The opening salvos of the Stevenage weekend were fired by the fourteen keenly matched competing bands in the Third Section, all of who produced performances of character and quality on Dan Price's enjoyable 'Darkwood' set-work.

The best of them according to adjudicators David Hirst and Alan Duguid, came from Castleton Brass conducted by Peter Ryan, who will be joined in Cheltenham by Oxford Cherwell Brass. Just missing out was Fairlop Brass in third, with the top-six places taken by Tadley Concert Brass, Olney Brass and Simon Langton Brass.

Enlightening

Both judges gave enlightening addresses to the audience before the announcement of the results — views that brought a clear insight into their findings.

David touched upon technical detail and the need to maintain musical flow, especially in the central 'The House on the Hill' movement, whilst Alan drew attention to style, and the need to bring a sense of dark mischief to the opening 'The Boggart' and a lightness of touch and optimism to the 'Blackley Village' finale.

Brought together

Those combinations of elements certainly came from a confident Castleton Brass. Conducted with a keen eye to both tempo and dynamic by Peter Ryan, it gave the band from Eye in Suffolk their second successive Area title (they won the Fourth Section last year), a third Cheltenham appearance in a row, and promotion to the Second Section in 2018.

"It's remarkable really,"said Christine Wade, the band's delighted secretary, who took time out from helping out behind the scenes as part of the excellent organising committee, to talk to 4BR.

"For the past two years we've qualified for the Fourth Section National Final, and now at our first attempt in the Third Section we will be going back as Regional Champions. We work hard and enjoy our banding, and of course we have a fantastic conductor in Peter.

We are absolutely delighted with not just the victory, but with the performance on a piece we all enjoyed playing."

Oxford delight

There was also delight for runner-up Oxford Cherwell Brass, who claimed their first ever National Finals appearance under the experienced direction of Terry Brotherhood. Formed in 2013, they claimed their place thanks in part to some wonderful individual contributions in what was a measured take on the colourful score.

The competitive core of the contest came in its second half, with Tadley Concert Brass just before the break followed immediately after by Oxford Cherwell, Fairlop Brass, Olney Brass and finally Castleton — each bringing something out of the evocative score to caught the ear of the judges to varying degrees.

Plenty to ponder

In the end Fairlop just tired after giving the judges plenty to ponder with two excellent takes on the opening two movements to finish a fine third, whilst Tadley's intriguing account, full of dark mischief in the first movement also impressed to eventually end fourth.

Olney's exciting approach and Simon Langton's more reserved approach filled the top-six with performances of rich merit.

And whilst it was the usual tales of nerves, inconsistencies and occasional wayward tempos and dynamics behind them, renditions from the likes of Hangleton and Tendring also caught the imagination of the listeners in the hall.

None though caught it better for the judges than Castleton, as one of the fast rising stars of London & Southern Counties banding heads to Cheltenham looking to add a National title to the brace of Area successes they now deservedly have to their name.

It's remarkable really. For the past two years we've qualified for the Fourth Section National Final, and now at our first attempt in the Third Section we will be going back as Regional ChampionsBand secretary, Christine Wade

Results:

Third Section:

Test Piece: 'Darkwood' (Dan Price)
Adjudicators: David Hirst and Alan Duguid

1. Castleton Brass (Peter Ryan)*
2. Oxford Cherwell Brass (Terry Brotherhood)*
3. Fairlop Brass (Kevin Jordan)
4. Tadley Concert Brass (Paul Chapman)
5. Olney Brass (Neil Brownless)
6. Simon Langton Brass (David Cutting)
7. Cold Ash Brass (Jemma Evans)
8. Hangleton (Richard Baker)
9. Tendring Brass (Antony Sanders)
10. Jubilee Brass (Oxford) (Clifford Sadler)
11. Brighton & Hove City Brass (Matthew Hackett)
12. Chichester City (Rom Shanks)
13. East Coast Brass (Paul Speed)
14. Hemel Hempstead (David Edmonds)

*Top two bands qualify bands for National Final at Cheltenham