*
banner

Report & Results: 2017 North of England Regional Championships: Fourth Section

Jayess Newbiggin makes an immediate return to Cheltenham where they are joined by Trimdon Concert after their enjoyable success on 'St Andrews Variations'.

Gala Theatre
  Jayess Newbiggin delivered the winning St Andrews Variations performance in Durham

On a weekend when defending a title proved to be beyond the reigning champion in the top section, on the first rung of the National Finals ladder it was a different story, as Jayess Newbiggin under Andrew Griffiths repelled seven keen challengers to head back to Cheltenham as a proud North of England champion.

Alan Fernie's 'St Andrew's Variations' proved to be a popular choice of test-piece, with players, conductors and audience members alike telling 4BR how much they enjoyed its familiar musical themes and challenges.

Musical merit

Best of all though it enabled every band to produce a performance of musical merit — something which the judges John Doyle and Leigh Baker pointed out in their equally enjoyable pre-results remarks.

The comedic duo held the audience spellbound as they went into the 'do's and don'ts', as well as, rather bizarrely, their north east heritage (John's father came from Ashington whilst Leigh's father 'had a friend' from the area!)

However, behind the repartee came the clear analysis and accurate observations, with John stating that 'two performances were consistent from start to finish', before adding that on this occasion solo performers could have perhaps 'taken more risks' instead of going 'through the motions'.

Youth and experience

One player who certainly didn't was Jayess Newbiggin principal cornet player Dennis Todd, who produced a personal performance of warm assuredness and tasteful phrasing that was as good as any he had given at this contest at all levels over the past 40 years or more.

It was great to see the band also contain the youngest player of the day in 15 year old Georgia Stones, who will hopefully enjoy 40 years or more of future participation at the contest.

The winning rendition was one that was also based on consistent, coherent playing that was so compact and cohesive that you almost forget it came from a band that was a few players short (with only two tubas — one of which was the indefatigable Regional Secretary Tony Griffiths). Under the excellent Andrew Griffiths, they really are a band that plays to the mantra of quality over quantity.

Compact quality

That said, compact quality was also shown by runner-up, Trimdon Concert Brass, as they returned to the National Final for the first time since 2013.

Led with determination and a smile for every payer by Riverside cornet star Tina Mortimer, who was making her conducting debut at the event, theirs was a performance rich in tonality, and also aided by the splendid 'Best cornet' playing of Lynsey Garraghan.

Encouragement

And despite the disappointment of missing out on a trip down to Cheltenham, there were fine accounts to enjoy from Lanchester under well known trombone player Gareth Sykes in third, who were neat and musically stylish, and the top-six finishers of Knaresborough Silver, Craghead Colliery (with Kimberley Daley claiming the 'Best Euphonium' prize for her lovely playing) and Burneside.

Penrith Town and Spennymoor Town also left knowing they produced performances that held a great deal of encouragement for the future.

And that was certainly the feeling for the winners too — as Jayess Newbiggin now plan for a return to Cheltenham with a great deal of confidence. They could well be a band to watch out for.

The winning rendition was one that was also based on consistent, coherent playing that was so compact and cohesive that you almost forget it came from a band that was a few players short4BR

Results:

Fourth Section:


Test Piece: 'St Andrews Variations' (Alan Fernie)
Adjudicators: Leigh Baker and John Doyle

1. Jayess Newbiggin Band (Andrew Griffiths)*
2. Trimdon Concert Brass (Tina Mortimer)*
3. Lanchester (Gareth Sykes)
4. Knaresborough Silver (Steve Morland)
5. Craghead Colliery (Jack Dodds)
6. Burneside (Laurie Johnston)
7. Penrith Town (Mark Wilkinson)
8. Spennymoor Town (Neil Davis)

*Top two bands qualify for National Final at Cheltenham

Awards:


Best Principal Cornet: Lynsey Garraghan (Trimdon Concert Brass)
Best Euphonium: Kimberley Dale (Craghead Colliery)
Youngest Player: Georgia Stones (aged 15) (Jayess Newbiggin)

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


mARZELLA

2025 RNCM International Brass Band Festival: Interview with Katrina Marzella-Wheeler

January 21 • We catch up with the Scottish conductor to find out more about the programme to be performed by the RNCM Brass Band on the weekend in Manchester.


Kaitlin

CBSO boosted by Wild trumpet addition

January 21 • The brass section of another leading British orchestra is boosted by the arrival of a brass band player as Kaitlin Wild joins the trumpet section of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra.


Blackpool

North West Area line-ups announced

January 21 • The list of bands and judges have been confirmed for the North West Regional Championships in Blackpool in February.


mINING

Brass band mining heritage celebrated

January 21 • Visitors to the National Coal Mining Museum for England can now enjoy finding out more about the long and proud connection between brass bands and the industry.


The Hepworth Band - Hepworth Band New Year Celebration Concert

Sunday 26 January • Christ Church, New Mill, Holmfirth HD97ER


Dobcross Silver Band - Hammonds Band

Sunday 26 January • c/o Dobcross Band Club. Platt Lane. Dobcross Saddleworth OL3 5AD


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

Friday 7 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015. N-5015


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

Saturday 8 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015


Haverhill Silver Band - Concert in Clare Church

Saturday 8 February • St Peter and St Paul Church, Clare, Suffolk CO10 8NY


Mereside Brass

January 21 • MERESIDE BRASS are excited to be starting the New Year with a new MD! To complete our happiness, we would love to welcome a FLUGEL player and a PERCUSSIONIST to join our team. We are a friendly 4th Section band with a sensible calendar of jobs and socials


West Yorkshire Brass

January 20 • We are a friendly and welcoming non-competing band based in the Bradford area of West Yorkshire. We play at various events in Yorkshire throughout the year. We have vacancies for Eb and BBb basses. Instruments provided if required


wantage silver band

January 20 • Wantage Band (championship section) has a vacant 2ND CORNET position. This would suit a player with experience in a championship or first section band. Rehearsals take place every Sun 7:30pm and Wed 8pm in Wantage with highly experienced MD Chris King.


Howard J Evans

MA (Dist), Mus.B (hons), ARCM (hons), LRAM, LTCL, PGCE
Conductor, composer, arranger, tutor and pianist


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd