle timbres in the lyrical larghetto were aided by fine solo contributions before they were able offer dynamic contrast and precision in rounding things off with plenty in the tank for the thunderous closing statement and high paced coda.

Others in the top-six did the same — notably Oldham (Lees), who once again showed they are a band of considerable solidity, whilst Wardle Anderson Brass produced the early marker of quality that took some overcoming. Both Freckleton and Eccles Borough also left the stage very much in the mix and with an eye on a possible Cheltenham qualification berth.

Elsewhere it was the usual case of misplaced ambition, nerves and unforced errors, but it was noticeable that despite the demands of the work (and the acoustic) each band seemed to Sparke's wonderful work almost within their grasp.

None though had it tighter than Pemberton Old Wigan DW, and with the Grand Shield to come back here in May, their only hope for improvement may just be an increase in temperature on Winter Gardens thermometer.

It was an odd place to play on the day — it was very cold and the hall sound bounced around so much, but nothing seems to faze this bandPemberton Old Wigan DW, MD, Ben Dixon

Result:

First Section:

Test Piece: The Land of the Long White Cloud (Philip Sparke
Adjudicators: Paul Holland and David Roberts

1. Pemberton Old Wigan DW (Ben Dixon)*
2. Rainford (Gareth Brindle)*
3. Oldham (Lees) (John Collins)
4. Wardle Anderson Brass (Sean Conway)
5. Freckleton (Paul Dalton)
6. Eccles Borough (Mareika Gray)
7. Manx Concert Brass (Ian Clague MBE)**
8. Poulton-Le-Fylde (Andrew Warriner)
9. Mossley (Duncan Byers)
10. Haslingden & Helmshore (Simon Cowen)
11. Silk Brass (Tony Wyatt)
12. Tyldesley (Robert Taylor)
13. Bollington Brass (Peter Christian)

Best Trombones: Pemberton Old Wigan DW

*Top two bands qualify bands for National Final in Cheltenham
** Pending registration enquiry