The first leg of what was to be an incredible 'Triple Crown' success story for the Wardle High School organisation at the National Youth Championships came from the remarkable Wardle Junior Blast ensemble.

They were awarded the 'Best Band of the Day' accolade by adjudicators Richard Marshall and Mareika Gray after providing a stunning 15 minute set that was a showcase of musical discipline and excellence under MD Lee Rigg — and all from memory. It was the third year in a row that they had been presented with the prize.

Formed with primary age players from the Smithey Bridge, Littleborough, St James, St Andrew and Holy Trinity Schools near to the Wardle Academy, the ensemble meets once a week, with new players taken on board at the start of the school year.

No music

And according to their delighted MD, the reason why they perform their music from memory has nothing to do with showing off at all — but something all together more practical.

"We used to waste so much time trying to find, replace and pick music up from the floor after it had fallen down from stands that we decided the best approach was to get rid of it all,"said Lee.

"We challenge the children to come to practice knowing their parts, and it works. Their capacity to remember things is amazing: They just soak everything up, and now we don't waste a single second."

That was certainly shown with the upbeat 'Break Dance', followed by the march 'True & Trusty', 'Have Fingers Will Travel' and the horn solo 'My Heart Will Go On', featuring the excellent Molly Clough. The energy was maintained by the trombones on 'Fooling Around', before music for the grandparents with 'Hey Jude!' and the all-guns blazing 'Snake , Rattle and Roll' to close.

It was super stuff and little wonder the judges wrote in their remarks: 'Great performance. Great team you have there. Keep up the great work (and no music — Amazing!)', and; 'I absolutely loved every part of your performance today. Well remembered (even MD). You are an inspiration — Keep it up!'

Cool Calypso

Although the only disappointment of the event was that it attracted just five bands (and all from a small north west radius), the non-competitive ethos of inclusion, encouragement and ambition is one that is perfectly pitched by Brass Bands England and embraced by the conductors of each ensemble.

Astley Youth Training led by the permanently smiling Helen Minshall, provided a super set bookended by a bubbling 'Mini March' and a 'Cool Calypso' that would have had them jiving on the beaches of Jamaica to claim the 'Highly Commended' award, whilst Liz Hudson and Macclesfield Youth Training Band was presented with the 'Band Showing Most Potential' award.

Their performance certainly showed why; with the little nippers giving the appreciative audience everything from 'Air from the Peasant Cantata' by Bach to the high tempo 'Speed it Up' to close.

Touch of classics

Elsewhere, Stockport Schools' Junior Brass Band touched on the classics under James Keirle with some splendid playing on music from Russia, Norway and Mexico to finish, whilst Lions Beginners delivered a set full of fun and games — from the 'Zap!' and 'Kapow!' of the old 'Batman' theme music to 'Highland Cathedral'.

With the hall packed to the rafters for results accompanied by the ear-piercing squeals of delight from the youngsters and proud smiles of family members, it was Wardle Junior Blast who took the honours on a day when the old cliché of 'Everyone being a Winner' certainly applied.

Etihad Stadium

And as for Wardle Junior Blast?

They have been invited to perform at a Champagne Celebration in the Chairman's Lounge of the Etihad Stadium — home to Manchester City Football Club, where the only thing they may have to do to impress Pep Guardiola and his team will be nothing to do with the music at all — but to make sure they change the colour of the their tee shirts from red to blue.

We challenge the children to come to practice knowing their parts, and it works. Their capacity to remember things is amazing: They just soak everything up, and now we don't waste a single secondMD, Lee Rigg

Results:

Beginners Section:

Peel Hall
Own Choice Programme.
15 minutes playing time

Adjudicators: Mareika Gray and Richard Marshall

Band of the Day: Wardle Junior Blast (Lee Rigg)
Highly Commended: Astley Youth Training (Helen Minshall)
Band Showing Most Potential: Macclesfield Youth Training (Liz Hudson)

Other competing bands:

Lions Beginners (Chris Thompson)
Stockport Schools' Junior (James Keirle)